richardb Posted October 8, 2011 Report Posted October 8, 2011 I have owned my 1953 dodge truck for that last 20 years. I bought it when I was 16 years old and thought I would be done in a year. LOL. Boy was I wrong. Back then I said "I am not going to be an old man and be driving a classic vehicle". Then life got in the way. I have read many threads by many great people and seen a lot of great advice. Unfortunately I am not really interested in owning a truck that rides like a 53. So I am doing a few upgrades. I am putting on indepedent front suspension, rear suspension, new brake lines, new master cylinder, ......... Basically it is going to be all new. Yes, it does hurt the pocket book but if you are going to do something you might as well do it properly. I also forgot to mention that I live in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada where there are very few of these trucks around that makes it very rare. The truck I own is a Canadian version. I like this fact because everyone owns a chev or a ford. There are millions of those and nobody really is excited to see those. Where I am I am probably one of the only people in the city to own one. I will post some pictures of the progress. I do apoligize for some of the pictures that are out of focus... bad picture day. I hope that my efforts will encourage people to take on such projects and restore these great trucks. The next pictures I show will show some great progress. The frame will be painted. The exhaust will be fitted and coated. The engine will have some upgrades such as matching paint to the frame and a few more chrome accessories added. Soon the rollling chassis will be done. In a few months I should be able to sit on a five gallon pail in the cab and drive it around. Stay tuned to updates...... Quote
Dan Babb Posted October 9, 2011 Report Posted October 9, 2011 Very nice. I would like to put an IFS in mine one day. Quote
TheMoose Posted October 9, 2011 Report Posted October 9, 2011 Looking good! Is that a custom suspension or is it from a doner car? I had actually planned on doing that to my 53 but it was just way too nice to cut up, I'll find another 53 one day to hot rod & I'll have 1 of each! Take lots of pics & keep us up to date on the progress. Quote
Desotodav Posted October 9, 2011 Report Posted October 9, 2011 Great looking project Richard. I was driven to my truck for the same reason, because it was a little unusual and that it wasn't a Ford or Chev. Although in saying that, my Brother-in-law has some really nice old Ford trucks in our shed for restoration - to each his own! You are certainly in the right place to find great advice on your project. Congratulations on owning the vehicle for so long and keeping it in such a good state of repair. Good luck with the project and keep us posted. Desotodav Quote
B1B Keven Posted October 9, 2011 Report Posted October 9, 2011 (edited) Looking good!Is that a custom suspension or is it from a doner car? I had actually planned on doing that to my 53 but it was just way too nice to cut up, I'll find another 53 one day to hot rod & I'll have 1 of each! Take lots of pics & keep us up to date on the progress. Ummm. I know of a '51 cab on a chassis that's had a Volare 'K' member welded on and a Ford 9" rear end added. Real cheap! The white truck with no nose. Edited October 9, 2011 by B1B Keven Quote
TheMoose Posted October 9, 2011 Report Posted October 9, 2011 Ummm. I know of a '51 cab on a chassis that's had a Volare 'K' member welded on and a Ford 9" rear end added. Real cheap! Thanks but, I'm particular 5 window 53's only! That's a nice yard full of trucks! Quote
B1B Keven Posted October 9, 2011 Report Posted October 9, 2011 Thanks but, I'm particular 5 window 53's only! That's a nice yard full of trucks! Look closely. Quote
TheMoose Posted October 9, 2011 Report Posted October 9, 2011 Look closely. Question, why do they have "flat" rear fenders? a different bed style than the rounded fenders on my truck? Quote
B1B Keven Posted October 9, 2011 Report Posted October 9, 2011 There's one truck in front of white/yellow truck. And a '51 5 window Fluid Drive down near the barn. Quote
B1B Keven Posted October 9, 2011 Report Posted October 9, 2011 Question, why do they have "flat" rear fenders? a different bed style than the rounded fenders on my truck? I'm pretty sure that's a '51 only deal. The '52-'53 trucks had the rounded fenders. Quote
Todd B Posted October 9, 2011 Report Posted October 9, 2011 53' only had flat fenders. 48 -52 rounded. Quote
TheMoose Posted October 9, 2011 Report Posted October 9, 2011 53' only had flat fenders. 48 -52 rounded. You sure that's not the other way around? I've had 2 53's & they both had round rear fenders. Quote
