Projects At the crossroads - kind of long read

OK, I finally got me a project and now that I have it and have looked over it, I am at the proverbial crossroads.

Background: Last November, I sold my 1956 Pontiac that I'd had for over 18 years. It was all stock with a very minor customization (springs, blackwall radials). It was too nice to really cut up and do anything else to than leave stock.

Fastforward to now: Since I had my 50's stocker, I've been wanting to do a '48 or prior hot rod. Last Sunday, I acquired a relatively cherry 47 Dodge 1 ton that has a very minimal amount of rust in areas that are completely fixable and with an engine that supposedly just needs the crank ground and new bearings. It was a barn find and will need the brake system overhauled as well as the wheel seals (I'm sure) and new weatherstripping.



Well, last night, I was looking it over and measuring the engine bay to see how a later model V-8 would fit, and also looking underneath to get an idea of what it'll take to drop it down from the al***ude that it has.

My delima: Since it is in such good condition, there is a part of me that has a problem with changing it from stock. But then there's the rodder side of me that says, "It's my truck - I'll do what I want" and doing what I want will be an indepth change (ie ch***is, powertrain, etc).

So tell me - what would the HAMB do?

 

Oh, yeah. I've considered selling it and getting something else without this delima, as well. But I got such a great deal on it and its condition is far better than I would probalby find again.

 

Since this is a TRADITIONAL hotrod forum, you might consider starting with a TRADITIONAL vehicle.
Internationals were NEVER considered as material for a hotrod

 

Hot Rod it. That Dodge would make a great looking truck!

 

Sweet truck. I think to solve the delima you should sell the truck to me....lol

 

...International???

 

See my #2 post....

 

If this was a cherry 30's car you might have a dilemma.

It's a one ton "off brand" truck. If YOU like it, use it the way YOU want.



Yeah, I call our Dodge and "off brand" too.

 

Funny, I call GMs and Fords "Off Brands"

 

Rod it! :d

 

I found a similar truck i'm thinking of getting as well so I would be interested as far as ideas. There is a nearby 35-36 Ford truck cab in very rough shape but the front fenders are there and usable. What about using the "off brand" cab with the Ford truck fenders and grill , with no hood but with a bed ? Sorry for the hi-jack .

 

Don't compound the problem by mixing brands of bodies/fenders/grilles until you get a better handle on what old cars are all about and what is what stylistically speaking.

Sure, a 1-ton or heavier truck is a turkey on the road in stock form in these times. But lots of them have pretty darn nice cabs and sheet metal.
Why not look it at as a cab/sheetmetal/frame project? The frame can be shortened to regular pickup length and then the road is open for a different suspension front and rear and a new engine/trans combo as well.
Sell the original engine, trans, rearend to a big truck guy for a few bucks to put into your part and make a plan.

 

Just my opinion, I think it's worth more as a modernized truck.

There are many more out there, so it's not going to be the last original left.

 

Rip it apart and make it your own

 

I think you may have hit the nail on the head. While you may enjoy this truck with a mildly hopped-up stock driveline (check out a HAMBer named blueskies, he has a nice flattie hop-up), you might have more fun w/ it as a Resto-Rod.

You could start with a frame swap to a Dodge Dakota, like kennygs72 down in Georgia has done w/ his 47 or so International, or keep your stock frame, and contact El Polacko down in sunny AZ about a kit to install the Dakota front end, and find a later rear end with the same bolt pattern.

From there, a hemi would be a cool choice, maybe a late 50's Dodge poly engine would be funky, or how about a 340 or 360 for simplicity. Five speed or auto OD, and you'ld be in business.

Anyhow, that's one take on it.

Later, *****6

 

If you can work on bed and body, then you will have a sweet looking, and one-of-a-kind ride when you've rodded it. Not to mention all the Mopar running gear and good engines available for it. The one ton frame is almost a bonus if you get heavy footed (or big cubes!) in it.

 

I would check on how many 1tons with the full PU bed were produced before I decided. Like you said it's almost too nice to cut up. All that said I have a weakness for old dodge trucks and a stock 1 ton PU like that would be welcome at my place.
chris

 

I say it's yours, do what you want. If someone wants a stocker they can go find one elsewhere.

 

Thanks for all of the input.

Here's my next question: I got a smokin' deal on a BBC (Chrysler, that is), auto, Dana 70 with duals (on a motohome ch***is). My 1st inclination is to just run a single rear wheel. How do ya'll think running the 47 with duals in the rear would look?

Any others out there with the same (duals)? I'd tub the bed so that the fenders aren't altered.

 

Nothing is ever too nice to cut up or drive. Make it reliable and dependable and have a ball building it and cruzn it around.

 

IMO, Now you are talking ! Use the motorhome axles (front and rear )
Big block,auto, dually 47 pickup sounds like they way to go ..
Dave

 

DENISE YOU ROCK, that's exactly what I was thinking. Have fun and make it your own.
Build it your way and don't worry what other people think.

Jack

 

In heavy truck guise it would take a big block to turn it into a respectable ride. Go for it!

 

Go for it, I know I would

 

Hot Rod it !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Giz'

 

put the big block in it and cut off everything that doesn't look like a hotrod = DONE !

 

I agree who wants an old stock Dodge when you can build a cool rod you can enjoy?