Merle Coggins Posted July 8, 2008 Report Share Posted July 8, 2008 From this... To this... To this... Although it's not completely done, it's at least drivable. The rest can come over time. Yesterday I drove it home for the first time since I drug in into the shop to remove the cab almost 2 years ago. That was my longest drive so far (18 miles). I've made several 3 - 5 mile trips around here, but this was my first "long" run. Aside from needing another brake adjustment, and a little stumble off of idle, it runs great. Oil pressure in the 45 - 50 psi range, and the coolant temp stays around 180. And the speedo works nice and smooth now after giving it a bit of light oil in the lube wick, plus some cable lube. I do believe some insulation on the firewall will go a long way. I can feel a bit of heat radiating from that area. Opening the cowl vent helps, but it's still a bit warm in there. I'm hoping to drive it as much as possible before taking it to the WPC meet next week. What a blast so far. I'm still learning to shift smoothly with this non-syncro 4 speed, especially down shifts, but I'm getting there. The Fluid Drive helps. When I don't have enough limbs to brake, double clutch, and rev the engine for a down shift, while using both hands to crank the steering wheel around a corner and shift at the same time, I've found that I can just leave it in 4th and let it lug and slip the fluid coupling. It's not going to win many races, but at least it's quicker than a loaded dump truck. Merle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike 1948 1Ton Posted July 8, 2008 Report Share Posted July 8, 2008 Looks sweet! You should be proud of the job you did. I too love the 'driver participation' it takes to drive our trucks, for me that is most of the fun!! Mike Fox Oakdale, MN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Cipponeri Posted July 8, 2008 Report Share Posted July 8, 2008 Very Very Nice , way to go Merle. Tony C Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkahler Posted July 8, 2008 Report Share Posted July 8, 2008 Merle, in the 3rd picture I noticed that there's a rock missing...... You did a fantastic job and it looks great. I'm sure you're going to have a lot of fun driving the truck. Brad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merle Coggins Posted July 8, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2008 Merle, in the 3rd picture I noticed that there's a rock missing......Brad Yes, with a working parking brake I could retire the "parking rock" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allen I. Posted July 8, 2008 Report Share Posted July 8, 2008 Great job Merle. That downshift is a killer. Hope mine looks as good someday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Young Ed Posted July 8, 2008 Report Share Posted July 8, 2008 Looks great Merle. Hope to see it in person sometime Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reg Evans Posted July 8, 2008 Report Share Posted July 8, 2008 Very nice Merle. All that double clutching will become second nature soon. Are you going to pin stripe the grill bars ? I just used striping tape on mine and it's still there after 10 or so years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mario Loya B1B Posted July 8, 2008 Report Share Posted July 8, 2008 She's a beauty Merle. Great job! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merle Coggins Posted July 8, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2008 Thanks guys, I should probably also take this time to thank those who assisted with this project. Of course there's no way to individually thank all of those here who helped to inspire me, but here's the main ones... Byron Richardson (Byronb3b) for the tail gate, and other inspiration, getting me involved in the WPC Club. Reg Evans for some spare gauges and other help. (yes Reg I plan to stripe the grill bars. I like the tape idea. I'll look into it.) Dale Uhrich for the parking lamp lens to replace the one I broke. Eric Bannerman (townwagon) for several misc. parts. Todd B's for his inspiration after seeing his trucks. Denise Tripp for more parts and inspiration for letting me drive her truck. Alan Parkhurst, Jim Roach, and Dave Erb (greybeard) It was great kicking tires and checking out their trucks earlier this year. My good friend Mike Lauer who found me a great supply of free Hickory for my bed floor. And took charge to get it glued up and cut/milled. Napa, Advance Auto Parts, Checker Auto Parts, Farm & Fleet, Fleet Farm, True Value Hardware, Ace Hardware, Auto Paint & Supply, (cough) Andy Bernbaum (cough), Robert's Motor Parts, Steele Rubber, Ebay, and other parts suppliers I can't think of at this time. And of course, Aring Equipment Co. (my employer) who let me use the shop for this project. And I better thank my girlfriend, Jane, for her patience these past few months as I spent more and more time in the shop than with her. Oops... Almost forgot about Stef (Job~Rated) for the "Fluid Drive" emblems that are near imposible to find. And Pro-Tech Auto Glass where I got my new glass cut, and some if it installed. And of course Dave's Repair up in Allenton who did the machine work on my engine. I hope I didn't forget anyone else. If so, "Thank You too". Merle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeke1953 Posted July 8, 2008 Report Share Posted July 8, 2008 That is one great looking truck, Merle. I especially like the color! Zeke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woodscavenger Posted July 8, 2008 Report Share Posted July 8, 2008 You da' man! You'r my hero! Hopefully I can get mine done sooner than that but with all of the honey-dooos I doubt it. Just finishing an above ground pool and deck.......the truck sits with the cab on the floor next to the frame. