Pilothouse road trip

[Charles Furman]

I thought some of you might be interested in my recent adventure with one of my Pilothouse trucks.

I drove my 1949 Dodge B1B108 Woodie from Oceanside, CA to Santa Cruz, CA for the annual Woodies on the Wharf woodie meet. I completed a long restoration in September of 2007, with the only modification from stock being disk brakes on the front. The odometer read 844 miles as I left for Santa Cruz. It read 1798 miles when I returned 5 days later. During the 954 mile trip I covered every kind of driving. Up hills, down hills, two lane roads and five lane freeways thru Los Angeles. I drove up over three days, but the return trip was done in 9 hours 45 minutes with three shorts stops for gas, snacks, and bathroom. During the whole trip the oil pressure sat firmly at 50 lbs. and the temperature never exceeded 165 degrees. At the end of the trip the oil is down almost 1/2 quart. As you might imagine, I was very pleased. The one lesson I did learn was that you should never drive a stock Pilothouse truck 9+ hours straight, it takes its toll your body.

Here is a link to a picture of the truck in line for the cruise in Santa Cruz on Sunday morning.

http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2275725650103698832MCSdKi

[48WingNut]

Nice looking ride Charles. Looks like a real head turner!! I couldn't imagine 9 hours behind the wheel of my B-1-D. After two hours I need to stretch my legs.

[Merle Coggins]

Sweet!! :)

[Reg Evans]

Beautiful job Charles. Any idea how many MPG's you got ?

[MBF]

Charles-Woodstock is about 25 miles from me-how did you sneak that out of here? Beautiful piece you have there. Mike

[Charles Furman]

Beautiful job Charles. Any idea how many MPG's you got ?

I didn't check the mileage for the whole trip, but based on the few tanks I did check, I figure I averaged between 13 and 14 mpg. I don't know if that is good or bad. When I was driving my 1949 Plymouth woodie in high school, gas was 22 cents a gallon so I never checked the mileage.

[Charles Furman]

Charles-Woodstock is about 25 miles from me-how did you sneak that out of here? Beautiful piece you have there. Mike

I guess I got lucky. It apparently had been in a barn for quite a while. I bought it in December 2000, and it was last registered in Woodstock NY in 1984. In fact, it still had the 1984 NY State safety inspection decal on the windshield.

My wife and I have often wondered if it could have been used to haul people to and from the 1969 concert at Woodstock. That would add a bit of history to it.

[TodFitch]

The one lesson I did learn was that you should never drive a stock Pilothouse truck 9+ hours straight, it takes its toll your body.

I can believe that!

Great looking vehicle!

[Reg Evans]

I didn't check the mileage for the whole trip, but based on the few tanks I did check, I figure I averaged between 13 and 14 mpg. I don't know if that is good or bad. When I was driving my 1949 Plymouth woodie in high school, gas was 22 cents a gallon so I never checked the mileage.

Is the rear ratio 4.11?

I also remember pulling into gas stations on my way to high school (mid 60's) and the attendant coming out to hear me say "give me a dollars worth." Then after school I'd go to my part time job doing landscaping for $2.25 an hour or about 10 gallons of gas an hour.

Now a youngster would have to be paid $46.00 per hour after school for the same job and an equivalent amount of gasoline.

[Guest 51plymouthod]

13 or 14 sounds about right for the speeds you must have been driving. My B-1-C "wants" to cruise at 50 to 55 and gets around 15 MPG at those speeds. You DO have a beautiful truck.

[Mario Loya B1B]

Fantastic!

[Don Coatney]

Charles;

Glad you got your truck completed and glad you are driving it. If it was used to haul folks to Woodstock you should check under the seats to see if anyone hid a stash there:D

[Charles Furman]

Is the rear ratio 4.11?

I also remember pulling into gas stations on my way to high school (mid 60's) and the attendant coming out to hear me say "give me a dollars worth." Then after school I'd go to my part time job doing landscaping for $2.25 an hour or about 10 gallons of gas an hour.

Now a youngster would have to be paid $46.00 per hour after school for the same job and an equivalent amount of gasoline.

I changed the rear-end to a 3.73 from a late 40's or early fifties Mopar car. I wouldn't go much higher than that with the stock motor. The hills would just be too tough.

[Charles Furman]

Reg,

I just had another thought regarding the mileage question. I bet that the wood body on my woodie weighs twice what the rear half of the cab and the bed on a stock pilothouse pickup weigh. Means I have to push more pedal to keep it moving, especially on hills.

Charles

[PatS....]

That's a beauty, sounds like a fun trip. Better to drive 'em!!

[Reg Evans]

Reg,

I just had another thought regarding the mileage question. I bet that the wood body on my woodie weighs twice what the rear half of the cab and the bed on a stock pilothouse pickup weigh. Means I have to push more pedal to keep it moving, especially on hills.

Charles

Oh yeah Charles. I hadn't thought of the weight difference. I'd like to help improve your gas mileage for you by offering my light weight low sided pickup in trade for all that heavy wood and glass.

Have you checked your speedo and odometer with a GPS. With the 3.73 rear gears you are traveling ~10% farther per revolution of the wheels than with the 4.11 gears. Maybe you're going faster and farther than the speedo says. Of course ....none of this really matters with that beauty.

[Merle Coggins]

Reg, did you repaint your truck? I like the two tone color scheme.

[Reg Evans]

Not really. "Vintrader" I think,on this forum photoshopped it for me. I like it alot !

[buds truck]

Oooooooohhhhhhhh. I WANT one of those. Absolutely gorgeous woody. Bud