Spring has sprung here in Minnesota, so in a few weeks I'll be able to haul my '94 to the shed to get working on it.  I posted WAY back when I first found this forum on my build plans.  I'll start here again to bring everyone back up to speed.   

 

First off, is this the right part of the forum to post a "build" thread?  If not please direct me to the correct location.  thanks

 

I restored a '51 Pilothouse B3D truck that was my great grandfathers truck.  I seem to have a disease now, lots of old truck parts in my house, garage and at friend's sheds.  I decided a few years back I was going to take a modern powertrain and graft on a Pilothouse cab/front clip as a daily driver.  This truck will be a stretched 3 door cab flat bed stake side hauler style truck.  I've got all the old Pilothouse cabs and doors to cut apart and re-weld up to the stretched cab.  As well as all the doors I could need to make the 3rd door and fill the space behind the passenger side door.

 

The '94 has a fresh rebuilt tranny and about 150K on the engine.  I've been thinking that since it will all be available to work on, going thru the engine and rear end would be a good idea right now.  Before I start to tear things off, any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

Plans include air ride, saddle fuel tanks, rear duals and a tip up front end like a semi for engine work.  

 

thanks, I look forward to keeping this thread moving over the course of the spring/summer while things start under way.

Edited March 12, 201411 yr by PilotHouse2500

yah I have a small cabinet for parts you can hold in one hand.  Way easier than a wire wheel! 

with a little help from some friends....

 

 

car club meeting last night so tossed a few parts on to show the vision...

 

spent my weekend getting the requisite cuts on my fingers and stabs in as well...but I learned a few things this weekend:

1. Minnesota sports had a good weekend (Wild win, Vikes win, Gopher hockey sweeps the Ugly Helmets, and Gopher football beat Penn to stay undefeated)
2. My air shear handles 16ga no problem
3. My electric nippers handles 16ga no problem
4. My neighbor challenges me every step on this project to take it up one step better (more on that later when I can show a picture)
5. Building a firewall is time consuming 
6. 4x8 16ga sheets are HEAVY and cantankerous.

 

Looking great, my guess is the cab is coming off a few more times, if you haven't might want to check and adjust the valves at some point with the cab off as it looks like it might be tight later on for the #6. They really don't require a whole lot of adjustment and you would likely be set for a long time.

 

Also might want to make a short list of items to do while you have good access to the engine. Couple small fuel items on the drivers side and the sort.

 

But really coming along nice.

 

I plan a full rebuild and dyno of the engine before I really button things up, regardless the cab will be on and off several times yet.

engine firewall intrusion panel built (and forming buck)

got a little further last night after work:

 

Edited December 3, 20195 yr by PilotHouse2500

more progress....done with the 16ga...rest will be 18ga with some rolled in beads for support.

prepping for the rest of the floor....and making "vroom vroom" sounds

 

How did the steering wheel feel in your mind?

12 hours ago, dripley said:

How did the steering wheel feel in your mind?

 

It had a little play in it...need to fix the steering box!  

Edited January 15, 20205 yr by PilotHouse2500

Floor supports in

Floor fit and ready for beading and then welding in.

FLOOR!

Looking good.

Did you have to give up pants to keep the tranny warm?

On 1/26/2020 at 9:08 PM, dripley said:

Looking good.

Did you have to give up pants to keep the tranny warm?

 

keepin' the sparks off the pretty paint!

Trans tunnel built, ready to install

Welded in!  Can pull the cab and spend hours finishing the welding and grinding!

very nice. I like that you go back to it and doesn't sit there.

I enjoy seeing the updates. You do nice work, very nice.