against better judgement /Now with pics!

[dfarm]

I plan on using this as a build thread of sorts, and I'll upload pics when I feel like digging my pc out.

A little back story: I got a good deal couple of years ago on a 74 d200 crew cab 2wd,auto. I like the crew cab, hated the 2wd. Everyone says "don't do a 4x4 swap" so, of course I didn't listen. Lol

I got a complete 4wd 86 w250, manual for $200, so I figured the conversion was meant to be.

I'm to the point now where the truck is either going to be scrap, or 4wd. Lol

So, right now, I have swapped the front cross member, and have the front of the leaf spring bolted up. I'm having trouble locating the rear spring bushings. I'd go measure the donor truck, but its about 60 miles away.

Does anyone have any ideas to help me at this point?

Thanks.

 

[dfarm]

I think (I hope lol) I got it figured out. The spring on the Drivers side is hanging in there now. Still need to make the passenger side match.

 

[98dango]

Keep at it and it will turn out. I know it's hard as there is not much on dodge but keep it up and post pictures.

 

[dfarm]

here is the subject in it's natural habitat

I started working on Friday after work, and here's where I ended up on Saturday afternoon

On Sunday, it seemed that everything was just going to bolt in place

this was the difficult part for me. I talked myself into and out of the location for the bushing for what seemed like 3 or 4 hours.

I ended up setting the shackles up so that they pointed slightly forward with the axle hanging, and when I jacked up the axle to flatten out the spring, they point to the rear and still have room between the spring eye and the frame.

That's as far as I got on Sunday, and I didn't get to work on it yesterday. I hope to get the passenger side bushing mounted tonight, and set the thing back down on it's wheels.

 

[98dango]

Good work keep moving

 

[dfarm]

do my pics show up? I posted from my phone, and it looked fine, now I can't see them.

 

[98dango]

I have pictures of dodge parta

 

[dfarm]

It holds it's self up now!

I got the other spring bushing mounted tonight, and set the truck down on it's tires. The shackle angle is a bit more vertical than I hoped for, but, it'll be serviceable.

It'll probably be a couple of days before I make much meaningful progress as a couple of steering components are about 60 miles away.

I'm debating on weather or not to start on the transmission/transfer case swap now, or to wait for later. My gut says do it now, but, that's going to be a big project I think.

 

[98dango]

In my experience if you feel overwhelmed wait. It's an easy job but I'd finish one before the other really.

 

[dfarm]

It's back on it's wheels after changing out the 2wd cross member for the 4wd one. Had a little confusion which side was the front, but luckily, my Chilton manual had pictures of the undercarriage and I got it figured out.

I'm hoping to get down and pick up the rear axle and springs, along with a couple of steering components, then I'll have to decide if I'm Going to do the transmission/transfer case swap now, or wait until later.

Thanks for looking.

 

[dfarm]

Its been a little while, but, I've accomplished a few things. I got the front shocks mounted, the front brakes plumbed and the steering box mounted. I also started getting some sheet metal primed(the inner fenders answers battery tray) I'll paint all that stuff, as well as most of the front section of the frame flat black.

I still need to getting a steering shaft figured out, then I'll pull the truck into the driveway so I can swap the rear axle and springs.

 

[superbuickguy]

I have a friend (who's now a senator.. go figure, lol) that had a 4x4, a 4 door power wagon. After a night of heavy 4x4'ing he ran into a tree and trashed the bumper and grill. Being the inventive guy he is, he cast about his yard for a suitable replacement.... that turned out to be a cottonwood tree. he cut the tree in half, cut notches in the log for headlights and the frame and drove the truck into the log... truck didn't even settle a little bit

for those looking to do this tasteful mod - he used a 24" diameter tree.... he said he would have used larger if he had a larger chain saw (he needed to do one pass to make it flat... his words)

 

[98dango]

Keep it up man its a long process but worth it in the long run.

 

[OR2BAJA]

Definitely worth the work for the old school 4 door.