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

I’m recommending using the corner lights and duplicating that look with the three center lights. Worry about stake pocket later 

 Can't wait to see more. Your project is coming along nicely. It's gonna be a sweet ride when done. 

I did this to see how it looks.  Use the corners to be the lights.

 

or this:  mod the lower corner to be 45° and mount a single light to be side AND rear.

I just scrolled this whole thread. Amazing work. Thank you for sharing your time!

What I was trying to suggest is using the corners as in the 1st photo and drilling holes in rear for center 3 lights which would likely eliminate center rear stake pocket. I believe that most stake beds don’t have a center pocket anyway. Just my $.02

On 10/11/2024 at 11:10 PM, Royal Squire said:

What I was trying to suggest is using the corners as in the 1st photo and drilling holes in rear for center 3 lights which would likely eliminate center rear stake pocket. I believe that most stake beds don’t have a center pocket anyway. Just my $.02

Ya, I just spaced out "evenly" the pockets...there will never be a stake panel in there and it's more for looks than anything.  Center rear three will be on the "bumper", and I mocked up what I'm now going to do on the corners for marker lights.  TBD if I will do side marker/turn signals....

 

and now the parts are metal.

 

 

Corners done

 

and ready for paint....

 

Well, Elvis (TODD) has left the building...off to paint!

 

In the new space for body/paint at "my guys" place.

 

Hell yeah. Its time to see color put on the body... 

1 hour ago, Mopar1973Man said:

Hell yeah. Its time to see color put on the body... 

 

I'm guessing it'll be in Jan when he can start.  He needs to get his building finsihed and inspected prior to starting to actually work in it.

Start of running boards, and a test panel.

 

Formed edge

 

 

I went for it yesterday on the first running board top skin.   Those long beads are tough to try and keep straight.   Did I?  Mostly.....at least its gonna be Rino Lined and not gloss back!  

 

 

Edited January 10Jan 10 by PilotHouse2500

I'm still waiting to see this truck run. Oh it's going to be pretty and a radical oldie.

4 hours ago, Mopar1973Man said:

I'm still waiting to see this truck run. Oh it's going to be pretty and a radical oldie.

....so am I...so am I....

One step closer

 

 

Passenger side done.   As typical it went better and looks better.  I figured a way to jig the bead rolls so it went much better.

 

 

My OCD decided I needed to redo the first running board to be "nicer"....so I did!

 

 

And I started to trim the grill bars so they fit right by the intercooler.