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

12 hours ago, JAG1 said:

@PilotHouse2500, forgive me I do not know what a front 'clip' is. Those look like some sort of pivot. Is that so the entire front opens up around the engine? Like on a big rig where the hood and fenders are all one and lift up out of the way?

yah the whole front part of the body, fenders hood and grill tip like a semi.

12 hours ago, PilotHouse2500 said:

yah the whole front part of the body, fenders hood and grill tip like a semi.

So Kewl.... yep you'll be sellin' it to me because I'll nag you to death!

 

 

BTW, Your truck just got an official inspection... my wife looked it over and says, ''everything is alright''!

Edited January 25, 20232 yr by JAG1

14 hours ago, JAG1 said:

So Kewl.... yep you'll be sellin' it to me because I'll nag you to death!

 

 

BTW, Your truck just got an official inspection... my wife looked it over and says, ''everything is alright''!

 

first I'd have to finish, second I'd have to drive and enjoy for a while, third I'd have to want to sell it!  

Edited January 25, 20232 yr by PilotHouse2500

Sorry @JAG1 your not getting it that easy... 

 

I will admit I would love to actually get a look at it in person and then a ride and feel that old school power. I had to go back and look at the starting date of this thread which was March of 2014. That is 9 years in building this custom truck. I'm sure @PilotHouse2500 is going to want to play for at least a few years after its done.

I understand buildin' that truck cost him 3 girfriends and two wives...

11 hours ago, JAG1 said:

I understand buildin' that truck cost him 3 girfriends and two wives...

 

LOL, actually my gf/now wife loves that I have a project to work on...keeps me honest 

Once upon a time I bought two 1964 chevy pickups in order to put together one nice 64 stepside. It had a mildly pumped 283  with 4 barrel carb, 3 on the tree. I loved that truck when done. The beautiful wood plank flatbed was nice but, I had to sell it when I put too much time into a nice home that I built for a good family just 8 miles from me. At least I thought they were until... well we won't go into that.

split the rad support so I can loosen and tip forward a little JIC the serpentine needs replacement after...well, whenever

 

 

Are you planning on using gas support shocks to help lift the front clip? Asking because I think it's going to be heavy anyhow!

2 hours ago, JAG1 said:

Are you planning on using gas support shocks to help lift the front clip? Asking because I think it's going to be heavy anyhow!

 

Might have to drop on some gas supports....but regardless electric screw drive...all depends on the pivot point and arm lenght I can do....cause ya, it aint light.

Acme Threaded Rod? We used it to lift and close an irrigation gate we built in front of spillway. It shut off the water to the spillway, raised the water level high enough behind the dam to feed a waterwheel. Coolest day at work getting that going again after many many years of just hanging there all crooked with long gone shaft bearings.

Edited January 31, 20232 yr by JAG1

Basically a screw driven linear actuator to push on a linkage to open and close the hood.  

 

Stellar idea. I wonder how much weight it can push... 

7 minutes ago, Mopar1973Man said:

Stellar idea. I wonder how much weight it can push... 

He needs one to push him out the door in the morning.

18 hours ago, Mopar1973Man said:

Stellar idea. I wonder how much weight it can push... 

 

The one I'm looking at is 500 pounds.  Using 2, I could push 1000 pounds,  add in a lever arm and.....bob's your uncle!  Some out there spec to 2000 pounds each.

Edited February 2, 20232 yr by PilotHouse2500

After fighting thru hood tip linkage design and general procrastination, I decided to start building out the seams for a pretty look once ground to a 3/16" gap.

 

 

Maybe need to take a break and go do something different for a day or so. It's always good to have an outlet.

Edited February 15, 20232 yr by JAG1

So does anyone know of a part that I could put between the exhaust manifold and turbo to tip it up 30 degrees or so?

Aren't there shops that can custom make those? I'm not sure but, it may work to look at the parts available for the guys that build the twin turbos. There may be a section of it that with the right amount of turn or angle your looking for. If it had to be a precise turn and angle I might think about making a prototype out of flexible 3 or 4 inch dryer vent duct. It would have to be the corrugated aluminum not the slinky type stuff.

 

Just want to say the corrugated aluminum stays put as long as you stretch it out before bending and you do not bump it. It would be stable enough to put tape over the custom elbow to sort of paper mache into holding shape. The 3 inch is probably closer in size also

Edited February 20, 20232 yr by JAG1

So, as I sat there last night staring at the 6bt trying to figure out how to get the turbo moved, it struck me, could I just flip the exhaust manifold 180° and have the port point up instead of down?   It LOOKS like it'd still fit.  Thoughts?