two old trucks

[stvB3B]

I am still in the middle of rebuilding my 52' B3B to, as original as possible, when I found another 52" that I want to upgrade to a newer engine, suspension and disc brakes.  The body and frame on the new truck is in perfect shape! So I bought it and now I have 2 trucks in my shop that don't run. Go figure! The frame and body are awesome but someone with the same idea has scabbed on a 1987 Dodge ram 318 v8 with automatic transmission. The mounting job is terrible, the rear end if frozen up. The drive shaft does not fit. Other than that its perfect. I've looked into buying a new front end and rear end and getting the motor and transmission mounted properly but this is really more expensive than I had considered. Not to mention that I don't even know if the motor runs or if the transmission works. I was told that I would need to cut the firewall back a little to get the motor pushed back for proper radiator and fan clearance from the front grill. It was suggested that use a Mustang 2 front end and a chevy truck rear end. 

 

My question is has any one done this before that could offer any suggestions?  I was also curious if this body would fit on top of another vehicle with minor alterations to get the cab to fit on a new frame? Is anything built have a close enough fit to do this? I thought it would be much cheaper to buy and old vehicle and mount my cab on it that to retrofit my frame to the engine, radiator and transmission and to install a new updated front end, rear end and driveshaft ! Right now I am staring at a nice looking old truck, wondering why I bought this one and what the hell I'm going to do with it from here????????

 

Can anyone offer any suggestions for this mess I'm in??

 

Steve 

[Jerry Roberts]

Sell one and concentrate on the other one . 

[stvB3B]

That's good advice. I had been considering that option. I really would like to have an old original and one I could put AC in and hot rod around in though.

[Brent B3B]

Sorry Steve, no advice, i don't see the problem with having multiple pilothouses   (or maybe misery loves company)

[stvB3B]

It will all be fine in time, Just a little stressful for now trying to figure out what to do. How do you like the new white dodge pics?

[Brent B3B]

Purdy,  when you have time post some more shots...... kind of want to see that "terrible mounting job"  can you tell if the front and rear ends have been modified? i didn't know those wheels would mount to the stock drums

you've probably done a bunch of research on modifications done by others here. hopefully someone with advice will chime in.

[ruff1148kr]

Looks like a great project.   Used engine mounts from Advance Adapters for my 360 engine  same mounts as 318  could put them anywhere I wanted..   had a great drive shaft made by Dennys drive shafts internet company in TX   As far as moving fire wall I did because mine was gone anyhow  but there has been a few that said it was not neeed. I wish you all the luck in the world.  But it seams I needed more patients and money than luck LOL  Its going to be great

[JBNeal]

if you're gonna keep'm both, I'd suggest finishing the daily driver first...if you can pull that off, then ya have one to drive while finishing the restore job.  Also, if you lose interest in the daily driver project (I have lost count of how many have done so on this site alone in the last 5 yrs; rescued a couple from the scrap heap myself), then you can cut your losses as the restore job has its own challenges as to how original you want to keep things.  You can always park'm in front of the house & call'm yard art, that's what I've done with a few of my rescue projects 

[gshort]

I am in the process of mounting my 54 cab onto a 92 Dakota frame. Things are looking pretty good as far as things lining up but there are bound to be a bunch of things to bite me in the ass. Debating on whether I should stay with the 3.9 V6 form the Dakota or putting in the 360 I have.

If I were you I would work on one at a time. I also have 2 projects and access to one stall in my garage.

Still trying to find someone that wants my old 54 frame.

Edited October 20, 2015 by gshort

[FargoMarty]

Nice pics! I love the look. I'm in the same boat as you. I put up some pics of my two a while ago. Due to lack of garage space I'm going to get my bigger one registered and sell it then concentrate on the little one. The chassis it's on now is bent and has been molested by a farmer more intent on keeping it working on the farm than keeping it safe. Swapping to a later chassis will also be heaps cheaper for me. (I'm in Oz) Unfortunately I mentioned I was thinking of putting a C**v in mine. Don't think it was a popular choice. Would go Hemi if they were as plentiful and cheap as the other option.  Regards, Martyn

[Dave72dt]

Engine swaps or frame swaps - both require cutting, fabricating, welding, just in different places. Engine and trans mounts or body mounts, maybe frame shortened or lengthened. Same amount of work, same amount of dollars.  On yours, I'd get the hacked in mounts out and fab good ones,  the froze up rear may be as simple as shoes rusted to the drums.  With the stock steering, the starter and steering gear may want to use the same space so setback into the firewall may be necessary ( a gear reduction starter helps as well as an offset to the right ).  You already have all the major pieces on hand.  Frame swap means getting a third and having a lot of leftovers afterwards.

[ggdad1951]

what's wrong with leftovers?  

[Dave72dt]

Pilothouse leftovers are good.  Someone may have a need for those or a hoarder will snatch them up.  Unfortunately, some of us, me included, don't have the space to store much excess parts.  Leftovers from holiday meals are also good.  It usually takes me several days to find a home for those and several weeks to work the results of those meals off.