1930 Dodge truck, not a Fargo

[offroadrolls]

I just noticed the quarter window. I didn't even know there was such a thing in 1930. It's very cool!
Keep up the good work, this truck is gonna be very cool when finished.

 

[bob w]

Rivets, lots of rivets. I used steel rivets so when they rust they will match the rest of the cab. Speedway door latches were used. I've used them on a few roadsters. I was able to position them so the original outside door handle holes line up. Yes I know, the body lines don't line up very well.

 

[smallfoot]

1/4" spacer under passenger side front body mount and that body line will surprise ya...

 

[MercuryMac]

You amaze me by what you can do with an armload of old tin.
Keep up the good work.

 

[Kasselyn29]

Keep the good ideas coming!

 

[Bonehead]

Man, it is really coming together. It is going to be another good one.

 

[lowbudget50]

This is turning out really good!! Keep it up young man!!

 

[bob w]

Thanks for the comments and encouragement guys. Has some company over a week ago so I had them carry the early Dodge frame into the garage. I cut the back off because the kick was wrong and the frame got wider the farther back it went. Then I "Z'd" the front 5 1/2" as seen in the pics.

 

[Bonehead]

Looks great, but how are you going to get the moss, and liken to grow back on the new part?

 

[bob w]

Yes, Bonehead, I hate to lose that organic patina.
I have one last Econoline axle in my stack of stuff. It's too wide so I cut a 4 1/2" piece out of it. I took lots of clamps to make sure it was straight in every direction, Then I welder 'er up and reinforced it on the back side. The axle will be mounted on top of the springs so it was necessary to cut 2 3/8" thick spring plates plate to size with an angle grinder and drill a bunch of holes. The plates will be welded to the axle with the caster built in.

 

[soltz]

Good work! As usual

 

[bob w]

I like Facebook Marketplace. Picked up these new leaf springs and some hardware for a hundred bucks.

 

[soltz]

Again, good buy!

 

[MercuryMac]

There's at least one narrowing of an axle in my future, so I watched with interest.
Thank you.

 

[bob w]

I used the original spring pads on the beam axle to set the caster when I welded the new pads on the bottom of the axle. Then the original pads were cut off for a better appearance. I made simple front motor mounts out of 2 1/2" by 1/4" flat stock. The trans crossmember is a mess made up of 3/4" by 3" rectangular tubing, 1/8" wall and some 3/16" by 3" flat stock. The diagonals are 1" square tubing. Can you see my screw up?

 

[Flipper_1938]

Yes, Bonehead, I hate to lose that organic patina.
I have one last Econoline axle in my stack of stuff. It's too wide so I cut a 4 1/2" piece out of it. I took lots of clamps to make sure it was straight in every direction, Then I welder 'er up and reinforced it on the back side. The axle will be mounted on top of the springs so it was necessary to cut 2 3/8" thick spring plates plate to size with an angle grinder and drill a bunch of holes. The plates will be welded to the axle with the caster built in.View attachment 181003View attachment 181004View attachment 181005View attachment 181006

Hey Bob, what method did you use for welding? Any special pre/post heating?

 

[smallfoot]

Quite frankly, with all your successes, I don't look for screw ups...

 

[bob w]

Hey Flipper, it's a forged axle so nothing special was done. .030" wire and knob turned all the way on my Lincoln. I did plate over the weld on both the front and back.

 

[Flipper_1938]

Hey Flipper, it's a forged axle so nothing special was done. .030" wire and knob turned all the way on my Lincoln. I did plate over the weld on both the front and back.

I've been thinking about taking a little out of this RV axle.

 

[gene49]

It looks to me like the trans crossmember is welded in place. I'm thinking that trans crossmember would be much better being a bolt in item rather then being a welded in item. With it welded in, that trans would be a pain to replace at some point down the road.

I did that once. I was pretty happy to catch it and alter it before it caused a problem.