B1B Keven Posted April 23, 2014 Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 Keven; Perhaps you should have added an IMO? Jeff Nah. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Husker Posted April 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 I have the outside handles I just have not installed them yet. I am not a die hard Harley guy but I have not owned one yet and I need to see what the big fuss is all about. Funny thing is the other american made bike "Victory" is lower priced and has a higher customer sat rating than a Harley od so they say lol!. So back to the truck, has anyone installed a tilt column in one of these? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Husker Posted April 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 I think I am going to say screw the bike for this year and work on this old girl. I have not rode in some time and the fight would be on with my grand kids for rides. I am a solo rider lol! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Coatney Posted April 23, 2014 Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 The stock steering wheel is what gives these old vehicles character. With a smaller wheel (unless you add power steering) it will require a lot more Armstrong strength to turn the wheel when the vehicle is not moving. Besides it appears you will flip this truck sooner or later so you may as well do it now and get that hurley. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigDaddyO Posted April 23, 2014 Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 The stock steering wheel is what gives these old vehicles character. With a smaller wheel (unless you add power steering) it will require a lot more Armstrong strength to turn the wheel when the vehicle is not moving. Besides it appears you will flip this truck sooner or later so you may as well do it now and get that hurley. I'm with Don on this one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Husker Posted April 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 I don't fall in love with any vehicles as I have been buying and selling since I was 15 years old and am hooked up with a buddy of mine who is a dealer. I generally flip 12 or so a year of my own and along with helping buddies sell stuff. I also keep my family in late model stuff that I repair. Right now I am finishing up a 2011 Cadillac STS for the wife to drive so I can sell her gas hog 05 GMC she is in now. I have $4500 in the GMC and my buddy says he it will bring 7K after driving it for the past year. That's how I pay for the fun stuff. I am only into the cadi for 14K and it still books around 25K right now. I figure to peddle it off next year for around 17-18K or so when I find the next late model project for the wife. I do like this truck and I paid plenty for it so I don't see it going anywhere fast if at all. I was serious earlier when I said I decided to pass on getting a bike this year, I would rather buy in the winter when I can steal one lol. I have ideas for the truck to be a mild hot rod with a few updated creature features so I can use it as a shop truck. My plans are to install an aftermarket IFS system for the front with rack and pinion steering. The tilt column and smaller wheel are all part of the master plan. I absolutely hate rust repair work so I will pay extra to get a good starting point which this truck is. I have no plans to keep the ford engine in it as I want to put a small block Mopar in it. I like a Mopar in a Mopar, I guess I am a freak that way. So no bike in the near future and I will be tinkering with this truck for some time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pflaming Posted April 23, 2014 Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 (edited) Before I ever drove my '53, I had new king pins and bushings put in the spindles then disc brakes on the front. It tracks like a train and I seldom drive it with two hands. On corners etc, it is effortless, I would never change a thing up front. Lots of money and little return. IMHO Edited April 23, 2014 by pflaming Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
55 Fargo Posted April 23, 2014 Report Share Posted April 23, 2014 (edited) Before I ever drove my '53, I had new king pins and bushings put in the spindles then disc brakes on the front. It tracks like a train and I seldom drive it with two hands. On corners etc, it is effortless, I would never change a thing up front. Lots of money and little return. IMHO Solid axle versus IFS, I dunno where you are drawing your experience from? While I agree would be a few buck$, to install a new modern style front end, but these trucks there front end handling may have a lot to be desired, especially with some V8 HP. I am just curious on what you are basing your rationale on....PS can also drive my truck on rough gravel road at 50 mph with 1 hand, it steers well... Edited April 23, 2014 by Fargos-Go-Far Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave72dt Posted April 24, 2014 Report Share Posted April 24, 2014 I guess you'd really need to drive both types over the same roads and same conditions to draw any true conclusions as well as what you are expecting it to ride and handle like. We've often heard it here that " If I wanted it to drive like a new one, I'd have bought a new one." Also, is the difference personally worth the expense? For Paul, I'd say enjoying the truck for what it was and is, the expense is not justified. For others, it may be. It depends on what you expect it to be. JMO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Husker Posted April 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2014 I look at it like this, to each their own when it comes to preference. I have done similar stuff as you describe with good results but they still drive like a truck and so they should. I prefer the IFS for handling and performance myself but there is absolutely nothing wrong with a good drop axle setup. I will be using that setup on my 31 Chevy if I ever get around to starting on it. What do you guys think about mirrors? I am thinking a 5" round setup on a single bar that would mount to the door. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Husker Posted April 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2014 I found an article on adjusting the steering box so it is not so sloppy. It said to pull a shim out of the top of the unit. Anyone done this before? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plymouthy Adams Posted April 24, 2014 Report Share Posted April 24, 2014 remove IFS for a drop axle...ole skool fever running high isn't it...that is regressing.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave72dt Posted April 24, 2014 Report Share Posted April 24, 2014 There's a specific sequence for adjusting the box. Start at the beginning and follow through, step by step, to get the best results. Shims have been removed before. They're thin and easily damaged and they come in varying thicknesses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Coatney Posted April 24, 2014 Report Share Posted April 24, 2014 What do you guys think about mirrors? I think excessive use of mirrors can lead to Narcissistic personality disorder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Husker Posted April 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2014 LOL now that was funny! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Husker Posted April 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2014 I love that old Plymouth Don! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plymouthy Adams Posted April 24, 2014 Report Share Posted April 24, 2014 Husker, on 23 Apr 2014 - 8:53 PM, said: What do you guys think about mirrors? I will admit I often reflect on this subject.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pflaming Posted April 24, 2014 Report Share Posted April 24, 2014 In my opinion, mirrors are (a) original ( what ever. And the 'whatever' mirrors are myriad and personal preference which is to say, there are no rules. Google 1950 Dodge trucks, click on images and look at mirrors. Lots of choices. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Husker Posted May 11, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 11, 2014 So I picked up a 60K 360 and 727 from an old Motorhome that I will freshen up and transplant over the winter. I simply cant have a ford power plant in my Dodge anymore than I could have swapped in the 350/350 combo I already have in the garage. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B1B Keven Posted May 11, 2014 Report Share Posted May 11, 2014 Good man! I'd buy ya a beer if I could! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Husker Posted May 12, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 I started a new thread now that I am actually working on the truck, I hope this isn't a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HanksB3B Posted May 13, 2014 Report Share Posted May 13, 2014 I started a new thread now that I am actually working on the truck, I hope this isn't a problem. Attaching a link to it here would assure we make it over to that thread . Hank Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Husker Posted May 16, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2014 http://p15-d24.com/topic/35994-my-51-dodge-project/ Great idea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruff1148kr Posted May 18, 2014 Report Share Posted May 18, 2014 Good choice on the 360 and 727 ( LOL) because that's what I'm doing. I'm sure you have much experience than I have, But I went Mustang II and with the 360 I felt I had to move the firewall to get it to sit right (truck oil pan was different, and with the 360 I was told to Box the front frame witch might be harder with old steering box (not sure) Engine mounts were nice and easy I'm with you could not put a Ford or Chevy engine in her. Plan 3 moves ahead and remember things like accelerator linkage and kickdowns as you plan. good luck and keep at it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Husker Posted August 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 9, 2014 Been awhile folks. I started playing around with the truck again a couple weeks ago. Got it running and driving so I have been putting around with it a bit. Took it to a car show my car club puts on every year and spent the afternoon hanging around with all my buddies and there Chevy's loll, it was fun driving bossy for the first time. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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