I bought the old truck 2 years ago, it looked like this,
Initially I was just going to finish it and drive, as the previous owners spend alot of time rebuilding the original flathead 6, trans, diff. and brakes, the list goes on.
But I want to drive the wheels off of it, and the drivetrain and suspension just won't cut it.
So far the front upgrades are the Mustang II rack, and disc brakes, Heidts coil-over, and tubular upper and lower control arms.
The rear now sports a '58 Ford 9" with panhard bar, outboard mounted Heidts coil overs.
For shoes, Wheel Vintiques, chromed Artillery rims.
And for power, a '91 Dodge 318ci (5.2L), roller cam, throttle body injected and 4 speed overdrive trans. engine in for mock-up.
I hope I'm not boring you with pics. I have many hours left to work on it, but hopefully someday it will look like the one in my signature. I use it for inspiration.
I'll update has I progress, this is my first ground up build, and I'll need all the input/help/advise/pointers/....I can get.
Thanks for the encouraging comments, but I can't take all the credit for the work. I've had lot's of help and have made a few new friends along the way.
Ya, I was thinking about going with a Chrysler Hemi for it, but just to spendy for my budget. They look great though. I've got all kinds of Mopar stuff around, 8 3/4 rear axles...if you need sometin' let me know.
its true the old hemi stuff is stupid price but the deals are out there hot heads has a great parts exchange site of there website I found a couple of 270's through them. that might not be your taste but keep looking and you will make that hemi dream come true. but on the other hand you will be driving that truck a lot sooner and thats why you build them. and thanks for the parts info good to know. I just picked up a Dakota rear for my truck
That's a nice looking truck and has a nice stance sitting on the roll off. I still favor the Mopar in Mopar, Ford in Ford. Nothing against putting a Chev in everything but it seems too easy. Do you want to stay with the newer electronic fuel injected motor or would you take an older motor with carburetion? I'm helping a friend in Petersburg put together a '56 Ford pickup with a 5.0l HO 5 speed from Mustang. Again, nice looking truck.
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Keep your stick on the ice and don't pull your goalie.
I currently have two drive trains to chose from, one is from a '91 Dakota (5.2L) throttle body injected, the other is from a '88 1/2 ton Dodge (318ci) also throttle body injected. I've got all the wiring (front to back) including the computer for both. I'd kinda like to stay with the injection, but I'm not sure how well it will work with a lumpier cam. Having said that, I don't know if Mopar has a 4bbl injection set-up, the two bbl looks kinda corny. Both these engines are pre-magnum, so again, I'm walking in a bit of grey territory.
But if all fails, I'll simply go with the 4 bbl Eddy carb. and the Air gap intake.
Wish I had a Ford though, those cammer 4.6L, SVT engines are killer, both in looks and in performance.
I really want to wear the tires off this truck, not only the rear ones...so I'm kinda looking at the injection for it's reliability factor.
Petersburg is in my backyard, would love to see that pickup.
We will have to hook up and show off our trucks. The '55 is being taken apart for painting and final assembly. If you like the 4.6 cammer Ford, this is a '98 Mustang GT engine and 5 speed in my '41. It's a pre PI head engine but with a few mods but still should be fun.
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Keep your stick on the ice and don't pull your goalie.
I'm undecided on the color, but I'm shying away from orange, yellow, red, purple and blue.
I'm kinda liking the pearl (alpine) white on the 2013 Lexus with some very light ghost flames and some pin striping for accents.
I'm open to suggestions, lots of time before it needs clothes ( that I can afford ).
There's also a '55/'56 Cadillac convertible I saw in Syracuse last year had a nice color, kinda like a dark cherry/midnight blue shade. I'm hoping to run into him again this year so I can find out and take more pics, sharpe looking car. The pics don't do it justice, it had a burgundy glow...
