L truck build


The place to put your L, R and S "Build Off" story.

Golden Jubilee
Golden Jubilee

Posts: 601

Joined: Fri Nov 30, 2012 7:50 pm

Location: New Bern, NC

Post Wed May 06, 2020 5:28 pm

L truck build

Ya'll are gonna be tired of all my new project threads.... So I sold the dump truck and I still have the extra cab and doghouse I'd bought for it. Decided after what I spent on it and the long road trip to Kansas, I need to use it. Last week I bought a 1994 Dodge Dakota with 3.9 v6. I've already started the tear down. The sheet metal will go on the dakota frame. I've got everything to swap the wimpy auto trans with an NV3500. I'm looking at gauges to fit the stock holes but work with the modern running gear. Also adapting a chunk of original column to be inside the cab with original wheel, but the dakota power steering under the hood. The original seat will be re-upholstered and the patina of the truck will be left as-is, bullet holes and all. For some odd reason, I am super motivated on this. I'll post pics as soon as I can resize them. You can also follow it on international chop shop.
Matt H.
My toys:
1951 International
1972 Buick Centurion
1957 Buick Special
1939 Buick Special
1978 Cadillac Superior Hearse

Golden Jubilee
Golden Jubilee

Posts: 376

Joined: Tue Mar 10, 2015 3:13 pm

Post Wed May 06, 2020 10:12 pm

Re: L truck build

Looking forward to seeing your progress. Sounds cool!

Golden Jubilee
Golden Jubilee

Posts: 601

Joined: Fri Nov 30, 2012 7:50 pm

Location: New Bern, NC

Post Thu May 07, 2020 6:47 pm

Re: L truck build

Here is the IH body:
20190629_103628_copy_1024x576.jpg

20190630_202555_copy_576x1024.jpg
Matt H.
My toys:
1951 International
1972 Buick Centurion
1957 Buick Special
1939 Buick Special
1978 Cadillac Superior Hearse

Golden Jubilee
Golden Jubilee

Posts: 601

Joined: Fri Nov 30, 2012 7:50 pm

Location: New Bern, NC

Post Thu May 07, 2020 6:49 pm

Re: L truck build

Here is the frame/running gear:
20200507_172328_copy_864x1152.jpg

20200503_123313_HDR_copy_864x1152.jpg

20200503_165953_copy_864x1152.jpg

20200503_154437_copy_1152x864.jpg
Matt H.
My toys:
1951 International
1972 Buick Centurion
1957 Buick Special
1939 Buick Special
1978 Cadillac Superior Hearse
User avatar

Golden Jubilee
Golden Jubilee

Posts: 1887

Joined: Thu Nov 29, 2012 10:40 am

Location: Wichita, Kansas

Post Fri May 08, 2020 8:30 am

Re: L truck build

Looks interesting! I'll be watching.

Dean
Lifelong Kansan
Grew up with red paint
Moved off the farm 33 years ago.

Golden Jubilee
Golden Jubilee

Posts: 866

Joined: Wed Sep 05, 2018 1:50 pm

Location: Northern New Mexico

Post Fri May 08, 2020 10:48 am

Re: L truck build

While I have heard of this swap being done I never seen it. I will be interested in seeing just what it takes to mate an IH L body to a Dakota frame. Be sure to include lots of pictures of that process.
56 S120 4x4,

Golden Jubilee
Golden Jubilee

Posts: 601

Joined: Fri Nov 30, 2012 7:50 pm

Location: New Bern, NC

Post Mon May 11, 2020 6:55 pm

Re: L truck build

20200510_170627_copy_864x1152.jpg
Finished stripping the dakota this weekend.
Matt H.
My toys:
1951 International
1972 Buick Centurion
1957 Buick Special
1939 Buick Special
1978 Cadillac Superior Hearse

Golden Jubilee
Golden Jubilee

Posts: 376

Joined: Tue Mar 10, 2015 3:13 pm

Post Mon May 11, 2020 7:18 pm

Re: L truck build

Wow! You're making good progress!

Golden Jubilee
Golden Jubilee

Posts: 601

Joined: Fri Nov 30, 2012 7:50 pm

Location: New Bern, NC

Post Mon May 18, 2020 6:47 pm

Re: L truck build

20200518_164711_copy_864x1152.jpg
Not much progress lately. Been working on French drain around then house and my Roadmaster is having some overheating. I did force myself to do something so I started cleaning the frame and pulled the cab out of the field up to the shop.
Matt H.
My toys:
1951 International
1972 Buick Centurion
1957 Buick Special
1939 Buick Special
1978 Cadillac Superior Hearse

Golden Jubilee
Golden Jubilee

Posts: 601

Joined: Fri Nov 30, 2012 7:50 pm

Location: New Bern, NC

Post Wed May 27, 2020 5:27 am

Re: L truck build

Moved the cab onto the frame so I can start figuring out mounts. Got tired so I putzed around with the steering. Got an 86 olds tilt column but wanted a cool old wheel. Cut and swapped the center of the wheel with a 55 buick wheel. The horn ring isn't attached yet, gotta figure out how I'm going to hook up the contact.
20200526_134845_HDR_copy_540x720.jpg

20200526_142214_copy_864x1152.jpg

20200526_161552_copy_864x1152.jpg
Matt H.
My toys:
1951 International
1972 Buick Centurion
1957 Buick Special
1939 Buick Special
1978 Cadillac Superior Hearse
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