Re: '41 Dodge pickup upgrades...and questions.
[Re: DusterKrazy]
#967212
04/05/11 09:38 PM
04/05/11 09:38 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,555 Freeport IL USA
poorboy
I Live Here
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I Live Here
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Posts: 10,555
Freeport IL USA
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Quote:
So I scored a complete but crusty '41 Dodge pickup minus the bed. I was curious about swapping an LA engine into the original frame. But I was also curious about how I could improve the brakes. Are these the hard to service press fit brake drums that I keep hearing about?? Is their another brake setup that I can adapt to it? even if they are drums?? Possibly newer brakes can be swapped to the rear axle??
Clipping it is probably the best option but I'd rather do it more traditional style.
What are the rears usually geared? 4.10?
Also, could you get an underdash radio in a '41? I swear this one has one.
Any suggestions are appreciated.
The frames on these trucks were strong. Adapting a LA small block into this truck would not be any harder then swapping one into any 30s era car. Expect to make motor mounts and a transmission mount. Be sure your mounts are attached to both the upper and lower frame flanges, not just one flange, and everything should be fine.
The rear brake drums (if original) will be the pressed on to the axle drums. It can be identified by seeing a nut at the center of the drum. Nearly any rear axle from 66 on will fit with a relocation of the spring perches. A 66-70 B body should be close to the same width, but measure your axle first. Your original rear axle should have a 4:10 or maybe even a higher number gear, I'd swap the whole axle before I'd attempt to upgrade what you have.
www.rustyhope.com has a disc brake conversion for your truck front brakes. If you want to stay with drum brakes, Dodge used drum brakes on a beam front axle through the 71 model year. I suspect one could adapt the modern drum brakes from one of the "newer" trucks (65-71) onto your axle.
I have no clue about the radio, but the old radios (40s & 50s) all used tubes and were huge, about a 6" x 6" square and about 12" long. They could not be mistaken for anything more modern. Gene
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Re: '41 Dodge pickup upgrades...and questions.
[Re: poorboy]
#967213
04/05/11 10:27 PM
04/05/11 10:27 PM
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 12,481 Chino Valley
RodStRace
I Live Here
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I Live Here
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Posts: 12,481
Chino Valley
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Brakes - as said, adapt later self-energizing drum brakes to the front or discs. Don't forget a dual master! Since these have underfloor masters, you have to decide if you want to adapt there or swap in a swinging pedal and mount on the firewall. Engine/trans - a small block and auto will work, but on the cars, you have to move the engine over about an inch to the right and use A body exhaust manifolds to clear the steering. The truck will probably be the same. There are universal mounts or you can fab them up. Don't forget shifter, radiator, trans cooler and upgrade the fuel system. Driveshaft and rear - Go with a later model rear axle as said. If you want a nicer ride, springs and shocks will need to be swapped too (front and rear).
When doing this, the next thing to concentrate on is electrical. 6 volt positive ground 70 year-old wiring is NOT good.
One thing that can save you time and money is to get a donor. Look for a good running drivetrain in a cheap (ugly or wrecked) body. I'd suggest a Dakota, you could use the engine, trans, driveshaft (fitted to new application) rear axle (measure width first!), wiring, seat, nuts and bolts, Throttle cable and pedal, maybe the gas tank, steering column if needed, and sell off the remains for scrap or parts. I doubt the discs will work, but the master, booster, and pedal could. The locations of the radiator, front axle, engine and firewall are NOT the same for the Dakota and an early truck, and the Dakota has a stepped frame compared to an early, but some have swapped the frames. It's a LOT of work, so don't think it's a bolt-in. Read some of the other posts in this section...
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Re: '41 Dodge pickup upgrades...and questions.
[Re: RodStRace]
#967214
04/07/11 09:56 PM
04/07/11 09:56 PM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,445 N.Wilkesboro,NC
DusterKrazy
OP
master
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OP
master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,445
N.Wilkesboro,NC
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Any ideas on lowering it??
What are the differences between the '41-47??
Last edited by DusterKrazy; 04/07/11 10:17 PM.
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Re: '41 Dodge pickup upgrades...and questions.
[Re: poorboy]
#967216
04/08/11 03:28 AM
04/08/11 03:28 AM
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 12,375 SoCal
MuuMuu101
I got lucky at Woodward!
