48Dodger

I agree threre should be something like that Don, but I haven't seen anything on our trucks. The only thing that comes close is the piece under the end of the hood. I imagine after 47 they might have changed to this kind of set up, but I have no real idea. 48D The firewall to radiator bar ties into the top of the braket the front of this bracket bolts to the grille, the top bolts to the hood, but only one bolt on each side of the U braket This is it siting in the right spot without the U bracket.

Jim, you reading this thread? http://www430.pair.com/p15d24/mopar_forum/showthread.php?t=11815 48D

Just a long shot, but the U bracket does its lion share of holding up the whole front end. Is it possible the bracket is weak, or cracked? My thinking is that the bracket is allowing enough lean left and right to crack the radiator. Like i said, a long shot. Sorry so many pictures, but I thought it would show people better the way the front is supported mostly by the U bracket on the front cross member. I didn't post a picture of the Radiator bolted between the bracket, but if the bracket was craked at the bottom, it would use the sides of the radiator for strength and in effect, flex the top of the radiator. Again....just a long shot. 48D

This the rear eye of the front spring. Note that there is no pressed in bushing like the front.

"Is this right, that the shackle goes inside the spring and the threaded bushing goes into there also with one set of threads facing the shackle and the other (outside) set of threads just sitting in the spring loop with no threads or bushing to ride on?" Yes. This is right. The sleeve nut is the bushing. This is the rear eye of the front spring. no press in bushing like the front. 48D

Happy Turkey day to everyone! Thanks for the kind words Robert and all from our neighbor to the north. I'll do my best to remember you guys in October next year. 48D

It's offical...2nd annual Clements, Ca Tailgate BBQ.....April 25th 2009 Printable flyer will be up next week....promise. 48D

It's offical...2nd annual Clements, Ca Tailgate BBQ.....April 25th 2009 Printable flyer will be up next week....promise. 48D

Where's your radiator getting damaged? 48D

Maybe you're missing the threaded bushing? I sand blasted the ends to get a better picture for everyone. Honestly I don't know if they are pressed in or threaded in like the sleeve nuts (that's what I call'em anyway). I posted these pictures on both threads. Let me know if any other pictures will help. The photos are of the driver side spring, front eye and its hanger. 48D

Maybe you're missing the threaded bushing? I sand blasted the ends to get a better picture for everyone. Honestly I don't know if they are pressed in or threaded in like the sleeve nuts (that's what I call'em anyway). I posted these pictures on both threads. Let me know if any other pictures will help. The photos are of the driver side spring, front eye and its hanger. 48D

"This post would have saved me about 10 hours two weeks ago. I asked for help on this site but received zero help. You are mistaken when you say the rear shackle sleeve turns in then the shackle. They must be turned in at the same time. Todd B." That's funny you say that, cuz I've haven't had one that has come out that easy yet. I know there's a tool for that spot as well. The zerk fitting is just on the otherside, you can't see it in the photo cuz its out. I remember your post Todd and a few of us had talked about the fact that the info about the LEFT HANDED threads isn't covered in the manuals. So when I saw DBcopper's post I'd thought I'd take a stab at explaining it. All those photos are from this morning. Those sleeved nuts are fat threaded bushings really... as far as wether they are worn or not, is a judgment call I haven't had to make yet. Mine have all fit tight so far. 48D

My kids love the old iron and I'm doing my best to keep the "brain washing" up. lol. lord knows its tough to do with the teachers they got today. Seems they want my kids to feel guilty about everything. I tell my kids the best thing they you can do for the world, is keep America strong. Fuel cells, electric, hydrogen, gas, diesel, I don't care...long as we're doing it better than anyone else. The Peapod? Geez..oh boy... My son is planning on studying engineering in the Air Force. Hopfully he'll use his love of america steel to help get us out of the "peapod" phase and onto something a little more promising. lol. Papa's gotta dream right? (following photos are of my son with his 1995 dodge truck, his 1972 Roadrunner, and him working on my 1950 dodge)

The rear shackle has a sleeve that screws in and then the shackle screws in This is the pin that goes in the front of the rear spring...its notched to be held in place by a bolt hope all this helps. 48D

VERY IMPORTANT: lower rear driver side sleeve nuts are LEFT HAND THREAD front spring and back....there are only two. Both are on the spring NOT the frame. I'm pointing at the driver's side on both pictures

Hey welcome to the club! Post where your from, we got people from all over. You might find someone close. The eye is threaded and both sides of the hanger as well.

That's sweet! Can't wait to see it finished. 48D

Hell yes, you can Don. Glad to hear there's still a chance you can make it. Unless someone comes up with a better plan...its gonna be 4/25/09 Please, Please....anyone who's reading the thread, make some noise so I can get an idea of who is interested in coming. We're working on a swap meet area, an invite to chevy/ford trucks, and other activities. Thanks again to everyone who came last year, and really look forward to seeing y'all again this year. 48D

It'd be a good time to call. Jim Shepard is stopping by and so is Bob Koch on saturday. I'm in the process of taking the "three sisters" apart to make a single truck. The frames should be available to look at soon. I have the same thread going on the car side, and it sounds like April 25th will be the date. 48D

I'll give it til monday to call it. So far it looks like Saturday. Just like last year, if anyone wants to RV it to my house, there's plenty of room. I wish you could make it too Merle. Tell you what, If you make it to California, I'll hit the road to the Mid West.... Definately planning on a swap meet. 48D

Nothing cooler than hangin' out with people who "get" your truck. lol Hope you guys can make it happen! 48D

I need input. I would like to have the BBQ on Saturday the 25th of April,2009....last year it was on the Sunday the 27th of April. Any objections? Is Sunday better? Seemed to me a lot of people drove some distance to be there and were thinking about getting home because of Monday. The plan is to invite ford and chevy trucks too and give the general truck culture a look at our rides. The invitation of course always extends to the car side. The flyer should be up for review by next week. Hopfully, my truck will be done this year..its under way! 48D

I need input. I would like to have the BBQ on Saturday the 25th of April,2009....last year it was on the Sunday the 27th of April. Any objections? Is Sunday better? Seemed to me a lot of people drove some distance to be there and were thinking about getting home because of Monday. The plan is to invite ford and chevy trucks too and give the general truck culture a look at our rides. The invitation of course always extends to the car side. The flyer should be up for review by next week. Hopfully, my truck will be done this year..its under way! 48D:cool:

Here's some examples from members trucks. Each guy did it a little different. 48D

You could try laquer thinner with a few different soft scrubbers. I believe the lettering is red. I don't have a truck older than 1950...is the emblem stainless steel or chrome? 48D