wanting some ideas for my 41
 

I've been a lurker here for a while now and am thinking of plans for my 41 cmp. It's too nice to part out, too rough to restore with my patience and a.d.d. I am a steel fabricator and have the ability to build just about anything, and I do.

I've been toying with the idea of putting a bt4 in it to give it some power and reliability. I already split the rims to widen them for some larger tires seeing as the wheelwells will handle some much bigger tires.

I'm looking to build it as a potential daily driver. I realize some of the purist will not like it, but it's missing a lot and has been farmer fixed for years. it's kinda messed up. It was probably heading for scrap before I got it.

Welcome
 

I think you will find all sorts of opinions on this forum, but there is only one that counts - yours. The "purist's" opinions should only count if they are funding the restoration or modification.

Post some pictures if you could, please. We are always interested in seeing "new" CMPs here. I would be very interested in seeing your split rim mod.

Again, welcome to the wonderfully weird world of CMPs!

Attachment 50148

About a year ago.

John
 

As far as 41 Cab 12 Chev's go, it looks to be in really good nick.

If you're looking to turn it into a daily driver, I hope you're short. Being thin would be an advantage too..

Good luck with it. Look forward to progress photo's as you go.

Go for it!
 

John,

If your plans will save this vehicle from being scrapped.....................go for it.
Do whatever makes this truck drivable and practical for YOU.

Lets see it when its done though :thup2:

Doing a little prep work before it goes into storage for a couple months while we build a new shop. If I'm paying for storage i'm not storing it with nothing on the back of it. Not going to be using this deck though.

Attachment 50256 Attachment 50257

The rim Idea I'm running with.

Attachment 50258

Hi John

There are all sorts of things that you can do with that project. If you have looked already, you may notice that overseas (UK and Australia), that motor swaps are commonplace. I think in Europe the Perkins is especially plentiful and inexpensive plus the fuel prices on diesel being more economical.
If you want to maintain a military "look", brouse around websites for used military vehicle parts. You may be able to find an appropriate deck that will fit perhaps cheaper than what you can build one for. I like the larger tires and 4BT Cummins idea.
I think that your stock axles are plenty strong to handle anything, the only downside is the ratio. You could swap some deuce axles maybe or 5/4 Chev axles from a CUCV M1008 or M1009 which would get your ratio down.
Looks like a fun build.

The M135 Deuce axles were 6.17 ratio, almost identical to that listed for the C15A at 6.16- so not a huge change in terms of MPH per 1000 RPM. (other CMPs had different ratios 5.43 6.67 6.50 7.16 6.33/8.81 - source: AEDB design record) so they would be even slower, except for the HUP axles that don't really swap to other trucks very well at 5.43.......

Thanks Grant, I did not have resources handy to check gear ratio for duece axles. I do know that the 5/4 Chev axles are 4.56 or less depending on whether you get M1008 or M1009 blazer axles. The M1008 uses a Corporate 14 bolt 4.56 with a Dana 60 4.56 front. Do not have the spacing available right now for spring percehs. I believe the blazer to be a narrower axle.

Truck
 

I have started with less and rebuilt,engines are cheap and its not hard to copy the Box, although you could pick up a Cummings (KMS Car Parts had a whole truck for 1700 buck make a good donor)


Jeff

I'm not a restorer in any means. I'm a builder. And the kms dodge you speak of now resides under my 52 dodge cab and box.