jakenoklahoma Posted March 31, 2010 Report Posted March 31, 2010 Got a 1950 last night. A project for sure, but very complete. Just a few questions, as this is my first pilothouse, although I have wanted one for more than 25 years. I have had quite a few IHC trucks from the 50s & 60s, could never find a Dodge around where I lived until now. 1. Hard to find parts for? 2. Do they make good drivers when restovated? 3. What sort of top speed are we looking at when stock? 4. Common problems to look for when working on or using them? I am fairly mechanically minded, have done other involved projects, just wanted to stop in and introduce myself as I am a newbie and ask a few questions to begin with. I'll add some pictures when get her home. Quote
oldmopar Posted March 31, 2010 Report Posted March 31, 2010 They are fun trucks parts are available they are easy to work on figure about 50-60 as top speed depending on what rear you have Try this link to get started (It's also on the top menu bar http://dodgepilothouseclub.org/index.htm Quote
jakenoklahoma Posted March 31, 2010 Author Report Posted March 31, 2010 excellent link, thanks! Quote
jakenoklahoma Posted March 31, 2010 Author Report Posted March 31, 2010 I also noted yesterday when I bought it some springs like I have never seen. I'll try to describe. shaped sort of like the spring on a clothspin and the go laterally from frame to axle on each side. Baffled; is this stock or just something odd? looks pretty clean and about the same age as the truck Quote
Merle Coggins Posted March 31, 2010 Report Posted March 31, 2010 "restovated" I like that word If you want a good highway speed you can swap out the diff for one from a Mopar car of the same vintage. I have a 3.73 diff from a '50 Plymouth in my truck and can cruise at 70+ easy. As for the spring deal, it sounds odd to me as well. Can you post pictures? Also, you failed to tell us what size truck this is. The above diff swap info is only valid for 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks. Larger trucks have different axles. Pictures please, we like pictures. Merle Quote
jakenoklahoma Posted March 31, 2010 Author Report Posted March 31, 2010 Merle, pictures are forthcoming. I need to go pick the old gal up this weekend. I think it is a half ton, as it has 5 lug 16" wheels on it. Appears to be a long truck, has a bed, wood is gone, so that's how I saw the unusual springs. It has a four speed transmission. and is missing the carb & air breather. the axles are on the floorboard, along with the diff, so to move her, I've got some work to do this weekend. SHe was/is green with a black box... Quote
townwagon Posted March 31, 2010 Report Posted March 31, 2010 (edited) Like the one in this picture? http://photos.imageevent.com/townwagon/framenumbers/websize/P2150786.JPG If so either your truck had the shocks modified, or maybe someone put a 1940-41 1/2 ton military 4wd chassis underneath your 1950 body? I have seen that swap done many many times, and some people are fooled into thinking it is stock. Eric Edited March 31, 2010 by townwagon language Quote
jakenoklahoma Posted March 31, 2010 Author Report Posted March 31, 2010 Like the one in this picture?http://photos.imageevent.com/townwagon/framenumbers/websize/P2150786.JPG If so either your truck had the shocks modified, or maybe someone put a 1940-41 1/2 ton military 4wd chassis underneath your 1950 body? I have seen that swap done many many times, and some people are fooled into thinking it is stock. Eric no, Eric, I have seen those before. These are inside the frame and reach out to fasten to the axle housing, sort of like a sway bar. if you look at an old clothspin, that is about exactly how the spring is shaped. Quote
townwagon Posted March 31, 2010 Report Posted March 31, 2010 I guess we need pictures then! The lever arm shock is the closest thing I could think of to what you described from my knowledge of stock options on Dodges. Eric Quote
Merle Coggins Posted March 31, 2010 Report Posted March 31, 2010 Maybe it was some sort of after market helper spring for heavy loads? Quote
Reg Evans Posted March 31, 2010 Report Posted March 31, 2010 I guess you don't mean overload springs like these ? Quote
buds truck Posted March 31, 2010 Report Posted March 31, 2010 Welcome. You now have access to a great bunch of guys with a ton of knowledge. They have a huge help to me both with their expertise and their friendships. We are certainly looking forward to seeing pix of both the truck and the springs and forthcoming pix of the progress you will be making in the future. Bud Quote
Jim Gaspard Posted March 31, 2010 Report Posted March 31, 2010 Here is your Pilot-house truck Forum support group: http://dodgepilothouseclub.org/info/info.htm Sounds like you're an Okie, and there are several of us in Texas, New Mexico, Kansas, Colorado and neighboring states with projects in various stages. When you get to your bed restovate phase you have one of the biggest supplier of NORS bed parts located in Oklahoma City, MAR-K Classic truck Parts. Welcome. Quote
Fernando Mendes Posted March 31, 2010 Report Posted March 31, 2010 This is the same mine GMC CCKW 1944 lever arm shock.It is a 30' technology. Quote
jakenoklahoma Posted April 1, 2010 Author Report Posted April 1, 2010 (edited) This is great information. Here are a few pics. Odd spring is in 1st picture. Edited April 1, 2010 by jakenoklahoma Quote
jakenoklahoma Posted April 1, 2010 Author Report Posted April 1, 2010 more pics, note my new "friend" Quote
jakenoklahoma Posted April 1, 2010 Author Report Posted April 1, 2010 (edited) As you can see, she's on the ground. Both axles and the pumpkin are in the cab, along with the backing plates & drums. The axle nuts might be there, but after finding my new friend, I am going to be a little more subtle about rooting around in something that has not moved in 7 years. If I cant find the nuts, are they a common SAE thread? Also, anyone know what size nut holds the pumpkin in the case and fastens the backing plates to the axle housing? I earlier said the wheels were 16" but they are actually 15". Does this mean it is a 3/4 ton? Edited April 1, 2010 by jakenoklahoma Quote
Flatie46 Posted April 1, 2010 Report Posted April 1, 2010 Is that a snake coiled up in that wheel in the first pic? Quote
jakenoklahoma Posted April 1, 2010 Author Report Posted April 1, 2010 Is that a snake coiled up in that wheel in the first pic? yep, bull snake about 6-7' long....quite a surprise when I picked up the tire on top of the one he was living in.... Quote
Flatie46 Posted April 1, 2010 Report Posted April 1, 2010 Only kind of snake I like is dead ones. Quote
townwagon Posted April 1, 2010 Report Posted April 1, 2010 Interesting, that was a Fluid Drive truck! Now you need the badges that say Fluid Drive, good luck! That spring is odd, and not stock. When you get it dug out get a better picture of the spring and how it mounts, I am very interested to know what it was for. Good luck! Eric Quote
oldmopar Posted April 1, 2010 Report Posted April 1, 2010 There should be a tag on the inside of the drivers door on the post that will tell you what model the truck is. http://dodgepilothouseclub.org/know/vin/model.htm Quote
jakenoklahoma Posted April 1, 2010 Author Report Posted April 1, 2010 Interesting, that was a Fluid Drive truck! Now you need the badges that say Fluid Drive, good luck!That spring is odd, and not stock. When you get it dug out get a better picture of the spring and how it mounts, I am very interested to know what it was for. Good luck! Eric Fluid Drive? Interesting, is that going to complicate restovation? Quote
jakenoklahoma Posted April 1, 2010 Author Report Posted April 1, 2010 There should be a tag on the inside of the drivers door on the post that will tell you what model the truck is.http://dodgepilothouseclub.org/know/vin/model.htm thanks: I need to get the door open first, as it is not cooperating. Quote
austinsailor Posted April 1, 2010 Report Posted April 1, 2010 The hubs and 15 inch wheels say it's 3/4 ton. Quote
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