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 to the driver side.  Second time always easier! 

And done.

Tipping doghouse basically done, some welding needs finished off under the rad support.

 

 

Your doing an amazing job that entails a lot of work. It is looking very straight and looks like it's going to be beautiful when completed. I love it and Merry Christmas.

 

It's been awhile since yu last visit here.  

 

Updates:  outter body work all done as far as I can go.  I have started interior work and figuring out how and what I want layed out in the cab.  So some shots of the fender "rivets" which are now carriage bolts turned down to look like rivets, NOS arm rests for the people doors, and under dash panels built that will hold AC vents, AC controls and a radio.

 

 

 

 

Edited January 18, 20241 yr by PilotHouse2500

@PilotHouse2500, I am savin up for it but, you keep adding so much value I can't keep pace.

been a while for an update, so here you go:

Power for front doors 

 

AC condensor rock gaurd

 

foot pedal head light dimmer

 

Turbo gauges holes punched in

 

Cenrter console

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some day we might see it move? I'm dying to see it roll.

22 hours ago, Mopar1973Man said:

Some day we might see it move? I'm dying to see it roll.

 

He's SUPPOSED to go in for paint this spring....frantically trying to find the energy/time to get everything done in time.  The list keeps seems to keep growing sadly instead of shrinking!  And I have a dockett already of woodworking projects I need to start on this spring as well (gotta pay for this all somehow as inflation is eating my main job check pretty efficiently). So figure about 1 year or so after I get parts back from paint I hope to have him on the road.  And I AM planning a drive out to CA to visit my buddy for his car/truck show and hope to loop up thru the NW as part of the trip.

Yeah I get it. I'm on the other side dealing with my limitations too (money & health wise). I know this has been a super long running project. Hopefully I'll be able to build my project ride after my cancer treatment. Still planning on building a C Body Mopar on a 2nd gen frame that will have also a 6BT Cummins. Just gotta take care of me first then I'll most likely start next year.

 The economy is hindering everyone. I have my truck and a list of wants and needs for her but can't seem to find the time or money. I'd really like to get started on rust repair soon before it gets out if hand. There are also mechanical upgrades I like to make for longevity.  The price of just living is cutting into everything.

25 minutes ago, Doubletrouble said:

 The economy is hindering everyone. I have my truck and a list of wants and needs for her but can't seem to find the time or money. I'd really like to get started on rust repair soon before it gets out if hand. There are also mechanical upgrades I like to make for longevity.  The price of just living is cutting into everything.

Truth... 

weekend's work:  Inner fender vertical panel and arc test panel.

 

 

A few steps closer....taking forever it seems: 6 hours days working on this thing and still not done!  Hopefully, today I can call passenger side "done".

 

 

calling passenger side done, moving to drivers side

 

 

Seems I forgot to upload a bunch of stuff!  Wood working season is upon me so even slower than normal for a while.  Paint WILL happen this summer/early fall, so I HAVE to be ready!   Might have some long days ahead of me to get everything done between wood and truck.   Meanwhile, inner fenders done, hood ornament mounted, shift boot mount in, fuse block mounted and radio mounted.

 

 

Edited April 17, 2024Apr 17 by PilotHouse2500

After getting my 90° down tube...figured I needed a tich more room (advice from others I was FORCED to listen to, LOL).  The results:

 

 

Awesome. Looks really good. Lots of room. Still heat shield the pipe again for air space too. 

Just now, Mopar1973Man said:

Awesome. Looks really good. Lots of room. Still heat shield the pipe again for air space too. 

fer sure!

I remember my 1976 Dodge Jamboree was a hot son of a ****** that would burn my foot on a long haul. Exhaust manifold with in inches of my throttle foot and the steel would cook my carpet. Yeah 360 CID V8 and running 3500 RPMs would create some heat. Ugh.