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

Ummm... I'm going to need lot more funding to make that happen...

1 hour ago, Mopar1973Man said:

Ummm... I'm going to need lot more funding to make that happen...

 

I got a dollar!  

6 hours ago, PilotHouse2500 said:

 

I got a dollar!  

He has to go by way of my place in NW Oregon first to change injectors and  one power steering pump on both my 2nd gens.

Edited July 12, 20222 yr by JAG1

well fall is upon me....I will start up serious work again on the truck here this next week!

 

Meanwhile a cool wooden model made of my resto by HomeSkoold Customs!

 

 

Edited September 30, 20222 yr by PilotHouse2500

very cool

So I'm spending a small fortune at Summit right now to get the parts I need for the cooling system rebuild, and started to poke at the brake system as well.  On the MC is there any preference performance/use/life wise on an alumium body vs. cast iron?

Brakes go for aluminum. Cast Iron will rust and have issues as the brake fluid is hygroscopic (absorbs moisture). Aluminum will not react to moisture whereas cast iron will. 

Agreed.  Assuming the quality of the 2 is the same.

13 hours ago, Me78569 said:

Agreed.  Assuming the quality of the 2 is the same.

Summit....you get what you get.,..Dorman parts

Cooling system plumbing worked out.

 

 

Edited October 20, 20222 yr by PilotHouse2500

that boost elbow gonna rub on your coolant line?  hard to see in the image

11 minutes ago, Me78569 said:

that boost elbow gonna rub on your coolant line?  hard to see in the image

No...inches away

sweet.  looks great then

22 hours ago, Me78569 said:

sweet.  looks great then

Well technically 1 inch, but plenty of space.  I worry more about the top rad hose and the oil fill tube bracket...might have to do something there.

Looks like the original oil filter is still installed.  Now I see how you are saving money!

 

Nice job with your plumbing skills.

 

- John

Edited October 22, 20222 yr by Tractorman

Rad core bracing fab'd and installed.

 

 

 

Edited October 31, 20222 yr by PilotHouse2500

Dash mods for the Dakota Digitals.

 

 

Power cowl vent complete

That's funny cool Pilothouse, I like that. Keep up the good work I know you'll sell it to me because I'm going to make an offer you can't refuse. lol!

Damn internet is slow today really slow. 3 second video that takes 5 minutes to download enough to even see it happen. That is really cool!