New from Germany '69 A100 pickup

Hi folks.

During our last vacation in California I was able to secure a A100 pickup (Model '69) with 318, 727 LF, Power Steering and five window. Pretty decent condition.

Electric is done (all works), Engine runs strong (approx. 17-18 inHg vac in idle).

Some mechanical to be done (front springs rear hanger driver side is "gone", part is already available), rear bumper got a strong hit and needs to be fixed, floor pan (of course) and new windows.

Unfortunately, power steering is leaking like hell. It's not the hoses (dry), but the control valve and the ram cylinder.

Now, as a first step I thought about converting to manual with a "normal" drag link and removal of the ram cylinder.

Is that possible, e.g. does the manual drag link match the pitman arm and all?

Further, has anyone sources for replacement parts for the control valve and the ram cylinder? The on I found in the www claims he can only do Ford control valves, as the Dodges have different measurements?

Thanks in advance.

You got yourself what we call a Van Up,,,,,,,,,I got a van drag link laying in the garage if you need some measurements off it,,,,,,,,,,,


,

ok, short update on progress made.

Odometer problem solved. I exchanged it with a working one from a probably 67 D-truck donor instrument cluster. Unfortunately I cannot switch the aftermarket ammeter to the original one, because the holes for the ammeter studs in the housing have been widened to fit the aftermarket ammeter

The link between the choke and the thermostat in the intake manifold has been extended. Now the choke can actually close again. Still have to set it up correctly (or just try if it runs ok).

Tires have been changed to 215/70 all around now but will be changed to 205/75 in April next year (exchange with my more than 7 year older Chargers tires)

14 or 15" rims? I'm trying to figure out why you want a narrower tire?

I think I will get my own container and make it a completely self contained home - and get shipped around the world! Put it in the shipping contracts and manifests that I always have one of the top bunks!!! LOL

Its 14 inch rims.

The original std tires were something along 165R14 (the old 80ies tires). That`s what the local "dmv" would normaly require for permission to get the truck rolling. Basically, they decide what's "street legal". I Will have to argue with them about those tires already.

self contained container? I would bet that something like that is already available....

Made some pics for the insurance today and moved the truck around a little bit. It ran absolutely fine, I like that







And the Charger has its nice and dry winter place as well:

Anyone else seeing a big black border in this forum? That results in me not seeing the full pics as uploaded. They are 800px wide, should fit, I guess.... Probably just a settings issue on my side?

Hey Jens, we choose 640 for the size when we post pictures here,,,,,

Not much done in past few weeks, too cold. Thanks to Don, a proper Draglink safely arrived at my house . Just a little upgrade of electrical system (main switch added in battery tray). Today I had a day off and took the A100 to a local "Fahrzeugbauer", that is, he builds trailers (all, up to 16wheeler!) and has all appropriate knowledge and (important for roadworthy tests) certificates to rebuild framerails and stuff. He'll take the A100 for approx. a week end of march (fully booked...).

Until then I'll change the draglink, remove the doghouse and renew the transmission cooler-lines. An upgrade to pertronix is also planned.

It was fun driving around having the shorty on a trailer bed behind the Phaeton. Although, I have to admit that although the Phaeton has the V8 engine in it, the A100 (with trailer approx 2 tonnes extra, almost doubled the total weight) really sucked the power out of it.

Here's some pics of the trailer-combo.

Pickup looks good....What kind of car is that tow vehicle ?? Also what year is your charger ?

The tow car is a 2009 Volkswagen Phaeton 4.2 V8, almost fully loaded (missing "essentials": door close assist, auxiliary heater). The Phaeton is a classic already, as production has ended this year and there's no real successor as of now. I think it's THE most underestimated luxury vehicle. My Charger is a '69 383 2bbl/AT/PS (granny's 2-dr-hardtop) in bright turquoise with white vinyl top.

Pretty sure I remember the CL advert for that pickup - Sweet truck!

The CL ad was in the Santa Cruz area first at around end April to end May this last year. Then I was crossing country from NYC to SF and the ad disappeared. Shortly after, it was back in in CL LA (but the truck still in Scotts Valley), while I was in LA. When returning to SF, I was able to secure it in mid June.

,,,I would not be robbing any banks in Germany with that truck,,,,,they would probably find you anywhere you tried to hide........

I actually do plan to at least park it inside a bank. Doing a proper inside job is out of my possibilities...

But I need better weather. It's too cold outside to do some work on the truck, this morning we had 14°F... So, focus on some stuff to do inside the house:



I was able to find some rubber mat with a 'bouclé' kind of structure, which comes pretty close.

Hey. Nice Pickup. I have a 67 Sportsman which is on his way onto the Austrian streets. Do you have contact to other A100 owners in Germany /Austria?

Personally, I do know one brown window camper (A108, high roof) and one white window van (A100). There should be some more in Germany (approx. 8 or so?) and one Pickup is said to have been sold to Switzerland last year. And one in England - a fellow vintage-vanner as well

Check out the dodge-trucks-forum.de (although more sweptlines there) and (of course) mopar-forum.eu (although more cars in there)

How about an introductory post and some pics??

Thanks a lot for the links. I thought there are more As in Germany. Here in Austria I know just one other A. It's a A108 Sportsman (Window) van. I uploaded some fotos in the "Member's Van Galleries" area.

Holy hell - What a mess... approx. 1/10 inch (!) of dirt+oil+?

Meine Fresse - was für eine Jauche am Motor...




I'm curious about leaks after cleaning - lower part/engine block still to be done.

And yes, I'll do something about the wiring.

Today we changed the rear axle bearings. Pretty easy, if you have the right tools at hand. A local friend helped me at his shop. Unfortunately, no photos (always the same...). A manual hydraulic press and some long rods to get'em off and a huge puller to get'em on again.

Meanwhile, I noticed that the cable for the autoadjuster was broke. Another order at rockauto. Fortunately, it's all the same 10" brakes as with the passenger cars...

Good Progress, just keep picking away at it!

Yeah, it is just freaking cold outside. 32°F today. Today I replaced all brake hardware (except the linings, still good) at the rear driver side - the one with the broken autoadjust cable. All fine now, for the other side, it (I) was too cold....
So, meanwhile I slaughtered a D100 dash for it's ammeter, it is now in its original place, replacing the funny aftermarket ammeter, the truck had. Now it looks like a fine dash:

Gauges look nice and clean! Good work!

That brown scorch mark above the the amp gauge is there for a reason, the amp meter gauge is what one could call a car burner, they get hot, real hot, having it in is cool, not hooking it up is safer, just something to consider.