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Gengo Posted July 8, 2008 Report Share Posted July 8, 2008 Very nice. That's one more Pilothouse on the road and away from the crusher! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vintrader Posted July 8, 2008 Report Share Posted July 8, 2008 Merle, You have done an outstanding job. It has been a pleasure following your progress "has it really been 2 years" You are an inspiration to all of us on the forum and in the club. And just take heart, Your never really done. Dutch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Young Ed Posted July 8, 2008 Report Share Posted July 8, 2008 Now that you cranked out that truck I want to know whats next. Pretty sure you need a nice comfy car for the longer hauls! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Roach Posted July 8, 2008 Report Share Posted July 8, 2008 Merle, Good job! Your truck looks great. Based on the prices we have seen other trucks in the same condition as yours, you should have a $45-$50,000 truck. Again, you have a great looking truck that you should be very proud of. Jim Roach Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merle Coggins Posted July 8, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2008 Now that you cranked out that truck I want to know whats next. Pretty sure you need a nice comfy car for the longer hauls! I like the earlier series of trucks like yours too. Especially now that I know that my Grandpa had a '47 1 ton back in the day. And a car would be nice too. However, right now I must let my bank account recuperate. Plus I barely have enough room for this truck, let alone another project. I still need to finish parting out my parts truck so I can get it out of my yard. Merle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Young Ed Posted July 8, 2008 Report Share Posted July 8, 2008 Someone on the car side had a street rod they built with a GM cab and a mopar car frame. I happen to have an extra complete frame right now and have been thinking of something along that line too. Might be cool to have a pilot house cab on a car frame. Would ride nice I bet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick Blake Posted July 8, 2008 Report Share Posted July 8, 2008 Nice truck, do you have a number and name for the wheel color? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merle Coggins Posted July 8, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2008 Nice truck, do you have a number and name for the wheel color? I used Nason Ful-Thane 2K Urethane with the YS410IB color code. This previous thread discussed it as well http://www430.pair.com/p15d24/mopar_forum/showthread.php?t=9764 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allen I. Posted July 8, 2008 Report Share Posted July 8, 2008 I like the earlier series of trucks like yours too. Especially now that I know that my Grandpa had a '47 1 ton back in the day. And a car would be nice too. However, right now I must let my bank account recuperate. Plus I barely have enough room for this truck, let alone another project. I still need to finish parting out my parts truck so I can get it out of my yard.Merle What's left on the parts truck? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg g Posted July 8, 2008 Report Share Posted July 8, 2008 Sweet ride, Good luck on your trip to WPC meet. I just sent My Studie frame over to my guy whose working on the cab floors etc. He wants to mount it up so the new metal will go in where it should. Maybe next year................... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merle Coggins Posted July 8, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2008 What's left on the parts truck? The cab with a severely rusted floor. Someone here was wanting a good top, but I think shipping to him was going to be a killer. I can't even recall who it was at this time. The engine turns over and, last I checked, none of the valves were sticking. However I haven't got it running yet. I believe it could be a good running 218, but I haven't got that far yet. The front axle is still complete. The rear axle has been gutted, but I still have a good 4.10 diff and axles that could go back in it, although the backing plates are now missing some pieces. I was planing to pull the engine and put it on a stand for storage and test running. Pull off the cab, then cut up the frame. The frame was cracked/broken and has a terrible patch job. I seem to have a collection of axles now, but they'll probably just add to the collection. Do you need anything? Merle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allen I. Posted July 8, 2008 Report Share Posted July 8, 2008 A gas tank and running boards are on top of my list. I am patient and an run with my current setup for a while but eventually, I want to make it right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bach4660 Posted July 9, 2008 Report Share Posted July 9, 2008 looks great, personally I prefer the middle photo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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