Mikec4193 Posted February 17, 2017 Report Posted February 17, 2017 Hi Fellow old Dodgers I have found a 1950 Dodge Pilothouse on the Pilothouse facebook page...seems to be very clean for its age...comes with a Dodge Dakota with 318 TBI that is half stripped and ready to be slide under the old sheetmetal....he is looking for $3250.00 for and then there is shipping...it is in Texas....I am in upstate NY....needs tons of work to make all the parts work but in the end it might be a cool old truck to go get lumber and turd dirt with...what ya you folks think about it?? Any insight would be a wonderful thing. MikeC Quote
Mike36 Posted February 17, 2017 Report Posted February 17, 2017 Looks like a very solid, straight truck. I had the twin to it in 1967. Mine had 6ply tires, overload springs, and the granny gear 4speed. Once hauled 3200 lbs of rock in it. These old Dodges are rino tough, and dependable. I am not in favor of cutting them up. Personally, I would drive to Texas, rent a U haul car trailer and forget the Dakota. The money saved on shipping two trucks would go a long way on giving you a vacation. Buy a shop manual and rebuild what you've got. They are low geared, but a rear differential swap would let you run at today's highway speeds. With dual carburetors and split exhaust these flatheads will haul a load and climb a hill very well. They are famous for torque. Now, with what being said, I realize not everyone likes the same thing. As someone who loves old Mopars, I hope you will think it over and consider my suggestions. Good luck to you whatever you decide. 3 Quote
RobertKB Posted February 17, 2017 Report Posted February 17, 2017 46 minutes ago, Mike36 said: Looks like a very solid, straight truck. I had the twin to it in 1967. Mine had 6ply tires, overload springs, and the granny gear 4speed. Once hauled 3200 lbs of rock in it. These old Dodges are rino tough, and dependable. I am not in favor of cutting them up. Personally, I would drive to Texas, rent a U haul car trailer and forget the Dakota. The money saved on shipping two trucks would go a long way on giving you a vacation. Buy a shop manual and rebuild what you've got. They are low geared, but a rear differential swap would let you run at today's highway speeds. With dual carburetors and split exhaust these flatheads will haul a load and climb a hill very well. They are famous for torque. Now, with what being said, I realize not everyone likes the same thing. As someone who loves old Mopars, I hope you will think it over and consider my suggestions. Good luck to you whatever you decide. What he says. 1 Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted February 17, 2017 Report Posted February 17, 2017 I would never say DO NOT cut it...your money your call...but for the cost of the truck donor where it is, the cost of transporting it to your area given the average snow and salt condition you may be able to find a low mileage donor with a rusted out body lot cheaper...but hey...its only money and we all know you cannot hide it... Quote
Mikec4193 Posted February 17, 2017 Author Report Posted February 17, 2017 1 hour ago, Mike36 said: Looks like a very solid, straight truck. I had the twin to it in 1967. Mine had 6ply tires, overload springs, and the granny gear 4speed. Once hauled 3200 lbs of rock in it. These old Dodges are rino tough, and dependable. I am not in favor of cutting them up. Personally, I would drive to Texas, rent a U haul car trailer and forget the Dakota. The money saved on shipping two trucks would go a long way on giving you a vacation. Buy a shop manual and rebuild what you've got. They are low geared, but a rear differential swap would let you run at today's highway speeds. With dual carburetors and split exhaust these flatheads will haul a load and climb a hill very well. They are famous for torque. Now, with what being said, I realize not everyone likes the same thing. As someone who loves old Mopars, I hope you will think it over and consider my suggestions. Good luck to you whatever you decide. Hi Guys He told the current Pilothouse has no running gear it does roll but no motor or tranny ...so having the Dakota might not be a bad thing...I am not specific brand fan of any kind but keeping it all Mopar I would think would be a good thing....I know my last truck was a 1953 Chevy truck....it was basically stock (6 cylinder motor) except for new disc brakes and lower gears in the rear end...they were 4.10's and it topped out about 52 mph...so anything would be better to get it going at a better rate of speed...I would like to have it as a spare vehicle ....and something the wife can climb into and drive...I have had 3 older driver vehicles in the past 5 years and she would not drive any of them...said she wasn't comfortable with any of them....the last one was a 1968 VW bug... I have a lot to think about before pulling the trigger that is for sure... He also offered to deliver it for about $1500.00...which in my neck is not a bad price really... MikeC Quote
wayfarer Posted February 17, 2017 Report Posted February 17, 2017 So, the purchase and delivery of both rigs would be $4750? Have you found any other PH in your area for similar money? I'd expect that a Dak donor would be cheap in the salted regions. The big question is whether or not you are equipped to start and finish the DAK swap. I'll suggest that you contact some of the guys who have actually made it happen before diving into the project unless you have the 'right-stuff'..... Personally, I am a fan of the resto-mod trucks since it actually makes a pretty good (usable) rig. As said, your money, your time. Quote
