53 Dodge build

[molinerat]

First attempt at a build thread....gonna be a slow process and will be updated as I have time, so please bare with me. here are a few pics of what I started with......

 

[molinerat]

I then mounted the cab and front sheetmetal........

 

[molinerat]

I sold the slicks and skinny fronts, wasn't the look I was after.

 

[molinerat]

Then I made my own motor mounts so I could shift the motor forward to aid in the firewall clearance issue.......

 

[molinerat]

I then started on smoothing and recessing the firewall...... I am waiting on my headers before I finish the firewall recess

 

[skull]

LOW

don't those pilothouse's look great sittin' low

so what is the plan? motor/trans/rear-end/tires & wheels?

do you have a bed?

what frame?

l would leave the patina, l think it is looking nice, the stance is killer.

on mine when l sub-framed it for the firewall mods l used a wheel barrow and that gave me 9'' of room to move the motor back. my engine was moved down and back by using chevelle motor mounts instead of the nova/camaro ones. my engine set back is 8'' into the cab, but left plenty of foot room the way we did the modification.

really liking the build, please keep us posted.

Later

 

[skull]

moving mounts

make sure and check for radiator clearance, moving the engine forward may interfere with the mounting and front sheet metal, l ran into that and had to make new radiator mounts /bracket to clear the mechanical fan.

Later

 

[molinerat]

S10 frame, 327/350, stock s10 rear, don't know ratio, have a stock bed with the big fenders rather than the small round fenders

 

[molinerat]

Got trans crossmember in.....had to notch it out and box it in....it is the factory S10 crossmember

 

[molinerat]

Got my headers and been making a little progress on the firewall. I'm really happy with how its turning out[

 

[Neverdone]

I would love to find one of those style trucks and drop it on my buddies 91 cummins............ They look sweet slammed, and it would make a great tow rig!

 

[skull]

fire wall

hey, that hole in the firewall looks familiar for some reason[S

looks good,

Later

 

[molinerat]

Finally finished the firewall/trans tunnel

 

[Dirtyrat]

looking good!

 

[molinerat]

Got me some wheels...old school 5 stars...gonna paint the centers and leave the rim polished

 

[molinerat]

Got the wheels painted....now I need some wide whites...

 

[skull]

no

Got the wheels painted....now I need some wide whites...

no you don't, l seen some wide whites on this style truck and they look AWFUL

trust me, stick with the black walls

Later

 

[Blue Eyed Devil]

no you don't, l seen some wide whites on this style truck and they look AWFUL

trust me, stick with the black walls

Later

100% agreed! Whitewalls will suck on those wheels...

 

[Neverdone]

no you don't, l seen some wide whites on this style truck and they look AWFUL

trust me, stick with the black walls

Later

Yes black walls!!! Definitely!!!

 

[molinerat]

Got the master cylinder/brake booster and radiator mounted