BHD

I've been dragging my feet on this next project that I have been hoarding parts, for probably the last 4 years or so. Not because I didn't have the desire to get started, but because responsibilities in life tend to get in the way.

Anyways, I have been limping my 1990 W250 along for some time as my dedicated mule that pulls the plow. And every year for the last few i have had a conversation with it, and we agree to get the work done. However, that truck has seen some tough service ever since I have owned it. Either hooked to an overloaded trailer or having a bed full of more treasures to drag home. I call it the Drag N Fly, since it drags up one side of grade and flies down the other, provided there is ample landing strip real estate. I have done about every upgrade you can imagine, aside from pulling the pump and the head or running twins. It runs better than it should, but keeping up with traffic on the interstates is tough hooked to a trailer.

So, i decided to build me another truck. (Shocking to some of you that know me.) This time it will be with an engine that will make decent and usable power, a tranny and rear that will take said power, and of course a decent interior, all wrapped up in 1st Gen sheet metal that can seat 4 comfortably.

Moderators, this will be an epic and long build. If you deem it necessary to stuff it in the conversion forums please do so.

Warning, paint and fancy sheetmetal work are not my specialties. This build will have a few goals: 1) utilitarian daily driver, 2) as rust free as I can make it, 3) usable and sustainable power on the highway, 4) 4wd and standard shift, 5) slightly comfortable interior, 6) use of off the shelf parts, 7) completed by next spring

Stay tuned for pics.

nonrev

I will be following this one

oliver foster

Boy I was wondering if/when you where going to start a thread. You have been planning this build for a while.

I am really looking forward to watching "the sparks fly" on this project.
It will not be long before the cold weather sets in and I plan on getting back on my 2wd Ramcharger build. I too am planning on being able to drive my latest project by next spring.

Would be great to see a couple of builds going on again at DTR!

BHD

I just need to get get motivated to post stuff on the DTR.

I have plenty of pics of the progress to date, it's just a matter of getting them on the forum.

Ollie, if no one else will start some builds then I guess it's up to us!

BHD

This is the project: 1985 D350, 360 2bbl, 727 auto. It's was sitting in a chicken house in Central PA, and the owner just ran out of interest. The cab is solid, but has plenty of dents from being used as a contractor's truck. Rear doors are in better shape than they should be for living in Pennsyltucky.

BearKiller

No idea what your plans are; but, you have enough frame length to do a divorced NP205 and a 6041 Spicer behind it.

I need to quit procrastinating on getting my 6041 Spicer installed; I am looking forward to twenty forward gears and four reverses --- and fore and aft PTO shafts.

I recently saw a crew-cab Ford that had been stretched and had six doors and three-row seating; it looked factory-made; are six doors in your plans ?

Oh COOL---, you got a RxR track behind your house or is that somewhere else ?

oliver foster

I am noting the 2wd front end.
Planning on using OEM 4x4 leaf springs and mounts to do the swap? Along with swapping the OEM 4x4 engine crossmember in?
I see you want to use off the shelf parts, so I assume no air bags and custom " Barbie " 4 links for the front suspension.

BearKiller

Thanks for that; I was not aware that 4x4 and 2wd engine cross-members differed and I have both out here in the yard; I am assuming this holds true for 1989-93 as well ?

oliver foster

Yes they are different 2wd to 4x4 for the front engine crossmember - from '72-'93 I bet. I have seen people cut back the 2wd crossmember and remove all the 2wd stuff, but they needed to lift it quite a bit so the top of the Dana 60 did not contact the lower hanging 2wd crossmember.

I can not picture BHD's idea for his new tow rig is going to be on 37 inch tires and a 6 inch lift.

BHD

Plans are to remove all the 2wd parts and replace them with parts from a 4wd donor.

The temptation to use Barbie style 4 link and interference fit Heim joints has seemed to pass.

I will be using a reverse rotation style steering gear from an early '70s PowerWagon.

i plan to run 35 inch tires and a 3.55 gear set.

BearKiller

Far be it from me to interfere with plans but here is my three-cents worth.

Having ran my share of 35-, 38.5-, and 40-inch tires for many thousands of miles while pulling some big trailers and just running around with no trailer, my thoughts are that pretty quick you are going to want 4:10/4:11 gears; or, at the minimum, 3:73.

When you step into 38.5 and 40-inch territory, 4:56 seem about right.

4:10 and 35-inch are a good combination and you can pull anything you hook to; step up to 38.5 and cruising will be fine but towing really suffers.

In my opinion, although you will never know the difference driving, 4:10(41-ring/10-pinion) are a better gear than 4:11(37-ring/9-pinion) as the pinion is so much stronger; it is obvious when you see them side-by-side.

My F-350 is 3:55 with 32-inch and the gearing is perfect for pulling or cruising; if I went taller, I would want lower gears.

For whatever reason, it seems like Ford and Dodge are either 3:55(standard) or 4:10; whereas, GM are 3:73(standard) or 4:56; of course, anything I say concerns floating axle trucks.

Could one even special order a Dodge or Ford with 3:73 or a GM with 3:55 ?

BHD

Bearkiller,
I have 4.11s and 35's in my '90 that I tow with now. And it pulls well, but it's gearbound on the interstates. I use low range in the transfer case for low speed stuff for more throttle control. The '74 FireWagon has 3.55s and 35s and makes way more power than the '90 and seems to be a great combo for towing and cruising. With the power expectations I think this rig will be suitable for my towing needs, which is usually around 15k lbs including the trailer.

BHD

This is the powerplant. A low mileage 215hp, P-pump CTD. This is new territory for me, as I have never messed with the P7100

BHD

I acquired an early G56 with the lower OD ratio. It came with a low mileage Valair twin disc and flywheel. I have the 24V adapter plate some where in my collection as well as the correct starter. The NP205 from a previous donor will bolt up this transmission. I have talked to other builders and transmission shops and the rumor is these will tolerate 800 hp.

KRB

Just in time for these cool, dark mornings - a build thread! Thank you sir, for going to the trouble of documenting and posting for our viewing pleasure! An extra treat since it will be a working truck and no, um, barbie...

If you need to free up some space for this new vehicle, I'll be happy to house your fire wagon here for you...

Maybe you'll inspire me to finally do something with my old '76 crew cab W200!