LOONNGG Introduction!

[91.5oneowner]

Well I thought I'd introduce myself.

No I'm not some pompus @$$ who walks into a room and announces "I have arrived!" I just always wonder about people when I correspond with them on the "interweb"

I own a Gun/Gunsmithing shop and if I do say so myself: I know my stuff. If any of you have any questions I'd be glad to answer them. I'm a one-man show with all of the work I can handle and no desire to get BIG so I'm NOT out to get in your pocket!

I am heartened to see all of the pro-gun statements in the signatures around here!



I have 4 kids from 2-8 years old and they are CUTER than any of your kids OR grandkids. I'm sorry to have to take that stance but I will not be swayed on that subject. You may send pictures if you want but I can garauntee you my kids are in-fact cuter. I have been married for 9. 5 years and plan to stay that way.



My Family has been MOPARITES for a LONG time. My Paternal Grandfather had a '68 CrewCab fleetside short box before I was born and my Dad bought a brand new '75 ClubCab 4wd. when I was 2 years old so that truck and I grew-up together. I helped my Dad build and install a 440 in that truck when I was about 11 years old. He ownes an automotive machine shop and does vehicle/equipment electrical systems.

I kind of lie in my user name as my Dad was actually the first owner of my '91. 5, W250, LE, two-tone silver-gray, 4wd. , Getrag, truck but I figure it's close enough. I've owned it since late '96 when I FINALLY talked him into getting a new one so I could buy his old one. He bought, and still ownes, a '97 SLT Cummins, NV4500 4wd. ClubCab.



Now the bad news: I also own FIVE Fords, my Maternal Grandfather was a big Ford-man so I think that gene finally rose from the ashes a couple of years ago, sorry.

'97 4wd. PowerStroke Ext. Cab F250 FOR SALE

'90 F350 Gasser CrewCab 4wd. FOR SALE

'97 F350 Gasser StdCab 4wd. PARTING OUT

'94 F350 XLT CrewCab 4wd. 7. 3L IDI Turbo, gonna keep it, it'll haul the whole family and it's all mechanical so I can work on it. AND BOY have I had to work on it! I worked on it more the first WEEK I owned it than the whole 12+ YEARS I've owned my Doge/Cummins!

The last Ford is an '86 F-350 2wd. CrewCab I bought all beat-up and made a personal use "service truck" out of and man is it handy.

I belive I am raising my kids right though because I told my son once that I was going to sell the SuperDodge and he said, and I quote: "but it's like a brother to me!"

When I brought the first Ford home I arrived after he was asleep. When my Wife went to take him to school the next day he looked at the truck, walked around the front, looked up at the blue oval in the grille and said "but it's a FORD!" and hung his head in shame.



OK, to redeem myself I have 7 other Dodges too.

3- Jeeps

2- Internationals

4-GM trucks



OK I have too many but I'm working on that, no my house isn't a red-neck junkyard even though it sounds like it.



As you can tell I'm a MOPAR man but I like other trucks too.

I go on the Ford Truck Enthusiasts IDI web site/forum almost everyday and log on as Dodge/Cummins. The name kind of antagonizes them but I have to say they are a GREAT bunch of guys even if they are MOPAR deficient.



The vanity plate on my Dodge says 4DEATR (Ford Eater) and since I have 5 of them I should know! My Dodge/Cummins truck has been and is the best truck I have ever had, NO QUESTION.



Anyway, one of the other Dodges is an '85 D350 2wd. CrewCab, long bed. My intention is to SLOWLY combine my '91. 5 and it to create a first gen. CrewCab 4wd. So, I'll probably be posting on and off.

BTW, I have "accumulated" 3 Allison 545s, one of which I want to use on this project. Any of you guys know much about them?

As an aside I'd like to eventually put one in my wife's Suburban behind a 4BT.

My '94 CC Ford wiil HOPEFULLY get me by until that truck is eventually done and then it'll probably supplant it.



BLAH< BLAH< BLAH. I promise future posts will not be ANYWHERE near as LONG!



BTW I've been a TDR Magazine subscriber since, I think, around '98 or so: I just haven't been on the web site long.



