It's time to make a decision on the '37 Plymouth PT50. It is 99% stock and original. It runs okay as long as you don't want to go faster than 50mph and stops okay as long as you can predict the future. Shifting is an adventure all it's own. Bottom line is I believe it is a hazard to me and others driving in all but a parade. I bought the truck to drive and enjoy, not look at in the garage or sit in front of in a lawn chair. I am ready to replace the suspension and drivetrain to modern standards, while leaving the exterior looking 100% stock. I will need to modify the firewall slightly to accommodate the engine, but will make it look like the factory did it. No smoothy nothing. Ribbed panels, etc... I will need to significantly modify the frame. Build a new one and preserve the original or modify the original? What is everyones opinion on this? Thanks, Craig
It looks pretty damn good as is. But if it doesn't turn you on, you need to sell it or change it. Maybe a more modern motor and trans with an upgrade to the brakes and rear end, but keep the original vibe?
I can understand your dilemma, Thats way too nice not to enjoy and way to nice to cut up. Beautiful !!!
That's a great truck. I am a diehard resto rodder and your plans to update the drivetrain brakes and suspension are right up my alley - exactly the way I like to build them. The Weasel approves this move....
I had a '41 Plymouth pickup that had a mildly warmed-over '59 Plymouth 230 flathead Six. I see what you mean, but I really had no problems at all driving it around town. The guy that bought it from me, drove it from OKC to Dallas at 55mph down the state highways with no issues. You might consider simply changing out the rear gears (likely 4.88s now, maybe 4.56 or 4.10) to a more highway-friendly 3.90 or 3.55 gears, to include swapping to a later rear axle altogether. Far as front brakes go, you'll have to research parts swaps if you want to retain the front axle. I'd really hate to cut that truck up solely to modernize it. It is your truck to do as you will, but I'd seriously consider selling it to find a truck that would be more to you upgrading/modernizing desires.
Don't cut it up too much. Try to find upgrades that will work with your frame. Don't put an IFS or anything under the front, just try and upgrade the stock axle. Rear axle swap shouldn't be too hard and engine and tranny are pretty easy. Try to bolt or better yet rivet in the crossmembers if you can to keep the original vibe.
I'm always so nervous about posting on these threads, so hopefully I don't strike a nerve. Putting that truck under the knife would be the last thing I would do IMHO. Not every antique or vintage car needs to have a modernized drive train, brakes and P/S....they loose "something" when that is done. It doesn't have to cruise at 70...sometimes the slow back roads are the funnest to travel. I have driven my '26 T (powered with the original T engine and mechanical brakes) on the interstate freeways, kept up with traffic at 65....and it scared the hell out of me every time, but I don't plan to switch the drive train out for something modern with juice brakes....it would destroy the car. It just wouldn't be a Model T any more. Shifting those old transmissions is an art form...as are the brakes , but once you get the hang and the feel for them it becomes second nature. It just takes patience.
Its beautiful there must be some way to tune up the engine and make other little changes that would make her purr along at 60 mph instead of 50
make it however you want, there is no point in owning a vehicle you dont want to drive, period. it is your truck so it needs to be how you want it but i'm thinking you already know exactly what you want to do.
Well now that you mention it...I bought a salvage hemi truck for the drivetrain (my shop works on only late model Chryslers, Jeeps, and Dodges) parts, and picked up a '94 Corvette last weekend off Craigslist for $600 (chassis and suspension only). I have it behind the shop and could sell it and make money, but bought it just in case...Already talked to WheelKid about rehooping my artillery wheels and ordered the wide white radials from Diamondback Tires. Yeah I have a plan, but can't bring myself to start cutting yet
late model hemi and late corvette suspension. One of us is on the wrong site. Once in a while, the site owner closes a thread with the following words: "back to traditional rods and customs, fella's" There are many forums out there for streeet rods and only one for real traditional cars...or at least, was supposed to be.
Upgrade to a safe driver..........no point in having a car/truck you can't drive anywhere and everywhere. BTW - Beautiful truck.
I started this thread to solicit opinions and appreciate the suggestions. I would never tell someone that their opinion is wrong, but I have to disagree with you on traditional hot rodding. If I had a '30's car in the 50's and used modern 1950's parts that is traditional hot rodding, but to take a '30's car and use modern parts from today belongs in a different forum? I want to keep the original look but have a reliable and safe driver. This sight has been a tremendous help in locating and purchasing parts, etc...I would hate to be banished from the HAMB because of my engine/suspension choice.
exactly. modern FI motors have no place here, neither does modern vette suspension. it would be a shame to cut that truck up. plenty of field trucks out there just waiting to be built into a nice freeway cruiser.
I had a similar dilema with my 35 Desoto years ago. Good motor not bad gearbox lousy steering and no highway mileage. I installed a 3.55 : 1 diff updated the steering box to a late model JApper and installed disc brakes on the front with a proportioning valve in conjunction with the later model diff. The car handled well - steered better and stopped very well. It would lick the pants off any stock 30's Ford V8 and cruise all day long at 60mph comfortably. This did not take away from its stock body or great running engine or gearbox. Most of this I did without taking the car off the road for any great lenght of time other than the disc brake conversion and that was only a long time cause of me. The diff change over was one weekend with the following week to mate up the drive shaft. The steering box was another weekend job with one extra day to finish off the droparm. Hey its your car and if you feel the need to radically change it go ahead however with some straight forward changes you can appreciate the best of both worlds
i'll loosely agree with your take on the fi/vette parts but last time i checked this is a hot rod and custom forum, not a restoration forum. why would you search out a crusty p.o.s to build when you have a perfectly good platform in your driveway? thats like turning down the flat girl with a nice ass who wants fake boobs and picking up the chubbo with the huge rack and waiting for 2 years while she loses the weight. to quote royalshifter-"i like hot rods"
because nice original old cars and trucks are cool. because turning an old field truck into a HOT ROD truck is cooler than taking a nice stocker and modifying it. your analogy makes no sense whatsoever.
Upgrade to '60s technology. You can have almost all the mod-cons and stay on track for a traditional style truck. I can't see you being banished for your engine choice, just maybe this thread could be heading away from the intention of the site. Nice truck. Keep it. Build it how you want it but understand the more modern stuff doesn't belong here. Pete
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