Quick update, sorry no pics:
Well, dad's wanting to keep this thing as original as possible but would like to exceed 50 MPH and be able to stop. We had trouble finding disc conversions for a 3/4 ton front end so we went on the hunt for a 1/2 ton.
We found one not too far from him. Halfway between Cville and Amanda. We went, and my brother, myself, and dad, using a log chain, pulled it out of the mud. The front end there, was at least, buried axle deep and intertwined with weeds. It was rough. Guy asked $300 and after some talking came down to $250. nothanks.jpg
Dad happened upon a small "car show" down there (Cville) and talked to a guy who knew a guy. Long story somewhat short, we went out last Sunday and looked at a 1948 rolling chassis. The guy bought a complete truck, pulled the body and bed and such, and dropped it on an '89 Dakota chassis I believe he said. He is 76. Wants an old truck but doesn't want beaten to death.
Anyway, dad wanted just the front end, so he asked if the guy would sell it sperately. I intervened.
"How much for the entire chassis?" After all, it had more parts we'd looked for. Simple things like a horn and such.
The dude was like, "$200 and I'll help you load it."
Needless to say, dad is getting it, and I'm buying everything but the front end to start a rat rod style project I've always wanted to do...for $100. That's frame, functional drive train, everything except a body.
Super stoked.
We've been busy but I'll update and add pics when we get his fired up and make more progress.