THANKS FOR YOUR TIME! I WARNED you it was long.

 

[JJPage]

Welcome aboard!



I believe you will find this a friendly and very helpful site.



Jess

 

[Bob Beauchaine]

Welcome aboard! Your post was not too long - I only fell asleep once - twice is too long.



As far as the Allison 545s most consider them throw away trannys but I've seen them haul close to 50 tons on a day to day basis for years - on airport at speeds that maxed out at 25 mph. They don't have a park feature so you will need to address that. I would expect to see them hold up quite well in daily service and with regular manitenance.



Bob

 

[PToombs]

Well, glad you're not a pompus azz! A little long winded, but you're not alone on here! :-laf

Welcome to the site. There is tons of 1st gen and crew conversion info here for you.

 

[Philip]

Wecome to TDR



Those 545's do not have OD in them eather. That means you need the hard to find 3:07 geared axle for that CC. Those 545's also most likely use a SAE#3 bell housing. You will need to do some floor board work to clear it. It it is 3" to 4" inches longer than the Dodge engine adapter. I have heard a 3" body lift will clear the SAE#3 also.

 

[91.5oneowner]

As far as the 545s go I have one with a drum parking brake on the back that I plan to use. Plus I've been using my parking brake and neutral for so long with the five-speed I don't think it'll be a problem.

I have two complete set-ups for the Cummins and one that came out of a 40K# GVW Volvo.

I won't need an overdrive because I'm going to run 35" tires with my stock 3:54 gears.

I'm going to use a divorced Ford NP 205 and a king-pin high-pinion Ford Dana 60 front in it.

I'm thinking of using a Gear-Vendors overdrive in between the trans. and X-case too but I haven't decided. I'll have plenty of wheel base to fit it all in.

They'll probably end up discontinuing the divorced GV before I get to buying one, with my luck anyway.

 

[R C Cola]

Ego Anyone ?

Sorry, couldn't resist. I also have some beautiful gran kids. Yes, it does seem to make one feel pretty good all day. No, not interested in a contest of photos since we wouldn't want to start something that would make some other guy feel bad. With that many rigs that are fords hope you know a good mechanic. Welcome aboard.

 

[Shadrach]

OH BOY another crew cab Dodge with a CTD going into it. Oo. I will be running a divorced NP205 as well but mine is a 2WD . I want the low gears for spotting my trailer. My trans choice is a G56 Benz 6 speed. I have been collecting parts and spend money on this project for years now. I just need to live long enough to start ( and finnish ) it:-laf



I don't own a gun or have any grand kids.

 

[Bluebird]

Welcome, Fdeater...

You are okay man, I don't care what anybody says or writes

Welcom home to the TDR 1st Gen Asylum:-laf



:-{}Patrick

 

[91.5oneowner]

OH BOY another crew cab Dodge with a CTD going into it. Oo. I will be running a divorced NP205 as well but mine is a 2WD . I want the low gears for spotting my trailer. My trans choice is a G56 Benz 6 speed. I have been collecting parts and spend money on this project for years now. I just need to live long enough to start ( and finnish ) it:-laf



I don't own a gun or have any grand kids.

Well get with it man! Go buy a gun and get some kids, you have to have those first you know. LOL



Using that 205 for low-speed manuverability is a good idea. I put 6" Skyjacker springs in the back of mine to eliminate the blocks and the associated spring-wrap but it's still nice to reach down and double-down the gears for backing a trailer.



I'm in the "parts amassing" stage myself. I have the "big" stuff, including a fork lift, what I REALLY need is a shop to do it in.

I don't want to tear-up the '91 until I'm ready to really get the ball rolling. I'll probably do some power upgrades first.

I'm compiling a notebook to keep all of the recommendations and experiences of everyone in order so I can go about it in an organized manner.

 

["Mad Max"]

howdy! No such thing as too long a post - besides long posts usually also have the other perk - lots of good information :-laf.



Hey on the overdrive thing - I've got 35" tires and 3. 54's and I wish I had yet another gear. I'm betting you'll want overdrive with your combo for sure.

