streamer Posted July 31, 2009 Report Posted July 31, 2009 The on and off again restoration of my 1948 B1B ( see DPETCA album ) is nearing completion. Next it is time to hit the cruise nights and a couple of local car and truck shows. Quote
carl b51 Posted July 31, 2009 Report Posted July 31, 2009 That is one Fine lookin 48. Now the fun begins. Quote
48Dodger Posted July 31, 2009 Report Posted July 31, 2009 Great project Steamer! Some of your shop pictures reminded me of my shop. I was looking for a close up of your rail and winch....did I miss it or do have one stashed? How's the ride? 48D Quote
coW52Dodge Posted July 31, 2009 Report Posted July 31, 2009 Wow - judging by those two pictures, that project has come a long way. Great job, man!. Rem Quote
streamer Posted July 31, 2009 Author Report Posted July 31, 2009 Great project Steamer! Some of your shop pictures reminded me of my shop. I was looking for a close up of your rail and winch....did I miss it or do have one stashed? How's the ride?48D The shop is just my barn that was turned into a place to work on the truck. If you look at the before picture you can see the box is hanging from a 1/2 ton chain fall which rides on the trolley rail bolted to the I-joists. I actually took the engine out using that system, but borrowed an engine hoist for the install of the rebuilt engine. As for the ride -- it goes great. The motor is strong with 50 lbs. of oil pressure at speed and 20 at idle when warmed up. The steering at this time is typical 1948, ie. it bump steers and wanders a bit. I am having the front end aligned and toe in checked on Tuesday and fully expect an improvement. Thanks Quote
Mario Loya B1B Posted July 31, 2009 Report Posted July 31, 2009 Damn! I wish I had your talent. Looks great. Quote
MBF Posted July 31, 2009 Report Posted July 31, 2009 Steamer-nice truck. I made my own alignment tool to set toe in using a piece of bedrail, and a couple of adjustable pointers. I jack up the front end, scribe a pencil line near the center of each tire (around the full circumfrence) and set it back down on the ground. I set the pointers so that they're each on the center line in the rear of the tires, clamp it down, and then move the unit to the front of the tires and adjust so that there is about 1/8" toe in (difference) between the front and rear measurements. I've even used it on independant front suspensions to get them close to be able to drive to the alignment shop. Both times the toe was right on and didn't need to be readjusted at the shop! Mike Quote
Allan Parkhurst Posted August 1, 2009 Report Posted August 1, 2009 Great looking truck. All the work paid off, you should be proud. Quote
grey beard Posted August 1, 2009 Report Posted August 1, 2009 Streamer, Very nice job. Congratulations. Now the fun begins. I'm sure you will enjoy the benefits of all your labor. I almost never drive my truck without someone giving me a thumbs up. It's sorta fun, except for one kid who wanted to know if I was the original owner. Told him I just LOOKED old, but wasn't freally THAT old. Don't think he understood. So I had to tell him I was seven years old when the truck was built. Then he got it . . . . . . Good Luck Quote
streamer Posted August 3, 2009 Author Report Posted August 3, 2009 Thanks for all of your coments and additional information. When I bought this truck two years ago, I knew very little about these Dodge Pilot House trucks. The first thing I did before I started to work on it was join this forum, that was the best thing I could have done. If it were not for all the tech and general knowledge of all of you and your willingness to put up with and answer my questions, the truck would not have turned out nearly as well as it did. Here are three pics showing the result of your help -- finished. Thanks Quote
pflaming Posted August 6, 2009 Report Posted August 6, 2009 That is a very nice gray color. Does it have an exact name? Quote
streamer Posted August 6, 2009 Author Report Posted August 6, 2009 That is a very nice gray color. Does it have an exact name?It is Massey Fergason Gray -- available at Tractor supply -- nothing fancy, but it is what is used on tractors and is supposed to be very durable. Quote
Reg Evans Posted August 6, 2009 Report Posted August 6, 2009 I like the gray color too and the wide whites and the wood bed rails and well.....all of it. N I C E J O B ! Quote
pflaming Posted August 6, 2009 Report Posted August 6, 2009 I like the individ creativity that happens in old truck-car 'restoration/rebulding'. I would use black tires and a touch of red and level the truck by lowering the back, but that is me. It is a great looking truck just as it is. OT: On a side note, my brother just found the 1935 D John Deere that our father owned. I have two brothers so we purchased it, will truck it to CA and get it running again. Quote
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