I looked at the Dodge Ram before I got in the Expedition. I like the performance of the 5.7 but didn't like much else. Not to mention a regular cab with the sport package was way too high in price.

I ended up in a Ford again.

This old Dodge is cool, but a Ford, from around the same time would be better.

I'll have to keep thinking about it.

 

I like the 50's GMC's and really like the 57 Chevrolet Apache.
I also really like 65 Cheyene and 72 C10.

40's-50's F series are pretty cool too. I really want to do a 32 Ford Roadster one day.
Something just like this...


Dodge has never been one I've drolled over, dont know much about them but I'd find it hard to pass on a shell like that, that looks that good, if I had the money at all. It'd be a great learning experince for me.

 

I have seen several of the Dodges as street machines and they are awesome. One reason is they are so unique. Doing a project like that is very rewarding, Look in my gallery for pics of my 54 Ford. I say do it!

 

They might look like a fun little project but they are EXPENSIVE. I am currently resto-modding a 1950 dodge coronet and I amputing a small block into it. The big block will not fit with the original inner fenderwells. On my car; which is very simiar to your truck size wise, you can only put a big block 426, 440 if you convert to a rack and pinion steering/mustang II front end. From my perspective the big block look shoe-horned in the engine compartment anyway. Simply they just do not look right which is why I am putting in a 318. You can get tremendous power out a 340/360 also so don't focus to much on cubic inches. Dodge 318 are very, very reliabel motor and has a time proven design also.

Also something to think about is the electrical system. My car up until 1956 used a 6 volt positive ground set up. In order to do an engine swap you have to rewire the entire car; and if you want to use the original guages you have to rewire or run voltage reducers. The same goes for the turnsignals headlights, etc. Overall these cars are incrediable easy to work on; just amke sure that you invest in a case of penetrating oil.

Here are a couple of parts websites in which I find useful for my car and Im sure they have parts for your truck also.
A old dodge forum VERY VALUABLE INFO
http://www430.pair.com/p15d24/mopar_forum/index.php

Andy bernahm parts
http://www.oldmoparts.com/NAVIG.htm

Another parts Site
http://www.collectorsautosupply.com/


A good place to source driveline components for poor bastards like myself
http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/....php?Cat=0&C=3

How I helped you make a informed decison on purchasing a 56 year old vehicle. My personal opinion is to purchase the vehicle because the learing experience that you gain from restoring the truck will very benefitial later on in life. Also because restoring vehicles is a great hobby and its not doing the same repetative job over and over; its soemting new eevryday with these cars.

 

Thanks for the responses.

bluejay432000, your truck looks great! I think I like the Ford better, but when I look at your truck, then the Dodge, I can see what it could be.

jonnysteals, that's some good info. I have a few friends that are in the process of restoring cars.

Like I said earlier, one friend just did a complete restoration of a '69 Camaro. He had the money to do the whole thing in a year. Another friend is doing a mid '60s Chevelle. His dad is doing a '30s Caddy. My girls brother has a '69 GTO Judge, all original and a '65 GTO to restore. My girls dad recently bought a '61Brockway. He had a long truck driving career and he wanted something to do with his time, being a retired guy. It needs a few things here and there. He does the shows with it.

I see how hard it is to keep up with this kind of project. I know that money will be an issue, as well as time. I have a lot to consider. In the mean time it's fun to try to figure out what vehicle would be a good start. I know that I want to do something. I think it should ba a truck. This Dodge is "all there", which is why I'm giving it consideration. The price is ok too, I believe. They're asking 2K OBO.

It might not be this truck. One day I will see one that I can't resist. I can't help but see potential in this one though.

 

There's something up here for sale that you might be interested in... A 1968(?)ish Chevy 1/2 ton for $800...

 

It'd have to be pretty good conditin, I'm pretty strict on the years I like. Almost OC on them. You can ussually make many surrounding years mimic that year but it's never a true __ year.

 

Although it does look pretty complete, there are always things that will need replaced. I would imagine it would be pretty hard to find parts for something like that.

Not exactley street rod material in my eyes. We all have our own visions though. Maybe with a a lot of shaving, a choped roof, and something done to the hood. Just stands to tall in the front to me.

Thats what I think since you asked