KJ's Dodge

In the short run, I have been using a black pigment wax to just hold the bare metal and thin layer of original paint on my cab of the truck until it gets painted this winter/spring. It takes recoating about every other month to just maintain what I have got. I am in eastern Washington with little to no humidity, so in a wetter climate and/or higher humidity, I am sure it would take much more effort to keep the truck shining.

Add a five point harness and you are off to the races. Opened pipes? That will get the neighborhood's attention.

A neighbor down the valley from me has fifteen of IHC Trucks. I believe he frequents this forum: The Old International Harvester Truck and their associated forum http://oldihc.org/ You could also try the ATHS and their associated forum http://www.aths.org/ KJ

St. Louis Spring would be another place to get a an estimate for your springs. They have been around for a long time and are a family owned business. I know the owner, good people. KJ

There is so much satisfaction on getting one of these old truck to run. Congrats! Another one saved in the Pacific Northwest. KJ

Kevin, My engine number looks like T156-1628. The last digit is tough to make out but that is the closest as far as I could make out. I may take a wire brush to it and see if I can get it more exposed. KJ

I still haven't come across the original sales receipt either but I think that is just a matter of time. It has to be there, every thing else is around. I still need to order the build document from the Chrysler Museum. I will check the numbers on the engine to see if they match your numbers. Kevin, thanks for the insight. KJ

Thank you all for following the story as it keeps unfolding. The Wolverine today is a parking lot and we call that progress! What a pity? It really has been pretty awesome to have access to the stuff left at the home of PO and that all of his records for everything he every spent money on haven't been tossed. My truck was really one of his prize processions. Not much more I can discover, but maybe the airplane tickets and what he paid for gas on the trip out would be great too. More if I do, KJ

As the second owner of my truck, the colorful back story is something of a challenge since the previous owner past away close to ten years ago. Since I am still helping to renovate the old homestead owned by my PO (Harvey (Bud) Moys), I have access to tons of his old receipts and tax records. He did keep meticulous records. I found three separate receipts for three rooms at the Wolverine in Detroit dated May 2 & 3, 1948. See pic of a post card of the Wolverine which at one time was one of Detriot's finest hotels (500 rooms). A shower and tub in every room. We take that for granted today. Rooms were $3.50 per night. One receipt for a Mr. Moys, a Mr. Smith and a Mr. Miller. Miller was a neighbor and Smith was Bud's brother in-law. So the three of them flew to Detroit from Spokane and shared the driving after picking up the truck from K&B mounting service. The fee was $1.25 for their service of releasing the truck to the new owner. Note: the "Opposite New Dodge Truck Plant" on the receipt. I had assumed that the Garwood bed was installed in Wayne, MI at the Garwood factory but also came across the shipping invoice for the bed to Spokane which was picked up by Bill's Welding out of Pullman. Bill's Welding is still in town and they are the one's that evidently did the on site installation of the Garwood bed and St. Paul Hoist. It has been a fun treasure hunt. KJ

1955 DODGE PONY EXPRESS VAN You don't see many of these around. Located in Spokane. It so ugly it is cute. Enjoy! KJ Forgot the link, here it is: http://spokane.craigslist.org/cto/2365813736.html

Pretty cool 1953 Dodge Texaco Fuel Truck for sale on craigslist just SE of Seattle. It looks to be in pretty good shape. http://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/cto/2438034813.html Some one should add this to their collection, KJ

My truck is original and purchased in April of 1948 by the previous owner in Detroit with a pair of tail/brake lights. The lens are glass with Dodge painted white in the inset in the glass. My truck had the optional turn signal available which is mounted on the steering column. KJ

We have two good size labs that stand guard at the shop. KJ

I am on a quest to find a pair of tow hooks for my big truck (1948 B1-RA 172). Anyone got any close up pictures of the proper tow hooks with enough detail that I can distinguish something that is a close match, if not the real thing on E-bay? Are the two hooks two bolt or three? Would anyone have some for sale(PM me if you do)?? Thanks, KJ

Do drag links go bad? Or is this an aftermarket part that makes the steering better? Why have all of you replaced the drag link? I am just curious why would you spend money on a drag link unless this part was missing or worn out on your trucks. KJ

This one looks really clean. Could be a great find for a Mopar lover!! 1955 Dodge Suburban Wagon 2 door. 270 V-8 automatic,(lever shift on dash). All 100% stock http://spokane.craigslist.org/cto/2230208881.html Neat link to an era ad too!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P26GWIQVd5I In Pasco, WA. Don't know the owner...Just passing it on. KJ

NAPA sells a metal fuel line that is nearly kink free. I used the stuff on my truck and it worked really well and looks good too. The line has the flanges on it already on both ends and you buy the stuff by the length. KJ

Thanks Bob, My kids and I were thrilled to see that our old heavy Dodge made this years calendar. December 2011! KJ

Bob, I think you can live up to it and if not, there aren't many others that would know any different. But you do know your stuff around our era truck and mopar as well. KJ

Merle, Bob not only has probably more original literature related to our trucks than anyone on this forum but really has poured over it and knows it upside down and inside out. It was cool to see all his trucks and literature when I paid him a visit this past summer. If it is there, he knows it and can get back to it. KJ

John or others, So, what does this Sun Tester test? Some one must know something about it. KJ

I saw this and thought someone on here maybe interested. KJ http://spokane.craigslist.org/pts/2105776201.html

Here is my barn find, 1948 B1 RA 172 with a Gar Wood Bed and 34,000 original miles. KJ

I don't know if you have seen some of the discussions around using and recovering some of the hydraulics brake energy to increase mpg but that could be a thought for you. If you are trying to just increase mpg over a sustained speed this will not help you out much but if you are in the stop and go that is common to city driving than a brake to energy transferred to hydraulics system maybe your ticket. KJ

Hey, that is my drink of choice! Four is about two to many. Now I wish that my truck had a rearview mirror. The PO put just about every other option on my truck when he purchased her in Detriot in April of 1948. KJ