does antone know how readily available parts are for the 44 through 49 diamond t trucks. I have found a 48 just not sure how easy it will be to build.
Well, what model is it? The Model 201, the pickup, is VERY rare, although it shares the short hood and front fenders with the 306. Rubber parts are available, but very expensive, trim and sheet metal is out there but you're at the mercy of whoever has what you need. The bigger series trucks are more common, as grain trucks, dumps and tractors, and have longer hoods and front fenders, but use HUGE wheels and tires which means even 17"s will look like castors in the wheel openings. There is a rabid group of (elderly) guys who collect and restore them, non computer users by and large, I've found. Antique truck groups would be a place to start. Here's mine...
40s trucks like the 201 are hard to get parts for. The mechanical stuff seems to be available but if you keep the stock motor your pretty much stuck going 50 to 55 down the freeway. Try doing a model 80d it's super tuff to find parts but that's earlier than what your talking about. What does it need? That would be helpful! Dave Hitch FBBF
What exactly do you have in mind for it? Would you be considering an engine/trans change? Rebuilding the originals would be expensive, so swapping to a modern combo would make things a bit easier. The sheet metal is very straight stuff, so you wouldn't need any fancy sculpted patch panels. The gl*** is flat, so you'd be O.K. there, too. If it's pretty well complete, that would be a huge plus. It's already chopped, so you don't have to worry about that. Remember, it's a truck, so there is no air conditioning, power steering or expensive sub-systems to have to worry about. You could fabricate your own bed, so that's a good thing. A good friend of mine rebuilt a few 406's & he was a real cheapskate. But, then again, it depends on your ideas for it. What would you do if you got it?
I forgot to suggest that you check Ebay under Diamond T trucks. This might give you a quick idea of replacement parts available & their respective costs. The stuff is out there & the late 40's trucks were the most common.
here's my 48 614. the long nose trucks have 4 bars on the hood sides. 3 bars for the short nose. i just used the cab and nose and put it on a 52 chevy 1 ton dually pickup frame. mid 80s chevy front crossmember, 88 suburban engine and rear end. fabbed the bed, made rear fenders out of some front ones. easy. before and after, as well as my old 48 201 pickup that got me started on diamond t's.
I used a Chevy G20 van crossmember with 3/4 ton Chevy ball joints, spindles, and hubs. The rear is a Dana 70, 4:10's. I narrowed the crossmember 3" and widened each front fender 3". Staying with the 5 on 5 bolt pattern of the hubs the van had would have given me lot's more choices of wheels, but I wanted 8 lug hubs as our travel trailer axle is an 8 lug, and I wanted matching wheels, so as to only have to carry one spare. Besides, those big polished Dodge 17's and huge by large Michelons look killer on the truck! Brian
not real sure its on of those things I would have to stare at for a couple of weeks before I really knew what i wanted to do.
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