55 Fargo Posted October 4, 2011 Report Posted October 4, 2011 Hey all, went and picked up the next project for the Father and Son team. The 55 Dodge pickup, which is destined for my 55 Fargo chassis complete with good running flattie 228 or 251 engine. Went to another Forum Members home to buy it from MbMopar, and he was nice enough to loan me his tow bar and lights. The trip was 30-40 miles, some downa really rough hard packed road, some on an Interstate type higway. I was given the finger once, and fist shaking another time. I was nervous as heck, and my partner, My 9 YO Son, was a real trooper, and riding shotgun with Dad. Here are the pics.. Quote
randroid Posted October 4, 2011 Report Posted October 4, 2011 Fred, I'd say that if you only got the finger once and a solitary fist shaking you weren't trying hard enough. Next time take a couple guys from the hog farm and I'll be they'll show you more tricks than a monkey with a hundred feet of rope. Just keep them on short chains. I bet you already have the engine for that excellent project and it doesn't have any broken pistons, either. -Randy Quote
55 Fargo Posted October 4, 2011 Author Report Posted October 4, 2011 Fred,I'd say that if you only got the finger once and a solitary fist shaking you weren't trying hard enough. Next time take a couple guys from the hog farm and I'll be they'll show you more tricks than a monkey with a hundred feet of rope. Just keep them on short chains. I bet you already have the engine for that excellent project and it doesn't have any broken pistons, either. -Randy Hi Randy, infact I have a complete chassis with a good running engine, cab and front clip to go onto it.... Quote
randroid Posted October 4, 2011 Report Posted October 4, 2011 Fred, Seems you already mentioned what you were going to do with it but I wanted to get in one more jab at the nay-sayers who told you to start fixing your stuck 251 by breaking it. -Randy Quote
1940plymouth Posted October 4, 2011 Report Posted October 4, 2011 Fred, Looks like you and your son have a great project to work on, keep us posted and more photos please. Bob Quote
55 Fargo Posted October 4, 2011 Author Report Posted October 4, 2011 Hey all, cleaned out the cab of the truck, floors and rockers super solid, along back bottom of cab under rear window, some rot through, so will need to weld in some tin. The drivers door has some good damage from blowing open in the wind or something, as the latch stop, was not on, window is super screwed too, but doors are not rusty, even along the bottom pinch weld. Seat springs and frame are in the truck, do not think the bottom, is correct, but I really don't care,as I am hoping to use a Caravan bench seat, if it will work, or whatever might work. The inside stinks like, let me say this eloquentyl, "like cat piss", no real evidence of rodents, unless squirrels made that god awful stench. There awas a bunch of scrap steel, 2rims, 2 rims and tires, 2 fuel tanks, inside the cab, all going to the local shredder. I had to move the truck, and turn it around, I did this by pushing this hulk by myslef, on uneven gravel, not fun. The Guy I bought it from, said, as I lifted the one end of the box off, you are much stronger than you look, thought that was funny, as he is a great big Guy. But I am in real pain with my elbow, from pushing this truck to trun it completely around, to get her in the right position, besid the garage. I plan to clean off the moss, and wash the wiondows, and that is it for now. The roof was oil canned, popped a lot of it out, but it will be fun, but all in all, it is not a bad cab and front clip for my other 1/2 ton chassis. Oh well, nobody said it was going to be easy. pics too follow, am tired got up at 5:30 AM to start this, in the dark.... Quote
55 Fargo Posted October 4, 2011 Author Report Posted October 4, 2011 Here are the pics, I have the Gauges, but not the bezels, will need door handles, window parts, or a drivers door, other things, too many too list. The source of the rotten stench was theglove box, musta been meeses... Quote
Young Ed Posted October 4, 2011 Report Posted October 4, 2011 Fred that big wheel is probably the factory spare for that truck. Someone might want that sucker. Quote
1940plymouth Posted October 4, 2011 Report Posted October 4, 2011 Fred, the photos say the truck in darn good shape, like you said, the floor looks very good. I am surprised at the back of the cab, there are trucks here in NY much younger, with far more rust than your cab, but that may be because of all the salt used here. Thanks for the photos and good luck with it Quote
55 Fargo Posted October 4, 2011 Author Report Posted October 4, 2011 Fred that big wheel is probably the factory spare for that truck. Someone might want that sucker. yup, all 5 can be had, anyone can come and get em, once I trnasplant this cab onto the 1/2 ton chassis. Quote
