Diesel 82-90 Crew Cab

[jdurham]

Well, I think I went and did a bad thing. I have my 90 standard cab, but it doesn't do well going to the race track because of the amount of people I need to carry. I found an 82 crew cab, bought it, and will soon make my 90 into a crew cab. For those of you who know about doing this, I'd love any suggestions. My 90 has near perfect sheetmetal and original paint, so I am going to use every part of it that I can on the conversion, even the doors if they will fit. I have enclosed a photo of each. I guess the only thing I really need to get this started is a 93 core support so that I can paint and assemble everything.



I have enclosed a photo of my 90

 

[jdurham]

... and here is the 82

 

[McGivern]

92 crew cab

I've done it. I can tell you all about it. You can give me a call at work at 480-813-8012 or email me at -- email address removed -- . It took me about 2 months.



Mark

 

[JFitzgerald]

Looks like a decent crew cab you got there, jdurham. I'm considering doing this to get some more room for the family. From what I understand, you can take a club cab, long bed truck and put a crew cab and a short bed on it, and the wheelbase will match up. Am I on the right track here? This would be nice in that the whole chassis & drivetrain could be left intact and just swap body parts.



This project sounds more attractive than a BIG payment on a 3rd gen 4dr with less room in the back.

 

[McGivern]

Fitz,

length wise you are correct, however you have to modify the frame as the area under the club portion of the cab is at bed leve instead of under-cab level. I made a club into a crew, so speaking from experience.



Mark

 

[jdurham]

Thanks Fitz! I couldn't believe it. It was about 12 miles from my house, and had no rust, and the frame looks straight. The guy selling it paints as well, and offered to help me paint it in his booth once I get the parts all prepped.

 

[JFitzgerald]

jdurham, sounds like a great deal. Body work & paint are two things I don't get into. Mechanical is not a problem, but body work is not my thing, so to me, that's a real good feature in the deal. Will you keep us up on your project?



McGivern, now that you say that, I remember someone telling me that before. I believe he said the body could be modified to clear the frame. What's your opinion, frame or body mods? I suppose a guy could put a big body lift on. That would look NICE! I'm not a fan of body lifts, by the way. Been there, done that, took it off (not my Dodge). Did you go long or short bed? Any pics? Thanks.

 

[McGivern]

Fitz,

I went long bed, so I had to cut the frame anyway. I butt-welded it with a MIG welder, and also fish plated the joints and boexed the frame at the joints. Give me you email and I'll send you a photo- it's too big a file to attach!



Mark



-- email address removed --

 

[JFitzgerald]

Thanks McGivern, I sent you an email. Now I'm thinking if the frame needs to be cut and welded anyway, that I might prefer to keep my long bed. What's another 1-1/2 feet? Then, all I'd need to find is a crew cab, and use my dog house and bed. The rear driveshaft, wiring, and brake lines would need to be stretched. I suppose I could cut a section out of the crew cab donor's frame for the filler piece for my frame. I found a guy with crew cabs to sell, but he is in CA, and I am about 2,000 miles east. I'm sure there are more to find.



My biggest concern is not being able to drive my truck during this process. :{

 

[McGivern]

Fitz,

I sent you pics of the complete poject. I mated my frame to a 92 regular cab frame and added about 12" from another frame in between. The wiring and brakes are no big deal, just make sure you solder the connections and install shrink tube. The driveline is a little tricky, because you have to move the carrier bearing mount back (because the rear section is already at max length). I also shimmed the carrier so the angles would be maintained. I could send you pics of the frame and driveline if you decide to do the project (I'd have to take some). My truck was down 2 months for the project (including 2. 5 weeks at the painter). I also removed all that rattly plastic crap from the interior (except the dash!), and coated it with a sound deadening material that looks like a sprayed in bedliner. I moved my nice cushy split bench to the back and bought a Qualitex center console bucket setup that used the factory fabric. I am happy with the truck. Almost every time I fill up someone looks at me funny and asks, now what year is that? I remember the Johnny Cash song and say... Its an 85, ... . 92... ha ha

Mark

 

[JFitzgerald]

Mark, your truck is sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeet! You really must post some pics in the Readers Rigs for all of us to see! I like how you lost the factory trim and have such a nice, clean paint job. Wait 'til I show my wife, she'll say "let's get started".



Since you brought up the interior, that is another concern of mine. Sounds like you have a nice interior. I'd like to transfer my factory bucket seat interior to the crew cab, then hopefully find some nice interior parts for the back seat, rear door panels, etc. Don't have a feel for what the factory interiors were like in those, but I'm picturing a bare-bone, "state-truck" type. I need to get out and find some to look at. Maybe a trim shop could re-cover a bench for the back to match my grey cloth.



You're right, that Cash song just fits.

 

[jdurham]

I was told that the frame may be beefed up for the Cummins on the 90, and that I need to be careful about that if using the 82 frame. Yesterday, I parked the trucks side by side for comparison, and they appear identical. Can any of you confirm/deny this? I was also told that the doors are the same on both trucks, so if I can use the long frame, I am a cross flow core support and a tailgate away from being able to do the whole thing.

 

[McGivern]

Fitz,

Thanks for the kind words. I don't have photos posted because I'm a little ****** they wont give me a cover photo on the TDR. Considering some of the "average" stuff I see on there, I think I deserve the spotlight once! I guess I should just get over it and post the pics!

Mark

 

[JFitzgerald]

Mark, I understand. What is their reasoning? Maybe it's the 1st gen gets 2nd rate thing? You have a beautiful, owner-built truck that is cover-worthy. Not only that, IMO, it is a truck that Dodge should have built. There is a definite interest in crew cab Cummins conversions on this site and others. I can appreciate what it takes to complete a project like that. My hobbies - off roading (now) and mud racing in the past, have gotten me into much Jeep and truck building and customizing.



jdurham, that would make sense on the frames, but if they measure the same, go for it. I am under the impression that the front doors are the same for either cab.

 

[M'staedt]

jdurham,



I can verify that doors from an '89 will fit an '81 crew-cab (at least as well as they "fit" the truck they came off of). You will have to change the striker in the door jamb to match the newer style latch.



I am also building a crew-cab, but I don't have as nice a donor as you do. I don't have a donor at all -- I'm building it pretty much from junk-yard parts.



I'll be very anxious to hear how you're doing as you go. I know there are some issues involving this conversion. Two that I've read about in the "Conversion" forum are engine crossmember differences and fuel tank vs. cab floor interference (short box trucks).



Keep us posted!!



Mark

 

[83 crew cab]

on my 82 crewcab short box 4X4 the fuel tank out of an 89 fit with no modification need at all and no problems on the eng cross member George



the frames are the same in a 90 and any way not sure with any other years but we did quit abit of measureing befor we starrted the swap #ad

 

[wraney]

Well how's the conversion coming along? I'm considering the challenge myself,but haven't had your success in finding a donor truck in that good of condition.











wade,

 

[McGivern]

Another fine crew cab conversion!