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I got lucky at Woodward!
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 12,375
SoCal
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Quote:
I believe you axles are located under the leaf springs. Moving them above the springs will drop it about 3", maybe more.
There was little difference between any 41 - 47 vehicle, nearly all auto production stopped for the war effort from Dec 41 through mid 45. Once production restarted, the car companies were selling anything that rolled off the lines, new models of anything remained unchanged until at least 48. Gene
Sorry to side track the post a bit. Did they make some new cars in 42 or were they continually building artillery for WWII all the way through 41-44/45?
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Re: '41 Dodge pickup upgrades...and questions.
[Re: MuuMuu101]
#967217
04/08/11 11:59 AM
04/08/11 11:59 AM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 833 Marietta, GA
Joatha
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 833
Marietta, GA
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There were some 42's made. But, they are pretty rare - extremely low production numbers.
1966 Barracuda
1968 Barracuda convertible
1930 Ford Model A (soon to be hemi equipped)
2006 Dodge 3500 4X4 CTD Quad Cab
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Re: '41 Dodge pickup upgrades...and questions.
[Re: DusterKrazy]
#967219
04/08/11 11:14 PM
04/08/11 11:14 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,555 Freeport IL USA
poorboy
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,555
Freeport IL USA
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The deal was, the 42 model year went into production at the normal starting time, around Aug-Sept. Though the USA wasn't officially involved in the war before the Pearl Harbor attack, a few companies were producing war items for England. After the attack at P.H. The USA got officially involved and most production facilities switched over to the war effort. Most 42 model year vehicles were the ones produced before the attack. Some automobile and truck production continued through out the war, but those would have been 4 door sedans and trucks deemed necessary for delivery of production supplies. Towards the end of the war, civilian light truck sales and production began on a limited basis for farm and business use. Full production of cars and trucks presumed as the war ended. As one would expect, demand was high because the old cars & trucks were pretty worn out, and a fresh batch of service men was returning with money to spend. Once production ramped up, most new vehicles were considered 46 models.
So, 41 was the last full year of auto production. 42 production was in full swing from Sept until December. Anything produced (and likely everything sitting in stock) after Dec 6 was likely military bound. Limited civilian sales occured from Dec 42 until early or mid 45 with full production kicking off at the war end as 46 models. The 46-48 models were shipped out as fast as they were produced with many companies changing the model year only because of the date the vehicle was produced. It was into the production year of the 48 models before updates other then very minor were to take place at most companies. By the 49 models, most were of new design.
Dates may be off a little one way or another, but this is generally the way it went down. Gene
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Re: '41 Dodge pickup upgrades...and questions.
[Re: poorboy]
#967220
04/09/11 08:34 AM
04/09/11 08:34 AM
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,511 AZ
Mike P
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,511
AZ
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Just thinking out loud but it's a wonder any car dealers survived to reopen after the war thru those years. I suppose the service departments were busy keeping the cars/trucks on the road.
I know the Chrysler/Plymouth dealer where I worked survived because it had multiple dealerships under one roof (John Deere tractors,New Holland equipment, seed corn, Maytag etc).
1957 Plymouth (Hemi, Dual Quads, A833 4 Speed 9 1/4 w 4.10) Sold 1937 Dodge Pickup (Hemi, 6X2 intake, 46RH, Dana 60 w 4.56) Sold 1968 Plymouth Valiant 2dr sedan (354 HEMI, 46RH w/4.30 gears)
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Re: '41 Dodge pickup upgrades...and questions.
[Re: Skid_Demon]
#967222
04/09/11 09:18 PM
04/09/11 09:18 PM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,445 N.Wilkesboro,NC
DusterKrazy
OP
master
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OP
master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,445
N.Wilkesboro,NC
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Quote:
My two cents. I have a 47 Dodge pickup. I removed the front steering and replaced with a Grand Fury k-frame. Power steering and power disc brakes. I installed a 360 with a 727. I got a rear end from a 64 Belvedere, 8.75 with I believe 2.91 gears. The 47 came with a 488 ratio. If you don't have hub caps on, it looks like the original I am using the original radiator, steering column and wheel. Went for my FIRST ride today. Blew a power steering hose, it wouldn't shift into high gear and it doesn't seem to be charging. But all in all, great day.
One of the 80s Gran Furies from the 80s right?
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