richardb Posted October 10, 2011 Author Report Posted October 10, 2011 TheMoose: The front end is not from a donar truck. It is a custom front suspension. Also the truck has a custom rear suspension. Four wheel disk brakes have been added. New master cylinder with all new brake lines have been added. A new tranny cooler lines, cooler, and fuel lines has also been added. The frame has been boxed in for added strength. New engine and tranny mounts have been added. All in all I am making this 53 into a modern and nice ride. I do not plan to have it done for another 4 years but after the last 20 it will be nothing. I would like to see more people customizing and modernizing their vehicle. Lets keep the classic trucks on the road but upgrade them to make them safe for today's roads. I would really like to thank everyone for their great input and knowledge. Please keep in mind I am still looking to new grill bars to keep the truck looking original if anyone can help me out. Thank you everyone. Quote
Dave72dt Posted October 10, 2011 Report Posted October 10, 2011 The '53's had the rounded fenders. Those fenders were the stock items found on the newer Dodges for years. All the earlier years had the flatter style. Quote
HanksB3B Posted October 10, 2011 Report Posted October 10, 2011 I was never confused about fenders, now I am. as far as "if you are going to do something you might as well do it properly". goes, I wish you'd re-wordsmith that to say if you are going to modify something you might as well do it properly, in which case I fully agree with you and so far it looks like you are living up to it. I really like your approach (and fabrication skills used on the custom suspension). Nice Work, Welcome and don't feel bad parked mine in 1985 begun restoration II in 2005 and completed in 2009. Hank Quote
catfishcuz Posted October 11, 2011 Report Posted October 11, 2011 What engine and tranny are you doing its looking good. Butch Quote
Dave72dt Posted October 11, 2011 Report Posted October 11, 2011 I was never confused about fenders, now I am.Hank Going back in this post to the #5 response, all the trucks Keven shows is of the flatter cycle or trailer style rear fender. '53s and newer had a more rounded, contoured rear fender that was used for many years on stepside Dodge trucks. Engine appears to be a SBC, offset slightly to the right side, M II suspension with factory style coil springs, disc brakes, R & P steering. Whose M II setup did you use and which style rotors? GM or Ford? I like the clean firewall. What are your plans heater/AC? Quote
Dodgeb4ya Posted October 11, 2011 Report Posted October 11, 2011 The 1953 dodge truck factory rear fenders-flat on the top so to speak- not rounded. Quote
Dennis_MN Posted October 11, 2011 Report Posted October 11, 2011 The '53's had the rounded fenders. Those fenders were the stock items found on the newer Dodges for years. All the earlier years had the flatter style. I thought I would post a picture of the two styles of rear fenders.. Quote
TheMoose Posted October 11, 2011 Report Posted October 11, 2011 I thought I would post a picture of the two styles of rear fenders.. Now I'm confused! I called the early "trailer" fenders flat & the 53 style rounded! Quote
Todd B Posted October 11, 2011 Report Posted October 11, 2011 I thought I would post a picture of the two styles of rear fenders.. I thought I had it right, its obvious that some people think the square fenders of 53' look round??? Quote
TheMoose Posted October 11, 2011 Report Posted October 11, 2011 I thought I had it right' date=' its obvious that some people think the square fenders of 53' look round???[/quote']Guilty as charged! To me the 53 fenders have an overall rounded look while the older style are flatter. A matter of perspective I guess. Quote
Dave72dt Posted October 12, 2011 Report Posted October 12, 2011 Guilty as charged!To me the 53 fenders have an overall rounded look while the older style are flatter. A matter of perspective I guess. Me too, I guess! Maybe I should have said the '53s had the styled fenders or long fenders:confused: Quote
wildwilf Posted October 13, 2011 Report Posted October 13, 2011 my grandfather always referred the the 51, 52 fenders as barrell fenders Quote
richardb Posted October 13, 2011 Author Report Posted October 13, 2011 I have a 1953 Canadian Truck Model. There are less of these than the southern model. They are the same except of where they are made. The 53 model has the flatter fenders. I understand that the earlier models have the rounded fenders. Quote
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