Rustic Nail & Co’s 1948 Dodge 1-1/2 Ton Pilot House Shop Truck

This Dodge is a rare “pilot-house” five-window 1½ ton model — even rarer as it was optioned with a radio — Kyle Cochran from Rustic Nail & Co. believes that his truck is one of 829 made with this option package.

John Michael and Kate Potter sold the truck to Kyle for a paltry $22.00 — quite a fair price for what was originally a grain hauler that was always registered in Warren County, Kentucky. Only the cab and front clip remain from the original truck.

SelfMade Fab in Dayton, Ohio earned credit for putting the Dodge’s frame together, creating a custom chassis that would support an AccuAir air ride system with RideTech shocks.

A four-link rear-end built by Jason Thorbeck at Thor Bros. Kingspeed Race and Repair supported the running gear from a 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 donor truck.

Rustic Nail & Co.’s 1948 Dodge Shop Truck

Modifications

• Flaming River Steering System
• Lokar Shifter
• Restomod Air Air Conditioning System
• 1953 International Front Bumper
• Compartmented Bed, Finished Off with Ash Wood Trim
• Clear-Coated Sheet Metal and Red Interior Paint By T&D Body Shop

The wheels started out as 24.5” Alcoa’s — and became Highly modified Alcoa’s — Charlie French moved the centers of the vent holes and re-milled the holes to cover both visual sections of the wheel. Tennessee Wheel and Tire shaved the rim diameter down to 24” to allow for the use of street tires.

This Dodge wasn’t built to be a show vehicle. It’s meant to work and has been outfitted appropriately.

Designed To Use ~ Holley Performance

Kyle Cochran from Rustic Nail & Co. gives us a tour of his custom 1948 Dodge 1-1/2 Ton Pilot House shop truck at the 15th Annual Holley NHRA Hot Rod Reunion…

Kyle at the Pigeon Forge Rod Run in Bowling Green, KY