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new project take 2 #2445197
02/02/18 02:14 PM
02/02/18 02:14 PM
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 278
Montrose, Co.
7
72*Birdman Offline OP
enthusiast
72*Birdman  Offline OP
enthusiast
7

Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 278
Montrose, Co.
Going to get after this 57 D100 short narrow box again. It's on a 79 frame now but it just doesn't look right. So I picked up a 94 Dakota and I'm going to start over. The 94 has a 318 magnum automatic and is fairly low mileage so I think it will be a good starting point. Hopefully the air conditioning, cruise and other goodies will make the trip. Anybody know off hand if the Dakota gas tank will work when I take about a foot out of the length of the frame?

57 d100 project 001.jpg1590080-463e3a4cf7bb9104bfc852339f35710d.jpg1590086-e44080bdfbbf54edb96188e954aa6c95.jpg
Re: new project take 2 [Re: 72*Birdman] #2445281
02/02/18 05:43 PM
02/02/18 05:43 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,486
Freeport IL USA
poorboy Offline
I Live Here
poorboy  Offline
I Live Here

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,486
Freeport IL USA
Depending on what wheel base the Dakota is, you will probably have to take a section out between the wheels. The area right in front of the gas tank is an easy place to shorten the Dakota frames. You will probably have to doc the ends of the Dakota frame as well. Most have to be trimmed just behind the rear shackles.

That truck looks pretty sweet, I suspect the floors are probably in pretty good shape, but a lot of guys are using the Dakota floor pan and lower firewall and attaching the floor to the older cabs. Then everything attached to the Dakota firewall fits. The Dakota cab is about 6" wider (measure yours) then the 50s cabs, so you have to make some adjustments for that.

I love those 57 Dodge trucks. If I ever get done with my current project, I would like to build a 57. I've done a 50 (48-50), a 52 (51-53), a 54 (54 & early 55), a 56 (late 55 and 56), and a 58 (58-60), and my current project is a 39 (39-47). I have most of the 60s, 70s and up to mid 90s covered as well. Missing is the 57 only body style and the 61-64 style. Gene

Re: new project take 2 [Re: poorboy] #2445318
02/02/18 06:48 PM
02/02/18 06:48 PM
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 278
Montrose, Co.
7
72*Birdman Offline OP
enthusiast
72*Birdman  Offline OP
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7

Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 278
Montrose, Co.
Thanks for the info. The Dakota is a short bed extended cab. Hadn't thought about keeping the Dakota fire wall but it does make sense. I'm going to pick up the Dakota this weekend so I won't know exactly what kind of shape the body's in till then.

Re: new project take 2 [Re: 72*Birdman] #2445458
02/03/18 01:54 AM
02/03/18 01:54 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,976
Chilliwack B.C. Canada
R
RUNCHARGER Offline
I Live Here
RUNCHARGER  Offline
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,976
Chilliwack B.C. Canada
Jeez: A clean, big window 57. You lucky dog!


Sheldon
Re: new project take 2 [Re: RUNCHARGER] #2445471
02/03/18 02:46 AM
02/03/18 02:46 AM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 954
garnett kansas
rhad Offline
super stock
rhad  Offline
super stock

Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 954
garnett kansas
those dakotas had more than one option for a gas tank,if memory serves a 20 and a 16,might have to hit the salvage yards FYI my mom was born about 3 miles from the black canyon!!


my ladder of success is missing some rungs
Re: new project take 2 [Re: RUNCHARGER] #2445600
02/03/18 01:09 PM
02/03/18 01:09 PM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,473
Candler,NC / Myrtle Beach, SC
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JDMopar Offline
master
JDMopar  Offline
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J

Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,473
Candler,NC / Myrtle Beach, SC
Originally Posted By RUNCHARGER
Jeez: A clean, big window 57. You lucky dog!


No kidding!! I'd love to find a big back window 57 in my part of the world. One of these days, I'm going to hook to my trailer and go to Arizona or California when one shows up for sale.....like they always do out there.







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