Desotodav

My mate Vic is piecing his similar ute back together at present. Unfortunately, he will be installing mostly Ford running gear in it though. The front is mostly complete as seen in the second photo. I believe that he plans on calling it a Savoy... Desotodav

We're doing it tough here in Oz at present hey AndyD! We have the 'just right' temperature today of 82°F (28°C) here in sunny Brisbane. Good weather for getting the old truck out for a drive! Desotodav

Larry, the easiest way to see if your truck had the hood props or not is to check your firewall for the brackets that were riveted there to take the back end of the rod (see photos 1 and 2). You would also have the metal screw-in plate that would secure material strap to prevent the hood from opening too far. The underside of your hood would have a small boxed area where the folded arm (from the rod) would sit into. Your truck is the same year as mine, so I would certainly say that it had the later folding arm type. Desotodav

Larry, only the 48 and some of the 49 trucks that I have seen here in Oz had the hood props that you speak of - late 49 and onwards had the elbow type. Desotodav

Apologies Mark, but I am still holidaying in Tasmania (about 2000 kilometers south of my home). I had wondered if the rest of the world had ended as I was so far from home and had not had any contact with friends for a while. I can now confirm that all is well from (very low) down under! We were actually out in a cruise boat earlier today at the southern most part of our country. Beautiful area down this way. Not sure if I could cope with the winter climate though - had the fireplace on the other night as temperature dropped to 7 degrees Celsius (and it's summer here at present!). We will fly home to our much warmer climate in a few days time. Merry Christmas to one and all. Safe journey if you are traveling to be with loved ones or family. Desotodav

A big thumbs up (from down under) to you Tim for organising and hosting such a fine annual event. It is indeed encouraging to see that this event grows in popularity with each passing year. Recent post/s indicate that there is plenty of interest in the event again this year. If not for the great distance (and the vast span of ocean) between my place and yours I would be there 'with bells on'! I have personally been so inspired by your event that I plan on arranging a similar annual event here in sunny Queensland, Australia. I look forward to the day where we Aussie's might too enjoy a line up of these fine old rigs and a good old chinwag about our pride and joy/s. I have found around 10 local trucks to participate in an event here in south-east Queensland so far. I had a recent BBQ with a couple of those fellow truck owners and we snapped the attached photos. Again, thumbs up to you. I hope your event this year is bigger and better than ever, and enjoyed by all! Davin (aka Desotodav)

It's starting to look like the real thing... Desotodav

I liked this one from an old email... Desotodav

Model from Oz... http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1-32-Dodge-Ram-Dodge-Fargo-on-car-trailer-ute-pickup-pick-up-truck-No-1-43-/150958659472?pt=AU_Toys_Hobbies_Diecast_Vehicles&hash=item2325d65790&_uhb=1#ht_500wt_1414 . Desotodav

Wishful thinking on the external mirrors Tim, but we did things a little different with mounting our mirrors here in Oz. I reckon that a fella could adapt our left side door lock remote to your trucks over there though - allowing you an external lock on your driver's side. Desotodav

Paul, I tried to keep the components in their two separate groups when I took those original photos for you. You will also find that there is a third spring that goes between the underside of the steering wheel and the cone shaped bush inside the steering column. You will have excessive play in the steering column without installing that third spring. I have pictured the bush both out of and inside the steering column...(see attached photos). Desotodav

I had a similar problem with my truck not long ago Hank and found that I had a problem with the points (almost no gap). The truck would stall as soon as I slowed down for a red traffic light. I think that you have plenty of well thought out areas to eliminate on your list. Good luck, and be sure to let us all know the outcome. Desotodav

I think Ed's onto it there Mark. Although, I haven't seen a cap with a 'D' like that on it yet. Most of the old ones that I have seen have been more script-like writing. Desotodav

What have you done Paul? Looks quite nasty! Desotodav

Your truck is coming along real nice Joe. Love that blue (I'm just biased)! I have attached a couple of photos of my mirror and original centre bar for you. I'm pretty sure that ours here in Oz were similar to yours over there. Desotodav

Tod: I was more thinking that your registry information would point oilslickwillie in the right direction of the serial numbers that he would require to in order to locate the info that he is chasing for his vehicle. Well done (by the way) to both yourself and Eric for providing and maintaining such valuable reference points and sources of information for enthusiasts of old MOPAR's. Desotodav

I agree with you JohnT. I was trying to think back how I got my pedals off a while ago. Ours are similar to yours over there. I recall having to remove that 'woodruff key' (half-moon shaped metal thingy) from the slot in the shaft before my pedals would slide off. I hope this diagram from the manual helps you Rob... Desotodav

Try Tod's link... http://www.ply33.com/Misc/vin . Desotodav

I have recently been considering adding pinstripes to the rims of my 52 truck. A forum search revealed this old thread in which I found that RobertKB had very similar coloured wheels as mine. I have contacted Robert and he has been kind enough to forward me a number of photographs of his wheels showing pinstripes and hubcap attached (thanks again Robert). I have reduced those photos and attached them (with Robert's approval). Robert advises that the centre stripe should be double the thickness of the outer two, and that the guy that painted his centre stripe did it a little bit thick. I reckon that they look great just the same. Desotodav

My mate Bruce has got a 318 in his 1960 truck. He's running a Ford diff, but I'm not sure what the gearbox is. Desotodav

Thanks for posting Fernando. The music was a little dramatic - but what a great old film clip. Desotodav

Geez Mark, the pressure is mounting with all these secrets that we have to keep about old FEF !!! I won't tell anyone either mate ! Desotodav

All of the emergency brake handles and brackets that I have seen here in Oz have been black. Although, my handle initially had a reddish tinge to it (and I have recently seen another photo of a red handle). All of the rear engine mounts that I have seen have been black. Desotodav

I haven't seen a supplier here in Oz mate. You might try the likes of VPW, Bernbaum's, or Midwest Military over your side of the world. Desotodav

Most of the ones that I have seen here are a nice shade of rust brown. I went with stainless chains on my tailgate and covered them with a bike tube. Desotodav