At the crossroads - kind of long read
#485157
10/01/09 01:58 PM
10/01/09 01:58 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8 MO
Griffin
OP
member
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OP
member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8
MO
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OK, I finally got me a project and now that I have it and have looked over it, I am at the proverbial crossroads.
Background: Last November, I sold my 1956 Pontiac that I'd had for over 18 years. It was all stock with a very minor customization (springs, blackwall radials). It was too nice to really cut up and do anything else to than leave stock.
Fastforward to now: Since I had my 50's stocker, I've been wanting to do a '48 or prior hot rod. Last Sunday, I acquired a relatively cherry 47 Dodge 1 ton that has a very minimal amount of rust in areas that are completely fixable and with an engine that supposedly just needs the crank ground and new bearings. It was a barn find and will need the brake system overhauled as well as the wheel seals (I'm sure) and new weatherstripping.
Well, last night, I was looking it over and measuring the engine bay to see how a later model V-8 would fit, and also looking underneath to get an idea of what it'll take to drop it down from the altitude that it has.
My delima: Since it is in such good condition, there is a part of me that has a problem with changing it from stock. But then there's the rodder side of me that says, "It's my truck - I'll do what I want" and doing what I want will be an indepth change (ie chassis, powertrain, etc).
So tell me - what would moparts do?
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Re: At the crossroads - kind of long read
[Re: Griffin]
#485158
10/01/09 02:13 PM
10/01/09 02:13 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 34,884 S.E. South Dakota !
bigdad
Still Posting A Lot
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Still Posting A Lot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 34,884
S.E. South Dakota !
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Put a poll on here ..
My vote, hot rod it ..but, please use a Mopar motor
The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating.Proverbs 18:6
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Re: At the crossroads - kind of long read
[Re: Griffin]
#485159
10/01/09 02:47 PM
10/01/09 02:47 PM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8 MO
Griffin
OP
member
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OP
member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 8
MO
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Re: At the crossroads - kind of long read
[Re: Flipper1938]
#485162
10/01/09 03:29 PM
10/01/09 03:29 PM
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,884 Tracy CA
rabid scott
"You're Where?"
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"You're Where?"
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,884
Tracy CA
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My answer? A little of both!
The finish looks pretty decent, you could clean it up and do a little light refinishing on the body. "Patina" is in right now.
Make the steering, brakes, and wheel/tires safe, because those things can kill ya!
As far as the rest of the drivetrain goes, decide what you want out of it before you change it up to much. I get the feeling that a hopped up driver is what you're after, so a V8 swap might be in order, but if the stock engine runs you might just mill the head to raise compression, add a dual carb intake and split exhaust with Smithys.
That's just my take. I like V8 swaps, but I dig the "old-timey" stuff, too.
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Re: At the crossroads - kind of long read
[Re: rrbrucea]
#485165
10/01/09 04:11 PM
10/01/09 04:11 PM
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 12,481 Chino Valley
RodStRace
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 12,481
Chino Valley
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I'd build it for it's intended usage. Summer night town and country cruisin'? Freshen it up and enjoy. Light haulin at slow speeds? The same, but upgrade the brakes. Freeway miles and roddin'? Suspension, electrical, brakes and drivetrain, plus some comfort inside (seat, insulation, sounds) I'd get into a chassis swap only if it was going to be a major rod project. The radiator is almost even with the front axle, so a Dakota can be made to work, but the drivetrain has to be moved back. Lots of work that way, but if you want modern handling, air suspension, and all that, it could be done. You could add all that to the original chassis too.
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Re: At the crossroads - kind of long read
[Re: mikeinkc]
#485169
10/01/09 09:42 PM
10/01/09 09:42 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 871 WA 98043
thecarfarmer
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 871
WA 98043
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Guess what I voted... -Bill
Seduce the attractive, and charm the rest.
******
489 C.I.D., roller cam, aftermarket heads, tunnel ram, stock '54 Dodge rear axle assembly: which of these doesn't belong?
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Re: At the crossroads - kind of long read
[Re: thecarfarmer]
#485170
10/02/09 01:27 AM
10/02/09 01:27 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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i agree with the owner,,,hard choice both would be kool, not many around stock or rodded properly. there are more of that vintage rat rodded then restored, what a waiste of metal and sawzal blades,,
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: At the crossroads - kind of long read
[Re: Griffin]
#485173
10/03/09 06:00 PM
10/03/09 06:00 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 34,884 S.E. South Dakota !
bigdad
Still Posting A Lot
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Still Posting A Lot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 34,884
S.E. South Dakota !
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Seen at good guys here this weekend
The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating.Proverbs 18:6
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