1939 dodge gets a 12v

[sonoran591]

Heres a build ive always wanted to do but finally have had the means to do it.
1939 dodge truck with 12v modern suspension, brakes, stronger frame ifs etc.
after searching for a while i found a 1941 1.5 ton fire truck that has been sitting in the desert for almost 50 yrs.
The old fire truck bed and running boards had been taken a while ago.
The plan is to drop the old cab and front clip onto a modern frame.
so after some more searching I found a 1996 2wd single cab 5speed cummins. after some work and a guy needing cash right then and there I stole it for 1400

 

[sonoran591]

finding original dodge parts out here in az sucks every one back east wants our rust free goodies. but I managed to find a 1939 front clip from a half ton truck. for anyone that cares the 39 was a one year only fender hood design with an actual ram hood ornament and headlights close to the grill not up on the ridge of the fenders like the rest of the 40-47 dodges. Heres what the 39 front clip looks like up against the old fire truck cab. also a pic of what the truck looked like back in the day.

 

[jkretzer]

very cool, keep the pics coming. i found a 1951 chevy 5 window right down the road that i would love to drop a 6b in. truck is complete, very little rust and ran before the single barrel carb was removed and sold. he is only asking 1200,

 

[SHughes]

Very nice man...I love it!! Keep us posted.

Epically post by a dumb phone.

 

[Knoberman]

I agree with those two ^^^

 

[sonoran591]

Ill keep the pictures and updates coming. its going to be a slower start to the project I have to dismantle the 96 and sell off all the junk I dont need. plus here in phoenix its still 110 so working in the shop sucks! I should be test fitting the body by next month id imagine.
pardon my newbieism how to I make my pictures full size where you guys wont have to click on them to open?

 

[joefarmer]

Looks like a fun build! The 96 frame will be fairly wide for that body. Some days I wish I would have used a dakota frame instead of my 94 frame on my '49 conversion.

 

[Sethry'sCummins]

Great idea:rockwoot:, and I can not wait to see everything you do.

 

[sonoran591]

the frame is wide but according to my measurements will fit. the engine will have to be moved back about 5 inches. the track width is where ill be wide the 96 is 6 inches wider than 39. im thinking running a dually rim will suck the tire in if not ill have to widen the fenders a tad.

The tires on the 96 are shot along with being the wrong size. whats the best all around tire size or factory size for these 2wd 5speed trucks? this truck wont be used as a hauler and we get just about 0.0000000 inches of snow out here in sunny phx. I think the factory size is 235/85/16s but not sure I figured id ask the experts.

 

[SHughes]

A local guy widened his 53 Chevy to fit over his 99 Ford chassis and 7.3L.

Epically post by a dumb phone.

 

[wranglermandlt]

that dodge is awesome