SmokinStanley

Thanks to all of you for the wealth of info and numbers based on your experiences. On the whole, it seems like the general consensus is that parts are available for the most part and a few grand (maybe less) might be enough to put a truck on the road that's 'all there.' There are a few trucks in my area; a '52 asking $1750 and a '54 asking $2800. I haven't seen either truck yet, but the '54 is being sold by its original family, with only 70k miles. Unsure of the history on the '52, but it's supposedly intact with all the original parts. It's great to have a resource like this, even though I don't own one of these bad boys just yet. Thanks to all of you!

I'm sure I'll get a wide range of answers to the following questions, but as someone who has not yet, but would like to, buy a Pilot House truck to drive occassionally, I have to ask. If one were to buy a structurally sound 'restorable' B-series truck, what can I reasonably expect to spend to bring her to mechanically sound condition? Initially, I wouldn't be too concerned about paint, re-upholstering seats and headliners, etc. In essence, my goal is to buy a restorable truck and make it road worthy. Have most of you driving these beasts rebuilt your engines and drivelines, or have you mostly been able to perform some level of regular repairs such as brake and fuel lines? Having never restored a truck of this age, I have no idea what to expect for parts costs, availability, and the extent to which I'd need to rebuild a truck to make her road-worthy. Again, all this assumes I can find a truck that's original and structurally sound. I'd appreciate input from those of you who have restored one or more of these trucks (B-series or C-Series) and how badly your bank account has suffered in the process. Of course, it almost never makes financial sense to restore a car or truck, but I'd like to get into this as a hobby and as something I'd simply enjoy over the course of X number of years. Thanks in advance for your valuable input. Smokin' Stanley in RI

If all your other steering box components are good, look up 'Redhead Steering' in Seattle. They build great boxes and have been in the biz for a long time. It's a small, family operation, so you always talk to someone knowledgeable. They have built boxes for my Jeeps in the past that were top-notch.

Thanks for the input and feedback, guys. I have zero experience with vehicles of this age, so it's good to get some idea of what these things are worth unrestored. Still haven't heard from the seller, so this 54 may be gone. Hopefully, I can find a relatively rot-free example in New England that's been hiding under cover for a few years. Saw a '53 today that was pretty well gone, so I figure it'll be an uphill battle.

Thanks for the quick response. I attached the four photos that were supplied with the ad. Waiting to hear back from seller. It does have a cool patina, looking at the photos. I found a 54 color chart and it looks like it's 'Ecuador Blue'

Hi Folks, I'm brand new to old Dodge trucks and am in the process of hunting for my first restoration project. I located a 1954 C-Series '5 window' with a straight-six, 70k original miles, been in same family since new. It's an entirely original, untouched truck with no more than surface rust. The seller is asking $2800, so I'm curious to know what these things fetch in good structural condition, but totally untouched from a restoration standpoint. Anyone have any input as to what it might be worth?? Also, at what point in '54 did Dodge switch to the full wrap-around rear cab window?? Many thanks!! -SmokinStanley