79 Trailduster + First gen CTD

[Mopar_Tim]

well i guess i will start this thread over here, i think i will actually get some help.



anyway i am building a 79 Trailduster from the ground up... . started with a complete running driving truck that i bought for 600 bucks, to date it is compleatly taken apart ... . i mean completely every nut bolt and screw that could come off has.



plan is to find a 91-93 first gen 250 4x4 use the dirvetrain, air conditioning system and steering colum/shaft out of the diesel and the frame and body of the trailduster. i plan on using the dash out of the 79 but making a new custom dash insert. along with the dash i plan to make my own wiring harness for the truck b/c they are notorious for fires.



as soon as i figure out how to post pics i will i have alot of them... ..... probably an faq but i skiped those lol.

 

[Mopar_Tim]

first question ... ... boxing the frame anyone help me there i figure some one might have boxed the frame of a crew cab.



i need to know where i will run into problems like exhaust clearance and engine clearance. i know its going to be tight around the t-case but is there anywhere else?



also boxing technique any tips?

 

[Idually]

Hey Tim. Here is thread if you are interested. Almost got there and it can be done, I just changed direction a bit.



http://ramchargercentral.com/boards/index.php?topic=63591.0



Andrew

 

[Mopar_Tim]

yeah i read that one once, are you almose done with the red one yet?



i just hope mine goes together a little easier then yours did

 

[Idually]

Tim. Almost there. Building exhaust right now. Need to get the d-shaft shortened and balanced, and a windshield put in. Then, I will be going back over it to make sure everything is back together properly.



I'll throw one at your question above... I'm building exhaust right(as I said above). I'm going 4" from the turbo back. If you are using the original RC frame, you will have a tough time getting around the T-case, as it is. If you box the frame in that area, I don't think you will even get a 3" pipe through there. Here a couple of pics. Keep in mind that the pipe is just sitting there on the frame. When completed, It will clear everything but it's tight.



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Good luck. I have tons of pics and 78 RC "tub" still here. If you need a hand with anything, let me know.



Andrew

 

[Mopar_Tim]

i really want to use the RC frame, i just don't want to get into cutting another frame plus i have no idea how i am even going to get this thing titled in Maryland anyway lol



OK now here is an off the wall question what about cutting the floor out and going above the transfer-case, i have got to re do all my floor pans anyway b/c of rust ... . bad rust. my only concern at that point would be the exhaust hitting the drive-shaft when i flexed the truck up.



i also plan on using 4 inch exhaust

 

[TRCM]

Check out ramchargercentral.com. there are several people there who have done it successfully.



A 2" or 3" body lift will solve some of the issues with the exhaust. You alos really don't need the upper arms on the tcase xmember braces.

 

[Mopar_Tim]

i am on rcc also but i dont go there quite as much as i should. i never did like the search over there and i cant find stuff for **** on that site.



body lift is a no i dont like them

 

[TRCM]

Well, I know some people don't like bodylifts, but I don't see why.



Anyway...



get in touch with Kirwin on RCC, and he may use the same name here... he has an 88 or 89 RC with a CTD init. I've seen it, and it looks nice.



I know you aren't gonna put a big block in an RC without a body lift... . unless you plan on pulling the engine to remove the valve covers.



Good luck !

 

[Mopar_Tim]

ok i will thanks

 

[Mopar_Tim]

does anyone know of a place that reproduces, old sheet metal parts ofhter then mill supply, i need a few strange pieces that i cant seem to find ..... they are like under the cab pannels.

 

[Matt S]

When looking for parts for my 1st Gen, I found a good supply at my local NAPA parts house. They didn't have them in stock but they could order most anything. I've also known junk yards to have a good network for used/NOS parts.

I'm really interested in your progress. I'm thinking of doing something similar with a 3. 9 ISBe in a Ramcharger.

 

[Mopar_Tim]

not much to update right now, i have got to find a media blaster to have that done.

 

[Mopar_Tim]

i am getting a little bit frustrated... ... i cant find a donor rig

 

[Mopar_Tim]

just got the body back from the sand blaster





lets see if i can figure this out... .



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[MTownsend]

Wow!! You really did take every nut and bolt apart!! I love those old ramchargers, good luck with the project

mike

 

[Idually]

Tim. Very nice. I wish you the best on yours. I would have loved to finish my '78, but the wallet got a bit shallow and I needed one on the road.



I did get to drive the "Redram" recently. You WILL love it!!! Gotta trust me on this one. Oo.



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This is the fire wall from my '78. It was 99% mocked up when I changed gears, depending on how you are doing yours(dash,wiring, etc), you can see the mods I did to accomodate the '91 "stuff".



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Hope it goes well!



Andrew

 

[Mopar_Tim]

i plan on doing my own custom wiring so i am not really worried about that i think i can figure something out.



and as for the steering column and the linkages i am going from an auto to a manual so i am going to have to fiddle with that a bit.



but i do plan on using the air box out of the first gen so i will probably be looking at that pic when i do that.



what else is modded, i cant really tell from the pics

 

[Mopar_Tim]

now that i think about it i am probably not going to be able to use the air box out of the first gen b/c i want to use the 79 dash, and i dont know if the newer one will fit under the old dash.

 

[Idually]

Hey Tim. The air box cutout, main wiring bulkhead area are really the only areas on the firewall. The steering column "mounting" are is different also. If you are going to use the "orig" column, you'll be fine. If you go "newer" there are adjustments to make. I can shoot some pics of that area if you need(still have the '78 tub). Let me know!



Whatever you do, it will be cool, I'm sure!



Andrew