1938 Walker Dynamotive – Phase 1
First Week of Refurbishing - December 3 thru 8, 2008.
In five days time we have taken the truck from the deteriorated condition that it was in, down to the bare chassis. We took over 300 pictures and a lot of measurements to use for the restoration. We also have the other Walker to use as a guide if needed. As of December 21, 2007 we have the rear axle assembly and the generator assembly at Motor Technology to be rebuilt as needed. The rebuilding of these units was my biggest concern in the process of restoring the truck. That is underway and the gas engine assembly is on the way to another rebuilding shop. The chassis is sand-blasted, the steel for the new body is in our stock, we have the new tires, the dash instruments are ready to be sent to the repair shop, brake parts are being ordered and all other items are scheduled to be replaced, repaired and installed as needed. The body should be completed by April 1st, the engine, generator assembly and rear axle motor assembly to be installed by May 1st. Everything is to be wired and operational by July 1st. The truck will then be sent to the Paint & Body Shop for the final touch to make it look like the Walker Dynamotive 500 that it was when it was built in 1938 as vehicle #7.
Trucks as they sat in the storage area of the NATMUS Museum
Walker Truck being pushed by a forklift truck to the trailer for loading
Walker truck Vin #7 in body shop the day before restoration started
Right rear of truck before it was dismantled
2nd day. Roof ribs and sheeting removed
The floor of the truck�s cargo area
Right rear of truck at the end of the 3rd day.
Left front area of trucks at the end of the 3rd day.
At the end of the 6th day just about ready to be sand-blasted.
The rear axle housing with the electric motor assembly being removed and sent to Motor Technology for inspection/repair.
Update: Week of January 1-5, 2008
Replacing section of drop-frame rail
Top of engine after removing the cylinder head
Fabricating new body side panel for cargo area
Temporary support to move chassis while rear axle housing is removed for rebuilding
Update: January 8-18, 2008
Cutting rolled frame section for wheel opening in side panel
Welding steel tubing for body sidewall frame
Grinding weld joints of body sidewall frame
Body sidewall frame completed and ready to be mounted
Oak wood mounted on chassis frame as shims between body and chassis frame
Fabricating floor pan for cargo area of truck body
Update: January 18-24, 2008
New cargo floor pan installed on rear section of chassis frame
Rear panel of "Drop Frame Area" mounted to cargo pan and chassis frame
Rear wall frame being mounted to carge pan and chassis
Right side and rear body frame sections mounted to chassis
Right front view showing the left side, right side and rear body frame sections mounted to chassis
Left rear view showing the left side, right side and rear body frame sections mounted to chassis
Update: January 24-February 7, 2008
New Engine compartment firewall installed
Roof rail frame work fabricated and ready to be installed
Roof rail frame installed onto the body side frame sections
Front body frame section installed and building support for radiator grill
Update: February 18 - 23, 2008
Left front with all body frame sections and roof frame rail installed
Right side with all body frame sections and roof frame rail installed
Right front wheel well and right side door floor frame welds completed
Driver walk thru floor area ready for installation of the floor steel tread plate
Update: February 8 - 15, 2008
The diamond plate floor of the driver area now installed.
Fender well frame work drilled for fender mounting bolts. Mounting bolt nuts welded in place.
Interior view of the top right-side body panel mounted in place.
Exterior view of the left-side top body panel being installed.
Update: February 25 - 29, 2008
Lower front sheet metal installed.
Fabricating metal for filler pieces between sheet metal and the body frame.
