can someone with crew/1st gen dodge experience help me?

[Forrest Nearing]

well, I found a 75 Crew Cab about a mile from my house... I've got a 91. 5 CTD 2wd auto



it's a 3/4 ton 440/auto (727?) 4wd. I probably won't get it because I got the impression that this lady thinks it's her retirement fund BUT...



I'm not familiar with Chrysler powertrains... would I be able to use my transmission if I used the tailshaft/transfer case section from the 4wd truck?



how would the truck take the additional weight of the Cummins? would I need to add leaves to the front springs?



any thoughts/ideas/experience you care to impart?



thanks!



Forrest

 

[CrewCabDiesel]

Well Forrest, you have picked the subject that started this forum "or I'd like to think" . I will assume that you will want to stick with a 4X4 & an automatic trans, both use a NP205 transfer case. You biggest problem(I think, mine is a 5 speed) is to replace the transfer case or update it to handle the Cummins(I have the Part #s). Also have your 91 transmission converted to handle the 4X4. There is a trans shop out there in TDR land that suppose to do a great job of rebuilding & beefing up Dodge Cummins transmissions(hopefully someone knows who I am talking about). Other than that, most of the install is bolt in. Most likely the front springs will already be tired so it would be best to replace them as soon as you have completed your conversion. Last but not least If you want to do this and the little old lady wants too much money, I have a line on some "rust free" Dodge Crew Cabs in CA.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

well, I'm in Dallas, but I spend about half my time in Cali, so... I'll be shooting you an email...



I gotta say, I'm only in the research stages of this... I was just checkin' it out, but got a little excited when I saw it was a 4x4.



I probably wouldn't use my 91 as a donor... I'd probably just build it from scratch...



if I can't make use of my transmission and stuff, I'd pass...



I would rather have an NV4500 or other manual... I'm not a big auto transmission guy, but I got a good deal on my truck, so I couldn't be choosey...



so the transfer case wouldn't stand up even if it were behind the 440? (I realize the Cummins is a torque monster)



hmmm...



thanks for the info...



did Dodge make a crew cab long bed? this one is a short bed... I'd rather have a long bed for that limmo feel!



Forrest

 

[Forrest Nearing]

I see you don't accept emails through this forum.



please email me at your convenience at:



-- email address removed --



I'd love to pick your brain on a possible crew conversion!



thanks,



Forrest

 

[CrewCabDiesel]

Forrest,

Check out my photo link in my sig. Dodge Crew Cabs came with 8 foot boxes only in 4X2 , 4X4s come with a short box only, that is why I converted mine to 4X4. Also note that you will want a Automatic Crew Cab to Start with. The Manual ones have the shifter hole in the wrong place and it also takes up some of the floor space because the old manual trans had outside and offset shifters linkage. I would HIGHLY recommend that you buy a donor Cummins truck, I think the other guys will back me on this one. All the little stuff that cost big bucks you will already have, not to mention a guide on how to put it all back together again ! The NP205 transfer case has different imput shafts/bearings for the Cummins and will cost you around $750 for the rebuild parts.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

cool, thanks for the info...



I've GOT a donor truck, but it's too nice to tear apart...



oh well... project for another day.



Forrest

 

[R.E. Miller]

Another Cheerleader

Hey guys, I look at my club cab, then I look at Crewcabdiesel's link and think... YUP!



Anyway, Crewcabdiesel, quick question for you. I was looking at the pictures on Hutchew's website and was wondering if you too reinforced the frame where he did? This crew cab project sparks my interest more and more... too bad I'll likely spend more then a 2003 on it if I try it Great idea guys!

Russell

 

[CrewCabDiesel]

Frame is OEM, NO reinforcement. Seems to be solid and works well. Also note this truck WAS two wheel drive .

 

[CrewCabDiesel]

Another View

 

[R.E. Miller]

Thanks Crewcab!

That is one bad truck, I would really like to map out this "operation" because as much as I love my club cab, it would be soooo nice to have a real back seat. What year range did they make the crew cab body that we can use/modify? 1977-198?

Thanks again!

 

[Forrest Nearing]

well, I know they went back as far as 75... probably earlier...



and I think as late as 85? maybe 86? (not sure on either end)



Forrest <-- big help

 

[CrewCabDiesel]

Crew Cab Bodies that you could use are 1972 to 1985(last year built) Rear doors are all the same during that time. I would recommend using a cab with an Automatic. The guy who bought my old 85 Crew cab body, installed it on a 1993 extended cab Cummins 4X4 with a long box. He install the crew cab and bolted on a short box, kept all his 93 interior/wiring and front doors. Had the cab,back doors and short box painted to match the front doors and front clip. Truck looks nice and he did it in a weekend !

 

[Hutchew]

Frame reinforcements...........

R. E. Miller, I beefed up my frame for three reasons... ... the main one is because I drive like an idiot off-road and I have broke out or cracked the shock mounts and/or frame on every Dodge truck I have ever owned. Reason two is because, in my experience, 1st Gen Dodge truck frames flex way too much around the radiator core support, resulting in cracked supports and other front-end sheetmetal (could have something to do with driving like an idiot, see reason #1 ). Reason three was because I plan on tuning my motor up to @ 350-375 HP and 800-900 ft lbs of torque or more and I am worried that the frame around the motor mount crossmember won't be able to take that kind of abuse. I am hoping that my mods will 'spread out' the evil forces so that my front-end can live in peace and harmony with the rest of the world. Then again, it'll probably just break somewhere else.

 

[Hutchew]

Frame reinforcements...........

R. E. Miller, I beefed up my frame for three reasons... ... the main one is because I drive like an idiot off-road and I have broke out or cracked the shock mounts and/or frame on every Dodge truck I have ever owned. Reason two is because, in my experience, 1st Gen Dodge truck frames flex way too much around the radiator core support, resulting in cracked supports and other front-end sheetmetal (could have something to do with driving like an idiot, see reason #1 ). Reason three was because I plan on tuning my motor up to @ 350-375 HP and 800-900 ft lbs of torque or more and I am worried that the frame around the motor mount crossmember won't be able to take that kind of abuse. I am hoping that my mods will 'spread out' the evil forces so that my front-end can live in peace and harmony with the rest of the world. Then again, it'll probably just break somewhere else.

 

[R.E. Miller]

James,

Very very cool information and nice work! I need to learn how to weld, if I could do that I might not ever buy any tools again ha ha

Russell