1991 250 Project

[stacerbob]

I am looking at a 1991 Intercooled 250. My wife has a '70 Ford that I had already made 4x4 with a '76 highboy frame. Its lifted quite a bit has 40" tires. But has a 360 :toiletcla Must have 75HP & double the torque It has a divorce 205 So I have always wanted to find a 12 valve to put in it. Well The front pinion somehow busted all the teeth off the other day (it wasn't me, honest)Its a Dana 44. I had hoped the Dodge would have 4. 10 gears but it has 3. 54. I already have a 70 in the rear but I am running 4. 88. I hate to buy gears for the 44 knowing it is too weak for what I am doing, I really want a 60 for it then I see this Dodge for sale, I could swap frames (again) Have a better steering setup 60/70 Not have to build driveshafts, just body mounts &lift it to clear the tires, I could use my 4. 88 gears in the back & buy a set for the front. Sounds easy right?! I need something to do this winter anyway!!

 

[DKarvwnaris]

I really want a 60 for it then I see this Dodge for sale, I could swap frames (again) Have a better steering setup 60/70 Not have to build driveshafts, just body mounts &lift it to clear the tires, I could use my 4. 88 gears in the back & buy a set for the front. Sounds easy right?! I need something to do this winter anyway!!

Are you looking for suggestions or just posting the project to get a following to watch you progress?

I've done cab swaps to non similar brand frames, biggest thing you need to do is measure the axle humps in the frame to see how low you can get the cab to sit on the other frame.

(I have more faith in the older ford frame to be honest with you. A set of gears isn't much, the 44 will take alot of abuse, it probably had multiple periods of abuse before it failed) Unless you're running through snow banks or mud bogging, I wouldn't be worried about myself. Something has to give, better the gears than a steering knuckle or a driveshaft coming up into the floor. you can always drive it home in 2wd

 

[stacerbob]

Mainly looking for suggestions. I wondered if it would be harder to swap body over or transplant powertrain. I would drive it more often if it had a Cummins & got double digit mileage!!

 

[DKarvwnaris]

Mainly looking for suggestions. I wondered if it would be harder to swap body over or transplant powertrain. I would drive it more often if it had a Cummins & got double digit mileage!!

The old high boy frames are plenty strong enough for the cummins, and have lots of room under the hood. Just for the sake of it looking more appealing to fellow gear heads, I would not swap the cabs. Motor mounts are readily available from several places online. Check with autoworld 406 727 8915 for a bolt in mount if you want to go that route.

The divorced transfer case is nice in these trucks since it allows you to use whatever transmission you want or have from a 2wd. Depending on the transmission you use, you may be able to leave the transfer case in its original location. The intermediate driveshaft's angles will determine this in the end



Keep records of the parts you use, it makes repairs MUCH MUCH EASIER. hoses, fittings, accesssory parts etc.

For the alternator, I'd reuse the dodge unit with the external regulator on the dodge firewall. I have two regulators mounted on mine side by side so ZI can switch to the other on the road if one fails in the middle of nowhere.

THe newer dodge 2nd generation radiators are my preferred solution, they are easy to build brackets for and are compatible in just about every truck that I have installed them in size wise. Well worth the money to find one along with the 2nd generation inner cooler. Anything will work, but this is my choice, since it takes the high flow capacity of the cummins water pump without blowing the header plates and tank seals like the older copper radiators can.