wedged- 41 Dodge truck project

[tgvettes]

You showed me some small pics on your phone.

You should post some

Tonny

[wedged]

The upper control arm mounts on the D100 are done. This should hold up a lot better now. After talking with the owner today, I will be making some engine mounts so we can do away with the motor plate. The PS pump, alternator and AC compressor were hung from the plate so I'll have to make some new brackets for them.

[GregWeld]

That's not nearly enough weld bead on there.....

[wedged]

This is just mock up. Nothing is welded together yet.

[wedged]

[waynieZ]

Those are some really big boys now!

[wedged]

over the last few months there has been some MAJOR changes in the Dakota project, some of which should make it a little more pro-touring oriented by potentially increasing the handling ability. Please keep in mind that this is being done with a tight budget and it's not being done to look like a show piece.

Behold :
Back when I was about 14, I had 1946 Dodge truck that never was on the road. This is a 1941, which is nearly identical. I was thinking of starting from scratch with it, then figured out a better idea. In this picture the wheels are just standing in the wells, there is no suspension or engine in the truck.


stripped Dakota frame


1941 Dodge truck cab on the frame


engine shot before setback

[wedged]

Had to cut out most of the floor and build a new one. It's not finished yet, because I have not finished with mounting the engine & trans.



Originally I set the engine back about 14", but I am going to move it back forward about 4"-5" inches to gain back some room in the cab. The engine set back should help with handling.


Here's how it looks right now. The cab mounts have not been built yet, but the cab is tack welded in place so it can't get bumped out of place. The rear half of the frame will get cut off. I am planing on using 2"x3" or 2"x4" box tube for the back half. Due to the current budget, It will be leaf springs in the back for now.

[wedged]

The original long term plan called for twin turbos, mounted in the engine compartment. Partially because it would look good and partially because packaging of the cold piping from remote turbos would have been difficult on the Dakota. While working on the '41, I came to realize that the running boards and the space between the cab and frame would allow for the cold pipes to run up to the front without too much trouble. The engine compartment on the '41 would make it difficult to mount the turbos, unless they hung over the fenders or stacked above the intake, and I don't want to do that. I'm fairly certain I'm going to have lots of room for mounting the turbos just behind the cab, to the outside of the 24" wide rear frame section.


I'm thinking the truck doesn't really fit into any single category- rat rod, pro street, street rod, hot rod, pro touring, etc. So how is this pro-touring ? Here's my answer:

• big block with modern EFi)

• A/C

• P/S

• engine setback improving weight distribution

• big sticky tires on all 4 corners

• big 4 wheel disc brakes (Mustang Cobra)

• over drive auto trans (518 auto)

From the begining, I wanted to build something that would be very unique, would be fun to drive, could be driven a long distance if needed. Putting the '41 body onto the Dakota chassis takes it from being an interesting Dakota that many people might overlook to something that people can't help but notice.

One thing I forgot to mention- aside from patching holes & potential leaks in the body, the body and paint work is done.

[GregWeld]

I like it!

I think you're going to have started a whole new genre of build with this project... instead of "rat rod"... I now dub thee:

THE RAT HANDLER