aussiepete

Thanks for the input everyone! Yes,it is on ebay but probably not for long,the project I was offered,which I have been after for quite a while looks to have been sold before I was in a position to really do anything about it so may well end up perservering with the old girl now. I have spoken to someone regards a tub and am just waiting to see if it becomes available,good thing I have plenty of time. Davin,I have not got as far as flushing the cooling system yet or checking out if it has a thermostat and its interesting to know that the Holden carby thing is not unusual although I think the one on mine is "cactus", the old girl runs rough as guts when cold,with or without choke but once warm its a lot smoother so thinking maybe the cold start idle circuit/adjustment is out or non functional,also,it will idle nicely for a while then just stall or if I give it a couple of revs just before it stalls it comes good again for a while before it starts to stall again,carby or fuel pump??? not really sure. AndyD,thanks for the heads up regards terminology when talking to the good old US of A lads,will keep it in mind and also re- the F100 tubs.Till next time,Pete

So Ive been messing around with the old girl and finally got her running,PO said the fuel pump was cactus but its not,just not enough fuel in the tank,rookie error. So I primed it up,poured fuel down the carb,fitted a battery and cranked it over and after a couple more goes with fuel down the throat of the carb,off she went. Its a bit rough at the moment,changed the plugs,dont know the recommended plug but have NGK B6s and slowly,the more I let it run, the better it seems to be getting although it does fume quite a bit. There is still a bit of an issue which I attribute to the carb which is not the original carb and has been butchered to fit,it appears to be from what we call here an old Holden (Aussie GMH),it is def. second hand and used so will consider changing this later.On other issues,it seems to run at around 60psi warm according to the gauges and about 175 degrees,again according to the gauges,is this considered reasonable?Anyway,I still dont have a tub and was considering selling it on as I had been offered another project that I have been after for a while which meant that this would have to go but am unsure now,decisions,decisions!Well,thats all for now.Pete

Yes,Im still here,have been busy on another project that I need to clear out before I can get on to the Fargo so it may be a while yet but still keeping an eye out for the necessary parts so still in the market for a tub if anyone comes up with one here in Aus. Although they are two very different beasts,Im currently building a custom Morris Minor ute,this is the project that needs to be completed before I start the pickup.I also have a Morris Minor 2 door sedan and a 1959 Ford Prefect 4 door sedan all under cover as future projects if the whim takes me or I may sell them for some more cash to put toward the pickup,time will tell..

Hi,found some measurements on line that say a tub for a '53 is 48 & 1/4 wide,76 &1/8 long, how does this sound and can someone give me the measurement from the floor inside the tub to the top lip BEFORE it flares out to the side? Thanks,Pete

Can anyone give me the actual complete measurements of an original tub? Length/width/depth,think I will end up trying to build one,have done it once on a slightly smaller scale so shouldnt be that hard,tail gate would be the worst I would think!I have to customise the floor a little anyway so will give it some con

Yep,the trailer guards I have are the round ones,not the flat top,they may be a fraction small but will have to wait till I get to it!Thanks Davin for the heads up on the tub on F/B,unfortunately still to rich for me and not really keen on the fact that its made from Aluminium.Pete

I did see that,thankyou but its way more than I can afford,in fact I think I could almost make one for less than that,I have certainly built one before,on a slightly smaller scale for know where near that sort of cost,just wish I had access to a bead roller and I might try again. From my experience,the biggest cost would be the guards if I wanted to go stepside but I already have a set of the "trailer" type guards.Pete

Perhaps I mis-spoke regards chassis number,there is NO indication of any chassis number or even a suggestion of a location that it may have been,I did comment on a fixing location on the firewall for a body number/ID plate but there is nothing there,no sign of anything like the pic you showed regards Chrysler Australia,Dodge or anything else..

So,what I think I know! Its a 250 cu in flathead,a "B" model built between 53-55 as it has steering box that moves front to rear with tie rod bar and chassis built in Australia,in the US it would probably have been called a Custom Cab as it has rear corner windows.Still have not located a chassis number or body number,do they even have body numbers,maybe has anyone got an old engine bay ID plate they dont need??,anyway,more later.

Ok,still on the questions of identification,I cant find any chassis number yet,nothing on top of the left chassis rail,any other ideas? Now,to identify the engine,this is interesting I think,The engine number is KEW2B17233,other number on top of head at rear on manifold side of engine is 1329298. Im assuming this engine may be out of a KEW Truck? The length of the head is 640mm,translates to approx. 25 inches.Any comments or info appreciated.

