Henry Boler

I dug my one out the other day and I think it is a stamped version. The Dodge logo has been polished to the point it has almost gone and the cap is very badly pitted, also I had to make all the bits underneath that lock it onto the rad a few years back. So yes, I might be interested in the stamped one that you have if we can come to a workable arrangement, being that I'm the other side of the pond!

Me again with another update! This time I'm starting on the bodywork and finishing the fuel tank. This also brings you all almost fully up to date with where things are at right now.

Hi All, I think I failed to post my last video, so here it is... And here is the latest video. This was meant to be posted back in April but I failed due to running out of spare time! I'm on a mission as I will be losing my workshop space before long, which is why I haven't been so good with the videos lately, but the Dodge is coming along nicely!

Man that looks fun!! I'm virtually at the same stage with my rebuild now too! Almost got the brakes hooked up, then I can test it!

It's me again, with another update on the Dodge. This time, the engine is going back in the chassis. Enjoy!

Hello All, It has been a while. Life has been very hectic so keeping up with the project has been difficult, but I'm back on it and pushing it along again now. Latest video is now out on YouTube, this one I'm stripping down the engine. Cheers!

This week, I've finally got the chassis on wheels and restored the brake master cylinder and pedal unit!

Good idea. I've certainly seen some before, but can't find a thing looking on Google. Do they have a specific name? I wonder if I'll just have to make some. Presumably that wont be too difficult...

Thanks for the info, much appreciated. I think I'll leave them in to be safe. There is nothing wrong with the bearings. It's just time for the leather gaiters to be replaced and the shaft to be cleaned and painted. I'll find a way of doing it from the outside. Henry

And only a week later, here's another one! This time it's the steering system!

Latest video is out. This time restoring the brakes and also the chassis gets front springs, an axle and front wheels!

Hello All, I'm struggling to get the prop shaft apart on my '31 Dodge Brothers UF-10. I want to get the drive flanges off so I can get to and replace the leather gaiters, but I can't work out how the pins that the UJ bearings are on come out of the actual shaft. I'm assuming they just press out, but am reluctant to press hard and break it so thought I'd ask before I try too hard. I've attached a photo of the thing for reference. Henry

This may be the best option I think. I'm very reluctant to do any damage to the dynamo as is. So that could live out its life in a box if I find a nice looking alternative. Might have to be an English option from something though given my location. Dodge and Chrysler stuff doesn't show up often here. This is also a clever solution. It would still require a replacement dynamo first as I'm not going to machine out the original. Interestingly I seem to recall someone selling devices branded "Dynamators" which are as you may guess, alternators that look like dynamos.

Hi All, I've been thinking about the inevitable and have been wondering what to do with my dynamo. When my truck (1931 Dodge Brothers UF-10 Panel Van) was on the road I was on 12V and all was well, but had a 12V alternator on the engine. I have the original dynamo and it is in good condition, but ideally I'd like to run it on 12V and am looking at options. Seems that it could be rewound to 12V but there are caveats being that there may not be room inside for all the extra wire required as you halve the diameter of the winding wire but double the number of coils which equates to a chunkier winding. Another option is to regulate it to 12V but then it only charges at higher revs which is not ideal at all. In my head I wondered if I might be able to come up with a clever digital solution that can step the voltage up from 6V to 12V but I haven't looked into that yet. I want the truck on 12V because of things like jump starting, charging and also in England it seems almost impossible to get a 6V battery that will last more than 6 months whereas the 12V ones are great and all have a 5 year warranty and are less than half the price too. Has anyone here had a rewind done or any other style of conversion? Let me know your thoughts, Regards, Henry

Here's the next video on the 1931 British Dodge! Rear axle final reassembly. Hope you enjoy watching. Check out the channel for more stuff! https://youtu.be/MQVffULKV1E

Latest video is now out! This episode shows the final strip down and restoration of all the rear axle components.

I've been doing an almost unhealthy amount of digging into the old girl's history and have been following a lot of leads and speaking to a lot of people who knew the truck over the years. It is possible I might track something down one day, and that really would be exciting!

Thank you. I was concerned at first, but have now fixed it. I figured a few things, a lot of that tube is still at full thickness, so chances of it failing are slim, also, given the way the suspension is set up, should it actually fail, I think I'd survive! You'll see in the next video that I actually went to town on the welding and filled all of those pits right back up to surface level, it welds surprisingly well once heated up. The pits have really steep walls, so even though there we a few holes, it wasn't at all far away from full thickness metal. I'd certainly consider replacing it with a better option if one became available, that's for sure. Also, interestingly, I think all that corrosion is exhaust related, as everything from the front to back of the truck has bad corrosion on it around the exhaust route.

It's that time again! This time, tearing the rear axle apart!

Thanks Tom. I would definitely have seen them. I looked absolutely everywhere and couldn't see anything at all.

Part 2 is finally here! Chassis gets completed!

Latest video is now out!! Finally getting this chassis sorted out!

I do believe I've located the van you mentioned Colin. Also one of its previous owners, also a Colin! You can clearly see the number plate 'DG' and 'Enfield' printed on the side panel.

Colin, I don't suppose you've had any joy with the photos and previous owner at all have you? I've also sent you a private message. Regards, Henry

I’m not entirely sure what you mean there but I don’t have a heater in my truck. Don’t think there is any mention of that option in the book either. Yeah, the steering was really tight in there. When I first got the thing running I remember trying to get the oil pump to prime and I couldn’t access it or remove the steering. Not sure either can be removed without actually removing the engine first.