76 Rebuild/Repower

[Chace TX]

I have a 76 W200 crew cab. The frame is straight and rust free, as is the cab. I also have 93 4x4 auto diesel. It is pretty junky, the frame is bent the cab is rusted and the trans is shot. My intention is to transform the 76 into a 93 crew cab, using the 76 frame, and cab with the 93 drivetrain and interior. Here are the questions I have right now.



There is a new 4-6" lift on the 76 should I keep the springs (I think superlift w/ new fronts, add a leafs and blocks in the rear)? I am going to run 35" tires.



Will front fenders from 93 line up with the door lines on the 76, i'm thinking no, but have not really looked at the two trucks side by side?



The two steering systems are different, should I move everything from the 93 frame to the 76 frame, or build my own crossover system with the 93 box?



Should I beef the frame in any way before moving the 93 parts over?



Is it worth it to move the dash/interior over?



Short of the trans being cooked the 93 will run and drive, I am thinking of rebuilding the trans so I can drive the 93, and then redoing any other driveline parts that are showing wear (axle/trans case seals, bearings, steering components etc) before moving it over. Any other suggestions, or anyone want to buy all this stuff and do it themselves ?



Thanks

 

[Chace TX]

NOBODY

Not one reply with 53 views. I never knew this site to be a tightlipped bunch. Any ideas or opinions are welcome.

 

[GOLIATHGMC]

Lots to Think About...

Been pondering your proposed project - not being tightlipped, just trying to be objective

I am a HUGE fan of bench racing, as well as playing Devil's Advocate. Since I always have at least 3 projects in process (and several others in planning), I have no interest in buying yours. HOWEVER, since you are asking for it, here is my $0. 02.

The first thing about your proposal that jumped out at me was the part that says "Is it worth it?". The only one who could answer that is you. Not only about the interior swap, but about the project as a whole. My first question is - What do you want to wind up with? It seems like you are really describing something out of "Junkyard Wars". Not because what you have is junk or not, but because you are trying to build something out of what you have. Not a bad idea, but how far are you willing to take that? I know someone who combined a '79 Monte Carlo with a blown motor and a '76 Blazer with a rotted body, and wound up with a Monte-Blazer 4x4 that he repainted and mounted a plow to. I am sure others on here could weave tales of other crazy (and not so crazy) adventures in fabrication. When I drove the HOT ROD Power Tour in 1999, there was a 2nd Gen Camaro with a complete 4th Gen interior (and that was NO small feat). One of my current favorites is my 1984 Volvo 244GLT that has 252K on it and is about to be repowered with a '95 LT1/T56 combo. To the average person, these things are NOT worth it. We are mechanics, fabricators, engineers, and lovers of the machines. Its in our blood and our DNA. To us, it most definately is WORTH IT.

As for all things technical, you will figure them out as you go along - this trip is as much about the ride as it is the destination. Go forth, Tools in hand. If you build it, you will SMILE

George

 

[BBarry]

The 76 doors will not line up with the fenders. You have to use the 93 doors they will line up with the back of the cab. I'm guessing the 76 has a dana 44 front end if the steering is different. You should be able to swap everything over from the 93 frame along with the dana 60. Every Dodge pickup frame from the 70's to the 90's is the same from what I have noticed. Never tried swapping dashes I'm partial to the 70's dashes I would guess that substructures are probably different but I never took a 80's - 90's dash that far apart. The long and short of it is Dodge did not change much from 72' to 93' and just about any combination of parts can be bolted together.

 

[Chace TX]

Good Info.

GOLIATHGMC,

I do not think this is near the project that putting a car body on a truck chassis would be. It is just mixing the good of two like vehicles to get what I want. For what I have in these two $$ wise, sure it's worth it to have a crew cab diesel, still don't know if it's worth putting the 93 interior in.

BBarry,

I looked more closely at the 93 yesterday, and right now I think I will not use much more than the drivetrain. I had the grid heater hooked up to a push button on my 91 and it worked great, I will do the same on this one. I will add a tach when I do the boost, pyro and trans temp. The 76 does have a D44, and I will use the 93 steering and D60 along with the D70 rear to replace the 76 stuff. This is going to be 2nd vehicle, mainly used for hunting and running up and down the river, it doesn't have to be perfect and it wouldn't stay that way for long if it was.



Thanks for the replies, I am going to start robbing from the 93 and rebuilding parts very soon.

 

[BBarry]

If the 76 steering box sits on that bracket thats looks like a big shelf with the pitman arm pointing down towards the ground I think there is a different draglink you can buy that will work with that box and tha dana 60. I have no idear about the part number. Have you considered just leaving it as a 76. Maybe you have to change the radiator support.

