My 51 Dodge Project

[Husker]

Once my wife decided I didn't need a Harly this year I decided to start working on my old Dodge. I started a new thread to focus on what I am doing with the truck. 

 

I am updating it to be much more modern driver that I can zip down the interstate at speeds. 

 

I picked up a 360/727 combo that I will be transplanting this winter.  

 

I purchased a new tilt steering column with the shift lever on the column that I am going to install next week.  I am kicking around what I want to do with the steering box, I was thinking manual vega for now but they are only rated up to 2800 pounds and i know this truck has to weigh more than that!  My old box is shot so I am looking for suggestions on which way to go, I want to be cheap as this is short term as it will be set up with a rack and pinion system when i install the IFS this winter. Idea? 

[Husker]

I really want to go with a bench seat, if anyone near Sioux City IA has one for sale please let me know. 

[TrampSteer]

Eagerly awaiting your adventure! Post some pics - would love to see it too.

[Husker]

[Husker]

I also need the grille chrome if anyone has anything. 

[Dan Babb]

Wheels look cool on the truck.

 

What rear axle do you have on it?  Swapping in one with 3.55 gears will really help make it highway friendly.  I used a 96 Jeep Cherokee rear on my 52 project.

[Husker]

I really don't know what rear end is under it.  Plans are to get underneath this weekend and check it out.  Anyone know what these things weigh?

 

I am starting on upgrades this weekend.  Diving into the steering column project this weekend so I can get rid of the mess currently installed.  

Edited May 16, 2014 by Husker

[Husker]

Ah the life of being a call center quality manager, germs all over the place so I spent the weekend primarily in bed with the stomach flu so no truck work!  

 

I am trying to figure out what this truck weighs so if anyone knows please drop me a line.  

[Husker]

4850, I kept digging till I found the answer.  That changes my vega steering box idea and they are a bit to light. 

[Ram Man 02]

http://p15-d24.com/topic/22162-weight-of-a-1951-half-ton-pickup/?hl=%2Bstock+%2Btruck+%2Bweight

 

I think youre a little on the heavy side. im pretty sure a 1/2 ton is closer to the 3500lb range

[BobB]

I think the 4850 value may be including the 1/2 ton load. Seems like the max gross on my 52 1/2 ton says somewhere around 4800

[Husker]

I have been doing some more digging and I think you guys are right. Mine is a short box with the low sides so it would weigh less I would think. Once I have it so i can actually drive it I will run it over a scale and see where I am at. 

[Husker]

Ok I am stuck! My manual gear box is junk, so sloppy you can't keep the truck straight so it is not safe to drive.  Eventual plan is to go IFS but I want to have some fun with the truck this summer before it comes apart this winter. Any ideas as to what gear box will work on these old trucks would be greatly appreciated. 

[Dave72dt]

Have you tried adjusting the steering box according to the manual yet?  How about the rest of the steering components?  Have you checked them for wear?  King pins?  I wouldn't want to call the box junk without at least attempting to adjust it and a thorough steering and suspension examination.

[Husker]

Everything else seemed solid.  The box has a ton of slop, do you think adjusting a shim will eliminate 8 inches of slop?  I am game I will give it a shot as there is nothing lost if it does no good. 

[HanksB3B]

This might help.

 

http://p15-d24.com/topic/19395-steering-box/

 

Post #9 has some shim pdfs. Best practice would be to remove your steering box. To remove some of the slop, you could try removing one or two shims. If you discover that you have five shims that means no one has f'd with it yet and that's a good thing. 

 

Hank 

Edited May 27, 2014 by HanksB3B

[Husker]

A great weekend project Hank!

[TrampSteer]

My '53 is 3600 per the books. Over 3800 with me in it though

[Don Coatney]

Ah the life of being a call center quality manager, germs all over the place so I spent the weekend primarily in bed with the stomach flu so no truck work!  

 

I am trying to figure out what this truck weighs so if anyone knows please drop me a line.  

If this is the best answer tell me again what question did this answer?

[Husker]

I was trying to get the correct weight on my truck, the question has been answered.

[Husker]

I put the truck up on stands this week end to look closer at the steering situation.  "Been busy working on money generating projects so this one gets little attention."  The guy who put the truck together originally was a hard core cobbler from what I can see, When you turn the steering wheel the engine actually moves! I think I will have to pull the front clip off to sort this mess out lol!  

[MBF]

Husker-are you sure this is a '51 and not an earlier model?  If its a 48-50 (judging by the doors and wiper transmissions I think it may be).  The earlier models used a steering box mounted on a cast bracket that bolts to the frame.  It may seem like the engine is moving, but it may be the box wiggling on the frame.  Check that the mounting bolts to the frame, and the bracket to box are present and accounted for, and tight.  You may want to check that to see that the bracket isn't broken if that is the style that you have.  Also check the rear shackles on the front springs for wear to make sure there is no side play in them.  If the box is holding lubricant, unless its been totally trashed I would thing you should be able to adjust some of the play out.  Good luck.   

[Husker]

I finally dropped the box. No shims and no adjustment left.  title on the truck says 51 but everything about it says 48-50 so I need to do some research.