1949 Dodge B1B Woodie upgrade begins

[Charles Furman]

Ok, after months and months of planning I have taken the first step in upgrading my 1949 Dodge B1B108 Woodie (picture attached).

 

I placed the order today for a new 5.7L Hemi motor with a Mopar 5-Speed automatic transmission.  I will start the demo work next week and the reassembly work is scheduled to start about mid-November.  Based on our collective experience, this project will take 3 times as long as I planned and cost, at least, twice as much.  Oh well.

 

The entire upgrade will include;

 

5.7L Hemi (345 h.p.)

5-Speed automatic transmission

Rack & Pinion Steering

Vintage Air AC with heater and defroster

12 volt conversion

Power disk brakes on all 4 wheels

New fuel tank

9" rear end

New radiator

Rear sway bar

Dual exhaust system (very quiet)

New 7" wide wheel hoops on stock 16" wheel centers

New sound system

 

I am using a steering column from a 1950 Pilothouse truck to get the 3 on the tree to run the automatic transmission and I am using an under dash e-brake from a 1950 PH to eliminate the floor mounted brake handle.  I will calibrate and retain all the original guages.

 

I plan to do all the work in a way the retains all of the original outward appearance of the stock vehicle.  The ride height will remain the same.  Hopefully, the only thing that will give it away will be the dual exhaust.

 

The components I will be removing have less than 7,000 miles on them since they were brand new, NOS, or totally rebuilt during the original restoration that I completed around 2006 or 2007.  The components coming out include:

 

218 c.i. engine

3-speed manual transmission

Triple core radiator

Complete Y&Z wiring harness set up for fog lights and turn signals

Fuel tank

Complete rear-end (3.73 gears)

Complete front axle hub to hub with drag link

Front disk brake conversion (also have all original drum brake parts)

and more

 

I am hopeful that I can find someone who is starting on a B1B restoration with a blown motor and tranny who may want to save themselves a lot of money and make a deal for all or most of this stuff.  It all runs great.

 

I plan to post progress pictures throughout the process.  Does anyone have any suggestions as to what would be the best way to document and share this project?

 

Thanks,

 

Charles Furman

Edited October 20, 2013 by Charles Furman

[RodFru2u]

Great looking Woodie, Sounds like you have a good plan. Looking forward to seeing more pictures of your progress.

[ruff1148kr]

WOW what a great project  I can only dream to get to the point you are now, before you even start your new under taking. Sounds like you have it all mapped out. good luck looking forward to your progress.

[48Dodger]

I remember awhile back talking about the 5.7 instead of the 426 Hemi. Glad to hear you're sticking with that.

 

The front axle will be original with a rack and pinion attached?

The front disc will be like the Old Daddy type design? 

What brake system for the 4wheel disc?  

Will you retain the original firewall, or move the motor forward? 

 

Looking forward to a ton of pictures....

 

48D

[Dave72dt]

This should be a very interesting build.  You might consider starting a blog for posting purposes.

[GlennCraven]

That thing is fantastic, Charles. And it's going to snap as many necks as it turns heads with that new power under the hood.

 

Good luck on the project. Let's hope it only takes 1.5 times longer than you plan and that you spend only 50 percent more, to cut the anticipated extra investment in half.