Desotodav

Good job on obtaining the spare tire carrier Gary - I hear they are hard to come by over there. The fastening bolts and nuts that you need for it look like these... Desotodav

I recall installing my inner guards with the fenders and nosecone already on the truck. One does have to very careful of the paint scratching factor though. I think I had to stand on the correct foot and have my tongue hanging out a particular side of my mouth to get them to slide perfectly into place!!! Best to place a soft cloth or fender protector mat over the top of the fender too during this process. I installed the rubber edge onto the smaller rear attachment plate with split rivets - thought that I had pictures but can't find them. I found that I had to attach the small plate piece after the inner guards were in the truck. I should have installed about a 1 inch wide piece of flat rubber between the inner guard and where it bolts to the fender and may still do that one day. I'm sure you'll manage it just fine Mark. Couple of old pics for you of how my inner guards were when they initially came off the 52 truck... Desotodav

Good job Mark. I did the same with mine, except I managed to scrape up enough original tabs and have them zinc plated. Making stainless ones like yours would have been a better idea though!! Desotodav

It's interesting that your springs attach to a tab from a relief cut over there Mark - ours here in Oz have small tabs riveted in place to accommodate the springs (see photo). I get all of my stainless steel slotted-head fasteners from Classic Fasteners here in Oz - http://www.classicfasteners.com.au/ . I'm sure that you would be able to buy that sort of thing in your part of the world though. Desotodav

Boy this fella sure set the standards bar high during the restoration of his 47 Windsor in New Zealand. What a thing of beauty (even for a truck guy like me)!!! http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/chrysler/windsor/auction-454261257.htm . Desotodav

I had vapour lock issues before I installed my heat shield. I get it occasionally now if I stop the truck after a long drive in the heat of the day and try to restart it after letting it sit a while. I found that the heat shield has certainly helped in my case. Desotodav

I just got my 2 NOS (under-dash) ash trays delivered from USA during the week. Thanks goes out to Hank and Paul for making it all happen. Just a quick knob change (after the period-correct knob from Paul is chromed) and then we're all good. As a price comparison for those that might be looking at purchasing a similar ash tray, I paid $100 each for mine and they were still in the original boxes with fitting instructions included. I would imagine that as time goes on and these parts get rarer that prices are bound to rise. Desotodav

What a great turn-out Tim. Good on ya for getting the gang together. Pity for all that water between me and you otherwise you could count me in for the annual event. Well done! Desotodav

Apologies mate, I should have answered your question better - working the night shift and not long out of bed! Yes there is a bush that goes between the spring mounting bolt and the spring eye. Just took this photo for you... Desotodav

This pic from the manual might help Bert... Have you done a forum search on springs? They have been discussed quite a bit lately. Desotodav

I did the same with mine Ian - Monroe shocks for a Landcruiser. The cost of around $100 each was a little high though. Thinking of getting some from abroad for the 52 coupe truck. Are you finally working on that old truck of yours? Bit cold down that way at present! Desotodav

All good Tom. I'm glad you're happy with your new spring. I had a special sized spring made for my set-up as I have left the throttle linkage set-up as I found it. The spring that Hank sent you is correct for your truck. Happy motoring!!! Desotodav

My truck spring set-up is slightly different from other trucks I have seen Hank. Although, I have also seen trucks with the spring that pulls from the tab at the front of the shaft like mine. Here's a photo from Tony that I saw a while back (thanks Tony) showing how the 'normal' set-up on trucks should look... Desotodav

What sort of money do you guys suggest a fella should pay for a set of shock absorbers? Are these ones that Atlas keep listing (for around $190) good buying? ... http://www.ebay.com/itm/370375861511?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_500wt_1156 . Desotodav

I have a friend that is good at making useful home-made tools. Here's the rear axle puller and rear inner seal puller that he made for me... They work a treat!!! Desotodav

My 52 truck has the factory-installed flex line for the oil gauge GTK... Actually, I have now checked a number of photos from other trucks that I have and they all seem to have the flexible rubber line too. Maybe that's another thing that we did different to you guys here in Oz? Desotodav

My truck/s have been like yours Kevin. I have found the ignition key to be much slimmer (and different) than the door lock key. Desotodav

So what do we call this one - a pilothouse boat back truck? What a very unique vehicle! Ebay link for other info... http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Dodge-Fargo-Pickup-1948-/110851946016?pt=AU_Cars&hash=item19cf4a7620#ht_500wt_1413 . Desotodav

Kevin: I see your English speedo needle seems to resemble the ones fitted to the older trucks.. like on this old Fargo dash for sale on Ebay over here at present... http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/FARGO-INSTRUMENT-PANEL-/160774841714?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item256eed6572#ht_500wt_1413 . The same seller has a really nice 30's Plymouth horn ring listed for $20 in amongst his other Mopar items too! I'm not associated with the seller in any way. Desotodav

Great story 48D. I' glad that it all worked out well. We're all so afraid of scammers these days that it can often halt progress. It's great to see a couple of gals also interested in the old trucks! I know that my wifey secretly loves my trucks - well I like to think that she does!!! Desotodav

I picked up rubber dust covers for the tie rods from Andy B for $4 each... http://www.oldmoparts.com/d.htm . I don't recall whether I fitted them as I had some NOS ones when re-assembling the front axle. I think a couple of the ones on the truck are split now, so maybe I'll have to get onto that job! Desotodav

WOW... great job Paul (and Kevin). Love that grin from ear to ear mate!!! Here's a couple of pics (before and after) of the dash in my 52 Desoto truck... I just have to chrome the knobs and install the new ash tray (with new 'ASH' knob) - thanks again Paul. Desotodav

Was the yellow paint spot located in the centre of the axle Paul? I have been thinking of painting a spot in the centre of my front axle to make it easier to locate the centre when I jack the truck up to put it on the wheel dollies. Desotodav

My Oz/Canadian truck bed has metal rails bolted down to the side tops. It also had slide supports for side rails. I'm now thinking (after seeing your set-up Merle) that I could make a plate to slip under the metal top rails that protrudes about 1 inch which I could attach Velcro to. I could use the slide supports to make cross-braces to keep the tonneau tight. We did have trucks with tonneau clips drilled into the sides of trucks here in Oz but I'd like to try and avoid that with the blue 52 truck. Desotodav

Well it took some doing, but I finally got all of my (present) toys together at last. From left to right: 52 Desoto SC-108, 56/57 Dodge 108E Suburban/People mover?, 55 Desoto 108C, 53 Dodge 108B 'coupe' truck.... Desotodav