Paul Hatfield Posted July 7, 2014 Report Posted July 7, 2014 (edited) Back when I was 17, my parents gave me their old, tired 1951 Dodge pickup. I drove it for about 4 years, carried a brick for a parking brake, painted it in terrible do-it-yourself quality, and then sold it for a sports car. I turn 61 this month, and I have bought myself a birthday present. A 1949 Dodge pickup. It has not run for years, it's been sitting outside in a field, but it is a mostly unmolested truck. I'm picking it up this Saturday, if I get my flatbed in order first. I've restored cars before, mostly old Porsches (I own a '65 356, and you can see my website of my work at www.enginesinback.com This will be my first full truck restoration. Looking to stay stock, but hopefully I won't become overly obsessed with originality like I have with the cars I have done. I am looking for this truck to be fun, reliable, and a bit of a nostalgia. My high school years are not separable from the truck I once owned. So that's a bit of intro for me. I am sure I will be looking for help along the way. Photo of the truck I'm getting is attached. Leaving the weeds growing through the grill. -Paul Edited July 7, 2014 by Paul Hatfield 2 Quote
Merle Coggins Posted July 7, 2014 Report Posted July 7, 2014 (edited) Welcome to the Framily. Nice lookin' truck. Merle Edited July 7, 2014 by Merle Coggins Quote
ruff1148kr Posted July 7, 2014 Report Posted July 7, 2014 Welcome, its looks like a great one to restore. You came to the right place for encouragement and group knowledge. With your background this should be a great build. Quote
B1B Keven Posted July 7, 2014 Report Posted July 7, 2014 Welcome!! More pics when ya can please. Quote
Paul Hatfield Posted July 7, 2014 Author Report Posted July 7, 2014 (edited) I'll take some photos as we drag it out of the field and post them next week. I'm pretty excited about this. Memories of the vacuum advance windshield wipers, driving with the throttle to hold an even speed, starting with the foot push on the floor are all coming back to me. Plan is to get it to be a runner first, and beautify it second. May take me several years as I am not quick. A wife, a job, 3 children and 5 grandchildren take priority. But this truck will become part of the family. Paul Edited July 7, 2014 by Paul Hatfield Quote
pflaming Posted July 7, 2014 Report Posted July 7, 2014 Welcome: That exterior is perfect for a patina finish. Nice find and don't make yourself a stranger. We like participants of all genres. Quote
Jeff Balazs Posted July 7, 2014 Report Posted July 7, 2014 Welcome to the group Paul. Your truck looks like a great starting point for a project. Have fun with it......and don't worry about obsessing on it. Most of us have a bit of that in us. Jeff 1 Quote
Mrbrylcreem Posted July 7, 2014 Report Posted July 7, 2014 Welcome Paul. It's great that another old truck gets to see the open road again. Rather than the scrap yard in the sky. 1 Quote
B1B Keven Posted July 7, 2014 Report Posted July 7, 2014 What part of WA state? You can add the electric wiper motor from a '50. Nice book to have: http://www.amazon.com/Dodge-B-Series-Trucks-Restorers-Collectors/dp/1583880879 Quote
Paul Hatfield Posted July 7, 2014 Author Report Posted July 7, 2014 (edited) Thank you for the welcoming words! Yes, I can be overly obsessive when it comes to originality, so I hope to keep it in check on this restoration. Photo of my '65 Porsche attached, which has 46 date codes on parts that are original to the car. Not to mention a zillion NOS parts. I went overboard! If you're interested, there is a zillion other photos on my website mentioned above. Hopefully you guys can rescue me from myself Thanks also for the book recomendation. I can't wait to get my hands on it and get a good idea of what I am in for. I keep telling myself that getting the mechanicals correct are the first priority. And as for those windshield wipers..... that's all part of the fun!! Paul Edited July 7, 2014 by Paul Hatfield 1 Quote
