billrigsby Posted November 5, 2020 Report Posted November 5, 2020 (edited) I just got back 260 slides from 1987-1988 (roughly) that were digitized, so I can start my build thread. First, Sherman, set the WABAC machine to 1987, Omo Ranch (Mount Aukum), CA This is where my sister and brother-in-law were care taking a ranch owned by his dad. I am yet to determine the exact location, but eventually may find that, basically we are here..... .....and I spy a truck, not just any truck, this thing has a 'hell-of-a' long bed, bubble fenders, bullet holes, a birdbath for a roof and potential! I have never been one to find a project that had a ding here or there, or an engine with a miss, no I go into full rescue mode. So after long negotiations over several, and I mean SEVERAL rum and cokes, for $25 I am the proud owner of a 1948 Dodge 1 Ton (B-1-D 126)..... .....Whatever That Is, What the hell did I just do, At least it is not a tattoo! Well this is her, in all her Original Glory..... After the engine removal, even the hood ornament has bullet holes! TO BE CONTINUED..... Edited November 7, 2020 by billrigsby 4 Quote
Frank Elder Posted November 5, 2020 Report Posted November 5, 2020 I would've left every single one of those bullet holes and the damaged hood ornament alone as a testament to the trucks survival...... but it is not my truck and I look forward to seeing the history of your trucks's Resurrection. 1 Quote
RobertKB Posted November 5, 2020 Report Posted November 5, 2020 This should be interesting! We love a good story.............and pictures! 1 Quote
Brent B3B Posted November 5, 2020 Report Posted November 5, 2020 This thread makes me happy, I thought I was the only one over the 30yr mark on my truck build. Go Bill go BTW, I have that same gas cap on one of my trucks. ? 1 Quote
bkahler Posted November 5, 2020 Report Posted November 5, 2020 (edited) 22 hours ago, Brent B3B said: This thread makes me happy, I thought I was the only one over the 30yr mark on my truck build. Go Bill go BTW, I have that same gas cap on one of my trucks. ? And I thought my current 24 years was absurd, you guys are making me feel almost normal..... Edited November 6, 2020 by bkahler 1 Quote
JBNeal Posted November 6, 2020 Report Posted November 6, 2020 that dot matrix bill of sale is divine...that's right up there with a carbon copy typed pink slip...kudos for persevering ? Quote
billrigsby Posted November 6, 2020 Author Report Posted November 6, 2020 (edited) 3 hours ago, JBNeal said: that dot matrix bill of sale is divine...that's right up there with a carbon copy typed pink slip...kudos for persevering ? Haha, can you say Okidata Microline, Those were the days dial up and DM printers. BTW, this is the last vehicle I own that I actually have a 'pink slip' for. Edited November 6, 2020 by billrigsby Quote
billrigsby Posted November 6, 2020 Author Report Posted November 6, 2020 (edited) YEP, She's toast..... Pulling the engine, love those old Oak Trees..... Good old tar top battery, minus a few caps, Still have it, not sure why, If it was in the engine compartment might restore it..... Gauges have seen better days, as has most of this truck, 80 MPH on the Speedo? Downhill with a tailwind?..... Dismantled and repainted gauge housings. NOS gauges also, Reset the odometer to 0000.0, I am sure some bureaucrat will just love that!..... Grabbed some black cardboard and re-did a new glove box..... An original headliner (not from my truck) in 'decent' shape MORE TO COME..... Edited March 27, 2021 by billrigsby 1 Quote
Dodgeb4ya Posted November 6, 2020 Report Posted November 6, 2020 I bought that same Allstate battery new when I was 16 for my 51 Plymouth. I sure was proud of it. Love the pictures of pulling the drive train using the "OLD OAK TREE".. Lucky L&I wasn't around? Quote
billrigsby Posted November 6, 2020 Author Report Posted November 6, 2020 Or OSHA (had to Google L&I) ? Quote
Frank Elder Posted November 6, 2020 Report Posted November 6, 2020 8 hours ago, Brent B3B said: This thread makes me happy, I thought I was the only one over the 30yr mark on my truck build. Go Bill go BTW, I have that same gas cap on one of my trucks. ? @Brent B3B I don't care how long you take I would be proud to own any of your projects.? 1 Quote
Conn47D24 Posted November 6, 2020 Report Posted November 6, 2020 Great post. Keep the photos coming. So many of us trying to finish after decades. 3 Quote
billrigsby Posted November 7, 2020 Author Report Posted November 7, 2020 (edited) Original wiring harness removed..... Recreated, using the correct cloth covered, color coded wire, but with a modern plastic sleeve..... Edited November 7, 2020 by billrigsby Quote
billrigsby Posted November 7, 2020 Author Report Posted November 7, 2020 (edited) Front axle repair, original spindles showed cracks when magnafluxed, so found another pair, checked out good..... Primered and painted..... All the other bits primered and painted, new king pins, bushings, seals, etc..... (still missing one of the correct U-bolts!) New wheel cylinders..... Front axle reassembled..... Steering box and mount primered and painted..... Edited November 7, 2020 by billrigsby Quote
billrigsby Posted November 7, 2020 Author Report Posted November 7, 2020 Rear axle repair, disassembled..... All the bits primered and painted, some of the new seals..... Ready to go back together..... New brake cylinders..... Quote
