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

  On 7/6/2021 at 12:05 PM, Mopar1973Man said:

Latches for your Quad doors. That's pretty cool I'm wondering if you'll have power windows and door locks?

 

power windows and front door locks: yes.

And notice the very expensive machined bit for the latch....I have a 01 Sonoma that I bought after market replacement latches for (cast aluminum handle) and designed up and had machined the latch housing to avoid plastic bits....

So the weekend found some time to putz with the latches and linkages more.  I measured for some bushings to solidify things up at the joints and make things more reliable and am waiting for my buddy to get those back to me, but yah...I might be putting a few access holes in strategically to get these installed.  Luckily the interior will be covered in a big removable panel.

 

 

 

 

ALSO I got....an NOS hood ornament in perfect condition!  I see zero pits and plan on just dropping it on with no repairs.

 

Getting itchy to see this truck completed... But you can't rush good artwork! 

  On 7/13/2021 at 1:46 PM, Mopar1973Man said:

Getting itchy to see this truck completed... But you can't rush good artwork! 

 Same here! Love seeing old Iron given new life and to repower with a Cummins is just cool!

I can't wait either!  In summer I wood work to pay for truck stuff in winter...so HOPEFULLY this winter will see more step function moves forward.

I've seen a few of the older bodies back to life like this with a Cummins engine. I use to see a guy down in Weiser ID every morning for breakfast with his Cummins power oldie! He did his on the 6-BT p-pump engine but still in all its very cool to see. 

Had some car club buds over for some suds last night and hung the fender extensions on to see how they look.  The one guy pointed out the difference in the rims.  The front rims are not the same as the rear duals...is that right?

Typically the front are same as the rear but flipped inward. You've got 3/4 ton wheels in the front and 1 ton in the rear.

 

I've got 3/4 ton all the way around.

(Lowman, Idaho)

Edited September 10, 20213 yr by Mopar1973Man

  On 9/10/2021 at 2:02 PM, Mopar1973Man said:

Typically the front are same as the rear but flipped inward. You've got 3/4 ton wheels in the front and 1 ton in the rear.

 

I've got 3/4 ton all the way around.

 

Kinda what we thought.....so the question is: what is the offset difference so I can set the extensions right?  Is there a spacer or something to help keep things off the shocks and such?  Seems the rim would go a bit further in than would be good?

Edited September 10, 20213 yr by PilotHouse2500

If it was a 1 ton frame and axles it should be fine. It will have more inset on the front which is normal. Typically the one ton tires are 215/85 R16 or 235/85 R16.

Getting to be that time of year again when I'll be getting stuff done.  Last night I got the extensions marked for holes and got the bolt slots put in and mounted them up. 

 

 

 

Edited October 20, 20213 yr by PilotHouse2500

Hey @PilotHouse2500I'm curious to see the how you hung that hood. I love the forward flip design but curious on how you put it together.

  On 10/20/2021 at 12:59 PM, Mopar1973Man said:

Hey @PilotHouse2500I'm curious to see the how you hung that hood. I love the forward flip design but curious on how you put it together.

 

back a few pages you can see the front pivot

 

I'll either do hydraulic or electric motor drives to control it.  I have pins planned to have it stop on (not installed yet, hence the wood block on the valve cover).

That is soooooo cool! Love it!

Picked up a frame for the bed yesterday.  Forklift driver was a little impatient and tweaked the front rail a little....guess it's a torch fix on the way this winter if I get to the bed.

 

 

 

r

Nice I like the rounded corners. Fitting design/ style for that vintage of truck.  

@PilotHouse2500Are you gonna cut the flatbed down?

  On 11/9/2021 at 5:40 PM, Royal Squire said:

@PilotHouse2500Are you gonna cut the flatbed down?

 

yah, almost 12" long (I want about 9' long) and too narrow so I will section pieces out and shorten and widen it with those bits.

Edited November 10, 20213 yr by PilotHouse2500

Returned from T-day earlier than planned, so I used it to mount stuff.  Pedals and MC/booster now mounted.  I did modify the booster mount to squeeze in there.  Tight sapces!  Booster is shot so at least I have a part to work with before I buy a replacement and mess with it.

 

Edited November 29, 20213 yr by PilotHouse2500