 

[Chace TX]

BBarry,

As far as the body it will remain a 76, the 93 front fenders and doors I have are not worth moving over. I will have to look at the 76 steering again, I know it has the pitman arm placed on a horizontal shaft, vs the vertical shaft mounted pitman arm on the 93. I am going to use the intercooler, so that may require some modification to the radiator support or replacement all together. Lots of things to figure out, main concern right now is the trans signals to get OD with the 518. Would like to put a NV4500 in it, I have the trans but it is a 2wd version and in pieces in a box. Would the steel 4wd trans to t-case adapter from Standard Trans and Gear http://www.standardtransmission.com/ bolt up to the 2wd 4500 and the NP205, would splines match?

 

[bgilbert]

Chace, the body lines will not match/line up on fendors, doors on 70's Dodges vs. 81-93 Dodges. 81+ has a big bulge or body line running the entire length of the truck, the pre 81's are more smooth down the side of the truck with no bulge. You could use 81-93 fendors, front doors and bed, but good luck finding crew cab rear doors. Rear door glass is a hot item too. BTW, seems like everyone is making the new style look 81-93 crew cabs, havent seen any 70's crew cab conversions.

As far as getting signals to OD you can run a toggle switch for OD, many others have done this I believe.

As far as trans to t-case adaptor, I'd talk with them -standard-, and ask what it takes. Or find a divorced 205 and you can use anything in front of it. Bill

 

[BBarry]

bgilbert



If you look at a clubcab or crewcab you will notice dodge never changed the cabs from the 70's. The cab still has the rounded rear corners and there is no sharp angle on the front by the running lights. Thats why the bulge on the doors doesn't carry all the way through the doors. If you look at a regular cab the bulge ends in the door and doesn't pick up until the bed again. The crewcab rear doors never changed.



Good idear on divorced t-case. The divorced NP205's out of 60's power wagons tend to have bigger yokes than the 205's from the 72 74 models. There is one problem with the divorced t-case. The t-case and crossmember will interfare with the stock fuel tank. Every truck I have ever seen with a divorced case had the gas tank in the cab behind the seat.

 

[Chace TX]

Thanks,

Great info,

Thats the kind of info I was looking for, according to ST&G the iron adapter housing that they have will allow me to mate the nv4500 to the np205. I have a lead on a 90 body, it is in great shape. I may have newer truck than I was thinking . I'll let ya'll know what happens.

 

[1stgen4evr]

crew cab

Look in the readers rigs. Section 63 at the truck "snowflake". That was my inspiration to do a crew cab. There was a black truck in the forums a while back that was a crew cab. Can't remember whos' it was. I want to say it had yellow or orange in the paint scheme. Anyway, it was sharp. Paint and trim will make a very nice looking truck without the frills of the 89 to 93. I am just about where you are. Got the stuff and looking for the time.



1stgen4evr

James

 

[Iwant1]

Originally posted by Chace TX

BBarry,

As far as the body it will remain a 76, the 93 front fenders and doors I have are not worth moving over. I will have to look at the 76 steering again, I know it has the pitman arm placed on a horizontal shaft, vs the vertical shaft mounted pitman arm on the 93. I am going to use the intercooler, so that may require some modification to the radiator support or replacement all together. Lots of things to figure out, main concern right now is the trans signals to get OD with the 518. Would like to put a NV4500 in it, I have the trans but it is a 2wd version and in pieces in a box. Would the steel 4wd trans to t-case adapter from Standard Trans and Gear http://www.standardtransmission.com/ bolt up to the 2wd 4500 and the NP205, would splines match?

I'm glad your keeping the body parts from the 76. Those trucks were much better looking than the squared off 82 and up version IMO. Post some pics when its done.

 

[CrewCabDiesel]

Chace Tx, Have you considered installing the 93 radiator support in the 76 fenders ? The bolt pattern looks a lot a like and the frame mounts I know are the same. As for keeping the 76 dash, don't, every one of the 70s dodge trucks that I owned had wring problems, just check your blower motor fuse in the 76, I would almost bet that it has melted the fuse block . down side of changing the dash is you will have to remove the windshield to do it. Also the front springs go with aftermarket, they ride much better than stock. When you drop the Cummins in you will have to slot out the left side motor mount hole, but other than that it bolts right in. Keep the 93 transfer case and trans, you will want the over drive later. The front steering should NOT require mods if you use the 93 Dana 60 and gear box(this is not taking in account for the lift) . Make sure to use the 93 PS gearbox mounting plate on the 76 frame, BE Sure to check it for cracks first ! Check out in my readers rigs for some photos of my crew cab build, I have done 2 Dodge Crewcab diesel to date.

Hope this helps,

Kyle

 

[Chace TX]

Good info again.

I am still debating on my options, I will keep all posted. You guys that have done the conversions are a big help, I'm sure I'll be asking more questions later. I've got some other stuff in the shop right now (building an engine for the 2001 race truck, and stripping down a wrecked 2000). But this project is one I am looking forward to.

 

[1stgen4evr]

83 crew cab

Do a search for 83 crew cab. There is a member that goes by that handle. His is the truck I was trying to find. Looking back and found the picture. It is red and black with some yellow. Sharp.



1stgen4evr

James