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

got some work done this weekend....

2nd Gen styled doors now this should be a treat to watch being made.

Wow PilotHouse, that's really something. Very ambitious. Are you going to model the rear door for a door gasket for front door seal? 

I HOPE to have the front of the rear door put on tonight so it will be more obvious.   Sealing these might be....interesting....

 

11 hours ago, PilotHouse2500 said:

I HOPE to have the front of the rear door put on tonight so it will be more obvious.   Sealing these might be....interesting....

 

Seeing your work I know you will plan it out well and be careful to think it thru.

thanks....the plan of the front part going on last night looks more like this weekend....lots to do to get there.

here is the front of the rear door held in place by hand

 

You are showing how the doors are going to fit together when the green section, you are holding, gets welded to the rear door, right?

 

Don't want to tell you how but, is there a way to rid yourself of the sharp tip the rear door carries? You know, leave the curve in the glass on the front door but, add to the top and make both doors square at the top thereby letting the sharp tip go away.? 

 

After the vaccine Dripley has a long thin neck now he can look in the cracks for you. Oh grap! I said it 

Edited March 17, 20214 yr by JAG1

Yah it was just being held in place with my left hand, eventually will be part of the read door.  The pointy bit is currently WAY too pointy.  The whole things needs to be gapped properly, but as proof of concept it'll work...I'll likely change my mind 4 times before I really settle.  I'm still leaning towards a pointy type bit but blunt it a bit.  Know that that is about 6'8" in the air....so not as worried about spearing myself on it as much as it getting damaged thru an "oops" moment.  Other thought is to possibly make a small section live on the top sill and fill in a inch or so down between the 2 doors (making more 90 degree type joints), but it adds a few more body lines and gaps I'm trying to avoid (too busy).

well, it's in and works!

 

 

Edited March 20, 20214 yr by PilotHouse2500

Pilothouse you are absolutely incredible . 

I curious how your going to latch and deal with that pointed top of the rear quad door.

1 hour ago, Mopar1973Man said:

I curious how your going to latch and deal with that pointed top of the rear quad door.

JMHO, I think both doors need to be built up to have square corners so they marry at the top. Perhaps have the front door overlap in such a way that driving rain can't get in. I think this may be the most challenging part of this project and part of the reason I mentioned a solid rear door... not only keeping the cab stronger but to help eliminate some design/ fabrication problems. again.... JMHO. 

Now we need to find a way to mass produce these types of cabs, it'll take some collection of Sapporo cans no doubt.

4 hours ago, Dieselfuture said:

Now we need to find a way to mass produce these types of cabs, it'll take some collection of Sapporo cans no doubt.

 OOOHHHH, I soooo wish I could have a true quad cab 2nd gen. 

Top infill panel all in, just need to finish it with a piece of 1/8" weld rod on the top edge.  I know several here have said make the seam vertical, but that just does not go with the styling of the cab, so pointy bit it will be.....trust me.

 

Edited March 22, 20214 yr by PilotHouse2500

I do trust you.... I been looking at a lot of pistols so the point looks better now, kind of like the horn on the grip of a 9mm. 

I kind of agreed with the pointy part of the opinions. But I have faith it will all be OK. The finish product will tell the tale. Keep up the good work.

too many distractions this weekend and I didn't get as far as I wanted....but progress.

 

Few steps further along.  Thinking this is how the top "corner" will be.  Gaps will all have to be "normailzed" with weld wire welded to the door edges at some point.  Next steps will be to skin the doors and build up the inside.