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Crewcab project trucks

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Any luck with plastic 'welding'?

Engines on E-bay.......

Guys,

I really think we need a conversion forum like some of you have asked for. But..... till we get one, I have a few questions. Yall know I bought an 85 4 door shortbed crewcab 4x4, a W350 single wheel. Well... ..... today I bought a totalled 1995 3/4ton reg cab 4x4 with an automatic(yuch). The truck has Dana 70 rear and 60 front axles, 3. 55 antispin in the rear (yeeeeha!!). I have many questions on this issue.



Are there any differences in the Dana 70's from the first gen to the second gen trucks??



What is the difference in the engines from 95 to 1998. Mine is a 160 hp engine and the 97/98 are 215???



Should I stick with the NP205 transfercase in the 85 or go with the 241 transfercase in the newer truck??



I do think I will stick with the old dana 60 in the front of the 85 cause it has manual hubs, unless you can convince me I am doing wrong.



Will the fuel tank from the 95 work on the older truck??



Just curious how yall are doing it. As this project goes along maybe we can swap some parts. I saw Hutchews post on trading the 5 speed for an auto. Let me know and we'll see what we can work out.



later

Don
 
Don,

Sorry can't help you with this one, don't know much about the 2nd gens. I would try to keep everything one year like "95" ,save you from doing unneeded conversions. I would bet that you will need a 89-93 fuel tank though( call the yard in northern Wisconson, he has one).

Kyle
 
GO BIG DON GO !!!!!

The engine difference is due to the auto VS standard specs Dodge had. My engine is an early model 98 12v/5speed w/215 HP, I think the same thing in an auto ran @ 180 HP. Apparently the auto couldn't hold up to the higher HP. I don't know what they did to turn the motor HP down, but I would think it's probably all in the pump, which is easily remedied.

You won't be able to use the NP241HD transfer case unless you change out the front end, because the output for the front end is on the drivers side. I toyed with the idea of joining the 98 front end (frame and front axle) I had with the rear end frame of my 85, but couldn't see it being worthwhile. 94 and up use a coil spring setup, whereas the earlier models used the leaf springs. The NP241HD you have is worth about $750-800 here in Albuquerque, and NP205's from a 89-93 CTD truck go for @ $450. I have more info about this conversion (see my rant-n-rave post: @&%^$@%#^& transfer case) from yesterday) and now I know what needs to be done and where to get the parts for it. Gimme a call @ 505-362-8333 and I'll inform you if you want.

As far as using your 85 NP205 case, it will cost you more in parts and labor to make it work than you can buy a used one for. CrewCabDiesel has an excellent post w/ part numbers and all if you opt to go this way.

I am going to use the original 85 Dana 60 in my 85, but will have to change the gears out, as it has 4. 10's now, and I need 3. 54's to match the rear. I don't know of any major difference in the Dana 70's from 1st gen to 2nd, measure the distance between spring perches and the overall width axle flange to axle flange and if they are the same, it outa work. Otherwise, you have some options to MAKE it work. (BFH :D ).



Good luck, and keep in touch.
 
I do not know how much help I can be to you two. I used the stuff from a 91 1/2 and mine is a 2wd. I will tell you this, its worth it when you ride down the road with 4 REAL doors!:D
 
So... ... how many of us are out here with four fullsize doors and a Cummins??? Chime in and tell us about your ride or post pics.

So far I have bought the 85 and drivien it about 300 miles and just bought a 95 donor truck and well... ... that's about it for now. I'll keep yall posted and hope you do the same.





later

Don
 
I have the truck, just need the engine, transmission, time, & money! It's a 1988 Chevy V-30 with a TBI 350, SM 465, NP 205, Brown-Lipe 20% over/under, & 4. 10's (Dana 60 front, the good 14-bolt rear). I'd love to transplant a 215hp 12 valve with a NP4500, but used engines around here run about $5k regardless of age, rating, or # of hours/miles on them. :(
 
Still no good, Crewcab..........

Hey bud, still says photo is unavailable. I got tired of messing with that photopoint stuff, guess it works for some. That website I just put up is hosted for free, with 50 megs of space. Of course, you gotta let 'em put their advertisements on your site, but it isn't too bad in my opinion. They will, for just a little bit, give you more storage, and if you want you can have your own domain name. If you don't have a html editor, you can build your website right on their server (they have a html editor built in) but I couldn't use it because I have a slow dialup ISP. It would work pretty good if you had a faster connection I think. Anyway, just a thought, it's free and easy if your interested. You can get to that site by hitting the link at the top of my home page. Cya:D
 
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