CTD + Crew Cab - who's doin' 'em?

[Flexiheep]

soory guys as far as I know it isn't an actual buildup of it's own, it was just some pictures on another thread. Oh yah I do remember that it will be 6 wheel steer on the 2. 5 ton rockwell axles.



You can try searching www.pirate4x4.com, but you have to be a paying member (I'm not), otherwise you need to search through Google (advanced, specify domain).

 

[schRAM]

You guys are making me have second thoughts on my buildup. I'm removing a 440 w/ 727 from my donor truck tomorrow in order to get it ready for my '78 crew cab 4x4 SB project. I was looking at a crew cab at a body shop storage yard (my rear doors need replacing) the other day and missed getting a wrecked '97 CTD for $1500 plus half of the tow bill, by a couple hours. Maybe I'll call my buddy that works there to get the guys number, not sure how much damage it had. CTD would be nice (unique), but I don't need another I guess.

 

["Mad Max"]

Well, I have to say this - I like big trucks, I like big power, I like lots of room, I like duallys, I like old-school style, and I'm definitely not paying $45,000 for it. I totally dig my 1st gen, and I like 4-doors, I like good mileage, I like to clutch/shift, I like good fuel economy... but I think most importantly is... I like to tinker/build stuff. Building a rig is a fun way to be creative while in the end save some $ and have a *****in' rig.



I like to modify things to make them both better/stronger than stock while also making it 'mine' by adding my personal touches to things. Don't know why, I just dig it. So, that's where I started the path of fabrication/modification.



Why am I writing all this, heck I dunno, I guess I'm always in favor of building it how I want it. I always encourage anyone thinking of doing a project like this to go for it. Life is two dang short - live it up and make something. These conversions are not hard - they're a challenge - they're fun, and in the end they're very, very unique - something to be proud of. They're not necessarily expensive, especially when comparing to the cost of a new MegaCab 4xdually. These new rigs are insanely expensive, and while they are awesome rigs I would be terrified of abusing something that expensive as a working truck. You can't just go out and repair a fender or add a set of gauges to these new trucks. You have to get computer codes, pay for propriatery information, pay for labor on specialized installs because it'll blow a code on the computer..... screw that - I'll build an old-school 400hp truck that gets 20 mpg and will tow anything, any where, any time with my 3 best buds riding shotgun crusing at 85 mph blowing past whatever I choose. Oh, and it'll be big and stable, with 4-wheel discs, bulletproof transmission, and two great big stacks :-laf .



I'm building 'my' MegaCab Power Wagon 4xdually to haul around anyting I want, while at the same time having a singularly unique rig that will turn heads just because of it's modified nature. It also gives me a fantastic way to be creative and have fun making something purpose-built to my specs. I fully intent to 'use' my rig, and I know where I need to spend the $ to build it how I need to, and save the $ where I don't.



So, it'll take a lot of work, but for me that's the fun part - being able to use something that takes so much time to do after it's done. It's like totally eating your cake after making it.



So yeah man, if you have the time, space, funds, and most importantly, the ambition, you can build anything you want. I'm building me a rig, and I'm gonna love using it. I'm gonna love not having a $700 truck payment when it's done. The fact that it'll turn some heads is purely icing on the cake, but that's fun sometimes too



- M2

 

[DVolk]

ctd = crew cab -whos doin them

I love the look of that cab its just way to big i shurely dont nedd a 6x6

but a 1 ton 4x4 that be cool with a long box , i never spliced a cab , how hard is it ??????????

 

[Simplysmn]

so far just body is Wasted I already found a 85 crewcab drw truck complete n running with a 440 for 2 grand so its in process right now . if anyone is interested in a crewcab longbed drw frame 2wheel drive let me know its forsale after I finish swap of parts I need . The 440 is a motorhome steel crank motor runs good with a 727 trans



as for dvolk I just put the front end under my 2 wheel drive frame it was a weekend swap and real easy to do most of the bolt holes are there already

after I get it back together I will post all pics of carnidge and redo Wish me Luck this will be second Body swap on this frame

 

[RDupree]

i'm building a crewcab with a 5. 9. i just sold my f650 with the 8. 3 cummins 10 speed setup and needed a new work truck. i have an engine and allison transmission out of a bluebird military bus that i'm putting in the 84 dodge dually CC.

Randy

 

[Shadrach]

My friend has a crew cab body and frame for sale. With my parts truck I have enough pieces to build another complete crew cab. He is keeping the box and duallies. This way I could do somethings differently and have a different color. Hmmm



#ad




My 84 crew cab today and 92 "parts truck"



#ad




Shadrach

 

[RSchwarzli]

Nice job Shadrach!! It has been along time since this thread was up and running!!