55 Fargo Posted October 4, 2011 Author Report Posted October 4, 2011 Fred' date=' the photos say the truck in darn good shape, like you said, the floor looks very good. I am surprised at the back of the cab, there are trucks here in NY much younger, with far more rust than your cab, but that may be because of all the salt used here.Thanks for the photos and good luck with it[/quote'] Thanx Bob, yes some work ahead, the back of the cab, should not be a real tough fix, at least the bax will hide it, if it truns out rough... Quote
Joe Flanagan Posted October 4, 2011 Report Posted October 4, 2011 Fred, the interior looks really good. Do you have the gauges or are you going to have to go hunting for them? I think the lower bottom of the cab is a pretty easy fix. It's all flat metal and looks like a simple 90-degree bend there. Lot of surface rust on the exterior. Are you going to blast it? Driver's door looks like a real challenge. Nice truck. I really like it. I can't wait till I get mine and can start doing what you're doing right now, though it is a Chevrolet. I think only cats can create that particular stench you're talking about. Quote
55 Fargo Posted October 4, 2011 Author Report Posted October 4, 2011 (edited) Fred, the interior looks really good. Do you have the gauges or are you going to have to go hunting for them? I think the lower bottom of the cab is a pretty easy fix. It's all flat metal and looks like a simple 90-degree bend there. Lot of surface rust on the exterior. Are you going to blast it? Driver's door looks like a real challenge. Nice truck. I really like it.I can't wait till I get mine and can start doing what you're doing right now, though it is a Chevrolet. I think only cats can create that particular stench you're talking about. Hi Joe, not sure what I will end up doing for the surface prep, blasting or sanding, lots of guys do not blast metal up here, as it is fairly dry climate. I am going with epoxy primer, than the filler work, followed by poyester spray filler/primer, the stuff you can bury a quarter in. Infact the door bottoms are in better shape than the Guys truck I bought this truck from, and his truck came from Arizona. The rear cab bottom , should be a piece of cake, the drivers door, is a tough one, will try and find another door, but will take the door off, this winter, and have a run at it. I have the gauges, but am not sure what works and what does not. I love Cehvrolet trucks 0s and early 50s, 216 engines are a bit of a challenge, with there babbited bearings, and partial splash oil system. If I were going stock engine on those trucks, would look for a good 235..... Edited October 4, 2011 by Rockwood Quote
oldodge41 Posted October 4, 2011 Report Posted October 4, 2011 Fred, great find. really to see your son is interested too. Look forward to the progress reports. Quote
Joe Flanagan Posted October 5, 2011 Report Posted October 5, 2011 Fred, you might have a tombstone vendor in your area. I have heard they will do sandblasting. Quote
55 Fargo Posted October 5, 2011 Author Report Posted October 5, 2011 Fred, you might have a tombstone vendor in your area. I have heard they will do sandblasting. yup, had doors trunks hoods, he does not do anything too big, too be honest, my areas that were not sandlasted on the 47 are just as good and holding up quite well as the others. I try and get all the surface rust out, acid treat, and use decent primer, once sealed, is gonna stay for a long time. I think you Guys are battling moist or salty coastal air, it is usually quite dry here, and very dry this summer, and fall, heck it was 77 here today and the same for tomorrow, usually 60 this time of year, and sometimes 40.... Quote
4msfamly Posted October 5, 2011 Report Posted October 5, 2011 Nice '55! My daughter and I are working on ours... just waiting on the spindles to come back and get the disk brakes on the front. http://www430.pair.com/p15d24/mopar_forum/showthread.php?t=28335 You mention a 1/2 ton chassis.. are you swapping to a Dakota or something? Or do you have a '55 1/2 ton chassis too? Marc Quote
55 Fargo Posted October 5, 2011 Author Report Posted October 5, 2011 Nice '55! My daughter and I are working on ours... just waiting on the spindles to come back and get the disk brakes on the front. http://www430.pair.com/p15d24/mopar_forum/showthread.php?t=28335You mention a 1/2 ton chassis.. are you swapping to a Dakota or something? Or do you have a '55 1/2 ton chassis too? Marc Hi Marc, yes we have a 55 fargo 1/2 ton chassis, with good running 251, and late model 80s Dodge truck rear end, newer front end parts, but still needs to be cleaned up and painted. That 55 Fargo was driven until 2005, when the owner pulled it off and put it on a Chevy truck chassis, it then burnt.... Quote
4msfamly Posted October 5, 2011 Report Posted October 5, 2011 Yikes! Well, that just puts the whole Dodge vs. Chevy to rest, doesn't it! I look forward to reading your build. Marc Quote
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