1964 Dodge Shorty 'Linda'

[Goosetavi]

I've been working on bringing back to life my 1964 Dodge shorty. The bus had sat since 1986, never being registered, and slowly losing parts until I found her on ebay last year.






She has that Airstream-esque Wayne body from the 60s. Chrylser 318 Poly V8 mated to a NP435 4 speed. She was used in the Rio Linda Union School Dist from 1964-1986.

I dragged her back up 5 hours from Oregon to Seattle and pieced back together a braking system, clutch system, replaced almost every wire in the harness and every light bulb. I've owned '66 and '68 Dodge trucks so this is a little familiar just much bigger.




I have replaced the following: carburetor, coil, distributor (was missing when purchased) plugs, wires, fuel pump, fuel filters, fuel line, gas tank, starter, battery and cables, voltage regulator, ballast resistor, radiator cap, alternator, brake master cylinder, brake wheel cylinders x 6, brake line, brake booster, clutch master cylinder, clutch line, slave cylinder, wheel bearings, wheel seals




I flushed out the rear differential and manual transmission along with running 3 flushes of oil through the engine to remove moisture buildup from years of water dripping into block from missing distributor hole access. I scored two more wheels so that I could run 4 wheels in the rear vs the two outers that were mounted when I purchased.




This summer I was able to fire her up and get the engine dialed in. I just picked Linda up from the tire shop today and she's sporting new 7.50-20 tube tires.




Next step is to tackle interior wiring and continue to grind off rivets and remove all the interior sheet metal. I've mostly been hanging out on the 61-71 Dodge truck forum, but as she is now a runner, attention is shifting towards the interior build as most major mechanical aspects are sorted- for now, at least.

[plfking]

We need a 'like' button on this site. In lieu of that, how about a

Learned to drive on my uncle's '64 dodge with 3 on the tree.....this bus looks just like it.

Nicely started, sir. Looking forward to the rest of your build.


Don

[Rusty]

Linda is....linda !

It means "beautiful" in Spanish, and she is!!!

We sure won't confuse your build with the masses !

[Jdawgsfanasty]

Originally Posted by Goosetavi

I've been working on bringing back to life my 1964 Dodge shorty. The bus had sat since 1986, never being registered, and slowly losing parts until I found her on ebay last year.






She has that Airstream-esque Wayne body from the 60s. Chrylser 318 Poly V8 mated to a NP435 4 speed. She was used in the Rio Linda Union School Dist from 1964-1986.

I dragged her back up 5 hours from Oregon to Seattle and pieced back together a braking system, clutch system, replaced almost every wire in the harness and every light bulb. I've owned '66 and '68 Dodge trucks so this is a little familiar just much bigger.




I have replaced the following: carburetor, coil, distributor (was missing when purchased) plugs, wires, fuel pump, fuel filters, fuel line, gas tank, starter, battery and cables, voltage regulator, ballast resistor, radiator cap, alternator, brake master cylinder, brake wheel cylinders x 6, brake line, brake booster, clutch master cylinder, clutch line, slave cylinder, wheel bearings, wheel seals




I flushed out the rear differential and manual transmission along with running 3 flushes of oil through the engine to remove moisture buildup from years of water dripping into block from missing distributor hole access. I scored two more wheels so that I could run 4 wheels in the rear vs the two outers that were mounted when I purchased.




This summer I was able to fire her up and get the engine dialed in. I just picked Linda up from the tire shop today and she's sporting new 7.50-20 tube tires.




Next step is to tackle interior wiring and continue to grind off rivets and remove all the interior sheet metal. I've mostly been hanging out on the 61-71 Dodge truck forum, but as she is now a runner, attention is shifting towards the interior build as most major mechanical aspects are sorted- for now, at least.

Awesome critter right there!!!

Sent from my VS500PP using Tapatalk

[EastCoastCB]

I think I remember that one on Ebay.
Cool little bus!

[Goosetavi]

Thanks for the kind words! @Twigg I'm not sure what happened to my original post, but I read your response before it disappeared!

I'm excited to be amongst the skoolie crew and actively participate in this awesome community. Cheers!

[Johnny Mullet]

That's the coolest old Dodge I ever seen!

[Tango]

Just outstanding!!! --- For some reason I have a special place in my heart for vintage Wayne Skoolies. And having once owned a '66 D100 Town Wagon for 17 years, I really can appreciate that beast. Best of luck with the build and please do keep the pix coming.

[djmel85]

That thing is AWESOME! Love the look of the older busses. Wish you had a YouTube channel. I would love to watch this build.

[Jolly Roger bus 223]

Heading in the right direction.
Mechanics before looks is the most important.
The old dodges will always be better than what they or any others put on the roads these days.
Not saying I ain't an old Chevy or ford man but my first truck was an old dodge that I complained about to dad as a kid and he said if you blow that motor out we will replace it?
In the end? I had built a motor to go in the truck but the 6 cyl. In it just wouldn't give up.
Just before I joined the marines that truck still ran strong but if it sat for more than two days you had to pour oil on top of the Pistons to start it and after it started and used daily it was always strong and as a kid on a farm I swear if I anchored it to the ground it would pull the world around.