1938 Dodge RC Pickup Build

[vikingminer49er]

Still have some clean up to finish by the old barn, and need to move the irrigation pipe for another project at another property, scheduled for later this year.

[vikingminer49er]

Spread some of the road base where Judy keeps her daily drivers, so she doesn't get muddy on her trips to town and her social events.  Started loading irrigation pipe.  Started layout for the New Truck Shop with offsets from the cattle/hay barn.

Edited February 24, 2020 by vikingminer49er

[vikingminer49er]

Finally got some update photos from Joe Jarvis, American Iron Hot Rod Shop in Grand Junction Colorado.  Finished with the mock-up for placement of the 2014 Dodge Challenger Hemi engine and transmission.  New rear sump oil pan needed to clear the new front crossmember.  Time to disassemble the pieces and prepare for sandblasting the frame and cab.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 25, 2020 by vikingminer49er

[vikingminer49er]

Mark-ups for position of new crossmember.

[vikingminer49er]

Cab is off.  Frame will need some repair and reinforcement,

Edited February 25, 2020 by vikingminer49er

[vikingminer49er]

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, a truckload of pit-run material for drainage and finished loading the irrigation pipe.

[vikingminer49er]

Gauges and speedometer have been received at Bob's Speedometer in Howell Michigan for rebuild and conversion to 12-volt, negative ground.  Very expensive.  Cab and frame are at the sandblaster in Grand Junction.  Hauled fenders, running boards, doors, and the Charger rear end to Grand Junction for the next phase of the build.  Returned home with the springs and axles from the 1938, and front-sump oil pan, alternator, air-conditioning compressor, and motor mounts from the Charger.

[vikingminer49er]

Bit more raking and grading of the construction site for the new truck shop.  Hope to finalize plans and start ordering materials this week.

[vikingminer49er]

Progress photos from Mr. Joe Jarvis.  Cab and frame have been sandblasted and sealed with primer before start of assembly.  Bottom rear of cab will require patch panels.

[vikingminer49er]

Plans for the new truck shop have been finalized.  Will be constructing a traditional, lumber-frame structure, instead of a metal-frame structure.  Although more expensive, we believe the better insulation and moisture control of a traditional structure will be much more energy efficient for heating.  Size and appearance will be similar to the existing cattle/hay barn.

 

Finished cleaning up the construction area, and started stripping available soils from the old corral.

[vikingminer49er]

Progress slowed in the second half of March due to the coronavirus pandemic.  At the time of the last post, March 12, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped nearly 10% in a single day, and I placed the building contractor on an indefinite delay.  Have continued with earthwork with my two little machines at a leisurely pace while staying home.  Completed excavation of the east side and started on the north side.  Found a hard, durable, stony clay layer at about 3 to 4 feet below grade.  Will use this marker bed for the subgrade foundation.  Suitable soils stripped from the corral areas were used to raise the grade on the south side of the exterior.  Using the excavation spoils to level the interior.

[vikingminer49er]

Only a few photos from Joe Jarvis on work on the 1938 RC.  Started repair on the grill shell with removal of rust and welding replacement panel on the bottom.

 

 

Edited April 2, 2020 by vikingminer49er

[48Dodger]

Funny thing about dirt. It can be hell of a lot of work to level and work it out smooth....in the end, its still dirt.

That foundation trench is purty. When I dug mine 15teen years ago (40x60), I didn't have very cooperative dirt.

It broke uneven on the edges and had a woobly trench base, probably cost me a little more cement for the foundation pour. lol.

Its a floating slab.

 

Hope things pick-up soon for everyone that has a project/life on hold for the Covid. 

 

48D

[vikingminer49er]

It's been three weeks since I received photos on the 1938.  Joe Jarvis has had some delays due to the pandemic, and I've been home working on the new shop excavation.  Here's the latest photos on boxing and reinforcing the frame on the 1938.

Edited April 25, 2020 by vikingminer49er

[vikingminer49er]

After boxing the frame, installation of the new front cross member.

[vikingminer49er]

Finished installation of the new front cross member.

[vikingminer49er]

From Joe Jarvis:  "We wire wheel these, then have it LIGHTLY sandblasted, too many problems in the past with warping on hoods so this cuts down on the heat from the sandblasting and allows it to get to the small area's we cannot get to with sand paper or wire wheel."

[vikingminer49er]

Might as well give an update on the truck shop construction.  Completed perimeter excavation for the footer trench, except for the final southwest corner.  The hard stoney clay layer has changed to a sandy soil with fewer stones on the west side.

[Classic Moose]

Hi

i have a 1938 Plymouth tk PT57

i bought it in 1972, yes 1972

i have many spares and am looking for some items perhaps we should talk

u can see it has a dodge grill I do believe it had damage at some point and the dodge grill was installed this truck is from the fan Francisco Bay Area Oakland 

[vikingminer49er]

Recent photos from Joe Jarvis.  Repositioned engine and transmission to be sure there is sufficient clearance for the oil filter, power steering, and exhaust.

[vikingminer49er]

Attempted to use the rear-end assembly from the 2014-Dodge-Hemi-Charger, donor car, but there is insufficient travel to use with the planned multi-link, air-bag suspension.

[vikingminer49er]

Replaced the cab and grill shell to check fit.

[vikingminer49er]

Fabricating new firewall and floorboard pieces.

Edited May 20, 2020 by vikingminer49er

[vikingminer49er]

Firewall and floorboards installed.

[vikingminer49er]

Checking the fit of the hood.