Tony WestOZ

Sam, We did use the US style 3 window rear on the utes. These were known as a standard cab ute. With the Deluxe cab (coupe) ute the only extra area you get is the parcel shelf behind the seat. In the photo below you can see that the wall thats behind the seat slopes back at an angle as compared to the standard ute that is vertical. This does not give any more room as the bench seat that is used in the coupe ute is the same as the front one used in the cars. The seat is on slides like the car seat and can be moved forwards and backwards for better adjustment. It is also more comfortable than the standard truck seat.

great looking setup there Andy. What sort of water pump have you got mounted on there. Look`s interesting.

and both from B.C Canada.

Jim did they use the standard truck 3 speed gear box fitted with a longer input shaft to fit the fluid drive set up to or did they use a car gearbox set up.

To fit a dual master cylinder in the usual position the steering column needs to be moved forward. Not a lot of room in there. Pic stolen from rustyhope`s site.

My engine codes on Canadian Fargo`s don`t show engine size but it seems a T119 for a 2 ton truck could be a 228 or 236. In OZ the 2 tons used the 236. Thats provided its a 47 model. Bill Watson if he still watches this site would know.

I have copied these pics from another site. They where taken at a Chrysler day on the Australian east coast on the weekend. Has to be the best example of a restord 1955 to 57 aussie Pilot-house Deluxe (coupe) ute I have seen. This link will show you a few other late model aussie utes. http://moparmarketforum.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?p=154114#154114

Gee you guys are lucky over there. If you cut the chassis like that here you would never pass inspection.

I think the "CDD Chrysler, Dodge, Desoto. Distributors limited" comes from the late 20s. You`ll notice no Plymouth either. I am not sure exactly when they started using either name here but I think Plymouth was 30-31 with Fargo in 36-37. The CDD did not change untill 53 when it became Chrysler Australia.

Australia did have its own version of the step side, it was known as an Express. These are pretty rare. You might have a tray top that someone has started to turn into a step side. I shall dig up the bits and get a postage cost for the parts them PM you. Might be a week before it happens .

Beau, If it looks like this one, in Australia its a Standard cab model. All trucks here came with quarter glass in the doors. If its like this its a Deluxe model. I have spare corner glass for the standard model. The spare glovebox lid I have has a few holes in it if thats any good to you.

I have been told two different stories about Holden manifolds fitting flat 6`s. One is the 186 manifold, the other is that the early grey motor one fits. I have never tried or seen them fitted. I am not sure whether these guys have been talking about the short or long block motors. Most people here don`t know there is a difference. In oz hot-up parts for the flatty (long or short) are very thin on the ground. I`m note sure what the space is like in the cars but the trucks have modified manifolds so that the clutch pedal clears them. A lot of what I have seen of the USA stuff will not fit on the trucks out here, so I am going to make my own.

Beau, Now you own one you will start seeing more of them. Is it possible to post a photo? Also is it possible to get the tag details and engine number off you, I`d like to put them in my file. There`s some info on Australian trucks here. http://dodgepilothouseclub.org/garage/garage.htm Tony West OZ

Hello Beau good to see another aussie on the site. I don`t know much about the front end conversions but jag are the most common used in Australia. Ford disc`s are used for most conversions as there cheep and readily available. Callipers, some use Holden HQ. Landcruiser seem to be the latest fit to Valiant for an upgrade. Best thing to do is get in touch with the local hot-rod club or the RTA for details. Any mods, specially in QLD require an inspection of some sort or an engineers certificate.

I cannot find anything to match the number L6882C. Wander if it is an industrial engine? A 51 Fargo should have a stamping T307-####. It would be a 218cu" long block engine.

241.5 cu" is the correct size, 3 3/8" X 4 1/2" Some round it up (242), some round it down (241). Used in Fargo trucks as well. I have a list somewhere of engines used in OZ, I shall try and find it. Basicly if it was used in the US or Canada it was used here at some time.

Don`t forget the 201 and 242cu" 25" Canadian long blocks were used here as well.

The 228 is a 25" long block from Canada.Different B & S to the US 23" 230. The "KEW" motors are the 250 cu" motor that came from the Kew plant in England. They were used in Australian cars and trucks from 53 to 62.

My condolences to you Fred. I know it is probable not the right time to bring this up but it never is. 6 years ago my father(70 at the time) was diagnosed with bowel cancer. Luckely they caught it early and only needed a small part of his bowel removed. He is still going strong today. It was suggested to me and siblings that we all have a colonoscopy(camara up the bum). End result, it saved my sisters life. She had a couple of bad polups which were removed and now she has checks ever couple of years. She was 41 at the time. The rest of the family get checked ever 5 years just to keep an eye on things. Its recomended if your over 50 go and have a check up.If cancer has been diagnosed in your family and your over 40 go and have a check up.

counterclockwise of course. :D

I have not hit one at 90 to 100 mph, luckily, as there is not much chance of walking away from the wreck at that speed. I have taken out a few (up to 4) but luckily they have not resulted in a lot of damaged, thou the one on the motorcycle was an experience. Down here we don’t call them roo guards. If it is on a car or small 4x4 it’s a "roo bar", if it’s on a truck it’s a "bull bar". Bull bar you say, yes, up in the Northern Territory were I spent a few years kangaroo’s are the least of you problems. Cattle, wild horses, donkeys, and camels are the ones you have to watch out for.

This is an Australian D5N. 300 series by the look of it. Chryser Australia started producing the cabs for International (based on the US Inter design) in 58 for their AA line. From 62 onwards as well as producing for Inter (AB,C and D models), Chrysler Australia started using them for their Dodge AT4 series of trucks after finally discontinuing the Pilothouse line. The AT4`s ran from 62 to 73 with the D5N`s from 73 to 79 when Chrysler Australia shut down. The only real difference between the look of the Inter`s and the Dodge`s from 62 untill 79 was the grill area.

Depending where you are in Australia and on what day you buy it, petrol is about $5.00 US a gallon. Diesel is even more.

Mick I don`t now that you will be using it for a while. We just had our hottest December day in 100 years, 44.5 deg C(112 F) and it`s heading your way.

Basicly YES. Do it yourself. Just practice a bit.