12V 1970 Dodge Power Wagon Crew cab

[TLEarl]

Here is my plans for my conversion. I just bought a 1997 2500 with 182500 miles on it. I originally was going to drop a CTD in the 1970, but after thinking about all the upgrades needed to the rig to accommodate the CTD I just decided it would be easier to by the 1997 12v and put the 1970 body on it.



It will be a while before the body swap, but I am excited about the final product. Here are a couple pics of the 1970.

 

[TLEarl]

I figured that this would be cheaper than buying a brand new CTD crew cab and more fun too. I am planning on upgrading the suspension to a full air ride suspension from Chassis Tech with the 4 link rear bags. It already has a 4" exhaust and am going to add a AFE blade runner intake and AFE cold air intake. I am thinking of going with a #6 fuel plate as I don't want to and am not able to upgrade the auto transmission at this point. Any words of advice would be welcome. Thanks. Oo.

 

[Shadrach]

You will end up spending lots on the build ( been there - done that so, unless you have unlimited $, leave things like the fuel plate and such til later. Those are easy to add if you still have some bucks. Because of a body change the air filter mods will need to be done at that time. Cool old trucks, small back seat and shorter engine bay, but those are just opportunities for improvement Shadrach

 

[pwerwagn]

Awesome!!! I had a 68 Crew I wanted to convert, but decided to go with either the 72+ or 80+ body style for a bigger back seat.

It will be a cool truck when you get it done!!

 

[TLEarl]

Tear down / very little rust

I started to tear the 70 down and see what kind of a project I have as far as getting the body into decent shape. By no means do I plan on ending up with a show truck, just a four door pickup that looks decent and works for me and my family. The front end came apart nicely and I will be rattle canning the whole thing :-laf

 

[TLEarl]

I started this project about two years ago now when I purchased the power wagon and, as most projects do, it has transformed and changed a couple times. With the recent purchase of my 1997 12v CTD I am again eager to get it finished. I have sanded down the fenders, hood and about 2/3 of the cab. I was able to do some body work to he hood, prime, paint and clear coat it so it just needs some buffing and it is ready to go!

 

[TLEarl]

You will end up spending lots on the build ( been there - done that so, unless you have unlimited $, leave things like the fuel plate and such til later. Those are easy to add if you still have some bucks. Because of a body change the air filter mods will need to be done at that time. Cool old trucks, small back seat and shorter engine bay, but those are just opportunities for improvement Shadrach

Thanks for the good advice. I wish I had unlimited $$$, don't we all! I am hoping I can drop the body on the frame w/o moving the motor, maybe just modify the firewall!?! Or, if I get lucky, ever less modifications than that to marry the two together.

 

[Simplysmn]

If Your Looking for a Cewcab Frame 4x4 {81} PM me I have 1 that is available

 

[TLEarl]

It has been a while since I have been able to get much work done on my project, but unforeseen time off from work has allowed me to get a little more done. My lack of a hoist and other items caused me to improvise in order to lift the cab of the '70 off the frame. I knew a 5 ton come-a-long would be plenty and I hoped reenforcing the trusses in my garage would also hold the cab. I pulled the front doors off the cab to try and lighten the load. The back door screws in the hinges did not want to leave their home yet.



As luck would have it, the added support; two 2X4's screwed across five to six trusses, were able to hold the weight of the cab and I was able to work it to where you see it in the pictures below. My wife was happy the roof of our garage held up to! I only was able to move it to that point today because I need to shut the garage door tonight, but plan on hauling the frame away tomorrow so the cab will be totally free of the frame.

 

[ENafziger]

Looking great! Can't wait to see the finished progress!!! Keep us updated...

--Eric

 

[TLEarl]

Wow, it has been awhile since I have got anything posted on this build. Can't say that I have made any huge leaps or bounds on the project either, but I figured I will update everyone with where I am at on it. I cut out the driverside floor pan and used 16 gauge steel to weld in for a new pan. I did the same on the passenger side too. I have been doing some body work on the cab as I am ready to find seats to put in it so I can mach as much as I can up while it is on the floor to hopefully make the body swap process go as quickly as possible.



Here are some pics of the progress, thanks for reading!

 

[TLEarl]

Here is the 97 that the 70 Power Wagon body will go onto.