aussiepete Posted January 22, 2016 Report Posted January 22, 2016 Hi there, Just popped in to say hi and introduce myself to the group.My name is Pete and live in Melbourne Australia.Im getting a little ahead of myself because I have just bought and Aussie Dodge Fargo "Pilot House" 1/2 ton pickup,its not back home yet but will be shortly. This rig is a Flathead 6,3 spd manual columb shift,has no tub but otherwise pretty complete.Initially it appears to be in very good condition but that will remain to be seen when it rolls in the driveway,engine runs but fuel pump and carb are a bit cactus and will need attention,has no exhaust system fitted and fitted with non original seat. Will give you more info when I know what Ive got so until then,keep on dodgin! Quote
windsor8 Posted January 22, 2016 Report Posted January 22, 2016 Welcome Mate, Sounds cool would like to see some pictures of your new truck. 1 Quote
Jeff Balazs Posted January 22, 2016 Report Posted January 22, 2016 Welcome aboard. You have some pretty good locals....they shpold chime in soon. Ditto on the pictures....Love those UTES Jeff Quote
B1B Keven Posted January 22, 2016 Report Posted January 22, 2016 (edited) Welcome! Rebels fan? Edited January 23, 2016 by B1B Keven Quote
Desotodav Posted January 23, 2016 Report Posted January 23, 2016 Welcome aboard AussiePete. Always good to see fellow Aussie's here. Utilizing the 'search' function should provide you with advice on adding photos here. Now that you are one of us... be sure to add your name to the Member's map (in the top tool bar towards the center of your screen). Quote
John Rogers Posted January 23, 2016 Report Posted January 23, 2016 Welcome to the forum AussiePete Quote
Frank Elder Posted January 24, 2016 Report Posted January 24, 2016 A bit cactus? Dead...not functioning...Aussie slang on google. 1 Quote
aussiepete Posted January 25, 2016 Author Report Posted January 25, 2016 Hi everyone and thanks for the welcome,apologies,I will try to keep the slang to a minimum. All being well the truck will be home this friday,the 29th.,then I will see what I can do about pictures for you.Initial plans are to get the flathead up and running with a fuel pump and maybe carb,then sort the brakes and it should be good for a blast around the block.Next issue will be to decided if I want to try and search out an original tub,build one or just fit a flat tray,I would prefer an original tub but not holding out a lot of hope regards finding one easily here but you never know,will just have to wait and see what shows up.Time will,for a while at least have to be spent between this and my other project,a customised Morris Minor ute,this is about 3/4 finished but the last 1/4 still requires a "lot" of work yet.So I will sign off for now and be back,hopefully with pics soon.Pete Quote
FargoMarty Posted January 26, 2016 Report Posted January 26, 2016 G'day Pete, I'm just a bit North of you, near Wollongong! Sounds like we have similar projects on the go. I've also got a bigger version too. I've had no luck finding an original bed. There's a fella near me that builds them from scratch for a quite reasonable price (very busy though) so that might be a back up option. He even manufactures the original stake pockets. I used a Mitsubishi Express seat in my big one. Check my build post to see pics. It folds forward for storage behind and lifts up for storage below. I'm FargoMarty. Regards, Martyn Quote
FargoMarty Posted January 26, 2016 Report Posted January 26, 2016 Don't sweat bullets, it's a cert you can get the fuel pump sweet as so it's Mickey Mouse. (Be calm and collected, I have faith that you will be successful in your endeavours to return your fuel pump to a high standard of serviceability...) I put an electric one in my big truck. Quote
aussiepete Posted January 30, 2016 Author Report Posted January 30, 2016 Hi all, Thanks again for the welcomes! Well,the pickup is now home but it was one hell of a "**** storm" all in all,most of the issues were due to trailer problems rather than with the pickup itself but its all old news now so time to have a good look and see what I have. Once I have sorted out the pic proceedure I will pop a few up,I usually take them from a saved file on my computer but will see what happens. First appearances seem to confirm that it is pretty solid,some very minor rust issues,needs a couple of cab mounts but most of the work looks to be mechanical,fuel pump,carby etc and tidy up the home made wiring loom.Its already converted to 12v. neg earth so there's one issue solved already,there is some glass that needs to be fitted to the cab but will have to get some seals so will probably leave it for a little while as it will shortly be under cover and not a tarp I hope.Im hoping to do a little bit of customising as I want to be able to drive it on the road whenever I feel like it and it has to be comfortable as I have a few med. issues that have to be seen too like a good seat etc.Im not really up with all the correct terminology yet but I need to replace the bushes (zerk bushes?) in the rear spring hangers,can they be bought new and who would you recommend?The back of the pickup has already been lowered as the previous owner flipped the C shackles so they face up now and not down,I dont know how much that would have lowered it bit I have about 4inches of travel between the axle and the bump stop,oh! they also took out a few of the leaf springs so the back has some bounce in it now,not rock solid like I expect it used to be.Anyway,till next time or when I sort the pics,see ya,Pete Quote
