48 DODGE Pilot House Rat

[I-R-POPS]

Located S/N and ID'd as 1948 B-1-D 1 Ton.
Thanks to Wendel for site info.

Got started with demo and Cab isn't too bad.
Back of cab down low and floor will need some sheet[hope spelling is right].

So it all begins.
Here are a few pics.

POPS[cl[cl

 

[skull]

now we need plans

allright, what's the running gear, frame, etc[P

OH .....lots pics please.

Later

 

[I-R-POPS]

48 Dodge

Still in the hunting-gathering frame of mind.

All I know for sure is I want to build an open wheel, chopped,
home built bed with airbagged rear something or other.

I plan on building my frame
Chopping the cab 2" and aligning windshield height with doors
Dehumping [is that a word?] the doors
Building a bed

350 Chevy engine/350 trans
Front I-beam axle W/ wishbones
front disc brakes
Four link rear set up

The more I look at this cab it just looks way wide. I may have
to narrow it up some to suit me.

Any thought or suggestion would be greatly appreciated.
We're having fun now!!!!

Thanks,
POPS

 

[Shea Laking]

All good ideas as to your body mods.

I think I'd try the "dehumping" operation on the doors first. That way, if the cab still looks too wide, then you can narrow and chop at the same time-why do the job twice?

Like the idea of cutting down the windshield opening... they look kinda "airplaney" to me...

Regards,
Shea

 

[skull]

fenders

those style cabs look awful with no fenders, the firewall, doors, cowl area, body /cab is too wide and the top, even chopped, all contribute to a crummy look with no front fenders.

if ya build a fenderless rod, a 30's to early 40's cab works much better.

Later

 

[I-R-POPS]

Like I said before it does look too wide but I figure I've only got $100.00 in this cab and I'm going to see what it looks like on the frame when I get thru massaging it with hammer,grinder, torch and welder.

Changing cabs is easy if I don't like the end results of said massaging.
What' s three or four days when you are living the good life and having
So much fun?

That's the beauty of working with metal if you don't like it, change it!
The only limits to this project is imagination, vision, ability, time, money
and determination, etc.

I better shut up , I'm scaring myself cause I may be too old for all that!

Thanks,
POPS

 

[skull]

opinion

just metal, it can be changed a lot of ways, please keep us updated, curious how it will turn out.[

Later

 

[wendle]

Flatten the doors out and clean/straighten/taper/shave the sides of the cowl and it should look as smooth as any other cab.
Like you said, it's just metal.

 

[I-R-POPS]

progress

My help showed up and we preped the cab for first stage of the
chop. They like the no top look!

I took out 2" but I think I'll go 1 more inch in the back then drop
the front.

Then the dehumping and cowl mod.

Onward,
[S POPS [S

 

[I-R-POPS]

after chop

more pics

 

[skull]

headroom

that is the nice thing about those cabs, even chopped they still have ton of headroom.

lookin' good so far.

l see you chopped it just below the back windows, that is a great chioce, that's the same way l was thinking on chopping mine before l changed my mind and left it stock.

keep hackin' and [

Later

 

[Treetop]

If you find a need for partslet me know. I have alot of the small parts. I have been working on thes trucks and collecting parts for over 25 years.

 

[I-R-POPS]

Hey Treetop,

I need a pass side door and a hood if you have one.
The cab is all I'm using that will actually be dodge.

Thanks,
POPS

 

[4x4junkie]

Curious how this will all play out! i'm watching this one. [P

Treetop you wouldn't happen to have a set of emblems for a '53 that you'd part with would you?

Not trying to derail just looking to gather parts for my own project.

 

[I-R-POPS]

Dehumping door

Finally got some time to work on this unsightly blemish.
Turned out pretty good just need to weld it up tomorrow
and then do the suicide thing. Still need to finish the top
of the window.

Has any one just capped the top of the door and left the
top of the window off? Just a thought.

I ended up taking 4-1/2" out of the front and 3-1/2" out
of the back on the top chop and will section the height of
the cab 6". A lot of work but it is looking better to me.

Considering a viser to help the front appearance.
Any thoughts?

Here's some pics.

[S POPS [

 

[imapeopleperson]

Thats gonna T-ruck when it's finished.

 

[I-R-POPS]

progress

I got the motor, trans., and rear end cleaned up.
Frame is 75% done, working on gussets.
Mocked up and this is the direction I'm heading.
Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated and welcome.
This flying by the seat of your pants is sometimes painful.

[S POPS [

 

[Dirtyrat]

I'm having a tough time with proportions here, are the pics skewed or something?

 

[I-R-POPS]

pic fix?

Thanks for the heads up on pics Dirty rat.
Maybe this is better.

[S POPS [

 

[Dirtyrat]

Now we are cookin, looks good, I like the windows on the rear of the cab, looking good proportionally