Posted by Eric B. on Wednesday, July 31, 2002 at 9:55PM :
In Reply to: 58 W200 Restoration-Books & Manuals? posted by Jeff in N. Texas on Wednesday, July 31, 2002 at 8:32PM :
Is this the 58 W200 from NM?
If so I would be interested in more pictures of it for my website.
As for books and sources for help...
First and most important, is this forum, and the folks that post on it, if one of them can't answer, and I don't chime in, E-mail me directly. I have put a 58 W200 and a 58 W100(with help, thanks Ron!) back on the road and I might be able to help.
Second, both the factory service manual, and the factory parts book, both can be bought off of E-bay or any one of many literature dealers. They don't provide a whole lot of information, but it is nice to have things like wiring diagrams, even when they are not totaly correct.
Other books to own are:
Dodge Trucks (Crestline Series) by Don Bunn
Dodge Pickups, history and restoration guide, Bunn and Brownell
These are not going to get all specific like a 1966-70 Dodge charger restoration book, as both cover 50 years or more of Dodge trucks. But they do provide some good information if you read and look close.
Don't forget my website:
http://townwagon.vexed.org/pgpws/index.htm
I have lots of trucks to look at on it, and some good technical information.
I will add more technical information to my site if people come up with things that they think should be addressed.
Otherwise, there is not much out there that will help you in a big way.
I bought all the factory literature for the era, from 54 to the 60's, that way I can look at all the manuals if things don't match, maybe I can get a clue from another years book. Plus it is nice to see what other years use the same part, that way I know where to look when I go junkyarding.
As for your next question, where do I get parts??
The answer is:
For wear items, and mechanical parts, NAPA and Car Quest have been the best two for me so far.
As for things specific to 58 W200s, VPW, Dave Cirrilo, Dennis Sherman, and NOS dealers.
I may also be able to help with some parts, let me know if you need anything.
No nobody reproduces ANYTHING specific to 58 W200s, though some rubber companies make window rubber, and brake/clutch pedals, etc.
Most likely your first chores will be a brake job and a steering knuckle rebuild, all the small knuckle Dana 44s I have worked on needed that done.
I have all the part numbers, and the basic instructions for when you are ready for that.
Good luck!!
Let me know what I can do to help.
Eric