Robert

 

[Shadrach]

BIG Question

Give me your thoughts and opinions please Should I convert my "blue crew" to diesel or should I build one from scratch? Both have good points and bad. If I do the blue 84 I have to change diff, fuel tank, dash, engine , trans, rad and saddle, exh, etc... I also have a whole lot of parts to dispose of. If I start from scratch I don't have to disassemble much except the 92 which would get taken apart anyway and I can change some things. I could also continue to use the 84 for now and then would have a complete truck to sell to get back some cash. Shadrach

 

[VanOverbeke]

Shadrack

If I was going to do it, I would build from scratch. If you have a truck that you can still use during the time of the build you will not feel the pressure to complete with a strict deadline and make compramises. You will probably be less stressed and enjoy it more. I know I would anyways. I also think that it will be easier to get rid of a working truck than parts. You just need one person and the whole thing is gone. Selling parts, you have the possibility of not selling all and the potential for a lot of people to be calling taking more time. Good luck either way you go.



Bryce

 

[RSchwarzli]

That is a VERY big question!!



Well, looking back at mine (that I am still not 100% done on yet- 3. 5 years later:{) I would first ask, how far do you want to go and what is your use for the truck?? If you are planning on having a rough work truck, that is very different from the route I went. Are you in nature a perfectionist? How are you in general when it comes to automotive and thier conditions? As I wanted to have a "like it came from the factory" condition, I knew I was doing a complete restoration.



OK. I lied. That last sentance is not even close to true!! I started off fixing and eventually deciding to replace the trans that was in the truck. :-laf Yeah, perfectionism is BAD! You see, when I got the truck, it was already converted by the "crew cab conversion house" in North Alberta. Did I perk your interest??:-laf You see, in the early and mid 90's, there was a place there that would take crew cabs from junk yards, strip them to the frame, install all of the diesel crossmembers, fuel tanks, interior (although the rear interior remained to the original crew) and the motor axle t-case, rad core - basically, everything minus frame and body. My donar s were a 1980 D350 Dually crew and a W250 Club Diesel. The problem with the truck was it had alot of little glitches that drove me nuts over the 2 years I drove it. Trans was fried, windows did not open, when the truck ran something smelt like it was burning. Rear axle was damaged. Getrag was past fried. Motor was in need of a VERY big tune up. You get the idea. Once I decided to change the trans, I decided well I am at it, why not fix the rear alxe. That decision eveloved into changing the trans to a NV5600 as "if I am going to do it, I am going to do it right". I would learn to hate that motto very soon. :-laf So After diciding to do all that, I knew this would be a towing machine (48' race car trailer) so I decded, due to the limitations of ther VE, why not do a P pump so I can get a 400HP motor? Found it cheaper to get a pull out motor. Now with all of this, better do a Dana 80 instead of a salvage 70 to handle the extra power. Once I had gotten this far everythiong I touched became victim of my favorite theory. If I have gone this far... Eventually, a full nut and bolt restification ensued and all. As I go to car shows and I wanted to learn hands on HOW to work on cars, I am OK with what I have done. Looking back, I would have started with the cheapest truck I could find and just sold the Diesel Crew to someone who would have just fixed the trans as the truck really was a good truck and really did not need to be rebuilt YET. For what the truck has on it now, see the trucks info in my profiles section. This truck REALLY got out of control!!



Now to answer your question. What is your intended purpose?? My recommendation is probably pretty clear from my experience, but, other things like work area, time to dedicate to the project, and do you have a daily driver, they all add up in this equation. In the end, your truck will be built 100% the way you want it if you build it from scratch. It will also take more time and cost WAY more than if you go the other route.



I hope I did not bore anyone!



Robert

 

[Shadrach]

Thanks guys
I looked high and low for a decent crew for nearly 2 years to replace my ailing 82 club. I had already changed it from a D150 to a D250 and replaced the engine and trans with fresh HD versions. When I found this one ( in May 2000 ) it was actually on a used lot here in town. The nice thing about it is it is rust free. After waiting for nearly 2 months I finally got it for a fair price. it was complete and running and had aftermarket A/C as it had spent winters in Arizona. The engine had been "rebuilt" and the paint job was poor. So I swapped engines and trans between the two trucks and eventually sold my club. I stripped all the paint off and added every factory option I could find in the wreckers, air, tilt, cruise, pw, pdl, delay wipers, rear slider etc... . I also converted it to propane, removing all the gasoline stuff, added full dual exhaust with a removable "H" pipe and rebuilt the Dana 60 adding a Trac Lok. I changed it to camper style mirrors with heated heads, smoked the rear door glass. and added a tach and 7 more gauges.

