57 Dodge 100 Re-Do

[moparme2]

Early Spring 2015 I found my next and last full project. A 1957 Dodge 100.  This is a Truck I have looked for over the years, but never really found one that was literally untouched as far as all the operating components and frame.  But i found a nice truck for my rebuild.

I have been looking high and low for parts for this and they seem to be pretty scarce, or i am looking in the wrong places.  I did find a great dent & rust free front nose for it from a guy in Arizona that I had met in Carlisle PA this past summer. That was the most important part that i needed.

The flathead motor and 3-spd trans run great and operate well, although i am looking to sell them in order to make room for the 440/727 I will have for it.  I need to see where I can get new front springs made for it as they are pretty tired and the front axle is sitting on the frame snubbers now.

 

The rear will be an 8-3/4 with 3:55 posi but am looking to fab in some wider springs and get with a chassis company to get the rear hooked up.  I will need that with the 440 up front im sure. I am to be getting it in the garage and getting started on it in a few weeks, so I really cant wait to get to it!

I want it a driver come Spring as I havent had a nice car to drive since i sold my 48 Plym Deluxe Coupe a few years back.

Let me know what you think

[B1B Keven]

Welcome!! '57 is one of my favorites.

Like the idea of a big block too. 

[moparme2]

Haha.  Yea. Thanks!   I am really stewin to get on it too.  I have a friends daughters car (1971 Dart) in my garage rite now as im going over it to get it running. I put the rear spoiler, dual hood scoops on it and pulled the carb for rebuild. I have to get carb done, put the MP ign system conversion in it, install the rallys and new tires she has and get it running on good fuel, then its outta there! Then on to my build.  Im gonna love every min of it too.

i have a bunch of ideas for it.

[wayfarer]

Plenty of sources for leaf springs, check your local phone book. Yes, they still exist. With a 440/TF I'd be looking real hard at an IFS.

 

As to the rear, MaMopar wrote the book on rear leaf design for street and race cars so I'd suggest following their lead for setup. You can build front mounts for the frame, inside-outside-under, depending on your particular needs and the rear shackle follows in similar fashion. On the Hamb, there is a project where the owner used a 'slider' at the rear to keep the ride height down.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/52-dodge-b3b-hemi-project.742584/

[moparme2]

Thanks Wayfarer.  I'm on the HAMB some too.  I will certainly look it up.  Yea, I agree about the IFS.  I wanted the mini gasser look with the front axle, but would have my hands full with that motor going down the road/strip I'm sure.

 

Thanks for the info

[White Spyder]

Been looking for a 57-60 myself  hard to find one near me. saw only one in the past 6-8 month and it was way too rusted to save.

[moparme2]

I'm finally in the garage with the old girl.  Got the bed off so it can be separated, straightened, and cleaned up.

The motor I have is a '70 383, big valve closed chamber head motor with a new 727 Tq Flite trans has a year of cruisin on it.

also bought the W6 aluminum heads with it as they are ported, polished, new SST valves (2.14s/1.81s, springs, ect..

 

Time to get busy on pullin the flatty and getting the rear suspension upgraded. (undecided at this point!)

 

[NiftyFifty]

Looks like a decent starting point, and should be a solid project ...be great to see your progress

[ledfootslim]

I have a friend in Penn. looking for a flatty and transmission, if you are looking to sell he might be interested!

[nj viking]

I have a friend in Penn. looking for a flatty and transmission, if you are looking to sell he might be interested!

 

If he doesn't want it I will take it; if the price is reasonable of course.

[bluebanshee]

Best looking year in my opinion but I might be biased. Good solid base to build off.

 

^^I have my stock 3 speed I could part with.

Edited January 16, 2016 by bluebanshee

[moparme2]

I have a friend in Penn. looking for a flatty and transmission, if you are looking to sell he might be interested!

I will let you know if my guy falls thru.  He was wanting it.

 

But Thanks

[moparme2]

If he doesn't want it I will take it; if the price is reasonable of course.

I have a guy here that wants it.  But if he falls thru, will let you guys know.

[moparme2]

Ok, well I haven't gotten far but I am back at it. looking at stripping the cab of everything and removing doors so I can get a solid floor fabricated.  then on to the front cab mounts and an area behind the seat where it seems a window leaked for years causing some rot!

the front clip is off and the flatty w/trans is pulled and waiting for pick-up. need to get suspension cut out (ft & rr) so frame can get some attention. Looking to do the FatMan MII IFS as they are avail for the 57, just not sure about the Coke Bottle front I have and the MII.  Looked into the Volare sub (as I had one complete but sold a few yrs back) but not sure about that with the frame I have either.

 

Anyway, will get back at it and make some more progress as I hope to have a driving unit by Fall so I can get it to the body and paint Wizard over the winter to work his magic.

 

Bryan

[William Davey]

Am I nuts, or does the underside of that hood look like a painting of a face?  I see heavy black eye brows, dark smudges for eye sockets and a nose in the lower center?  Maybe I am nuts.

 

BTW I'm watching your progress with envy.

[moparme2]

Yea, it does now that you said something about it.  road grime and some fan blown oil did a good job, huh.

 

Well I the cleaned the frame up some in the front to make some room for initial fitting of the wedge motor. It will need to get a bit lower and back about 3-4 inches more for me to be comfortable with it.  The orig trans member will need to go and the tunnel entrance at the firewall needs opened up a bit as well.  After making my measurements where needed, i will get to pulling the motor and making room for it.  My son graduates High School next week, so I will be busy around the house to tidy up for guests.

I will get back at it soon after.

Bryan

 

 

[moparme2]

Well I was back at it some on Sunday.  I managed to get all the glass out (on breaks) and the doors off, and the motor n trans out.

Cab is ready to lift off so I can get frame ready for suspension removal and frame HydroBlasting. Looking to blast the cab n doors as well. Next would be front floor pan replacement as leaky door seals have pretty much made their mark on the floor.  Pass side is the worst, but not really too bad to complain.  I hope to get the frame boxed and new cross members in so the frame can be ready for the FatMan IFS and the ladder bar rear suspension. 

[moparme2]

Some more pics

[albolton]

I am just reading this for the first time, I have a 54 with the coke bottle frame and fat man fits really well, and works amazing. But you need to watch your oil pan, I have done V-8 conversions with the stock axle with no issue, but had to redo the firewall to set the engine back  further with the fat man, mine is a small block with a rear drop pan...not saying you will have problem..just throwing it out there.. I have lots of pics if your interested drop me a note