48Dodger

Did you check for any dead rodents crossing up your leads behind the dash? 48D

From the 9th annual Clements Tailgate BBQ 2016.....Steve is the owner and has an excellent website on how he built this truck. 48D

I have guard dogs I have to keep under lock and key and I have lovable dogs too. I don't judge...I love them all. As for a super small dog, I have them too. Peeka is a Rat Terrier who pulls her weight by ridding the ranch of rodents of all shapes and sizes. She rides in my cattle truck and The Brick.....she is an awesome dog.

Yah....the black bed question is common, but others do get tired of me asking "Why a Ford???".....lol. I lost my 2006 Dodge to hard driving and a blown motor in 2014...just good living I guess. I've decided to explore the idea of an over head, radio head. Mark and I were digging around the wrecking yard at American Canyon, Ca. in the Bay Area. There I discovered a C series truck with said overhead entertainment. I'd like to do a similar deal with a lil less 70's influence using my 06 radio. I'll give it go and see what happens. 48D

?Lol...thanks Jeff. I like the switches I got from this guy on epay.... So I think I'll try and get the matching guages etc... I'll be changing to a lowside bed and use the high side for a trailer. I have 3 sets of lowside bed parts in various conditions...so it'll remain to be seen how much body work there is. Either way, it's gonna be factory black. 48D

This is the first of several upgrades..... 48D

Though "The Brick" was updated with seats and glass.....on a whole, its still a race vehicle....a race truck without a distinction of a race class. In the spirit of evolution, its time to keep the ball rolling and roll with some changes. The updates will include turn signals, working headlights and (oh geez) brake lights. I worked on the dash, cutting a bit of steel to make room for the switch panel. Its a step towards domestication, and move away from a life of speed. Not sure how I feel about it...just life I guess.

Ha Ha...yeah...me and my brother are a bit of a crowd. ? 48D

Get healthy Paul... we'll see 6a next year! 48D

The first Q'ers are arriving....the overnighters as it were....let the party begin!! 48D

My weather report is no rain...just clouds....hope hope hope. Oh the first Truck showed up today....the yellow panel in the flyer. I mentioned the weather. He looked at me and said "I don't care...it's a truck...it'll dry off." 48D

Its less than a week away....time to fill the gas tanks and load the ice chests brothers! With the BBQ almost here.... it always happens, a few forum names will come up....some asking questions like "wonder what he's like?" "wonder if he'll come out next year?" or "wouldn't it be great if that guy was here, I'd like to talk with him". It's what created the "Wish You Were Here Award". An award that reminds everyone on the forum, no matter where you're at, you're invited!! Past winners: 2008 Don Coatney 2009 Merle Coggins 2010 Hank aka HanksB3B 2011 Ed aka Young ED 2012 Bud aka Budstruck 2013 Tim Adams aka Plymouthy Adams 2014 Mark aka ggdad1951 and Davin aka Desotodav 2015 Joe Hanely aka 52b3 Joe 2016 Dave aka Dave72dt 2017 Rob aka Dodge4ya 2018 JBNeal This year, its a guy who has tried to get to the Q' a few times and has defaulted because of work or his family. We all can all get behind a guy like that, because that's what really matters most. But that doesn't change the fact it would be nice to see him here someday! He always has a kind word when needed, and helpful information if relevant. We all know he has owned the most beautiful semi-truck you've ever seen in recent history of these old Dodge Trucks. But, again, he choose family, when choosing a classic ride that would include everyone when it came time to enjoy the weekend. He'll get here someday, and I know that when he does, it'll seem like he's never missed a single one. • 2019 Todd B • Congratulations!!! Look for your trophy in the mail my friend. 48D

I GOT DIBS!!!!!! I WANNA DRIVE THE BIG TRUCK!!!! 48D

Had a few of the locals stop by and help ready the ranch for the festivities!! CYA THERE!! 48D Thank you Charlie and Jimmie!

Bring your stuff and we'll let you cook it!! Plenty of heat to go around. 48D

The sad thing for me is that my truck was purpose built for racing. Now I'm spending most my time neutering it. Its racing days are pretty much over...I love my wife way to much to tell her otherwise. After racing Stock Cars, Drags, and Land Speed Racing...its time to be done with it. I've been watching you guys build your street able race machines and really enjoying it. I truly want to race you guys for pinks.....! Oh.....except I don't have a pink, I'll have to get one of those things....my 50 has been "off the grid", racing the wind for bragging rights. I joined a local Car Club with the intent to relax and enjoy the hobby of hot rods.....but boy howdy....I'm a long way from turn signals and brake lights. Cheers to you guys, f_armer and radarsonwheels.

