Recently we introduced to you my new project, a 1950 Dodge “Pilot-House” Truck. After I did some digging, I found that there wasn’t going to be an easy way to remove the original bolts holding the front end, cab, and bed on the truck. Luckily I had a number of cutting tools at my disposal and we didn’t waste any time, and got the cutting started on the ol’ Dodge!
The first order of business was to get the old wood floor ripped out of the bed. It was all rotted quite badly, and I found layer after layer of wood patches. This was truly used as a workhorse, and old Whitey had just thrown plywood in each time the bed floor started to rot out. Ultimately this lead to moisture getting trapped between the bed braces as well as the bedsides, and the rot set in. You can see below the braces didn’t fare too well.
At this point, I called in the big guns, the Eastwood Versa-Cut Plasma Cutter, and this new affordable 4 1/2″ Angle Grinder we now carry, to cut the original bolts holding the bed onto the frame. I was surprised that it all went pretty smoothly, and the bed came off all in one piece!
Next is the front clip, and then the cab. In the meantime I’m on the hunt for a suitable chassis donor on Craigslist. Hoping I can score a deal in the coming weeks! Watch this space for more to come.
awsome work…want more
It all depends what you`ll use truck for.If a shop truck.Farly thick steel.If the beds only going to be used sometime wood
I would definitely go with Wood for the bed floor.
What type of chassis are you looking for? Original, donor from another vehicle or aftermarket?
Wood for show. Metal if you plan to actually use the truck. Did you say I get a complimentary versa cut plasma cutter for this post! Yea!
Go with wood. It will definitely look better.
Before 1945 the beds were mostly wood due to mtl. shortages after 1945 they used a steel floor. That is what I have in my 46 Dodge,and it makes foe a better floor in a “shop truck”. Nice job!