1957 Dodge Power Wagon , 4-Linked on Bags, Cummins

I ordered the bags today from Fleetpride, they will be here next week.

As with any project there are always small issues to deal with. PW window frames are notorious for rusting to nothing, oddly enough the bottom of mine is mint but the top is gone. So I spent the night figuring out how to easily make one by hand, and this is it. I'll take a 1/2"x.0625" square tube, knock one side off, then cap it with a piece of 1-1/2"x.0625" flat. The frame will split in the center allowing the glass to slid in, then there will be a covering rib in the center. I'll put a U shaped weatherstrip on the outside of the frame so as not to rub against the actual cab.

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I finished the interior section of the windshield frame. I will cap it with a .125x1-1/4 flatbar that follows the profile. Frame will split in two to allow installation of the glass.

Also bought a real nice Dana 70 as the D80 I had was from a dually, and the backing plates did not give me enough space to fit both the links and the bags, which are 9" wide when fully compressed.

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My design would allow it but I'm not really a fan. I always have the cowl vent.
 
Great project and great work! My Dad has a 47 1.5ton we'll start on once we get a title for it. Your rear suspension brackets look great too!
 
DieselWrencher said:
Great project and great work! My Dad has a 47 1.5ton we'll start on once we get a title for it. Your rear suspension brackets look great too!
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Thanks. I designed them and a member on here cut them on his table for me. Dan aka rdix7991.
 
I started in on the front radius arms as I can't for the life of me decide how I want to build the rear track bar, gooseneck, and shock mounts. They all need to correlate together and without all 3 set in stone I don't want to cut any steel for them yet.

So anyways front radius arms are the same size tubing as the rear links, 2x.250 DOM. I put a 11ish degree bend in each arm with a simple die in my little 20 ton China press... Another thing I need to add to the list of "replace with bigger and better device."

The front axle brackets were bought online from some company. They are 1/4" P&O and integrate the link mounts and coilover shock mount all into one jigged assembly. Some time soon I will pony up and order a set of King 2.5s.

Wunder could you remove the word dually from the title at your convenience? I'm going SRW. 38x15.5R20s. Another thing I need to order....

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Looking great! How are you rolling/forming that small square tubing to the windshield contour?
 
ENafziger said:
Looking great! How are you rolling/forming that small square tubing to the windshield contour?
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I made a template that fit the exact opening of the windshield out of plywood, offset the border by 1/2", and cut it out. Screwed to a table and handformed most of it, then a little tweaking here and there.

Funny thing is I spent about 4 hours on both sides, then the next day I was at the glass shop and the lead tech told me he could do it all with glass and a rubber seal for under $200. :bow: So we are doing that route now.

Today I ordered the wheels and tires. 38x13.50R20 Toyo M/Ts on 20x10 Fuel Hostages. Going to be a long 10 days.
 
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Meyers Farms said:
He is one.

Awesome project and some very nice welds! I'm ready to see the wheels and tires sitting under it:rockwoot:
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Thanks. Practice really helps, still have a ton to do on this truck. Going to get a Miller 252 here pretty soon, I've maxed out my 180. These are the radius arm brackets.

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I stopped at my buddies welding shop the other day to get some metal and noticed he had a Miller 252 sitting there ( I just bought one 3 months ago which is still in the wrapping). All excited to say I bought one and asked him if he liked his? "That thing is the biggest piece of **** I've ever welded with, you couldn't give me another one", shocked I asked why and he said it just doesn't weld, very inconsistent. I noticed he had a new looking Miller 185 sitting there and asked about it, just picked that one up used (13 years old and looked brand new). His old 185 he said has been the best welder he's ever used and has put over a 100 rolls of wire through it. Told me if you ever see a 185 to just buy it, no matter the price. I also asked about the new Lincoln's, he said they're junk too, "they just don't make a good welder anymore". Maybe just the one he got but that's from 35 years of welding. So I left feeling a little dumb about my purchase especially after all the reading I did to buy the right one. Guess I should have went to a few more fab shops for more experienced advice. I'm still going to give it hell. Let us know what you end up with.
 
That's the first I've heard bad about them beside the normal "blue sucks I bleed red" BS. I am not dead set on the 252, but the 180 has treated me pretty good and all I need is the higher ratings of the 252. Still on the hunt for a nice dedicated mig/tig machine but they all seem to be north of $3k.


The mill I bought last night was dropped off today. I don't feel bad about spending money on tools that will improve the garages' capabilities.
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not sure how heavy you want to weld with the tig but I bought an eastwood tig. does pretty well for what I need.
 
Would have loved to seen it as a dually but either way its an awesome build.
 
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