BHD

I've really gone down the rabbit hole with this build. The more I do, the more I find that needs done.

So here's the latest and greatest to this point.

I had to do some rust repair on the fuel tank crossmember. Try finding one of these for a 7" frame in Pennsyltucky



I built a riser for the shifter to use the OE G56 shifter and boot.

The vibration snubber made buying an aftermarket boot a challenge

I am dead set on making this truck look like an '85 W350. Which means not using an intercooled core support and grill.

I also plan on using the second gen coolers, because the whole reason for this build is for towing and hauling. You can see the difference in the 2nd gen radiator and a 1st gen IC rad

BHD

This core support has been a massive headache. Countless hours of: measure, cut, fit, install, drink a beer(s), stare at this project, contemplate why i am building this truck, and repeat.

BHD

I had a set of decent inner fenders that got patched, blasted and expoxied, followed by single stage paint that was supposed to be flat.

I finally got the core support to comply with this project, and it recieved the same treatment as the inner fenders. 1985 Mopar Navy Blue over black primer.


This JC Whitney tube grill, that i found in a junkyard many moons ago, is coming in clutch for this job.

BHD

I used a the 2nd gen radiator shroud with some trimming and a Non IC fan behind the new radiator




This will be the face of this ride. Note the hard trimming of the lower valance to fit around the IC. I think i could have hidden all that with an IC core support and big plastc IC style grill, but thats what everyone else does.

archer2

It's all looking great, nice work.

KRB

Wow, LOTS of progress and looking really, really good!

Did you fab that end for the fuel tank cross support? It doesn't appear that you welded another end to it. Lots of angles there.

The JC Whitney tube grill is retro and fits the '85 theme. I slept with that catalog as a kid.

Having the IC peeking out below the grill reminds me of a non-winch, flat fender Power Wagon sporting a winch grill.

Keep up the head scratching good work!

BHD

Thanks!

BHD

I just used some 0.125" flat sheet scraps. I'd be dangerous with a real metal brake and a Bridgeport.

I always thought those tube grills were cool in the 1980s trucks I read about in 4Wheeler and Truckin' magazines.

Kids today don't understand the importance of the JC Whitney and PAW catalogs that fueled the dreams of building cars and trucks.

Some days I make a lot of progress, other days I just drink a lot of beer and contemplate my next move and still other days I think my adult onset ADHD can't be cured with a tri axle load of Adderall.

BHD

I got the old fenders fitted back on the truck, adjusted both front doors so they close correctly, and aligned the hood. The body parts lined up good enough for a few shake down miles.

BHD

As i mentioned before this project is time consuming and nothing from the second gen fits this first gen without a lot of re-engineering. I had to move the battery tray about an inch towards the fender and clearance the inner fenders for cooler tubes

BHD

Wiring harnesses are in and everything seems to work as it should.

Its back on all 4 wheels

oliver foster

Nice work getting that 2nd gen radiator and fan shroud to fit behind the core support. That was a lot of trimming on the shroud.

I figured the lower valence panel would have to get trimmed up hard for the big 2nd gens intercooler to fit behind it. Good use for that old tube grille.
Looks great.

NJTman

Haha, love the description, specifically the last words.

oliver foster

Yes the last sentence of his post rings true to how it is done in my shop as well.

I usually add a few steps in the middle that are... remove said part[s] again, modify more, re install, remove again, measure, modify bracket, touch up paint, re-install.

BHD

Thanks NJTman. I realize the journey should be as rewarding as the destination, but it seems I take every side road I can find in this excursion.