Mods
1941 Dodge body on 1991 Dakota, 1984 police 318 0.40 bore, 360 heads ported and polished, comp cam, mopar performance oil and water pumps, edelbrock intake and carburetor, stainless headers, MSD ignition with 6AL box and more ; built in my garage
5 speed new process gearbox, Griffen rad, aluminum fuel cell, firestone rear air bags, reece hitch with trailer brakes, pioneer sound, 9 speakers, cruise control, 1963 Travelall instruments (what I learned to drive in)
Engine set back 10", fuel tank, battery and mufflers all rear mounted for better weight distribution.
Combination Dakota and Painless wiring harness... and homemade bits
295/50/15 rear and 225/70/15 front on old school centerlines
5 speed new process gearbox, Griffen rad, aluminum fuel cell, firestone rear air bags, reece hitch with trailer brakes, pioneer sound, 9 speakers, cruise control, 1963 Travelall instruments (what I learned to drive in)
Engine set back 10", fuel tank, battery and mufflers all rear mounted for better weight distribution.
Combination Dakota and Painless wiring harness... and homemade bits
295/50/15 rear and 225/70/15 front on old school centerlines
Build story
I had been collecting parts for decades always dreaming of finding a 39 through 47 Dodge truck. I never did find a truck, the body you see is actually 5 trucks giving up bits and pieces. Once I started I went at it every evening for about 15 months straight. Luck was very much on my side once I got going; simple things like the speedo cable, how do I hook up a 60s IH speedo to a Dodge 5 speed? Bought a box of parts at an auction and in it was a 54 Chev cable; it fit like it was made for it. Speedo is double it and that’s your speed in kilometers, Many other small bits seemed to turn up, needed a 48" bench seat and Kijiji had a new rear leather seat from an Escalade with built in 3 point seat belts; perfect. Everything else is mopar though :)
Getting the pedals and steering to be comfortable and functional was one of the hardest bits, A word of advice; drill the spot welds and take the firewall out, once I did that it was much easier; you can put the firewall back in after everything fits and is welded in place.
I tried to use the best parts I could afford as I went along and I am glad I did. 8 years and 20,000 miles later; tires, oil and battery are all I have had to do to it. It will cruise on the highway all day in the fast lane, tow a trailer in city traffic and occasionally embarrass an unsuspecting show queen.
As mentioned the engine is set back, the rear end had to go back 4 inches as well to get the wheels in the fenders just right and the frame over the axle was channeled so I could have a bed with a bit of depth.
The body is sprayed in epoxy primer, I live on a dirt road and leave it at charity events for kids to crawl over. I did not finish any of the body panels as I felt any scars earned should be kept.
I have had many muscle mopars over the years, this was my first scratch build and I love it. In one of the photos you will see a 34 Diamond T, at the moment it is garden art but I suspect one day it will be a tilt and load with a 24 valve cummins.
Thanks for hosting the show, I am sure it’s a lot of work and you are doing a Great Job.
Getting the pedals and steering to be comfortable and functional was one of the hardest bits, A word of advice; drill the spot welds and take the firewall out, once I did that it was much easier; you can put the firewall back in after everything fits and is welded in place.
I tried to use the best parts I could afford as I went along and I am glad I did. 8 years and 20,000 miles later; tires, oil and battery are all I have had to do to it. It will cruise on the highway all day in the fast lane, tow a trailer in city traffic and occasionally embarrass an unsuspecting show queen.
As mentioned the engine is set back, the rear end had to go back 4 inches as well to get the wheels in the fenders just right and the frame over the axle was channeled so I could have a bed with a bit of depth.
The body is sprayed in epoxy primer, I live on a dirt road and leave it at charity events for kids to crawl over. I did not finish any of the body panels as I felt any scars earned should be kept.
I have had many muscle mopars over the years, this was my first scratch build and I love it. In one of the photos you will see a 34 Diamond T, at the moment it is garden art but I suspect one day it will be a tilt and load with a 24 valve cummins.
Thanks for hosting the show, I am sure it’s a lot of work and you are doing a Great Job.