Picking up Dad's hobby

[treebark]

Hello all! I recently took over a 1968 Dodge A-100 pickup that my dad restored about 13 years ago. It's the first time I've owned a classic vehicle and I've got a lot to learn. I'm currently trying to get the charging system working and plan to post separately looking for help with that. Dad has always been a Mopar guy, but at 87 years old his memory and his ambition are both fading. I'm looking forward to getting this truck running reliably so I can enjoy it during the short span of nice weather each year here in MN!

 

[BrianT]

Welcome! You've come to the best Mopar site on the web. You can learn a lot here but I'd try to spend time with your dad and let him teach you what he did to the car and we'll help fill in the blanks. Good luck with your new toy, hopefully you'll get as much enjoyment out of it as your dad did! Oh yeah, we LOVE to see pictures of people's projects here, so post up a few when you can.

 

[Scott_ 69HemiDart]

Welcome from West Virginia.........................

 

[treebark]

Welcome! You've come to the best Mopar site on the web. You can learn a lot here but I'd try to spend time with your dad and let him teach you what he did to the car and we'll help fill in the blanks. Good luck with your new toy, hopefully you'll get as much enjoyment out of it as your dad did! Oh yeah, we LOVE to see pictures of people's projects here, so post up a few when you can.

Thanks Brian! I meant to include this pic with my original post. Dad's memory has gotten bad enough that he's not really able to tell us much about what he did to the truck anymore so I'm trying to figure things out as best I can and am glad to have found such a great resource as this site. I just posted in the electrical/ignition section hoping to get some help with wiring up a replacement alt so the truck will charge the battery and be reliable enough to drive this summer.

 

[FISHYPETE]

Welcome, Nice ride, are you going to MITP this weekend? There is a Meet N Greet Sat. Always a good time. Where in MN are you

 

[treebark]

Welcome, Nice ride, are you going to MITP this weekend? There is a Meet N Greet Sat. Always a good time. Where in MN are you

I'm in the south suburbs of the Twin Cites - you? I'm so new to this I don't know what MITP is or where... I also need to get the charging system working before I can drive it anywhere.

 

[Car Nut]

Nice looking A-100.

 

[treebark]

Nice looking A-100.

View attachment 1716410992

Thanks! All credit to my dad. I just hope to keep it going!

 

[FISHYPETE]

Up north . Avon MN Look at the section here..Mopar events and classic car shows. FABO Meet n greet Lots of great members and a large show and swap also

 

[RogerRamRod]

Welcome, & awesome looking truck. You can go to any show in whatever vehicle is reliable enough, though it is a lot more interesting if you have a "show" vehicle there.
Without a vehicle you are more inclined to bug out when you've done what you want, which sometimes is nice too.
I'm dealing with my dads loss of memory as well. most of the time he thinks I am someone else. At least its someone he was friends with.

 

[treebark]

Up north . Avon MN Look at the section here..Mopar events and classic car shows. FABO Meet n greet Lots of great members and a large show and swap also

I looked it up. The fairgrounds in Farmington are pretty close to me so I may have to try to stop by for the meet and greet at least.

 

[Lift&Move]

Welcome to FABO!
Cool Ride!

 

[missing linc]

from

 

[barbee6043]

Welcome! Cool, ride... love those things!!
I always spend a few $ for a factory service manual, I like the real ones but the computer ones are cheaper. For me a must have especially for electrical.

 

[treebark]

Welcome! Cool, ride... love those things!!
I always spend a few $ for a factory service manual, I like the real ones but the computer ones are cheaper. For me a must have especially for electrical.

I don't disagree, but I'd probably need a manual to learn how to understand the manual ;) I'm OK at turning wrenches, but have very minimal diagnostic skill.

 

[barbee6043]

I don't disagree, but I'd probably need a manual to learn how to understand the manual ;) I'm OK at turning wrenches, but have very minimal diagnostic skill.

I have been selling off parts and literature as I am aging out of the hobby. I have 2 hard back books that are great for the beginner. Auto Mechanics fundamentals by Stockel and Automotive troubleshooting and repair manual by the Petersen. I suggest both or either.

 

[ocdart]

Welcome to FABO from SoCal!
Beautiful A-100. Take your dad for an occasional ride or to a show when you get the charging system bugs worked out.

 

[memike]

Welcome to FABO from SoCal!
Beautiful A-100. Take your dad for an occasional ride or to a show when you get the charging system bugs worked out.

Agree, that would make his day I am sure.

 

[memike]

Welcome aboard, and yes ! Take the time to go to Mopars in the park in Avon Minnesota.
I flew up from Memphis and I met some of the best mopar people on this earth, if I was near by it would be a must do every year, biggest mopar show and swap meet I have ever been to.

 

[Lift&Move]

The more I look at the picture you posted, the more I love this little truck!
I know you're working on the electrical issue right now, but at your convenience I would love to hear more about the drivetrain, and see some additional pics.

 

[treebark]

The more I look at the picture you posted, the more I love this little truck!
I know you're working on the electrical issue right now, but at your convenience I would love to hear more about the drivetrain, and see some additional pics.

I'm still learning exactly what I've taken on, but I do know the engine is a 360 LA per the stamp on the block (don't see a date stamp so I'm not sure exactly what year) even though my brother and I thought is was a 318. I haven't checked on the specifics of what the transmission is or the rear end gearing. The 3 hour drive home from my dad's went smooth - no trans slippage and about 2200 rpm at 55 mph so it seems like a good cruising set-up. It doesn't appear Dad did much of anything to "modernize" the truck - drum brakes all around, no power steering, leaf springs, etc. all look to be original. I think he made a book with some details of the build that I'll need to look for next time I go to visit. I see there's an option on the site to create a Photo Garage so I may post additional pictures there when I get a chance.

 

[Righty]

Hello all! I recently took over a 1968 Dodge A-100 pickup that my dad restored about 13 years ago. It's the first time I've owned a classic vehicle and I've got a lot to learn. I'm currently trying to get the charging system working and plan to post separately looking for help with that. Dad has always been a Mopar guy, but at 87 years old his memory and his ambition are both fading. I'm looking forward to getting this truck running reliably so I can enjoy it during the short span of nice weather each year here in MN!

Welcome and very best of luck with the A100 and with keeping your dad’s pride and joy on the road.