rb1949 Posted February 17, 2017 Report Posted February 17, 2017 I'd say a shipper could get you the one non-running truck for less than half that amount. Would they consider a refundable deposit to "hold" it for a week while you think? Does the price change without the other one? Sight unseen deal. I would lean toward stock which means finding & rebuilding running gear. Would take a lot of research for your other option. Any trucks local for the wife to get in/ride for the "feel" of it beforehand. Work and money involved. Your call. Quote
Mikec4193 Posted February 17, 2017 Author Report Posted February 17, 2017 4 hours ago, wayfarer said: So, the purchase and delivery of both rigs would be $4750? Have you found any other PH in your area for similar money? I'd expect that a Dak donor would be cheap in the salted regions. The big question is whether or not you are equipped to start and finish the DAK swap. I'll suggest that you contact some of the guys who have actually made it happen before diving into the project unless you have the 'right-stuff'..... Personally, I am a fan of the resto-mod trucks since it actually makes a pretty good (usable) rig. As said, your money, your time. HI Wayfarer I have done a mid 1950 AD style truck on a 1980's S10 and a 1962 Willys on a 1980's S10....I know they are a ton of work...I did not get either of those projects finshed and drive-able but got all the parts mounted up and steering around the yard at least.... There is nothing around here even close to that price...there is one cab on a Jeep chassis for less than $1000.00 then we jump up to $8500.00 for hot rod truck...these trucks in my neck as rare as hens teeth... My son lives in Kansas and I have seen a couple out there...thinking about when I visit him going out for a couple of road trips and looking at some stuff...they are over $3000.00 for half done projects...then there is shipping cost again... I am going to get my VW out of the garage and then start looking everyday on craigslist and see what pops up... Only time will tell... Thanks for all the insight guys...anybody got one they might want to sell me???I need something to tinker with... MikeC Quote
DJ194950 Posted February 17, 2017 Report Posted February 17, 2017 Maybe the keyword in some of the responses seems to be Finish a project like this? That often seems to be the part many never quite get there. From past experience with this forum, they can and do support Projects if the poster appears to be determined to get it done and licensed, driveable-Done. Life can and often does get in the way with even the best of intentions, too often! Like to see old Mopar projects get Back on the road for all to enjoy! Best, DJ Quote
wayfarer Posted February 18, 2017 Report Posted February 18, 2017 17 hours ago, Mikec4193 said: HI Wayfarer I have done a mid 1950 AD style truck on a 1980's S10 and a 1962 Willys on a 1980's S10....I know they are a ton of work...I did not get either of those projects finshed and drive-able but got all the parts mounted up and steering around the yard at least.... There is nothing around here even close to that price...there is one cab on a Jeep chassis for less than $1000.00 then we jump up to $8500.00 for hot rod truck...these trucks in my neck as rare as hens teeth... My son lives in Kansas and I have seen a couple out there...thinking about when I visit him going out for a couple of road trips and looking at some stuff...they are over $3000.00 for half done projects...then there is shipping cost again... I am going to get my VW out of the garage and then start looking everyday on craigslist and see what pops up... Only time will tell... Thanks for all the insight guys...anybody got one they might want to sell me???I need something to tinker with... MikeC If you are anywhere close to where I am in life then you have a lot more sand in the bottom of your hour hour-glass than in the top so the cost can become secondary to the amount of time wasted screwing around looking for what you need. If you can afford the Texas parts then go for it! 2 Quote
Mike36 Posted February 18, 2017 Report Posted February 18, 2017 Mike, if you're going to Kansas it's a great place to hunt old vehicles. Western half of the state has lower humidity, hence less rust. Summer of 2015 I bought a '51 one ton near Jetmore, Kansas for $1200. It looks just like your truck with a little longer box, little different grill, and heavier duty axles and wheels. Mine looks to be in the same solid condition as yours. No rust holes and not beat up. Plus my truck is complete. Everything is there. I think if you look around Kansas, especially in the western part of the state, you can find a better deal. Take binoculars and pay attention to the farms with older buildings. Many of them have old machinery and pickups sitting in the weeds. Seems like the half tons bring more money, so if you can live with a 3/4 or 1 ton you will have the same look for less money. Good luck in your search, wish I was going with you, love to hunt old Mopar iron! Mike. Quote
wallytoo Posted February 18, 2017 Report Posted February 18, 2017 (edited) a craigslist search turns up two in your area, both $8500. and both on the road. one more or less original, one with a chevy 305 and automatic. if you are willing to spend damn near $5k for a project, why not look at a finished truck for $3k more? if you could get the project pair for $2k, it might be worth pursuing. as a comparison, i got my '48 1.5 ton home for $2.5k, and have $2.5k additional into it. it is registered and on the road, and i put about 1500 miles per year on it. Edited February 18, 2017 by wallytoo Quote
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