Desotodav

I spotted this Franklin Mint 52 Desoto on Ebay this morning. That would be a lovely buy for one of you car guys... http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/FRANKLIN-MINT-1952-DESOTO-FIREDOME-METAL-DIECAST-CAR-1-43-SCALE-/221046922022?pt=Diecast_Vehicles&hash=item33776c5b26#ht_849wt_1163 . Desotodav

Glad to see that you and Kevin got it sorted Jim. I thought the attached quotation applied to you... Desotodav

Good on ya Bob. It would appear that your positive attitude and the thoughts and prayers of friends and loved ones is assisting you well in the healing process. I'm sure that I speak for many when I say that we're all still here for ya mate! Desotodav

I just stuck my seal in with a bit of Sikaflex Mark. I installed the vent lid a couple of days later. Definitely not a 2-man job mate! You will give your contortionist skills a workout though when you are up under the dash area trying to fix the vent in place! Desotodav

Well done on the trophy Eric. I reckon that better than 3rd place was deserved for such a nice truck like yours! I have only had my 52 truck entered for judging in 1 show and walked away with the 'best pickup' award on that occasion. I find it amazing that a lot of people recognise our old trucks but yet they seem to be less popular (here in Oz) than the Ford or Chev trucks. I really enjoy chatting with people that come up and tell me that they remember the old days when their father of grandfather had a truck like mine on the farm, or that they learnt to drive in an old farm truck like mine. I have no doubt that the popularity of these old trucks will increase in time. Desotodav

Good job on the painting booth Mick. Are you planning on adding an extractor fan and filters? I suppose that you could save a few dollars by the time you spray 3 vehicles! The old girl looks like she's begging for a new paint job now. I'll be down in Grafton (Trenayr) in a fortnight. Let me know if you need anything from up this way picked up and dropped off down there. Desotodav

Well done to GTK for maintaining such a quality site!!! Desotodav

I have seen a picture of a truck with them fitted here in Oz (see attached). He even had fender skirts !!! I know that Glen makes them for all sorts of vehicles here in Oz. I'm not sure how they would fit on our running boards because of the raised ribs. I have been contemplating getting some for my truck but haven't done so yet. He makes a brass rectangular surround and a rubber mat to go in the centre. I don't see the later Dodge symbol listed on his website, but I think that he has them from the last conversation that I had with him. Check out his website and see what you think... http://www.vintageandclassicreproductions.com/Dodge.htm . Desotodav

Very interesting. I have never seen these clips in the doors of my trucks here in Oz. So is their purpose to hold the 'run 23-42-16' (to the left of this manual diagram) in place? My trucks have a tab at the bottom of the 'channel 23-09-51' to hold the run in place, and the vent window frame stops the top of the run from moving forward. Desotodav

Thanks for the info 49D, and good job on those NOS finds. I have a 55 'C' series Desoto truck with the individual letters on the nosecone (see pic) awaiting restoration. I was more chasing info on how the rectangular pressed nameplate plate was painted from the factory. I can match the red paint with the bonnet mascot on my 52 Desoto truck. I am thinking that only the recessed lines of the rectangular nosecone nameplate between the letters were painted red - this would highlight the letters. Desotodav

I'm still running stock brakes on my 52 Desoto 1/2 ton truck. It does take a bit more time to stop in a hurry than a newer car - all part of the challenge in owning an older vehicle !!! Desotodav

That's how it is done Paul, the only difference to the process is that our windscreens go in from the inside. You actually need to push the windscreens from the inside and have your buddy pulling the string from the outside. Desotodav

Here's a couple of photos of where mine connects... but bear in mind that mine is a right-hand drive truck. Assuming that your trucks are similar as our Oz ones, there should be a split pin poking through the floor panel of your truck down just below the bottom of the firewall panel. Desotodav

I'm not sure Hank. I have seen them here with and without metal bed strips. I thought of having them in my 52 truck as it would seal the area from dust, but I think I'll leave it as is for now - I don't drive on that many dusty roads anyway! Desotodav

I used Australian Spotted Gum timber in mine and coated it with 2-pack clear automotive paint. Desotodav

Great job DD. I love that 'thumbs-up' moment just after the engine finally wriggles out. It is great that you have the room to move and store gear whilst you work on the truck. Keep up the good work! Desotodav

I had all of my fixed windows professionally installed. I saw that it was not an easy job on the corner windows even for the trained professional. They install from the inside, and the left and right corner windows will only install on the correct side. Giving the rubbers a good lube before trying to install was the way to go. The corner glass is not toughened though - as we found when we broke one of mine (lucky I had a spare). My window fitter used his fist rather than a hammer. Ausiedodgegirl had one of her corner windows broken with another professional installing them in a similar manner as mine. I don't think that the pull-rope method would work on the corner windows as it is so tight to get them in place. I was happy to pay the installation fee (as Merle was), and I think that the window fitter was even happier than me to be driving out my driveway after the job was done! Desotodav

Thanks Dodgeman, I missed that one... http://www.ebay.com/itm/221038247115?ru=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fsch%2Fi.html%3F_sacat%3D0%26_nkw%3D221038247115%26_rdc%3D1#ht_2663wt_1396 . My Desoto nose emblem is slightly different to that one on Ebay, but that gives me something to work with. How about red paint at the bottom of the hood emblems? I was wondering about it when I saw this woodie Dodge truck on the HAMB... Desotodav

Did we ever work out what the original colour for the nose emblem should be? I have seen trucks with it the same as the one on the website provided by KJ (photo attached). Are just the recessed lines between the letters painted red, or are the centre of the letters painted as well? Desotodav

I wonder if the truck inner speedo cable is the same length as the car ones Mark??? I saw these NOS cable inners on Epay the other day and considered buying them... http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Desoto-Dodge-Chrysler-Plymouth-Speedo-Cables-x10-NOS-/280890988297?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4166685709#ht_1236wt_1163 . I'll send you a new seal for that gear drive when I send those springs over to you later this week. Desotodav

Ian: I'm running the standard 9 leaf/s on the front of mine and 10 on the back. I can measure mine up for you if you want. Drop me an email with what you're after. Or, if it's one of those rare times when you're actually back home here in Oz you can drop around and see me! Paul: you're getting quite good at taking photos as you go now! Barry: Glad that you worked it out. Desotodav

I see a lot of short journeys in your future Paul! Dave: I used a fuel tank kit to thoroughly clean out my tank. I then sealed it with Red Kote and haven't had any problems. Link to red Kote technical sheet... http://damonq.com/TechSheets/Red-Kote.pdf . Desotodav

I can only suggest that you go gently Jason. I'm sure that most of us added a few scratches to new paint when installing the 'dog box'. I installed the 'dog box' (nosecone and guards) already assembled with the assistance of 2 family members. It's best to have a couple of friends or relatives present for the complete bonnet installation as well. Use plenty of rags or cloths placed at strategic locations (as Mark did). Desotodav

Yep... that's what I did with mine. I actually removed the zerk fitting to see where I was at. I reckon that it would make it difficult to grease up the shackle/bushing with a grease gun if the zerk fitting was tightened to flush against the end of the shackle. Desotodav

Yeh... what Paul said! Try this link for the post that Paul was talking about... http://www430.pair.com/p15d24/mopar_forum/showthread.php?t=31678 . There's plenty of photos there as he said. Desotodav