br0k3N18 Posted June 21, 2009 Report Posted June 21, 2009 Not sure if this is right section, move if need be...still gettin used to this place Anywho, Names Anthony, im 19, from Missouri, My Grandpa recently gave me this 1952....It was originally my Great-Grandpas, but the cab & bed were too far gone for fixing, he found a "Parts truck" and swapped the cab & bed onto the frame, everything underneath (Frame, motor, trans) is original to my knowledge...dont plan to keep it that way....wouldnt mind swapping a Dakota front end underneath, might end up doing a complete frame swap, gotta do some more reading and researching though, and this seems to be the place to do it! My Grandpa started restoring it 20-25yrs ago...he found an old 47 Dodge Coupe that caught his interest more then the 52 so he shoved the 52 in the back shed and it sat...well hes needing the room now and asked if I wanted it...of course I said yes...lol It was given to me for graduation... its got the straight 6 in her still (unsure of displacement) and a 3spd trans on the floor...its a pretty solid truck for the most part... couple bad spots on here and there, nothing too major, i've been pretty consistent on it... My Plans for it are; either a mild 340 or 360 3spd or 4spd transmission either a D60 or a beefier 8 3/4 Dakota IFS Swap Or entire Frame swap, unsure at the time... Anyways.... here are some pictures, some are from my cell phone thats why quality is not all that great.... http://dodgepilothouseclub.org/gallery/v/br0k3N18/ Lemme know whatcha think! I dont know all that much about these trucks yet, but hoping to learn alot from this place! Thanks Guys -Anthony Quote
Merle Coggins Posted June 21, 2009 Report Posted June 21, 2009 Welcome. You're in the right place. And your phone takes better pictures than mine. Nice project. I suspect that your truck has a 4 speed trans since it is a floor shift. Most 3 speeds were column shift. I know someone who has a Pilot House with a Dakota front and the Dakota drive train. It drives nice. I've also heard (read) of guys with 'Volarie' clips out of '80s era Mopar cars. They seem to be a good swap too. Just be sure you don't get in over your head. Failure is not an option. How are your welding and fabricating skills? Keep us posted on your progress Merle Quote
br0k3N18 Posted June 21, 2009 Author Report Posted June 21, 2009 Welcome. You're in the right place. And your phone takes better pictures than mine. Nice project. I suspect that your truck has a 4 speed trans since it is a floor shift. Most 3 speeds were column shift. I know someone who has a Pilot House with a Dakota front and the Dakota drive train. It drives nice. I've also heard (read) of guys with 'Volarie' clips out of '80s era Mopar cars. They seem to be a good swap too. Just be sure you don't get in over your head. Failure is not an option. How are your welding and fabricating skills? Keep us posted on your progress Merle Thank you for the welcome, but it IS a 3spd, assuming it was converted to floor then? I was thinking of going Dakota simply because they're easy to find and get parts for, could I Get away with using a Gen III Dakota (97-04) or does it have to be earlier? Quote
Don Coatney Posted June 21, 2009 Report Posted June 21, 2009 Thank you for the welcome, but it IS a 3spd, assuming it was converted to floor then? I was thinking of going Dakota simply because they're easy to find and get parts for, could I Get away with using a Gen III Dakota (97-04) or does it have to be earlier? There is not now nor ever was a floor shift conversion available. If the shifter lever comes out of the top of the transmission it is most likely a 4 speed. If the shifter linkage is on the side of the transmission it is a 3 speed. Why do you want to change this? What are you looking to accomplish? The factory 4 speed has a granny gear and low gear is good for pulling stumps but not much more. If your goal is good highway driving you might want to consider a T-5 (5 speed overdrive) transmission. Quote
br0k3N18 Posted June 21, 2009 Author Report Posted June 21, 2009 hm, well then it might be a 4spd, was told it was 3spd...anyways, Id like to find a 3spd/4spd out of a car...i've got a 3spd from a duster, I could go with, im going for.... a car trapped in a trucks body kinda thing if that makes any sense Quote
Merle Coggins Posted June 21, 2009 Report Posted June 21, 2009 Trucks did have a floor shift 3 speed trans, so it's possible that someone put one in there. But Dodge migrated away from the floor shift 3 speed to the column shift version in 1950 to "clean up the floor". That was also the year that they went to an under dash park brake handle. So, while it is possible that it is a 3 speed, it's more likely to be a 4 speed if it's the factory installed trans. Either way it doesn't matter if you're going to pull it all out for a more modern drive train. At that time you'll know for sure. The 3 speeds are small and weigh around 50 lbs. the 4 speeds are big and go over 100 lbs. Very noticible when handling them. When I got my truck I considered a Dakota transplant too. I already had a 360 engine out of a mid 70's truck and thought about using it too since the flattie was locked up tight. However, the more I dug into it the more I decided to keep it all stock. I'm happy with my decision. All I can say is to have a plan, refine the plan, and execute the plan. Oh, and if it matters to you, I believe the later Dakotas have 6 bolt wheels vrs. 5 bolt on the earlier ones. Otherwise I don't know if it would matter. Merle Quote
