Dodge M880 1977

[GCroyle]

It followed me home, I told it to go back where it was but it wouldn't listen, I threw stones at it, called it names and cursed it's sparkplugs.



OK, I have a dog too, same story.



It's a 1977 Dodge M880, compares to a W200. 318CID, 727 A/T, 203 T-Case, Dana 44 and 60 diffs. Nameplate shows PAYLOAD of 2500Lbs. It needs a good share of TLC and I need to learn 4X4 maintainance.



I didn't think I needed a 4X4 when I got my 2005, but a few places around here have shown me the error of that decision, so this is my hunt truck, dirt road, wet whatever offroad project vehicle.



OK, we are CTD fans, yup this has a DISTRIBUTOR! and HORRORS a PRND21 on the steering column. Well, If my trusty collection of Wright and Craftsman tools has anything to say about that, its gonna have a 4 speed A435 in it real soon. A 4BT has crossed my mind, but that's way down the road. I took it on a short shakedown near my house, climbed a hill W/O breaking a sweat where my '05 wouldn't even dare look at it. I already have a big pile of 4 speed conversion parts lined up, bellhousing, pedals, bellcrank, fork, F/W and well I might be able to find it a decent clutch somewhere.

 

[DBentley]

Nice truck.

I have kicked my self for 2 years for not buying one just like it that was at a local car show for sale.

 

[Simplysmn]

On the front hub assy there is a extra hole if you pull the wheel off . Everytime you change the oil reach through that hole and Greese the front bearing's if you don't you will cry all the way to the parts house to replace the whole assy. and if you get a chance put a part time kit into the t case it will get better mpg .

 

[GCroyle]

Simplysmn,



Your advice about the grease fittings was spot on, big thanks. It took a bit of rotating the rotor until the access hole lined up with the zerk, careful cleaning of the zerks and Hi-Temp disc brake grease, both sides were in the straight forward position for locations.



This might be a diamond in the rough or a piece of coal that hasn't been burned yet, time will tell along with lots of detailing and fixing.



I have heard a few comments about the front springs sagging, mine are looking like some Ford's where the axle tube is above the bushings, not below it like most are.

 

[PToombs]

Nice old truck. I had one almost like it, not military though.

I wouldn't change the trans, that's got the "old faithful" 727 in it! :-laf

 

[Simplysmn]

The Front spring's on thoses truck's sag from the factory as for the zerk fitting's that is the only way the front bearing unit get;s grease I speak from experience on that one . we bought a truck and didn't know about the zerk and lost both hub's

 

[GCroyle]

Simplysmn,



Are the springs supposed to be sagging?



Pete,



If I don't put a straight drive in this thing, well how could I explain this one to anybody that knows me? My family fleet has two A/T's a 97 Concorde (Daughter's) and 02 Corolla (Wife's) the rest are handshakers including a Neon. I got so many of the conversion parts for free from a previous collector that didn't find the right truck. Old Faithful 727 might help pay for some of the other parts, don't know yet.



I put a cap, rotor and Champions in it last night, starts good so far cold, but has failed to fire up when it gets warmer, lots to learn, possible carb/choke problem. Carter C-2425 casting.



One big challange is getting the lighting system to work correctly, this has the Military black out light switch system integrated into it, ain't working correctly and some fool mangeled the 3 control levers. I actually have a civilian inside the cab wiring harness, it might get converted.

 

[K.L.Schumacher]

77w200

A good way to replace those crappy bearings is to find a front end from a 1980 and up from a dodge ram 250. bolts right in and may be cheaper to convert than repair the original front end. If the front end you come across has a front axle disconnect in the right axle tube just use everythig that connects from the ball joints out. If your good with tools its an easy swap. The only reason to keep the original front axle/hub assembly is for originality. another bonus is the ability to have locking hubs with your transfer case conversion to part time. By the way the transfer case that you have is a good one if the chain does not slip in low lock. Another plus is you also get high/low 2 wheel drive as well as high/ low 4 wheel drive. Low range 2 is great for trailer backing and manuvering. One more thing , if the milage is approaching 100 thosand miles and the timeing chain is original then change it along with the gears. It will fail at the worst time. Have fun. Dodgeboykim

 

[GCroyle]

Kim,



Interesting axle idea. I have thought about lock out hubs.



The big issue has been the dash wiring but I think that is doing just fine after pulling the entire harness out and going through it and bypassing the ammeter and fixing a bunch of ill advised attempts to make the lights work. BTW, I think I now have all major light functions and a bunch of minor functions working. Today was a carb kit. Odometer shows less than 30,000. Still piling up parts to swap 727 for 435 manual.



I also have a new timing chain in my parts stock, told to check for slop in distributor shaft response vs. crank rotation by hand.

 

[RED]

Great truck, I've had a few 880. Try Saturn Surplus, for NOS Mil. Parts.

 

[K.L.Schumacher]

m880

Gary is the amp meter fryed where the leads connect to the terminals and melted into the plastic dash assembly, if so see if you can repair the plastic or find a unmelted used/new one and a new amp meter. To prevent the amp meter from cooking again silver solder the threaded posts to the cross bar. Solder new ends on any damaged wires and you have a bulletproof repair. I did this on my last truck a slightley modified 76 w200 440 auto dana 60 front and rear ,hubs with part time conversion auto with a pto braden winch. Good truck just not a diesal. Kim