Merging a 50's Dodge Panel Truck with a 1999 Durango
#1139390
12/19/11 06:07 PM
12/19/11 06:07 PM
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,392 Thayer, MO
bohmer2
OP
pro stock
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OP
pro stock
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,392
Thayer, MO
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I have been trying to determine for the better part of the last five years what the best approach to getting a dakota/durango drivetrain/suspension match up to an older Panel truck. I thought about dropping a body on a frame and drivetrain, but then over the summer I saw a panel truck on ebay that had a durango dash. I started to look at the photos in more detail and believe it was more durango then i realized.
Fast forward to a week ago when I spot an ad on Craiglist for a 1950's dodge panel relatively local for a bargain price. I had previously picked up a 1999 durango that needs the transmission gone through but was otherwise complete ( I have a 98 daily driver). During the conversation while loading up the Panel the seller tells me "you know I was told a Dakota firewall is the same width as this panel truck". This got me to thinking, my not use as much of the durango as I can, frame, partial floor, firewall, interior... this would mean a much easier time getting parts to keep it on the road.
So here is the start, a relatively rust free, minimally dented mid 50's panel truck. I will add photos of the Durango and progress as things move along. My wife has a photography business so this will become her rolling billboard/work vehicle when completed.
Edit: Let me not forget, both Mopar Ron and Poorboy have served for much of my inspiration to get moving on this project. Once I get my son's satellite out of the shop this is going to be full steam ahead.
Last edited by bohmer2; 12/19/11 06:11 PM.
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Re: Merging a 50's Dodge Panel Truck with a 1999 Durango
[Re: bohmer2]
#1139392
12/19/11 07:22 PM
12/19/11 07:22 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,819 Between Houston & Galveston TX
SattyNoCar
Smarter than no class Flappergass by a mile
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Smarter than no class Flappergass by a mile
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 16,819
Between Houston & Galveston TX
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That should be a '54. You can tell by the one piece windshield that doesn't 'wrap around' like the '55-up trucks do. I'll be watching this closely too. Back when I was in HS, a friend of my Dad's had offered to GIVE me a '54 Panel like this. It had been a Schlitz beer truck. Truck needed w-a-y too much for a 17 yr old to tackle so I never too him up on it. Later, I would day dream about putting the body on a Dakota frame, maybe even a Dak 4X4 frame (I wanted to build it to road trip and camp in). Good luck with it!
John
The dream is dead, long live the dream.......😥
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Re: Merging a 50's Dodge Panel Truck with a 1999 Durango
[Re: Paneleer]
#1139394
12/23/11 03:22 AM
12/23/11 03:22 AM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,757 levittown pa
fstfish66
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,757
levittown pa
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subscribing to this topic
1966 barracuda prostreeter super charged 340(SOLD) 1940 dodge coupe 241 hemi street rod 2014 ram express hemi 4x4 dailey driver 2015 cherokee 2013 R/T classic
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Re: Merging a 50's Dodge Panel Truck with a 1999 Durango
[Re: fstfish66]
#1139395
12/23/11 05:53 PM
12/23/11 05:53 PM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 773 Crofton, Ky.
rattler
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 773
Crofton, Ky.
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Last edited by rattler; 12/23/11 06:07 PM.
1957 Dodge truck, Snakeskin Green with a little stroker motor. 1964 Plymouth Savoy wagon ( my new project)
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Re: Merging a 50's Dodge Panel Truck with a 1999 Durango
[Re: rattler]
#1139397
12/24/11 01:16 AM
12/24/11 01:16 AM
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,833 Ontario Canada
Webster
master
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master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,833
Ontario Canada
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Quote:
Like i explain my 57 to people- it's just a bunch of cutting and welding.But, you will be surprised how many times you wake up in the night figuring out how to mount some bracket, brakes, motor or something else.
NICE TRUCK!
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Re: Merging a 50's Dodge Panel Truck with a 1999 Durango
[Re: rattler]
#1139398
12/24/11 11:38 AM
12/24/11 11:38 AM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,565 tennessee
pushbutton
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,565
tennessee
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Quote:
Like i explain my 57 to people- it's just a bunch of cutting and welding.But, you will be surprised how many times you wake up in the night figuring out how to mount some bracket, brakes, motor or something else.
Great pic of your truck.Is that Ky lake in the back ground. Your truck sounds as good as it looks! Great job.
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Re: Merging a 50's Dodge Panel Truck with a 1999 Durango
[Re: pushbutton]
#1139399
12/24/11 12:35 PM
12/24/11 12:35 PM
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 773 Crofton, Ky.
rattler
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 773
Crofton, Ky.
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The 57 is setting on the front half of an 88 dak frame and the rear is a shortened, narrowed and boxed original 57 frame. This shot was taken in Gulfport Ms. at cruisin the coast. That is one killer week.It was fun doing those 30 mph burnouts beside people on the coast road and scareing the sh*t out of them.
1957 Dodge truck, Snakeskin Green with a little stroker motor. 1964 Plymouth Savoy wagon ( my new project)
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Re: Merging a 50's Dodge Panel Truck with a 1999 Durango
[Re: dogdays]
#1139407
01/24/12 04:54 AM
01/24/12 04:54 AM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,757 levittown pa
fstfish66
top fuel
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top fuel
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,757
levittown pa
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theres a guy over on the P15 D 24 site doing a chopped street rod 50 ish plymouth suburban its really kool,,who would of thought that would be kool,,,as we get older i think we like different things,,,some more some less,,,seems to be a lot more better looking women in the world these days,,,or is it just me ?? lol
1966 barracuda prostreeter super charged 340(SOLD) 1940 dodge coupe 241 hemi street rod 2014 ram express hemi 4x4 dailey driver 2015 cherokee 2013 R/T classic
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