This is a 1951 Dodge Pilothouse pickup truck.The "Pilothouse" name comes from the industry’s first pickup cab with corner cab glass resulting in much improved visibility and a higher, more spacious cab. Chevy and Ford trucks are commonplace at car shows, they’re hot rodded, restored original and look better than they ever did on the showroom floor however it is rare indeed to see a Dodge Pilothouse truck at any of these venues.
We purchased this truck over three years ago from a gentleman in Fort Collins, CO.Our first look revealed it was going to take a lot of work to get it road worthy.Again unlike Chevy and Ford trucks of this era, there are virtually no reproduction parts available.We had to search far and wide to get parts. As an example, the pickup bed sheet metal and tailgate came from Illinois, the original bench seat was sourced from Oregon, and the rear fenders came from Wisconsin etc. I had to fabricate some necessary parts that are just not available today.
I decided to keep the truck as original as possible since it still has the correct flathead six cylinder engine, 4 speed non synchro transmission with granny gear and original rear end.It also has a unique split exhaust manifold that was normally not an option for a ½ ton truck.The split manifold allows for the installation of true duel exhaust which really sounds good on the old flathead six.
Work List:
1.Replaced fuel tank sending unit
2.Installed speedometer cable
3.Refurbished heater
4.Installed Heater switch
5.Replaced broken glass (windshield, doors, rear window, rear quarter windows)
6.Replaced weather stripping windows/doors/hood
7.Sourced Dodge pickup bed and tailgate (Illinois)
8.Installed rear tail lights
9.Installed front turn signal lights
10.Installed turn signal
re Replaced front/rear wheel cylinders
15.Replaced rear brake lines and “T” block
16.Sourced replacement bench seat (Oregon)
17.Sourced rear fenders (Minnesota)
Sourced dog dish hubcaps (Wisconsin)
22.Replaced bed wood
23.Replaced shocks
25.Replaced temp sending unit
26.Rebuild Carter BB carburetor
29.Fabricated wiring harness
31.Fabricated replacement floor pans
32.Fabricated battery tray
33.Fabricated battery hold down
34.Fixed Horn Button
39.Fabricated choke cable
40.Fabricated Door Stops
41.Replaced Exhaust Gasket
43.Replaced Manifold Intake Gasket
44.Replaced Manifold Exhaust Gasket
45.Replaced Head Gasket
46.Reconditioned Head
47.Fabricated floor covering
48.Installed shifter boot/trim plate
49.Replaced Headlight
50.Sourced lower bed side panels (Oregon)
51.Installed Starter Rubber Button
52.Installed Brake/Clutch Boot
53.Installed E-Brake Boot
54.Fabricated glove box
Fabricated door panels
56.Fabricated headliner
57.Paint
1.