Crew Cab Swap Debating ?'s

[therabbittree]

Hi,

I have a '92 reg cab W350 SRW that I've done alot of work too . ie lots of rear frame work new cross members, partial boxed frame, semi custom dumping flat bed conversion etc. . Picasa Web Albums - Deo - 92 dodge truck and I am looking at a '84 crew cab D350 longbed SRW that the cab is supposedly in good rust free shape. . fenders and bed have rust and I'm crossing my fionger that the windshield and roof are ais rust free like my truck argh. . any how since I have soo much work in my current trucks rear frame etc im thinking of cutting and extending my '92 and swapping the crewcab cab on to my current chassis. . or should I redo it the other way around make the D350 long bed a 4x4 and swap my stuff into it?... i do have my '89 W350 reg cab 4x4 for parts and a extra '89 cab thats rust free. .

Sop cut and extend or do all the work to convert and remount my dumping flat bed on to the 2wd crew chassis? I really could use the cre cab space wife and 3 kids currently. I really want a 3rd gen megacab long bed conversion . . but my financial state is no where near that $ wise. . I've looked into a '93-'97 ford crew cab swap too and later superduty swaps or excursion. . mummn not sure on the path

any idea s for me. . mainly the cut or swap question

Thanks,

Deo

 

["Mad Max"]

I feel you'd be fine swapping everything over to the crewcab's frame. It's plenty strong and for sure it will flex a bit especially with the added weight, but, I'd do it if it were my truck.



I'm about to put a 6BT/518 in my '78 Ramcharger 4x4, and I'm planning to use 1/2 ton leafs all the way around. But, the rear will be the 65" 2003 Ram springs - lots smoother than the stock ones just because of the added length alone. Have to reposition the bracketry of course... but that's just nuts and bolts. My point is, I'm using 1/2 ton springs because I know they will support the weight, and I don't want it to ride like a wooden board.

A truck I used to have was a crewcab, long bed 4xdually... and it had a set of Skyjacker 1/2 Softride springs... and it rode like a dream. It was a dana 60 front and rear, and it rode great. So I know from personal experience that new 1/2 ton springs ride just fine under trucks with big weight.

Sounds like a fun conversion - have fun and post lots fo pics. There is also a 'Cummins conversions' section here on the TDR that has lots of good conversion info. You may want to post your project updates there for the other folks to have a look .



Have fun!

- M2



- M2

 

[JLEONARD]

If it were me I'd extend the frame on the truck you have done all the mods to. I have seen more than one first gen Dodge with extended frames. There is a local construction company that has done that on a couple of their trucks.

 

[PToombs]

I was going to say buy another engine and swap into the crew. Then you have a family wagon and a work/play truck. Can't have too many diesel trucks!

 

[therabbittree]

Yeah I'm leaning toward swapping my cab and extending the frame. . as I have months of rear frame, crossmembers, fuel tank and flatbed no rust etc work already done to my '92 . . and I don't feel up to doing that all over again argh... I will have to really check this crew out really well. . if its rusty i nthe windshield / roof area L would not be too interested in it.

Pete two truck is a nice idea. . but I already have $ pits ha. . we'll see how it looks in the future.

Thanks

Deo

 

[Simplysmn]

I would say just swap the motor and running gear yeah you spent some time on the frame but crewcab longbed's are sweet I sure miss my old one .