br0k3N18 Posted June 21, 2009 Author Report Posted June 21, 2009 Trucks did have a floor shift 3 speed trans, so it's possible that someone put one in there. But Dodge migrated away from the floor shift 3 speed to the column shift version in 1950 to "clean up the floor". That was also the year that they went to an under dash park brake handle. So, while it is possible that it is a 3 speed, it's more likely to be a 4 speed if it's the factory installed trans. Either way it doesn't matter if you're going to pull it all out for a more modern drive train. At that time you'll know for sure. The 3 speeds are small and weigh around 50 lbs. the 4 speeds are big and go over 100 lbs. Very noticible when handling them. When I got my truck I considered a Dakota transplant too. I already had a 360 engine out of a mid 70's truck and thought about using it too since the flattie was locked up tight. However, the more I dug into it the more I decided to keep it all stock. I'm happy with my decision. All I can say is to have a plan, refine the plan, and execute the plan. Oh, and if it matters to you, I believe the later Dakotas have 6 bolt wheels vrs. 5 bolt on the earlier ones. Otherwise I don't know if it would matter. Merle See the trans is pretty tiny but im 90% Sure it is a 3spd... but anyways..see the motor was rebuilt....25yrs ago..never started...the wiring was there, butI ripped it all out, all cracked and broke.... anyways, i think im stickin with a Smallblock Mopar... and I completly forgot about the Tremec transmissions Also, on the Dakota, 87-91 = 5 Bolts, 96-04 6 Bolt, 05-Current went back to 5... Quote
br0k3N18 Posted June 22, 2009 Author Report Posted June 22, 2009 Thanks again everyone for the warm welcoming! also I was just curious, it seems like alot of the trucks around here have a 5 windows...How rare is a 3 window if at all? Quote
Merle Coggins Posted June 22, 2009 Report Posted June 22, 2009 There were 3 cab options back then. The Standard cab has doors without vent windows and no corner windows. (Canadian trucks never had corner glass, as I understand it) The Deluxe Cab has corner windows and vent windows in the doors. The Custom Cab has the same windows, but also adds a passenger side sun visor, electric wipers, and a couple other goodies I can't remember. I wouldn't say either type is rare. There is a mix of each type out there, but it does seem that there are more corner glass cabs from what I've seen. Merle Quote
desoto1939 Posted June 22, 2009 Report Posted June 22, 2009 I lloked at the picture of your truck and saw that there is a bound brook NJ on the side. I have relatives that live in South Branch NJ raritan. My father inlaw has several model a and also had a 1915 Willy overland that had a leather cone clutch that I learned to drive on as my first antique car. Are you a member of the Jersey region of the AACA they are a great goup of guy. I have know them for 20+ years. I live near Valley Forge PA. rich hartung desoto1939@aol.com Quote
br0k3N18 Posted June 22, 2009 Author Report Posted June 22, 2009 I lloked at the picture of your truck and saw that there is a bound brook NJ on the side. I have relatives that live in South Branch NJ raritan.My father inlaw has several model a and also had a 1915 Willy overland that had a leather cone clutch that I learned to drive on as my first antique car. Are you a member of the Jersey region of the AACA they are a great goup of guy. I have know them for 20+ years. I live near Valley Forge PA. rich hartung desoto1939@aol.com No, I am from Northwest Missouri, the trucks cab & bed originally came from NJ though Quote
MBF Posted June 23, 2009 Report Posted June 23, 2009 Welcome. I've got a 49 1 ton with a floor shifted 3 speed that was original to the truck. There really isn't a whole lot go be gained unless you want the creeper gear of the 4 speed. The highest gear in both the 3 and 4 speed is 1:1. You need to change the bell housing if you go from a 3 to a 4 speed or vice versa. Good luck with your project. Mike Quote
IanT_Qld Posted June 23, 2009 Report Posted June 23, 2009 There were 3 cab options back then. The Standard cab has doors without vent windows and no corner windows. (Canadian trucks never had corner glass, as I understand it) The Deluxe Cab has corner windows and vent windows in the doors. My Canadian export (to Oz) has the deluxe cab. DG108 (corner and vent windows) Cheers Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.