1949 Dodge B1-D 1 ton "Rat Rod"

[Darkrider]

Hope this is the right area to put this thread...Anyways I bought this truck back in April from a riding buddy of mine with the intent to build it into a Rat Rod flatbed motorcycle hauler.

Specs:

1949 Dodge B1-D116 "Express" 1 ton Dually

228 Cid Flat head Inline 6
4 speed manual transmission
7.50-16 Tires
Pto driven Hydraulic hoist from when it was a grain truck
straight piped off of the exhaust manifold currently

Mods done to truck so far by previous owner

Accel 8mm spark plug wires
Accel 12 volt coil

Mods done to truck by me in the time i have had it

Ignition kill switch to replace the hot wire set up the PO installed to get it running.

Mods soon to be added

MSD Streetfire CDI ignition
GM 3 wire Alternator or Mopar Alternator
Wood flatbed
235/85R16 tires
200 amp Master disconnect switch
Aux oil pressure gauge
Liquid filled fuel pressure gauge mounted directly to carb
Eventually a complete rewire of entire truck to replace aged wires with marine grade 12 ga wiring and adding relays to headlights
Signal Stat turn signal control
Locking door handles from Vintage power wagons


Enough chatter here are some pics of the old girl...

[Weldangrind]

I'm really gonna enjoy this project! Does it have a two-speed rear end?

May we see a close-up of the frame rails and square tube that the deck will sit on?

[Darkrider]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

I'm really gonna enjoy this project! Does it have a two-speed rear end?

May we see a close-up of the frame rails and square tube that the deck will sit on?

Single speed rear diff and i can def get some pics of those areas when i have some free time later this week. Anything else you would like to see?

[Weldangrind]

Yes, everything else! I'd love to see inside the cab, under the hood; whatever is convenient for you.

What are your plans for the body?

[cheesy]

My Dad had a 48 half ton. A fun truck.

[cheesy]

I'll add that the GM alternator mod is well worth it and fairly easy to do.

[Weldangrind]

Agreed. So nice to have a reliable 12v supply that is internally regulated. They're also cheap and plentiful.

[Darkrider]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

Yes, everything else! I'd love to see inside the cab, under the hood; whatever is convenient for you.

What are your plans for the body?

Whoops sorry ment to get back to posting on this but life kinda took a sharp turn on me for a bit lol...I will try to take more pics this weekend for ya. As for plans for the body....well its staying much the same as it is now other then getting a wooden flat deck and a semi style rear taillight panel/license plate panel.

Originally Posted by cheesy

My Dad had a 48 half ton. A fun truck.

When it runs this thing is a blast to drive

Originally Posted by cheesy

I'll add that the GM alternator mod is well worth it and fairly easy to do.

Definetly on the to do list. But for this summer i am going to keep it 6 volt..having some issues with the halfass 12 volt conversion that was done...

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

Agreed. So nice to have a reliable 12v supply that is internally regulated. They're also cheap and plentiful.

Agreed...but as said im keeping it 6 volt for this year and gathering the parts to do the conversion properly...including rewiring the entire truck with marine grade wire and adding relays along with a fuse box as well as most likely using Weatherpak connectors to make the harnesses modular and easier to repair later on. On the 9th i am getting some custom made battery/ground cables made from 2/0 Welding cable. This will be the start of the wiring upgrades.

[cheesy]

+1 on the Weatherpaks.

I'm not that familiar with the Dodge electrical system(that should change this month)but when I upgraded my F2, I needed to have a 6v regulator in series with the fuel, temp, and oil pressure gauges. Pretty simple thing to throw together. If all those are mechanical, like my 52 Chevy 3100, then it's not an issue.

[Weldangrind]

I hadn't considered the needs of the gauges. That said, new gauges might be a consideration as well, and they'd readily work with the 12v upgrade.

Weatherpak is a good choice.

Darkrider, when you install relays, do you intend to relay the headlights as well?

[Darkrider]

Originally Posted by cheesy

+1 on the Weatherpaks.

I'm not that familiar with the Dodge electrical system(that should change this month)but when I upgraded my F2, I needed to have a 6v regulator in series with the fuel, temp, and oil pressure gauges. Pretty simple thing to throw together. If all those are mechanical, like my 52 Chevy 3100, then it's not an issue.

It looks like it has a mechanical regulator which of course will be scrapped when i go 12V either via a GM alt or a Mopar Alt

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

I hadn't considered the needs of the gauges. That said, new gauges might be a consideration as well, and they'd readily work with the 12v upgrade.

Weatherpak is a good choice.

Darkrider, when you install relays, do you intend to relay the headlights as well?

The only gauge that really needs to be played with in the 12v is the fuel gauge. Water temp and oil pressure are mechainical. I do plan on adding a volt gauge to suplement the amp one if not full out disable the amp one and add the voltage gauge in the dash along with a small diameter tach.

And yes the headlight circuit is the one im mostly concerned about with adding relays.

[Weldangrind]

I'd lose the amp gauge. IMHO, they're a fire waiting for an opportunity.

[Darkrider]

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

I'd lose the amp gauge. IMHO, they're a fire waiting for an opportunity.

Im keeping it in service while the truck is still 6 volt mainly because it is part of the charging system but most likely replacing it with a Voltage gauge when i do the 12 v conversion.

[AZRider]

I've not done this kind of a restoration, but it looks challenging and satisfying at the same time. Although you have mechanical gauges, are they not backlit and need either 6v or 12v power?

[Darkrider]

Originally Posted by AZRider

I've not done this kind of a restoration, but it looks challenging and satisfying at the same time. Although you have mechanical gauges, are they not backlit and need either 6v or 12v power?

This truck def has its moments that get me thinking what did i get myself into...but yea the gauges are backlit and currently use 6v bulbs.