1950 dodge truck tribute to my son

[skull]

Being what it is, I say think back to what your sons favorite color was, and paint it up that way. then maybe make a lil plate for under the hood that says "in memory of"

thanks, mr.grimes, that is a great idea,

so much emotion in this build, tearing up my old body to get it done.

AGAiN, thanks to every one who's supporting me in this endeavear[cl


later

 

[bell]

AWESOME work!!! Such a wonderful thing you're doing.

 

[skull]

gas tank

have this modal A cowl/tank l am planning on refurbishing and using.
read several articles on how to recondition the inside and get rid of the gunk.
will be mounted it the bed up nxt to the cab. this also will help center the weight. people who look in the bed think l'm hauling it around when in reality, it's a gas tank.

Later

 

[bullet]

Heartfelt condolences for your loss.
I was saddened with grief when I read this thread, it brought back a flood of memories for me and all I went through.

I lost my wife 9 yrs. ago to cancer which was very hard to bear. Even though I miss her and love her dearly, loosing one of our sons would be even more devastating.

I promised Wendy before she died I would finish the Studie we started together and I am. It's been a long road, taken me longer than anticipated and sometimes very discouraging, but I'm nearly there.

Get 'er done in your son's memory, it'll do wonders for your healing.
God Bless all that you do.

 

[skull]

one step foreward--------

one step foreward two steps back---

measured the angle on the drivesahft and the downward slope is to great.
the angle l have is 9% and the rule of thumb, so things like U-joints and seals don't get torn up, should be 3% or 4%. talked to several driveshaft shops and some local hot-rodders and they all said the same thing about angles and getting them correct.

have to C-notch the rear frame to put the rear-end on top the leaf springs to lower the rear-end to get the correct angle. sooooooooooo, while it's getting this surgery done, the 8 3/4 mopar is coming out and a 1973 12-bolt posi camaro rearend with 3:55 gears will go in. this will put the same bolt pattern front and rear. l wanted the rear of the truck a little lower anyway, but wanted to wait till l drove her a while, not before.

nice thing about this is the 8 3/4 is 56'' and the 12 bolt is 53 1/2'' so l'll get more tire under the wheel well with the right off-set.

Later

 

[TiredIronGRB]

You could use an Impala (58-64) 2 piece driveshaft. That's what I use on a lot of the old Caddys I build.

 

[skull]

progress

we got the transmission mount and motor mounts welded in last night.
the truck will rust away and those suckers are still gonna be there

today, tackle the big hole in the firewall and start getting that mess fixed.

Later

 

[Mick41Willys]

I agree with the Rev., go with your sons favorite color. This is a good thing your doing.

 

[skull]

steering

l ended up changing the steering box today. the one that was in her would turn to the right but locked up when trying to turn left, the tires wouldn't move more than 3'' left of center. so l changed it from a power box to a 1966 chevelle manual box left over from my racing days. another one of those parts l hung on to for 25 years and finally get to use on something.

This is a good thing your doing; Mick41Willys, thanks

It's been a long road, taken me longer than anticipated and sometimes very discouraging, but I'm nearly there. ; bullit,

l know that feeling, but l'm plugging away and hope to driving her within three or four weeks

Later

 

[skull]

fillin' holes

got my buddy to come over and fill in some holes in the cowl and we filled in the fuel tank neck hole.

little stuff, but needs done and gets her closer to running down the road.


Later

 

[skull]

Holy crap dude! I can only imagine how you feel. I'm so sorry for your loss.

I think it’s great that you’ve got the truck out and working on it again.

Hope the build goes well, looking forward to seeing how it turns out.

Are there any more parts you still need?

l did a check list and came up with some things l still need;

1. floor shifter & cable

2. 600 or so cfm carb or mine rebuilt

3. fuel pedal, spoon or loker style & cable as theres not a lot of foot room

4. por 15 or some kind of reust converter for botttom of the doors and cab floor.

5. tunes so l can listen to jimmy's uncle cracker CD we played at his funereal.

l hope that's not to much to ask for, sometime's that male pride gets in the way of asking for help.

thanks for all the support l've recieved. thanks to those who have helped and thanks in advance to those who will be[cl pm me and i will get back to you with my ## .

Later

 

[skull]

wheels

my buddy of 35 years got these for the truck, old school U.S slot mags.
14 X 7 front, 15 X 9 rear.

the front is getting new firestone 205/70/r14 we have off a car my roommate parted out and the rear is getting 255/60/r15 or bf goodrich 31 X 10.5 LT's.

Later

 

[deerchooper]

its coming together, great work

 

[the reverend muddy grimes]

Slot Mags are my all time favorite wheels. Even with all the new designs, there is still nothing cooler out there.

 

[joker65]

Looking great Skull! Can't wait to see it together The slots will look great on it.

 

[skull]

progress

we are working on C channelling the rear frame rails. we had to move the springs under the rear axle and put in 1'' lowering blocks, that got me 6'' lower in the rear, that should fix the severe angle on the driveshaft. l hope that's enough. if my figures are correct, l should have 4'' of travel before hitting the bump stops on the frame. post some pics of the soon.

Later

 

[skull]

today's stuff

we got the C-notche's welded in and the frame cut out, did not fall apart so it must be gonna work.

had to Z the brake pedal to clear the steering column. looks funny but works good.

tomorow's plan is to mount the rear-end on top of the springs and see if all this planning and figuring is gonna work.

Later

 

[deerchooper]

getting carried away with c'in and z'in arent we, lol.
i would put a gusset on the brake pedal, at least on the non colunm side.

looks good, keep up with the pics.

 

[skull]

gusset

thanks for the tip, l was thinking about if it needed a gusset, so it will get one,

Later

 

[skull]

rearend!!

well, she's back on all 4 tires, now add sway-bar, driveshaft and shocks in the next couple of days to wrap it up in the back except for exhaust and the bed.

motor and tranny are next on the list to get all connected and fire off the 327
this week, finish the fire wall and run exhaust, mufflers will dump at the bottom of the rear bumper.

the brakes and other stuff will follow soon.

Later