GregRArnold

KEVEN B1B beat me to it, tighten towards the front, loosen towards the rear. Dropping that much money on a diesel conversion will have to be down the road if ever for me too. The $70.00 oil changes alone would annoy me. I can't speak to the "drive it" aspect just yet; though when I got her fired up I did let the clutch out and she rolled forward 8 or 9". And I did steer it off the trailer into my warehouse while getting towed by a fork lift. Small victories! Greg

I've learned that begging for forgiveness is always easier than asking for permission. She often reminds me of the quick trip she sent me on to go pick up a pizza that took almost 3 hours and resulted in a very cold pizza and a Buell in the bed of my truck. She's also much wiser to my antics than I care to believe.......she claims one of us has to be cheap! Glad it's her!

That's the idea. I'm not familiar with drum brakes at all......and these are even different from the typical drums that confuse me. My mountain bike runs disc brakes; it's only right that I treat this truck to the same technology. Chris from Springfield: My office is in Bloomfield, CT about 25 min to Springfield. I'd love to check out your truck sometime. The diesel idea may get shelved but isn't dead. I want to drive this truck and make sure I love it before I drop 5-10K on a diesel conversion. Be a nice noise maker compared to my bone stock '08 powerstroke. Plus I already lied to my wife and told her this was an inexpensive project!

At 1st I was convinced this truck needed a 12v 5.9 diesel and a 6 speed tranny. Now that I found the 218cid is in running condition I'm leaning towards modernizing the safety features so my kids (ages 5 & 2) can enjoy it with me and keeping it original-ish. A 12 volt conversion and a hidden head unit with iPod dock is on the short list. Spent some quality time wire-wheeling the frame, drivetrain from the rear bumper to the transmission and brushing on a few coats of POR15 over the weekend. Also got the tank removed and cleaned up. Going to try to get the frame finished up this week and get the PH cab and bed mocked up. Going to be a slow project as winter sets in here in CT but with some help from the group on here that seem to have the answers I'm looking for and the parts list and repair manuals I've sourced I think it'll be fun. Does a Dana 44 rear end and a disc brake conversion for the front ruin this truck? Chrysler owns Jeep don't they? I'd like to keep it in the family at least. Wouldn't mind having all 4-wheels right hand thread either. Thanks for the welcome, happy to be here. Any Connecticut folk here? Thanks, Greg

What was the kit worth? How much is it lowered? I'm interested.

The panel listed in Hartford, CT was in the same lot pre-1955 Dodge and Chevy pickups I got my '50 B2B from. Very rough condition. Entire interior covered with wood paneling and yellow shag carpet. Roof panel was rusted through as was most of the floor. Still cool, way more of a project than I was looking for. Greg

Let's get this out of the way early!!!! I'm a HUGE Ford guy by up-bringing. I currently have an '09 F-350 Power-Stroke as my daily driver and have owned Fords for my last 6 vehicles, 5 of which were pickups. Other than a miscellaneous Jeep, the Saab my wife currently drives, and an 80's Porsche that I recently sold I've had Fords since I started driving. Strangely this old Dodge spoke to me.....what started as a "let's see if I can get it running" project has quickly turned into a mild restoration. I'm not looking for any concours points, and would not hesitate to transplant a big block or a 5.9 diesel into this old truck, but I have taken a strong liking to my accidental acquisition and my kids have been calling it 'mater' since I trailered her home. If I can find a way to put 3 point seat belts in it I have a feeling we'll be keeping this truck for a long time! Greg

Hello all from another New Guy. I picked up a "backyard" find 1950 B2B in late September as the result of an interesting combination of peer pressure and ego. A friend bought a '50 1 ton Chevy from the same estate the same day and a contest was born!! Short story.........Unknown history, last time it ran was 15+ years ago according to the tow yard I bought it from. Brush and prickers had grown through the bed and body at what should have been this old girls final resting place. Frame is remarkably solid, bed is good(except for deck), wings and running boards are salvageable, cab is rough, drive train was locked up. Truck came pretty complete with an extra set of doors and 4 extra wheels. Fast forward several weeks; Set the points, rebuilt carb, new fuel pump, coil and plugs, added some fresh 87 octane. She fired up and purred almost immediately. I've done some eBay and Craigslist hunting and purchased a MINT pilot-house cab with 3 complete sets of stainless grill trims, a good radiator, 3 speed floor shift trans and a good working rear end complete with springs and shackles. Currently I have the truck down to frame and motor. Getting ready to POR 15 the undercarriage, prep sheet metal for a fresh paint job. Original bench seat got dropped off today for new upholstery. Glass dropped off as template for new tinted safety glass. I'd like to keep mostly original; maybe lower stance and add some creature comforts, but ultimately save this truck from the scrap yard. I've been reading thru the archives on this forum and have found some very useful info. Hoping to lean on the members here for some help!!!!! The truck is currently stripped at my companies warehouse with full car lift and a forklift to make life easy. Greg Arnold Franklin, CT