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

Front doors now latching.  It's had to see the strike area but I welded in a 1/8" plate and blended to the jamb (some mud will help fill in the places that look ugly) and rounded and smoothed for a "original" look.

I am willing to pay for one tank of fuel if you come visit us after the truck is finished up at 'Mopar camp', so we can see the truck in person  in the California Mountains. It happens October and May each year for about 9-12 days.

44 minutes ago, JAG1 said:

I am willing to pay for one tank of fuel if you come visit us after the truck is finished up at 'Mopar camp', so we can see the truck in person  in the California Mountains. It happens October and May each year for about 9-12 days.

I actually hope to drive it to CA for a show in April at my buddy's ranch at some point.  I'd take diff routes out and back, so one way I'd likely go thru WA/OR.

Edited March 4, 20223 yr by PilotHouse2500

Got my vote I wanna see this vehicle too.

We got lots of room if you need a stopover. No problem.

 I am out of the way for a stop by but can't wait to see it ! 

A few pics from Saturday.  Yesterday was mostly prep to be able to finish stuff tonight (I hope).

 

Dor latch guide and inner door panel.

 

 

finished off the weekend's work last night.  All the door inner pannels are done.  My shop supervisor approved of the work.

 

 

Shop supervisor looks less than impressed 😂😂

 

 

1 hour ago, Max Tune said:

Shop supervisor looks less than impressed 😂😂

 

 

Oh she was happy, she got to be near dad and had a new soft spot to sit in while watching.  

Edited March 8, 20223 yr by PilotHouse2500

driver seat mounted...

Keep going... I wanna see this thing rolling soon. 

Passenger side.

 

 

Just binged this whole thread, your skills are amazing. 

 

Just a few questions though:

What seats are those?

What are you doing for the rear seats?

Plans for upholstery/interior?

 

How did you come up with the door latches, rear power windows, and rear hinges? Were they modified premade? Entirely custom?

 

I'm seriously in awe with this project. Kinda makes me want to do a frame off on Midna (my 01 2500).. but that's another story..

Some days I wish I had that kind of patience, knowledge, and resources. I'll admit this is quite the project vehicle and will be quite the sight when its done for sure. 

3 hours ago, Silverwolf2691 said:

Just binged this whole thread, your skills are amazing. 

 

Just a few questions though:

What seats are those?

What are you doing for the rear seats?

Plans for upholstery/interior?

 

How did you come up with the door latches, rear power windows, and rear hinges? Were they modified premade? Entirely custom?

 

I'm seriously in awe with this project. Kinda makes me want to do a frame off on Midna (my 01 2500).. but that's another story..

 

Seats are actually out of an 03 Silverado (actually my buddies truck were were in a 65MPH accident in last year...got em cheap)  And I'll refoam and recover them as well as replace the seatbelt bits.

 

No rear seats...just a 1.5 cab not a 2x size.  Truck will be a flatbed so I wanted storage for security/weather protection.

 

As I said above, I will reskin the seats.  Rest of the interior will be a mix of fabirc/carpet, likely some wood bits and metal surfaces.  Not too far down that road yet...I don't want it to be an echo chamber with all hard surfaces.

 

The bearclaw latches and suicide hinges are all sourced from "hot rod" sites/Summit Racing.  Of course putting them all in DOES require custom work to be done.  Regardless a pile of the stuff I'm doing is custom becuase no one else is likely as insane as I am to do this stuff unless they do it for a living.  

Edited March 10, 20223 yr by PilotHouse2500

 Looking great! Cant wait to see more!

It's not only a truck but, a rolling chunk of American made hardware and ingenuity. Think about some sort of security system since it will be the talk of the town.

Weekend's work:

 

Modify the door linkage to use the inside handle where I want it and keep the sliding parts where they need to stay w/o hanging up.  Also the bearclaw connector addition.

 

 

 

 

Edited March 16, 20223 yr by PilotHouse2500

week's end work and weekend work:

 

Finished passenger side door handle/bear claw actuation system

Built and installed brackets to hold power lock actuators

Modified the locking bear claw bits to lengthen them to pass behind the window track

Modified brake pedal to allow for teh SC to live where it was

Built and installed SC dash bracket/installed SC

 

Edited March 21, 20223 yr by PilotHouse2500