Brent B3B Posted July 7, 2014 Report Posted July 7, 2014 right on, another Northwest member! (thanks for the brick parking brake idea ) Keven, if not to far away, i may see a potential field trip in our future....... 1 Quote
B1B Keven Posted July 7, 2014 Report Posted July 7, 2014 Keven, if not to far away, i may see a potential field trip in our future....... That's what I'm thinkin'. Quote
Paul Hatfield Posted July 7, 2014 Author Report Posted July 7, 2014 Whidbey Island. Sorta close to nothing I guess. I was looking for a picture of my '51 truck and I circa 1970, but haven't found one,,,, yet. Of course, a photo of me with the "new" one will show me at about 40 lbs more... Paul Quote
B1B Keven Posted July 7, 2014 Report Posted July 7, 2014 Maybe a meet up in Centralia some day? Quote
ggdad1951 Posted July 8, 2014 Report Posted July 8, 2014 welcome! Hey look Tim, ANOTHER blue truck! 1 Quote
48Dodger Posted July 8, 2014 Report Posted July 8, 2014 Its out out there man!!!!.....Some dude painting old trucks blue!!!!!! Welcome to the forum!!! I have some red paint if you need it. 48D 1 Quote
Desotodav Posted July 8, 2014 Report Posted July 8, 2014 Its out out there man!!!!.....Some dude painting old trucks blue!!!!!! What color are you leaning towards for the van Tim?... I'm guessing blue ! 1 Quote
48Dodger Posted July 8, 2014 Report Posted July 8, 2014 My apologizes Paul Hatfield who has a Pilot-House truck (PH/PH ?)......I would never hyjack a thread from someone, but your blue truck has shown up when I recently noticed the large number of new (and old) forum members with Blue Trucks. Hope you can see the humor! Davin....its gonna be RED/BLACK with a hint of WHITE. The only blue will be in the smoke coming from the tires when I do the occasional burn out! 48D 1 Quote
Paul Hatfield Posted July 8, 2014 Author Report Posted July 8, 2014 No problem guys. I don't have The Blues over it. By the way, my first PH back in high school was original paint blue and lots of original rust. When I did my poor paint job, it was Earl Scheib light blue, which seems to be about the same color as the one I'm buying. Does the factory have build sheets for these trucks showing original engine number, trans number, etc and also paint codes???? Side note: I put LED lights on the back of my tilt bed trailer last night. Wow, what a difference. Tonight I will wash the trailer, check tires and brakes, and load the tie down straps. Paul Quote
ledfootslim Posted July 8, 2014 Report Posted July 8, 2014 Ha..keep rocking the parking "brick" Paul...... I prefer an lovely length of 4x4! :-) Quote
B1B Keven Posted July 8, 2014 Report Posted July 8, 2014 Engine ID: http://www.t137.com/registry/help/otherengines/otherengines.php Vin decoder: http://www.t137.com/registry/help/decode.php Quote
Paul Hatfield Posted July 8, 2014 Author Report Posted July 8, 2014 Thanks Kevin. That is quite helpful. I also see on this website that Chrysler will provide a Build Sheet for a fee. Good to know. -Paul Factory Build Cards Are Available From Chrysler ! Cost is $99.00 USD and requires your car's factory serial number.(VIN number on the door frame, not the engine block serial number.)Mail information to:Chrysler Historical Collection,DaimlerChrysler Corporation, CIMS 410-11-21,12501 Chrysler Freeway,Detroit, MI 48288, USA Quote
B1B Keven Posted July 8, 2014 Report Posted July 8, 2014 You're welcome Paul. Let me know if I can help with your gauges and/or speedometer. Quote
TrampSteer Posted July 9, 2014 Report Posted July 9, 2014 Last truck you'll ever need and you will have no shortage of advice from this site. I know, they keep me going. Welcome aboard. Quote
48Dodger Posted July 9, 2014 Report Posted July 9, 2014 I remember when John-T-53 sent for his info.....they sent him a nice packet of stuff. Seems totally worth it. Kev has a lot of happy customers with his dash guages.....and I've seen his work up close on serveral trucks! 48D 1 Quote
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