Photoshop Gurus git' in here. 1954 Dodge help

I agree that truck is a 53, but back then many trucks were sold as the current model year they were sold. In other words, that 53 truck could have been one of the last 53s and was sold during the 54 model year and titled as a 54. This was a pretty common thing on the big trucks.

These are pictures of my 54 Dodge (the lowered one) and pictures of my 50 with a 53 nose on a 4x4 chassis. (dark blue truck)

 

im not a fan of the dodge truck either, i think they are ugly, thats just my opinion. but i like to think you can customize anything and improve it, kinda part of what its all about. i wondered myself what some of these "only for the farm" trucks would look like customized. since ive been in the business ive only been asked to customize one of these and well, the guy decided against it since he paid $200 for the truck and i wanted $12000 for all the mods he wanted to do. there is just no resale value in one of these things, but if your doing all the work yourself there might be a profit. anyways im rambling on about shit now and i did the only thing i knew to do to help this truck out, i dont think its to bad.......im no photoshop expert but i believe you can get the idea. chop channel section shave french on and on,

 

My photoshop here was already chopped, sectioned through the hood, lowered - oh and it has the front wheels pushed forwards about 4" too, which is the big thing that really looks wrong on these.

 

IF you gotta chop it, I too say keep it a 5-window and make the side windows line up with them. I would not chop it, keep it a truck but not a 4x, leave the paint, and work on making it a good driver. I'd also get rid of those newer Chevy wheels and find stock Dodge hubcaps.

Thanks,
Kurt

PS- Oh, and fix the lazy door handles.

 

you know.. what kills these trucks are the wheelwells. That front wheelwell was designed to work on the 2 1/2 ton as well as the 1/2. Those dodge boys didn't waste any extra money on tooling....

Somebody post a photoshop with a normal front wheelwell... say 55 chev, or 53 ford style.....

that 54 dodge (blue)above has nice front wheelwells, and the 50 next to it ?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.
sorry but I am glad I am a chevy guy.

That said with alot of work. these trucks have potential.

And try pushing the wheels forward 6 to 8 inches, I don't think 4 is enough.

 

Like this ? Did the front wheel wells too (copied from the back)

 

I agree fully, minus the section, rear bumper, and tailgate chains. I would mold the running board into the fenders and make them bolt up where they are removeable WITH the bed. shave handles, mold front fenders into cowl, shave drip rails and do one piece glass. i though the fenders up as well, the rears. those looks killer on the truck.

 

Go buy a '54 hardtop and do some cuttin.....Not in love with the top I'll do
some more work another day. Goofy?? Yes but it would be kool.

Happy Trails,

Mick

 

i'm doing a 56 right now. jag xj suspension to get it down. volare would have worked but with a little digging i just think the jag is a better option. chops can either turn out really good on these trucks or REALLY bad. i think 2-3" and deff any more than that and you HAVE to section it also or the body starts to look real bulky with a tiny top. i'd also probably lose teh corner windows in that chop. i really don't like the 5 window of this truck. i think the 3 window just looks a bit nicer. if you want a smooth side bed i believe any dodge step bed up til about '80 or so is the same but smooth side(i've got it written down somewhere as i've gotta do it as mine has a 52 or earlier bed on it for some reason).

if you wanna keep it on the cheap side. find a mid 80s 5th ave and get the clip(same as volare), 318/trannie, rear, and brake shit and swap it over. if you have the means to do all the owrk yourself it will be a cheap way out as you can usually score low mileage 5th aves for $500-700...ken....

 

i believe this one has a must II clip form fatman under it...ken....

 

I had a similar Dodge truck at one time ... it really lacked the finesse and general beauty of the Fords, Chevys, and YES even the HUDSON pickups. They are too utilitarian to make an attractive custom without changing and adding anough sheetmetal from other vehicles that it really ceases to be a Dodge.
Just my opinon - but damned if my panties didn't get themselves in a bunch to hear so many ignoramouses talk shit about a Hornet. Opinions are like assholes, but to insinuate that he couldn't afford a Merc? I can think of a dozen reasons why he might have made that choice, and money is not one of them.
Do what you want.

 

I'm no guru but lets try shorter fenders and a little rounded front fenders.
Don't like the pink but it is was it is.

 

Ok I had a bite to eat and tried the Photo chop again. I had to section the
truck again through the fenders. Also added rear fender wells from a '54 Dodge and had to keep the connie kit. Instead of doing away with the
awkward front fender wells. I was going o cut a vent on the back side and add some teeth or bullets. May have to work on this idea later.

Happy Trails,

Mick

 

looks pretty darn good.

 

I really like this effort. The only thing I would change is I would shorten the box about another 3"-5" behind the fender.

Todd

 

Last one for me, how about a hot rod version........

 

Ok, shorter box and I like the 5 window and wires.

 

nah, not at all trying to make this a thing of beauty, it is an ugly truck, but thats kinda what i like, its different than the norm. and I'm a dodge fan.
My plans are to drive it as a shop truck for the powder coating biz I have. Some of these ideas are pretty decent though, I think I will drop it a smidgen, keep the 225 slant six for a little while and probably air condition it. keep it rough and old and just drive it.
as far as finding more hudsons in the magazines than old dodges....well, thats exactly my point, its different.

 

dizzamn ! that truck almost looks pimp, from ugly ducklin' to king of cool.
thanks for the efforts, from everybody, this is kinda neat to see all the ideas and really be able to see em via photochop. cool

 

here is a picture of the front

 

thats what I'm gonna do. crap, those are chevy wheels? I wonder if its the factory rear or front then. It looke dlike it was factory front end with parralel leafs.

 

I like the stance of this truck

 

I've got a '55 1st series 5w, so ugly it's cool.
I'm going with a shop truck/push truck look from the 60's.
I did score a 59/60 fleetside bed for it.
These Job-Rat's are perfect shop trucks , but its tough to make a silk purse from a sows ear. (as my momma says)

What about a Gasser? already solid axle and mine has a Hemi block.
Any Photochoppers do that one?

Keep us posted, there are a few of us that have these.

 

Heres some before and current pics of a 49 Dodge my grandfather is working on.
Would also recomend a Hemi similar to this.
PM me if you'd like more pics and other details.

 

You know, if you're running a powdercoat business, it might be really cool to leave all the body panels as-is, but powdercoat every other thing - bumpers, trim pieces, garnish moldings if applicable, door handles, rims, EVERYTHING ... that's be a neat rolling advertisement of a before and after and just be different.
And I guess I stand corrected: those pics of 57Dodge's grandfather's truck are kick ass.

 

The "Job-Rated" is perfect. Is that a "clamshell" two-piece hood, and is it damaged in front?

Thanks,
Kurt

 

Who put the Slant Six in it? It should have a flathead inliner standing straight up.

-Dave

 

I'm pretty sure those are Chevy truck wheels- late 80's? My guess is it's the stock Dodge front and rear end.

I saw a picture in a book of a slant six on an engine stand painted all nice and such and it was cool. You might consider putting a turbo on the engine, putting a propane tank in the bed, and running it on propane. I don't care for the gas tank being in the cab, behind the seat.

Thanks,
Kurt

 

ANYTHING is fairgame when it comes to customs as long as your imagination and skill level are up to the challenge. thats why i'm building the 56. i bought the truck CHEAP and WAY more solid than a similar year ford or chevy for 2-3 times the money. i was looking for a 58-59 chevy. i'll finish the dodge for about what a decent project one of those would cost me...ken....

 

oh and i beleive the wheelbase on the 53 is 108" same as a shortbed s10. EASY frame swap canidate...ken....