Also, for the crewcab + Cummins gig - have a gander here: https://www.turbodieselregister.com...rsions/114511-ctd-crew-cab-who-s-doin-em.html



Keep us posted!

- Sam

 

[peobryant]

When are you gonna get us some pictures? I want to see that IDI F-350 as well, those are my favorite Fords.



Welcome to the site.

 

[Ncostello]

You say...

No I'm not some pompus @$$ who walks into a room and announces "I have arrived!"

Then quickly after say...

I have 4 kids from 2-8 years old and they are CUTER than any of your kids OR grandkids. I'm sorry to have to take that stance but I will not be swayed on that subject. You may send pictures if you want but I can garauntee you my kids are in-fact cuter.

Those first few intro statements you made contradict themselves. And bad too. Its wonderful for folks to say their children are beautiful. Its always true. But to say "I'm a modest person... and by the way my kids are better than...



But anyhoo you sound like you have a good assortment of quality equipment. Is most of it in a barn or garage of some sort?

 

[Grizzly]

Welcome aboard, and ... ... you are long winded.



Keep your post down to three or four sentences and we'll get along.

 

[MN Cummins Lvr]

Well, glad you're not a pompus azz!

Anyone who drives a 1st Gen isn't!!!:-laf:-laf:-laf

 

[91.5oneowner]

When are you gonna get us some pictures? I want to see that IDI F-350 as well, those are my favorite Fords.



Welcome to the site.

IF I ever figure out how to post pictures with my EXTREMELY limited computer skills I'll do it.



The only other full-size diesels I LIKE are the IDIs but I LOVE Cummins 12Vs!

 

[91.5oneowner]

You say...







Then quickly after say...







Those first few intro statements you made contradict themselves. And bad too. Its wonderful for folks to say their children are beautiful. Its always true. But to say "I'm a modest person... and by the way my kids are better than...



But anyhoo you sound like you have a good assortment of quality equipment. Is most of it in a barn or garage of some sort?

Well one thing I'm not modest about is my kids. And I'm not going to apologize for it! I would think anybody with kids or grandkids would find the seriousness, yet at the same time the humor of the statement you are referencing.



So far they're not old enough to have gone "bad", if they ever do I'll be the first one to admit it. I sure hope with every fiber of my being it doesn't happen and I spend my life trying to raise them right.

I'd give up everything I own for a garauntee of that.





I wish all my trucks were undercover, but they're not.

AT LEAST every summer I clean them all up and make sure nothing is rotting away. That's a necessity around here, lots of rain.

Atleast half of them are definitely going to be sold.

Only two are "parts" rigs the rest run but a few are not to "selling quality" yet.



Want to buy something? LOL!

 

[Ncostello]

I was just razzin ya! Lots of that here in the 1st gen forum. We sometimes nit-pick. At least I do.



I once (actually recently) had 5 trucks at my house. 2 inside and 3 outside. My neighbors really started giving me weird looks and asked alot of questions.



I'm back down to my comfortable 3.

 

[91.5oneowner]

I was just razzin ya! Lots of that here in the 1st gen forum. We sometimes nit-pick. At least I do.



I once (actually recently) had 5 trucks at my house. 2 inside and 3 outside. My neighbors really started giving me weird looks and asked alot of questions.



I'm back down to my comfortable 3.

THREE! Man, seriously you NEED some of mine!



You can always get NEW neighbors.

 

[GHarman]

91. 5oneowner, Welcome Aboard! We have similar interests, I see! My Dream was to be a Custom Gunsmith and I went that way with early training and could do the work but didn't know how to market myself. So, I worked as a weldor/fabricator/pipefitter, till I retired. Still tinker with "rifleguns" (Alvin York's terminology) and try to shoot as often as possible. I have a 9 year old Son and we get to share this great hobby when he is not loaded with school work and his behavior rates the priviledge. I hope he will learn the fundamentals of gunsmithing, machining and welding as he grows. Right now he is learning to get his act together, in school:-laf. He wants to be a Train Engineer. Thanks for posting. GregH