Yes....like Mark mentioned....the horizontal body line goes all the way to the door jam on 48-50. The body line on a 51-53, fades, as it were, mid span. The doors are completely interchangable, leading to the 48-50 trucks be "repaired" with newer 51-53 doors. 48D

Usually I just use the axe.... ..but sometimes, HULK SMASH!!! 48D

With only 2 weeks away....still lots of work to be done around here. Time to start calling in the local help. one of the fun things to do is BS around the fire pit before, during and after the main event. Got the tools sharpened and cleaned up....cuz there's just never enough of a good reason NOT to swing and axe! 48D

Starting to believe Mark and Brent bring the sunshine......can't be any other explanation. Anybody still on the fence about showing up???? Let me talk you into it!!! 48D

So far the weather is holding up for the BBQ.....last report I saw was 68 degrees with a few clouds......fingers crossed as always! 48D

Redoing someone else's work is more expensive than starting from "scratch" yourself...... If its not running, looks cobbled together and has (what I call ) untested upgrades.... Look into starting from scratch yourself and see where the cost falls. Dakota frame engine A non running 51-53 truck with 90% of parts The ability to bring it together ( tools, funds or both) It'll be a matter of which truck wins....a truck with a multitude of problems and unknowns... Or carefully bringing together a proven design that you would happy to drive your family around in. A truck like this one might require a multiple of shake downs, tear downs and....(hoping against) breakdowns. This truck (based on parts alone) might be worth 4500, if you can put it through the paces and prove its safe for family. Otherwise.....its an expensive parts truck. 48D

.......You have up to 12-16 hours for a chemical bond between bc/cc. if you go longer, you need a mechanical bond (sanding). Most failures are due to improper prep and this is even true of manufacturers. The 90's saw very thin color and clear coats to save money and pollution numbers. It led to early clear coat failures. In the case of the home job, not sanding primers properly leads to adhesion problems. Most people I know who paint at home really miss this part. Color is high maintenance, it needs a well sanded surface to grab it right. Wet sanding 400-600 is tedious and a pain in the ass....but necessary. IMO...... Zero in on the hood. Why? its flat. PRIMER PREP Sand it with 80, 120......shoot 2 coats of Epoxy primer (high in resin, not ideal for sanding) This will seal it off from the next layer so it doesn't react with the new chemicals coming its way. PRIMER SHAPE Shoot several coats of Urethane primer(sanding and shaping qualities), let it dry over several hours. Shoot a guide coat....a real can called "guide coat" ....a can of black paint defeats the purpose. Guide coat is your friend...it doesn't lie...it will show you where you didn't sand, and it wont steal your beer. Start with 220, finish with minimum of 400. Blow it off, wax and grease it (since this is a practice piece you can use windex ) Shoot a thin coat of Epoxy coat as a sealer, let it gas off 30 mins COLOR (base coat..bc) Shoot the edges first, not going to thick. Shoot color on the hood in an even manner not worrying about complete coverage...just blush it out and "drag" across the edges again. Shoot a second coat 30 mins later, execute complete coverage. Shoot a third coat 30 mins later, crossing up the first pattern slightly and watching for evenness, flow and coverage. let is gas off for several hours and fix all the mistakes that snuck in because you don't have a spray booth. Brush touch, fish eye, to thick, sags, bugs....fix'em all. spray any small repair areas out and be careful not to over coat it. Just feather it back in. CLEAR (clear coat..cc) Spraying clear is like spraying single stage color. You need to watch it flow, and grow together with each pass. Learn to be direct and in control of the flow. Don't try and spot it in, use big long flowing motions. It will allow the clear to flow together much better and avoid dry areas that need lots of sanding. Clear is usually 3 coats so its thick enough to cut and buff..... another crappy job. If you flow your clear right, it will reduce the pain of doing that job. Reasons I say a hood: Its a flat surface to spray (doors are vertical etc), its big enough to practice sweeping the gun and a large enough surface to better judge your work. Good luck! 48D