38 Dodge Truck Build

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VonRatty

Well-known member
Joined
May 5, 2009
Messages
99
Location
Winston, Oregon
Well, here is what i have so far. I will try to post what i have in chronological order. I have it posted on KB but never really got to much of a response i like to know other peoples input on things. I am always up for criticism because it brings the best out in my work.

This is a first time total build for me so keep that in mind. I am also on such a small budget that it makes a child's piggy bank look huge (I think this is how most of us are.)

I bought a 38 Dodge 2 1/2 ton dump truck for $400 bucks here are some pictures
 

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Tear Down

here are some pictures of the tear down of the beast. also a picture of the Donner motor out of a 78 3/4 tone camper special Chevy truck 454< this was free!

I took every thing I thought i might use. this thing even came with a title. The story on the truck is that it was a Oregon Department of Transportation Truck. But i have yet to determine if it was true (I t had Orange DOT paint in the jams?)
 

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More tear down

This thing was heavy
 

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Frame

So after all the 70 years of rusted bolts were busted. I took the remainder to the scrap yard (how else was i suppose to get money to build the new frame ?) scrap prices were in the ****ter when i took this in but I still walked away with $200 bucks.

So i bought some metal and started the frame.
 

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More frame pictures

squaring this thing up before welding it was a bit of a pain. I envy those who have frame jigs
 

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Pictures of my front axle set up

I was given a parallel leaf front end and being how I am (cheap) I had to make it work so this is what i did.

I bought some DOM tubing 1 1/4 .250 wall for the radius rods and I am going to use tie rod ends to connect it to the frame at the swing point.
 

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front suspension set up

I used some trailer spring mounts cut one side short to reach over the pad on the axle and bolted it up. (but not welding it to the radius until i had my 6 degrees for the axle)

I used a heavy duty trailer spring and shackles. ( I know the eye attached to the radius rod looks weak but there is a gusset on the underneath side)

the spring perch was the first one I made I have a new one i built and will show pictures of it later
 

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rear set up

Well, I was going to try to do a single leaf set up with swing arms in the back but for now I used what i had.

I was given a set of Jeep i think Cj5 front leaf springs so I made due
 

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let me know what you all think? and any tips or tricks to help would be awesome ! also don't forget I like to have others views.

I will post some more later.
 
Looks great so far.What are your plans for the cab?What are you going to use for a bed?Keep up the good work and keep us posted.
 
here are some pictures of the tear down of the beast. also a picture of the Donner motor out of a 78 3/4 tone camper special Chevy truck 454< this was free!

I took every thing I thought i might use. this thing even came with a title. The story on the truck is that it was a Oregon Department of Transportation Truck. But i have yet to determine if it was true (I t had Orange DOT paint in the jams?)

dont ever junk anything,you never know what you might need or what you can sell.. love the truck!![P
 
Yea thats way bad!

The pic on the hill looks like something youd see in a scary movie. Very intimidating. Love it! RR
 
I like it, and I think it would be kind of cool if it was an ODOT truck. Where are you located in Oregon? I am in Baker and just curious if you are anywhere near me. Good job on the truck.
 
Looks great so far.What are your plans for the cab?What are you going to use for a bed?Keep up the good work and keep us posted.
Well for the cab I am going to chop it and try to go for a raw metal look but not quite sure yet? it is pretty rough but I think it adds character

dont ever junk anything,you never know what you might need or what you can sell.. love the truck!![P
I have had a few things i wish I would have saved but i needed the $ so I could start the frame.

I like it, and I think it would be kind of cool if it was an ODOT truck. Where are you located in Oregon? I am in Baker and just curious if you are anywhere near me. Good job on the truck.

I have looked and looked for an old ODOT logo but haven't found one from that era yet. and Im in Roseburg its about 45 min. south of Eugene.


Thanks guys for all the comments!!
 
some parts

here are some parts i have been gathering up these are the seats i built
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I bought these wheels for $ 50 bucks got four of them too!!
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Picked up this keg tank for $30 dollars
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Cab mounted

here are the cab mounts and an early picture of the cab on the frame(this is before i shortened the frame up )
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here is the cab on the frame in a mock up
fullside.jpg
 

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