Starting to build the '39 Dodge truck again.

Now that the T is at least running, and the bodywork is pretty far along, I've decided to try to get the Dodge truck done in time for Daytona. My Son's '29 will not be done in time as he is planning some major items to do to it (), and I want him to have something to drive to the Turkey Run. I think I can do it in the 98 remaining days, especially since it is not going to be anything special cosmetically.......just sort of a bobber in flat paint.

Yesterday I cleaned all the stuff from on and around it to appraise what I had to do to it, and blew off a year and a halfs worth of dust. Made a list of things to do, and surprisingly it isn't a really long list. We already built the 30 over 394 Olds, the rear suspension is done, the chop is pretty far along (still have to do the doors, no biggie) and it needs some tinwork like the bed being built, and a floor in the cab.

Luckily I didn't steal too many parts off of it to build my T, so I have all the big stuff like radiator, front end, etc. stored away. I went to a local spring shop yesterday and they are making me a custom front spring main leaf that should be done today. Last night I sandblasted all the front end parts and plan to shoot some primer and black paint tonight on those.

Dan doesn't know I am planning this yet, and I won't tell him till its up on wheels. That way he will be able to envision that we have a shot at getting it done in time.

Here are some shots of the body after I cleaned it off, and what I got done yesterday sandblasting.

Don

This mockup shows how it should end up looking when we build a hood, etc.

Don

Wooo Hooo.... another one of Dons projects to watch. I always like to see what your up to. You do great work.

Don,Keep up that pace and you will make your deadline.

Yipppeeee!!!!!

Don,
I'm really glad u're back on the truck!!! I *always* learn something from what u & the boys r doin'! Since I'm close behind u on my PU build I'll definitely b following with great interest! Thanks again for sharing with all of us!!!

BoB

Keep on teachin Don, I'm learning...

Thanks guys. Hope I don't fall short on this thing schedule-wise, but I sure am going to give it my best shot. Plus, when Dan gets involved with the bed building and tinwork it should move ahead pretty well.

We'll see !!!

Don

This is going to be good!.....grouchy

Yep I am looking forward to this too. We are behind you 100% Don.

truck is coming along well. You should be able to meet your deadline, with time to spare. This will be good to watch.

Thank you guys. I'm a little tired this morning, was up till about 3 priming front end parts last night. Have axles and stuff hanging up all over the place. If the spring shop gets my main leaf done today I can get it primed and hang the front end. They "lost" the mandrel to form the eye at the ends of the spring, and are trying to make one to do the job !

If that happens I'll shoot some pictures tonight.


Don

Turkey run

Looking good my man,hope to be able to park next to you at Daytona .LFE

I'm gonna hold you to that LFE. I went to pick up the main leaf I was having made 3 inches shorter than the stock one today. First shock was it cost $ 108.87 which is NUTS. The whole spring cost $ 45 new. Second shock was that the new leaf was EXACTLY the same length as the old one I took it. I used some language I couldn't use on RRR (they didn't have a zapper ) and told the guy my weekend plans to get the front end installed were now not gonna happen. He said they are open till noon tomorrow and will bust his tail and have it ready by then. We'll see.

Anyway, all the parts that I epoxy primed were dry, so I laid them out in preparation to mount them, if and when I ever get the main leaf. Here are some pictures of the parts I am using.

BTW, this axle is designed to use Chevy '49-54 spindles, and since I am a drum brake kind of guy, I am using '54 Chevy drum brakes on the front. As I get into putting things together I'll post more pictures in case anyone else uses a similar set up.

Don

Whoops, hit wrong button.........here are the pictures.

Don

Body mounts?

Don,
Can we see a foto of where u're body mounts are?

BoB

Sure Bob. My Son built the interior subframe for me for a Xmas gift a couple of years ago. He used (I think) Jeep 4 x 4 body round rubber body mounts to support it. They are under those 6 bolts you see in the pictures.

Here are a couple shots of the interior.

Don

Many thanks!

donsrods said:

Sure Bob. My Son built the interior subframe for me for a Xmas gift a couple of years ago. He used (I think) Jeep 4 x 4 body round rubber body mounts to support it. They are under those 6 bolts you see in the pictures.

Here are a couple shots of the interior.

Don

Click to expand...

Many thanks Don!!!

BoB

Allright ! This, I have been waiting for. Go get em Don. Cant wait.

Ok, here is a little update. It's 5 am and Dan and I just got in from spending 17 hours working on the Dodge. I hung the front end and he built a bed. Both seemed to come out fine, especially the nice bed he is building.

We've decided to make this a sort of "A/Altered " drag car........a lot like Boneheads. We slipped the slicks from my T on it, and that is what we are going to go with.

Here are some pictures of what we got done today. I'm so tired I can't even see straight. Time for a shower, some dinner, and BED !

Don

Must be nice to have such a large place to work out of.
Being under a tent and weather confined makes for a slow build.
Well you have 90 days to get the pig on the road, it looks like you will be there soon enough. Keep up the great show.

Maximo