aussiepete Posted January 30, 2016 Author Report Posted January 30, 2016 A couple of pics to start with! 1 Quote
Desotodav Posted January 30, 2016 Report Posted January 30, 2016 The truck looks pretty solid Pete. It appears to be a 53 model as it has the split windscreen and the later dash with Lucas electrics - would have been factory built with 12v system. I don't know what that steering wheel is off, and I have never seen the leaf springs setup like that! Did you happen to get any other parts with the truck as I see that it is missing a few items (running boards, bumper, wiper arm, badges, hood handles, windows etc.)? I have Paul at Vinwire... http://www.vinwire.com.au/ ... do my wiring, but I see that his prices have increased somewhat over the past few years. I'll be seeing him in Toowoomba next weekend and will chat to him about my next wiring harness for my 53 coupe truck (should be the same as the one you need). Drop me a message when you start getting into the build and I'll see if I can point you to some contacts for parts etc here in Oz. Quote
48Dodger Posted January 30, 2016 Report Posted January 30, 2016 Nice truck mate! I'm terrible at aussie slang but have no problem tryin so as to make you feel at home. Your rear suspension looks messed with....here's some videos I did years back that might help you get a better understanding. It might take a few grogs and an arvo or two to get turned around, but who knows, maybe you like it that way. rear suspension rear suspension 2 48D Quote
Ram Man 02 Posted January 31, 2016 Report Posted January 31, 2016 Welcome! nice looking truck you have. looks like a very solid body. Quote
aussiepete Posted January 31, 2016 Author Report Posted January 31, 2016 (edited) Hi all,thanks 48dodger,checked out your youtube post,very informative and answered a few questions for me,among other things,seems Im missing the grease nipples and the retaining bolt for the front mount of the rear springs,can you tell me what thread these bolts are? Basically what you see is what I got so yes it is missing some bits and pieces so will have to do some searching,handles for the bonnet release are my first want I think,then will move on from there.As said and acknowledged,the rear springs have been messed with to lower the ride height and they did a butcher of a job in replacing the removed springs,just a lump of roughly welded steel block,U bolts are not even done up tight,oh well,plenty to do,never a boring moment. Any recommendations for parts suppliers,doesnt matter if they are US based,need is what need is!Still waiting to get it under cover,have to wait till my son comes home to help tow a couple of cars out of the way,thanks for the advice and input everyone,much appreciated.Pete Edited January 31, 2016 by aussiepete Quote
FargoMarty Posted February 1, 2016 Report Posted February 1, 2016 Nice. Looks to be a really good starting point.Much better condition than mine. I took the old tray off mine on the weekend. Timbers were far too rotten to reuse but could serve as a template for yours if you're thinking about using a flat tray. Let me know if you want some measurements I'll put some pics up on my build post soon. Regards, Martyn Quote
aussiepete Posted February 1, 2016 Author Report Posted February 1, 2016 Desotodav,regards the steering wheel,I dont know what it is off either BUT there was the horn push ring that fits in the middle of the wheel and it had a Dodge logo on it so it must be from the same family. Quote
aussiepete Posted February 3, 2016 Author Report Posted February 3, 2016 Hi again,are there any suggestions for a non original pickup bed that would both fit and look reasonably good as I have buckleys chance of getting a good original here,thought maybe one of the F100's or similiar. Anyway,if you have a suggestion,or even better a photo it would be greatly appreciated.Thanks,Pete Quote
aussiepete Posted February 4, 2016 Author Report Posted February 4, 2016 (edited) Being new to the Dodge trucks,as I am, where would I find a chassis number or a body number,there appears that once there was a plate of some type screwed to the firewall in the engine bay but the only thing there now are two screws.Regards the engine itself,how do I tell what size it is as I have no idea,will the engine number give me that info or what do I look for? Edited February 4, 2016 by aussiepete Quote
Desotodav Posted February 4, 2016 Report Posted February 4, 2016 Pete, you might find a number stamped on the top of the chassis rail around the left front shock absorber mount. I say 'might' as I have owned 9 trucks and have only found one of them to have the number stamped there. That chassis with the number stamped on it was chopped down and delivered to a friend in Gatton so that he could use it as an engine cradle to mount his spare truck engine in it. Quote
aussiepete Posted February 6, 2016 Author Report Posted February 6, 2016 Ok,still on the questions of identification,I cant find any chassis number yet,nothing on top of the left chassis rail,any other ideas? Now,to identify the engine,this is interesting I think,The engine number is KEW2B17233,other number on top of head at rear on manifold side of engine is 1329298. Im assuming this engine may be out of a KEW Truck? The length of the head is 640mm,translates to approx. 25 inches.Any comments or info appreciated. Quote
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