Desotodav

Must have hit something pretty solid (for both photos). I see new cars smashed in like that these days and ask the driver's if they hit a moth. They don't make 'em like they use to !!!

The manual that I posted the diagram from was a USA manual. I have recently installed the motor and gearbox back into my 52 truck and used a clutch aligning tool (photo attached) to center the clutch plate. I agree with others in that there is nothing that goes between the forks and the throwout bearing sleeve. The rear view of my clutch looked the same as others pictured earlier in this topic.

I checked the manual and it appears that you guys over there run a similar clutch pedal adjuster on your trucks as ours (see attached). You should be able to get some pedal adjustment from the 'collar 6-45-3' by adjusting the bolts on either side. Second attachment is a photo of mine - apologies for poor quality but it's in a hard to get at place to photograph.

Top job Jeff! Love the dash also. You just need to get onto Mark and score his spare ash tray and lighter! Keep up the good work!

It's pretty much the same deal here in Oz - Ford and Chev trucks seem to fetch ridiculous prices in comparison to those that fly the MOPAR banner!

There is a keyway in the shaft that the clutch pedal assembly slides onto with a half-moon metal fitting that slides into it.

So sorry to hear of your loss Wayne. Take comfort in the thought that your dear old Mom is no longer suffering. She may be gone in body, but I'm sure that she will continue to look down on you and your family for many years to come.

Hi Andrea, and welcome to the forum. Well done on finding a truck in such good condition. I checked up on some data sheets that I have (attached) and they list your truck as a Fargo from 53-55. I assume that it is running a 12V Lucas electrical system, and that your dash is somewhat different to mine pictured by Kevin in Post #4? You can see the build of my blue 52 truck here... http://gallery.oldholden.com/Streetneat/album73/Davins+Desoto/ if you wish, but I haven't included any dash photos from memory at that site. I am about to start restoring a truck like yours that has been sitting in my shed for a while - it's a 108BD. I'll drop you a PM with my email details to chat further with you about your truck.

An absolute credit to you BH. Quite a rare and unique vehicle that is well worth the fine restoration detail that you have achieved. Well done!!!

Your old 'Ramble On' truck came up a treat - well done to you Jeff. You just need to do that final minor modification installing the left-side external door lock and then you're getting close to all-done! I expect that you will have it within a few days now.

I was reading a post on the car side about digital retro dashes and thought that I'd do some searching to see what's out there for our trucks. I came across the Dakota Digital site... http://www.dakotadigital.com/index.cfm ... and boy don't they do some interesting stuff! I wonder how a fella would go mounting one of their Jeep or Bronco dashes (see attached) in a truck like ours? Pity that I'm such a stickler for originality in my truck/s !!!

There's been plenty of talk on this topic over the years Mark, Have you tried a search on 'cowl vent seal'? Try this link... http://p15-d24.com/topic/9965-cowl-vent-gaskets-revisited-again/?hl=%2Bcowl+%2Bvent+%2Bseal#entry249719 for some good information.

Cool video Mark. I'm glad that it finally worked out for you. I recently mounted the 6v dual horns in my truck. I'll have to see if I can post a video for you. I'm almost finished building a 12v dual-horn set now for the next truck (53 Aussie Dodge coupe truck).

I'm not sure where you're from LameNytro, but I found that the wheels from my earlier model trucks (here in Oz) will not fit on my 57/58 Dodge suburban truck - the brake drums on the later model appear to be larger in diameter. There have been quite a few member's here that have fitted other diffs under their trucks - maybe use the search function to the top right of your screen?

I saw this BBQ and thought of you Tim... http://pitbossbelt.com/wp/oil-truck-turned-into-a-massive-rolling-bbq-grill-breakaway-bbq-truck . I didn't think it possible to beat the PH BBQ that you already have. Have to keep your eyes out for a PH tanker now hey!

Gotta get me one of those paint shakers!

Well done. A fella can never have too many parts trucks I reckon!

An update on door latch spring manufacturing: I've now picked up the other springs from the manufacturer and they look pretty good. I just need to see if we can make a minor adjustment to one of the springs to make it look more like the original one. Then I will look closer at the costings to see if we can make it work.

Yep, our Aussie ones are a bit different: 48-53 'B' series trucks had the 3 grille bars, 54-56 'C' series trucks had the 2 grille bars, 57-58 'E' series had the single grille bars. The attached pic of some of my other trucks show the differences...

Picture of my motor when it went back into the truck last week...

Our trucks here in Oz have the same gas tank mounting bracket and I can't imagine that yours would be any different. You should have a couple of holes in your cross-member where the bracket mounts to. See these forum links for more detail http://mopar.pairserver.com/p15d24ph_forum/topic/23570-gas-tank-springs/ , and http://mopar.pairserver.com/p15d24ph_forum/topic/30192-rear-gas-tank-mount/?hl=%2Bgas+%2Btank+%2Bmount .

I had two containers (just like Hank's) full of cad-plated stuff. I reused all the original nuts/bolts/clips etc. that I could, but had to install a number of new cad-plated bolts also. IMHO cad plating them is better than painting them as the paint seems to chip off as soon as you put a spanner to them and rust starts to build. I recall Mark saying that the bolts to the lower rear of the front guards were valuable also - I'm sure that Mark can confirm that. I don't recall any other nuts or bolts being particularly special. Best to do as Hank said and put all that you take off the truck into marked clip-sealed plastic bags to make the re-assembly job easier.

That's a nice white colored truck. Appears to have all of the goodies - R/H external mirror, interior rear vision mirror, fender indicators, stainless steel grille bars, rear bumper etc.. Any inside pics? Thanks for posting!

There are many good causes undertaken by those who have sworn an oath to protect and serve. So many Officer's continually put the life of others before their own in the line of duty in order to 'make a difference'. Stand tall with pride fellow Officer!

I was thinking the same Merle. My blue truck has been registered for almost 2 years now but still has things that need doing. Are they ever really 'finished'? The old FEF is looking good Mark! Good job on the windows mate - they can be a bit fiddly,