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

Stopped out yesterday to drill holes in the bed frame for the "fuel tank" mounts and D ring tie down plates. All he has left to prep before blasting is the back of the cab. Blaster is about a month out for open slots. All gaps set, doors happy for "shape", hood/front clip all prepped and actually off to the side ready to go. "Soon" can't get here fast enough :) !

Edited July 31Jul 31 by PilotHouse2500

Body is now ready for sandblasting!

On 8/6/2025 at 3:51 AM, PilotHouse2500 said:

Body is now ready for sandblasting!

Im dying to see the paint job. Im going to be jealous seeing that pretty modified truck. Going to be a sight. 😎

Body now AT sandblaster.....but Tony (painter) is out of town for 2 weeks on a visit to family.

Color should be close to this picture of my friends 52.

Freaking awesome! I've been watching you build that truck for YEARS! I'm dying to see it completed. So freaking close...!!!!

Parts are in PRIMER!

bits and pieces

cab off to blasting today!

Closer to paint. I dying to see the final product.

Looking forward to seeing it also!

Cab back from blast.  Exposed a few spots that I missed from my early time welding.  Primed and roof being worked.

Stopped out to check on progress last friday and drop grill bars to check fit.  Cab almost done!

 

 

 

One side DONE!

"FUEL tank" progress and stuff in a booth!

Hurry but don't hurry... You are killing me with this project build. I wanna see the color and final on the interior. That should be a high class truck.

cab primed!

One step closer to color

That is going to be one of the coolest trucks in history. I took notice of the 11 YEARS this thread has been going on regarding your custom build Cummins truck. I'm sitting here waiting for another bag of popcorn to watch this come together.

Stopped out at @Danm Straight Customs (my painter guy) and cheked out stuff.  Ready for color!  So we poked at colors.  I like the polished inner door panel color.  Tried to match a standard color....closest we got.  And the potential grey for the wheels and hood tip frame.  Meanwhile digging up old reciepes from my files to see who they look once he programs them up.

Edited 20 hours ago20 hr by PilotHouse2500