What should I do with my Dodge?

[hammondo]

I can't decide:

Its a 1924 dodge tourer, with a reasonable engine and mechanicals, body fairly trashed and will need to be almost completely remade.

proper vintage resto or hot rod????

As a vintage the dodge isn't that great, they're hard to drive as they only have rear wheel drums so are a bit dangerous in modern traffic, Also these dodges are actually really common so its not like its a big waste to not restore it. A really good restored one is only worth about $15,000 or so.

As a rod would prob just go simple, put under my spare HR front which isn't going into my FB, get a 253 with trimatic or something else cheap, leaf spring rear with 10 bolt.

let me know your thoughts because I have to decide wether to sell the old timber wheels to this bloke who's buggin me for them.

I need the wisdom of those who appreciate retro style AND cruising

Thanks
Greg

[Devilrod]

Hot rod it!!! But I'm bias

I wouldn't use the HR front end though save it for an old holden. Maybe go L300 or jag (look at both front and rear ends off one, easily picked up to strip out).

[Harko]

wow

[hammondo]

Hot rod it!!! But I'm bias

I wouldn't use the HR front end though save it for an old holden. Maybe go L300 or jag (look at both front and rear ends off one, easily picked up to strip out).

but I don't have a jag front or rear

are the HR fronts rare????

mine came free with my free FB!

Greg

ps, also I could never have a mitsubishi component on anything I plan to drive or associate myself with!

[Smooth customs]

Some simple questions

How much do you think you will spend to build it

How much are you willing to spend, you used the word "cheap"

How long do you think it will take

Do you have the patience and some of the skills to take this project on

Is it what you really want to do.

[hammondo]

Some simple questions

How much do you think you will spend to build it

How much are you willing to spend, you used the word "cheap"

How long do you think it will take

Do you have the patience and some of the skills to take this project on

Is it what you really want to do.

please keep in mind I don't even pretend to do good quality work that compares with the pro's

but to answer your questions, the vintage resto will cost me probably a couple of grand for parts and a zillion hours of my time as the car is mostly complete and the missing body parts I should be able to turn up eventually.

I have watched my uncle restore a 1921 dodge over the last 20 years and he can help me with the resto, particularly the motor which is a little different from other stuff I have worked on before.

There is no hurry on my projects, I've had this dodge for 15+ years.

The hot rod route would be more 'new' to me as I like 'original' things. And I'm sure there is a lot to learn that I do not know. I have mates with experience who have convinced me its all acheivable even for me. I would expect the process to cost a fair bit more but then there a parts I can sell like the wheels which are worth some money. also I would expect it to take 2 zillion hours.

The thing that puts me off the hot rod idea is dealing with all the engineering approvals and and rego difficulties later. However apparently the Dodge chassis is stronger than most of this age.

Some of the things I build are just for fun and never even get registered, I was going to make the dodge a farm truck until I had this HR front start me thinking!

Patience yes I have it, Skills - some, not all, I can weld ok but would be lacking in certain areas. I can paint good enough for me, and do body repairs and engine work, I have done axle swaps and suspension work before, I've also done V8's into landcruisers and projects like that. Could never pull off what you would probably consider a good result, but thats ok for me.

Thanks
Greg

[Smooth customs]

I have people ask me about building Hot Rods or Customs every week

And after 30 years I have to ask the basic questions
And present them with the reality of what they are thinking about entering into.

Not everyone can or will see it through to the finish and almost 100% under budget the cost and time it could/and possibly will take.

Some days/weeks / months you will question yourself why you started it at all, but if you keep at it the end result will be worth the effort and frustrations

You have more that enough basic knowledge and skills to take this project on.
And everyone has to start somewhere.
We all have.

The more you do the more you learn, sometimes from stuffing it up.
And the level of finish is up to you.

As long as you are happy with it and it passes what ever inspections are required for registration, you can not ask for more.

[Devilrod]

but I don't have a jag front or rear

Whole jags can be had as cheap donor cars...

are the HR fronts rare????

Not rare but diminishing in supply.

If you are serious about rodding it, you do have more than enough skill to do so.

Have a look here:
http://www.ozrodders.com/board/index.php

You'll need to sign up to see everything, but there is some out of the norm builds being done on the cheap. Also a wealth of knowledge.
My Dad's mate built a 20'ish dodge based on a courier chassis for under $5000 on the road. Anything is possible.

[hammondo]

Thanks devilrod, yeah I have been on the ozrodders site forum a bit as well. Theres some great stuff going on there.

Greg

[hammondo]

someone could always swap me for a torana front end!!!!!

[oldnek]

I can't decide:



Thanks
Greg

Greg< Can't decide! Give it to me

John

[hammondo]

I can't decide:



Thanks
Greg

Greg< Can't decide! Give it to me

John

The problem is I want to do two things, therefor I need another Dodge, not one less

But thanks for the offer

Greg