Vehicle Description
Vintage trucks are red hot, and with all the Chevys and Fords
running around, what's a Mopar fan to do? Well, you could grab this
great-looking, wild 1940 Dodge �-ton pickup that has a lot of
old-school dragster charm with thoroughly updated hardware
underneath. You probably won't see anything like this running
around and you can actually drive it to and from the track without
a second thought, making it a great hobby vehicle that's more than
just an untamed beast.
It's had a lot of custom work put into the recent build (finished
only 333 miles ago), but one of the coolest thing's about this
truck is that it's not as radical as many of its brothers. It's not
kicked in the air way up front, it doesn't have an unmanageable
drive train and window-shattering soundtrack, nor does it have a
wild paint job that makes your eyes squint. In fact, it's actually
quite subdued, well, for a Gasser-esque type build anyway. The
Matte Yellow paint is the biggest factor to this Dodge's somewhat
reserved looks, and it is actually just primer, so it's truly a
blank canvas for anyone. Just block sand it and paint it any color
you like, or you can leave it, because the look really works anyway
on the classic shape of this truck, which has been further
customized with flared fenders, a bed and rear fenders swapped in
from a '41 Ford that were purposely shaped and smoothed, an
auxiliary gas tank up front (installed just for nostalgia), and of
course the exposed intake stacks that jut out of the forward
tilting hood. The curving shape is familiar, simply because
everyone loves pickups of the '40s, and with the headlamps perched
high on the tops of the front fenders, tear drop taillights out
back, and that absolutely killer stance, this Dodge has a unique
look that'll stand out in a crowd. Running boards and bumpers were
also removed, as was all the brightwork and chrome on the truck
(sans the door handles), and the inside of the bed was fabricated
to handle the big wheel tubs and both the relocated gas tank and
battery.
Simple is good inside, where you get a dark red cloth bench seat,
plain doors, and a stock dash, which all take you back to the good
old days. However, updates are certainly found too, including a
wood-rimmed 3-spoke steering wheel, a set of seatbelts that came
with the later-model bench seat, and an array of aftermarket Auto
Meter gauges just ahead of the driver that keep a close eye on the
organized violence underneath the large hood ahead. There's also a
hood-mounted tachometer mounted cleverly ahead of the driver's
vantage point and a very trick B&M shifter for the built TH350
3-speed automatic transmission below. A bare floor reminds us this
is still a commercial vehicle and there is no radio, which is how
it came from the factory. Add in the same insulating adhesive on
the headliner that's found on the floor, original hardware on the
doors, and fresh weather-stripping throughout, it's surprisingly
comfortable for longer hauls.
And those very hauls we mention are considerably easier with the
recently built (only 333 miles on the clock) V8 stroker motor under
the hood. With 383 cubic inches, Holley 4-barrel carburetor,
performance intake, and an old-school set-up and non-nonsense look,
this truck runs and drives beautifully. A few chrome dress-up
pieces like the finned valve covers make it sparkle and the clean
and open-air look in the engine bay is a testament to the careful
build. Dig the ornamental stack atop the block, a big aluminum
radiator, and neatly organized wiring and plumbing throughout, all
of which make this Dodge really stand out in a crowd. The
heavy-duty transmission is the aforementioned TH350 automatic with
a manual shift kit and a 2500 stall convertor, and it drives the
rear end that swapped in from a 2002 Cadillac Escalade and features
3.42 gears inside. Four wheel disc brakes give this Mopar the
stopping power it absolutely needs, and the dual exhaust below is
loud, snarly, and angry, and it sings through a set of
Glasspack-style mufflers and exits just before the rear pumpkin
(the side exits under the front fenders are capped and therefore
aesthetic). The frame was painted and detailed very neatly, so it
can be shown-off with pride, and like mentioned before this Dodge
sits just right, not overly raked like most Gassers, but fairly
level so regular street driving is always on the menu. The classic
big-and-little look is a must, and this Dodge looks great with
bright alloy wheels wrapped in 165/80/15 Kumho radials up front and
31x16.5x15 rear Mickey Thompson's out back.
Very well built and ready to enjoy, this killer Dodge delivers
unlike any truck we've ever featured. Take a closer look, this
unique pickup won't last long. Call today!