billrigsby Posted November 7, 2020 Author Report Posted November 7, 2020 Steering wheel restoration, as you can imagine or may have seen, a forty year old steering wheel is usually in no shape for use, pits and cracks. This was an invaluable resource to guide me through this process..... Here, all the bad areas have been filed down to the metal steering wheel band..... Next, filled with PC-7® Paste Epoxy..... After LOTS of sanding, refilling, sanding, did I mention LOTS of sanding, you have something worthy of primer..... + Managed to keep the part number intact, no cracks there fortunately..... Several coats of Gloss Black Imron, and wet sanding down to 1000 grit, you have a 'like new' steering wheel..... Horn button installed and finished steering wheel..... 2 Quote
bkahler Posted November 7, 2020 Report Posted November 7, 2020 13 minutes ago, billrigsby said: Steering wheel restoration, as you can imagine or may have seen, a forty year old steering wheel is usually in no shape for use, pits and cracks. This was an invaluable resource to guide me through this process..... Here, all the bad areas have been filed down to the metal steering wheel band..... Next, filled with PC-7® Paste Epoxy..... After LOTS of sanding, refilling, sanding, did I mention LOTS of sanding, you have something worthy of primer..... + Managed to keep the part number intact, no cracks there fortunately..... Several coats of Gloss Black Imron, and wet sanding down to 1000 grit, you have a 'like new' steering wheel..... Horn button installed and finished steering wheel..... Great work Bill! A good looking steering wheel really sets the tone for the cab. I should mention I don't like sanding so I took the lazy way out and found a NOS wheel Brad Quote
Dodger 48 Posted November 7, 2020 Report Posted November 7, 2020 I am also restoring a 1948 Dodge truck. My project has been parked in my garage for 25 years, waiting for me to have time and money to come together. This is finally the year. I live in Southeast Alaska where it rains over 150 inches every year and we're right on the coast, making rust a real problem. Most of the body panels and cab are not painted on the inside and underside. I'm doing a combination mechanical repairs and rustoration, fortunately mine has a remanufactured engine and it runs. The brakes were toast, so I rebuilt with new. I also converted the front brakes to disc breaks and new master cylinder. I have torn it down to the frame and drive train. What's left is the stripped down cab and now I'm ready roll it back on the frame so I can get to the underside and frame underneath. I have been repairing the body panels one at a time to fix the rust and damage , a lot of welding. I only have a oxyacetylene torch for cutting and welding and a whole collection of hammers and grinders. I'm about half done with the metal work. Good luck with yours 1 Quote
billrigsby Posted November 7, 2020 Author Report Posted November 7, 2020 YES!, another older project, some of us thought we were the only ones with 'stalled' projects, Good Luck to you also. 1 Quote
billrigsby Posted November 7, 2020 Author Report Posted November 7, 2020 Time to tackle the frame, borrowed a 'big boy' compressor for the bead blasting, no way our 3.5 HP / 25 Gal Craftsman will be up to the challenge..... Frame on it's cart..... Frame bead blasted..... Frame primered..... Frame painted..... Just a side note, all primered pieces were shot with Dupont DP40 Epoxy Primer and all gloss black were shot with Dupont Imron polyurethane-based enamel paint. I know DP40 or 401 is not available anymore due to lead content, not sure if there is a viable alternative? Still have a half gallon, need to be sparing with that. Not sure about the Imron. Quote
billrigsby Posted November 7, 2020 Author Report Posted November 7, 2020 Springs are next, since I have the bead blaster at my disposal..... Bead blasting, in hind-sight I probably should have dis-assembled them, too late now..... Primered and painted..... NOS Spring Bolts for the rear, pretty sure I found them for the front also, but can not find a photo, I think several photos are in limbo somewhere!..... Quote
billrigsby Posted November 7, 2020 Author Report Posted November 7, 2020 (edited) NOS Running Boards, not perfect, but 1000 times better than the stock ones, seems someone liked 'dragging' the old ones across trees and rocks. I got the NOS 81" Running Boards, T306 Engine, NOS Head, Heater for $300 and $235 Shipping. Time to start the assembly.... Axles in place (what is that thing on the wall to the left of the chassis?)..... Brake and Fuel lines installed..... We now have a rolling chassis, albeit, with out rubber. Edited November 8, 2020 by billrigsby Quote
billrigsby Posted November 7, 2020 Author Report Posted November 7, 2020 (edited) Turning our attention to the sheet metal now..... This was scribbled on the left side of the engine bay, always wondered just what it was, should I duplicate it? Towards the end of 1992, Mom and Dad were planning a trip to Arizona, and were nice enough to haul this rusty mess to Redi-Strip for a non-acid dipping to get it ready for primer. I may have pleaded quite a bit, but what is a small trailer behind that Big-Ol van? Saved quite a bit of time with the bead blaster, and clean up of all that media, here she is primered..... + Remember that 'bird bath' roof we had, it is taking shape..... Edited November 8, 2020 by billrigsby 1 Quote
billrigsby Posted November 7, 2020 Author Report Posted November 7, 2020 The rest of the sheet metal was next..... Quote
billrigsby Posted November 7, 2020 Author Report Posted November 7, 2020 A little repair work was needed on this fender, the standard 'rust-out' spot..... From a donor basket case fender..... Cannot find photos of the end result? A little lead work on the top of the fender..... That's my spare front clip, ended up with quite a few spares! Quote
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