Being new to the Dodge trucks,as I am, where would I find a chassis number or a body number,there appears that once there was a plate of some type screwed to the firewall in the engine bay but the only thing there now are two screws.Regards the engine itself,how do I tell what size it is as I have no idea,will the engine number give me that info or what do I look for?

Hi again,are there any suggestions for a non original pickup bed that would both fit and look reasonably good as I have buckleys chance of getting a good original here,thought maybe one of the F100's or similiar. Anyway,if you have a suggestion,or even better a photo it would be greatly appreciated.Thanks,Pete

Desotodav,regards the steering wheel,I dont know what it is off either BUT there was the horn push ring that fits in the middle of the wheel and it had a Dodge logo on it so it must be from the same family.

Hi all,thanks 48dodger,checked out your youtube post,very informative and answered a few questions for me,among other things,seems Im missing the grease nipples and the retaining bolt for the front mount of the rear springs,can you tell me what thread these bolts are? Basically what you see is what I got so yes it is missing some bits and pieces so will have to do some searching,handles for the bonnet release are my first want I think,then will move on from there.As said and acknowledged,the rear springs have been messed with to lower the ride height and they did a butcher of a job in replacing the removed springs,just a lump of roughly welded steel block,U bolts are not even done up tight,oh well,plenty to do,never a boring moment. Any recommendations for parts suppliers,doesnt matter if they are US based,need is what need is!Still waiting to get it under cover,have to wait till my son comes home to help tow a couple of cars out of the way,thanks for the advice and input everyone,much appreciated.Pete

A couple of pics to start with!

Hi all, Thanks again for the welcomes! Well,the pickup is now home but it was one hell of a "**** storm" all in all,most of the issues were due to trailer problems rather than with the pickup itself but its all old news now so time to have a good look and see what I have. Once I have sorted out the pic proceedure I will pop a few up,I usually take them from a saved file on my computer but will see what happens. First appearances seem to confirm that it is pretty solid,some very minor rust issues,needs a couple of cab mounts but most of the work looks to be mechanical,fuel pump,carby etc and tidy up the home made wiring loom.Its already converted to 12v. neg earth so there's one issue solved already,there is some glass that needs to be fitted to the cab but will have to get some seals so will probably leave it for a little while as it will shortly be under cover and not a tarp I hope.Im hoping to do a little bit of customising as I want to be able to drive it on the road whenever I feel like it and it has to be comfortable as I have a few med. issues that have to be seen too like a good seat etc.Im not really up with all the correct terminology yet but I need to replace the bushes (zerk bushes?) in the rear spring hangers,can they be bought new and who would you recommend?The back of the pickup has already been lowered as the previous owner flipped the C shackles so they face up now and not down,I dont know how much that would have lowered it bit I have about 4inches of travel between the axle and the bump stop,oh! they also took out a few of the leaf springs so the back has some bounce in it now,not rock solid like I expect it used to be.Anyway,till next time or when I sort the pics,see ya,Pete

Hi everyone and thanks for the welcome,apologies,I will try to keep the slang to a minimum. All being well the truck will be home this friday,the 29th.,then I will see what I can do about pictures for you.Initial plans are to get the flathead up and running with a fuel pump and maybe carb,then sort the brakes and it should be good for a blast around the block.Next issue will be to decided if I want to try and search out an original tub,build one or just fit a flat tray,I would prefer an original tub but not holding out a lot of hope regards finding one easily here but you never know,will just have to wait and see what shows up.Time will,for a while at least have to be spent between this and my other project,a customised Morris Minor ute,this is about 3/4 finished but the last 1/4 still requires a "lot" of work yet.So I will sign off for now and be back,hopefully with pics soon.Pete

Hi there, Just popped in to say hi and introduce myself to the group.My name is Pete and live in Melbourne Australia.Im getting a little ahead of myself because I have just bought and Aussie Dodge Fargo "Pilot House" 1/2 ton pickup,its not back home yet but will be shortly. This rig is a Flathead 6,3 spd manual columb shift,has no tub but otherwise pretty complete.Initially it appears to be in very good condition but that will remain to be seen when it rolls in the driveway,engine runs but fuel pump and carb are a bit cactus and will need attention,has no exhaust system fitted and fitted with non original seat. Will give you more info when I know what Ive got so until then,keep on dodgin!