Desotodav

Sounds like your wifey is a good sport Bud. Mine usually makes some sort of comment when I bring another truck home - but I'm down to 4.5 trucks now! My wifey said that she will drive one if I can fit it with power steering and make it an auto. I can't see that happening. Good luck with your re-build mate. It looks like you're doing well. Desotodav

Looking good Bud. I remember those days well. Check out this link if you want to see what we went through with the re-build of my 51 Desoto truck... http://gallery.oldholden.com/Streetneat/album73/Davins+Desoto/ Desotodav

Good luck with your serial number quest Tod. I've got a couple of mates here in Oz with early 60's Dodge Phoenix cars. Attached is my mate Dave's 61 Phoenix which has recently been re-sprayed 'Toyota grey'.... Desotodav

So when is our next hurdle - 21 December 2012 according to the apocalypse theory of Nostradamos isn't it? I better hurry up and get my truck restoration project completed so that I have some time to enjoy the thing before it's all over! Desotodav

It's good to hear that you (and family) are alright Bob. I saw pictures of your damaged town on the news here in Oz last night. It would appear that there were many that were not so fortunate as to only losing their homes or belongings. I think that the reporter described it well as "total devastation" according to the pictures. Our thoughts and prayers are with those families that were less fortunate. Best wishes to you and family during the rebuilding stage. Desotodav

Good job Ryan... brings back memories of looking into the back of my truck a couple of years ago. It's surprising what the combination of time, $, and a lick of paint can do! It looks like you're progressing well. Keep up the good work!!! Desotodav

I think the tail lights in our part of the world were similar to yours over there Bryan, but yours were mounted on arms from what I've seen. I've attached a picture of my tail light. It's a generic one that I bought somewhere along the track. The base should be black with a chrome bezel holding in the plastic lens. The earlier models had glass lenses. Most of the truck photos that I've seen in your parts seem to have had Dodge script on the lens as well. I planned on having Desoto script on my tail light lens, but it wouldn't work as my tail light is mounted on its side to light up the number plate. Have you got any photos of what's fitted to your truck? Desotodav

I had the same issue with mine Joe. I just cleaned them up gently with a wire brush attached to my drill and then painted the blocks - leaving the posts bare. The initial photo of mine shows that the insulator material originally rose up either side of the posts, probably to protect wires attached to the post from shorting? Cleaning them gently by hand worked for me. Desotodav

Sorry to hear about the fire/s. Sounds like lady luck is not on your side at present - with a fire in the e'brake and then a day later in engine bay! I'm sure that your positive attitude will pull you through. Best wishes. Desotodav

Those BFH's sure come in handy. I've used one of them on my truck rebuild numerous times. Desotodav

Good job on getting the motor back in Ryan. I picked up my front axle 'U' bolts from a trailer place for about $5 each. The size is right but the thread is slightly courser. A blind man on a galloping horse wouldn't notice though! Desotodav

Good looking truck raidmagic. Don't leave buying the Bunn Bible too long as prices are rapidly escalating! Desotodav

What a great idea GTK, count me in Eric. Desotodav

There's some great photos in amongst them. Thanks for posting Ryan. Desotodav

Trucks were silver with mostly black attachments (some red ones on my truck!). There's a detailed description in the Bunn 'B' series book if you're interested. Try this thread too... http://www430.pair.com/p15d24/mopar_forum/showthread.php?t=25748&highlight=engine+color Desotodav

I had a fellow over here in Oz straighten most of my rims - costly but effective! I wouldn't consider replacing them if they are just slightly bent. Desotodav

What a great clip. Thanks for posting Fernando. Desotodav

I'm with you knighthawk - the only good snake is a dead snake! Desotodav

I've got the same oil leaks as you by the sound of it Mark. I too would have thought that after spending a considerable amount on reconditioning the mechanical parts on my truck that I shouldn't see oil spots on the garage floor, but maybe it's just the way things are with these old vehicles? After working on my weeping oil issues, I still have a slight weep from the bottom of the timing chain cover, a weep from somewhere in the front of the gearbox, and now a new weep from the speedo cable at the gearbox end. I'm hoping that they will be less noticeable after I change out the 'running in' oil after I clock up a few hundred more miles. Let me know if you find a solution to the problem as I would be very interested in waving that same magic wand at my truck. Desotodav

I picked up one for my truck (which I would imagine are the same as the car ones) from Andy Bernbaum's for $4.50. He calls them 'T-200 Gearshift Control Rod Bushing'. I ordered a few extra ones while I was at it for future projects. Desotodav

Well done Jerry (and Holly). What a great moment. Thanks for sharing. Let the games begin!!! Desotodav

I agree with you Merle. I had the same issue with my fuel gauge until I added an extra earth wire from one of the small mounting bolts on the top of the sender unit to the chassis. I was fortunate to know that both my sender and gauge were in working order before installing them though, so the problem was an easy fix. Desotodav

Atlas usually have Chrysler shock absorbers listed on Ebay. I know a couple of people who have bought theirs from Atlas and they were very happy. There's a set listed there now... http://cgi.ebay.com.au/1939-40-41-42-46-47-48-49-50-Dodge-Truck-Shock-Abs-Set-/370364417461?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item563b7085b5 Desotodav

Thanks again Allan, I know which particular manual to look for now. I have numerous truck manuals already but your recent acquisition appears to contain different info that that which I have. I'd be interested in a drawing Mark if you manage one. Desotodav

Best wishes for the right eye LAKOTA169, and I hope everything works out as well for you with the left eye. I had similar surgery to remove a Pterygium in my right eye early last year. It involved removing the section of my eyeball that was damaged and grafting a section from above my eyelid (with 8 stitches) back into the same area. I believe the procedure is very similar to what you are going through. You will probably find that your eyes are very sensitive to light for a while, so best to invest in a good pair of sunglasses. You will probably also find that your surgeon will recommend that you buy a good pair of sun glasses with wrap around lenses. You might even gain a bit of eyesight out of it! Good luck and best wishes for your recovery. Desotodav