re-thinking the frame on the 53 truck

[buds truck]

I have decided to look for a Dodge dakota truck frame to put under my 53 instead of the S-10 frame I have already set up for it. I like the wheel width better on the Dakota and I found a 70k 360 motor that I can get reasonable. Plus it would be ALL MOPAR!!! I'm sure "old woolie" will sleep better tonite knowing this...LOL. Bud

[Bob_Koch]

Sounds like a good decision to me. What year is the dakota frame? Please print pics as you go along. I'd like to know how well these frame interchange.

[buds truck]

I think it will be a late 80's frame with 5 lug wheels, but I am still looking for the right one. Bud

[old woolie]

The man has seen the light!

[cwcars88]

Good thinking Bud, go for it.

Wayne

[48Dodger]

I think that's awesome Bud. I feel there's a need to prove the worth of Mopar in all stages of the build. Not just the Volare IFS, and Hemi's. I'm thinking because its all Mopar and a 53', you'll have what I like to refer as a "MEMSR" ...Multi-Era Mopar Street Rod. What do you think?

According to NSRA, the National Street Rod Association, "by definition a street rod is: An automobile of 1949 or earlier manufacture which has undergone some type of modernization, to include any of the following; engine, transmission, interior refinements, and any other modifications the builder desires. A street rod is to be driven to events under its own power and is to be used as a safe, non-racing vehicle for total family enjoyment."

48D

[Guest Dave Claussen]

I'm curious why it must be a 1949 or earlier? Seems to me that is leaving out a lot of "street roddable" vehicles. Wouldn't any vehicle of vintage years be open for the improvements that they deem as something that makes a street rod? Heck even a '65 Mustang could be rodded if one so desired.

[48Dodger]

I don't think any one group owns the "rights" to any one term. But there are groups who properly define themselves, like the NSRA.

Hot Rod

Custom Rod

Street Rod

Custom Street Rod

Rat Rod

Muscle Car

Street Stock

Muscle Truck

Race Car (if you challenge someone in another car..isn't it now a race car?)

I remember a thread where restoration, recontruction, refinished, repainted, reworked, freshened up, rebuilt.....were debated. I'm sure this one has too. I just don't get work up over either one.

48D

[Young Ed]

Heck even a '65 Mustang could be rodded if one so desired.

[Guest Dave Claussen]

What the heck!!?? Now that's some creative engineering. I'd venture to say that there are very few Mustang wagons out there. I apologize for getting this thread off the track but it's still interesting to speculate what can be done with some ingenuity, talent and the right tools. Bud, I hope your ideas work out the way you envision them. We all will be interested to see how your project progresses.

[Rich Gengo]

Thats why the Goodguys events are getting big. There entry is 72 and older, any condition. I take my 51 there all the time. They run a nice event.

[48Dodger]

Both Mustang and Camaro had concept wagons, which of course are duplicated by skilled builders. The actual cars are very rare.

Hey Bud, what year is the 360 you found?

48D

[buds truck]

It's Out Of An 84 Dodge Diplomat That Was A Park Ranger/police Car, So It Has The Beefy Stuff Inside, Around 70k Miles. Funny Story, I Used To Own It, Bought It For 60 Dollars After It Was Vandalized, Stripped It And Sold The Motor To A Friend. The Motor Is Still Sitting And I Can Get It Back.

[48Dodger]

I hear you Bud. lol. My friend Ken and I have a great "buy back" program going betwen us. Storage without the guilt I always say.

48D