Sure it would be a lot easier to just add a 93 CTD ( my buddy still has his - after we put in a 96 ) and use the parts from my 92 "parts truck". But I don't seem to know how to leave well enough alone. :-laf

Do I really want to take it all apart again, and where do I stop? When the 97 truck came up for sale I jumped at the chance. I had it put on the dyno and it put 209 to the rear wheels. Not bad for a 215 engine. That's my favorite version and I liked the NV4500 over the Getrag. Since this will be a family trailer towing vehicle I don't want any breakdowns so I decided to rebuild the engine, and make a few changes ( No - improvements ) at the same time - cam, exhaust manifold, turbo, injectors, fuel pump mods, to name a few.

I looked at this truck but the body had some rust and the rear doors were cracking at the windows, so I passed on it even though the whole truck was cheaper than the cab and frame my friend has.

#ad


My friends cab and frame, even though it looks like it is together , is just that - a frame with front suspension and a bare cab, It is a 78 body and has been sitting at his place for over 15 years now and he won't live long enough to finish all his projects. I just need to work out a deal with him. He is a bodyman so I can get him to blast it and fill in the fuel tank hole in the cab.
I have a 90 4Runner to drive daily and my buddy has a 30 x 50 shop I can work in, as soon as we get it cleaned up and quit fixing His truck.

Well I guess that answers that question doesn't it.

To be continued... Shadrach

 

[TJarecke]

I am wanting to do this,... again. I used to have a 97 4 door that was made by bayer automotive. I sold it this spring. Now I am back to wanting a 1st gen crew. I have access to a 94 truck for the motor and transmission, although I am kind of wanting a ve for the mileage. Well that and I think they can make more than people have given them credit for thus far (another discussion all together). Either that or it would limit me and keep the disease at bay :-laf



The real problem is I don't need another project. My brother and I co-own a 94 reg cab short box 2wd that we drag race. It is always a work in progress.

My wife said she would drive a truck but I am kind of thinking going from a 05 escape to 1st gen cummins isn't what she is thinking.



Nice work on your trucks. I am envious. Hopefully not for too long Oo.

 

[RSchwarzli]

Shadrach



I saw that truck listed in the AB autotrader a while back!! That was one of the trucks that I went "see, that would have been a better starting point"!



I would say you answered your own question. You have the space, time, daily driver and you want a family reliable towing rig. If you do not do a full rebuild, there will always be little things/gremlins that will come up and frusterate you, not to mention the family if you are sitting on the side of the road!!



Great winter project???:-laf Or many depending on how your project goes!!:{



Robert

 

[Shadrach]

Believe it or not my wife is actually OK with the starting from scratch project as opposed to converting the 84. The main reason is that when I bought the 84 our daughter had just been born and being a new Dad and not knowing what was expected I kept myself busy with the truck instead of "lending a hand" to my wife. She kinda resents that truck still, so I know she won't be sad to see it go. That and the fact she will be glad when I stop "whining" about the "lack of power the 360 has". I just won't tell her how much it will cost.

I have been collecting parts for years to do this and the longer it takes the more I learn, but also the more I change my mind about what I am doing. Take the trans for instance. My parts truck had the auto, then I traded it for a Getrag. Then I bought the 97 with the NV4500. Now I bought a G56. So I have 2 used transmissions for sale, which might pay for a corner of the G56. If you are going to do, DO IT RIGHT, otherwise you will regret it later. Although I would have liked to have had the CTD in the truck already, by waiting I have actually saved money. I have gotten deals on parts, new and used, and the prices have come down on other things that were on my wish list.

Shadrach

 

[RSchwarzli]

Yup. It will be a full restoration / modification. I can see it already... .



Robert

 

[Shadrach]

Robert What did you end up using for a rad and cooler in your crew? Shadrach

 

[pepecat]

I'm about to take the plunge and combine a 1990 W250 into a 1972 W200 Crew Cab Short Box. It is a cool truck with a brownie aux trans with original paint and just a little rot under the driver side floor and above the rear wheel wells. The truck was wash/waxed weekly for over 30 years of it's life. I am going to basically put the entire 1990 drivetrain inside the 1972 with fuel tank and all. The front Axle I haven't decided yet. It currently has a Dana 70 closed knuckle which is a cool old Axle. The W250 hit a center divider real hard and there is a possibility that the axle could be bent :-( Still will have to look into this. If this is the case I may not have a choice but to keep it a 70F/70R setup. . luckily they're all 4:10s... The W250 has a 5spd and Gear Vendor setup inside. The 5th/OVER gear will give me just under what my 5th/307s gets me in my d250. Just about right for the crew.

It will take a lot of time but I would really like to keep the stock dash setup, to keep it old school. My plan is to use it as a driver/recreation and some periodic mild towing...

#ad

 

[RSchwarzli]

Shadrach - I went with 2nd gen units, intercooler being a PDR one too!



I have a problem when it comes to this stuff!



Robert

 

[RSchwarzli]

Pepecat - That is one big antenna!!



Good luck with the project! look like a good one!



P. S. Whats a brownie?? Normally that reffers to a skid mark but I do not believe that that works in this case!!:-laf



Robert