"Dirty Deb" My 95 Dodge Cummins Build & Adventures
- Thread starter t.Sparks
- Start date
Chilliwak,
I would if I beileved there was a big enough market for them! Plus I think it maybe custom thickness front truck to truck... which makes it a problem....
Got around to installing the steering box brace the other day..... until I realized it wasnt going to bolt up. Whom ever welded this part up didnt tack weld all 4 sides before welding the flanges on. Then the just welded one side a a time and it pulled the flange inwards.... Now the bolt slots wouldnt line up. So took it to work and milled the slot out...
After that it was a 10 minute job to put on. Took longer for me to clean my tools then to install that part. Went for a short drive and HOLY CRAP!!!! This steering is sooooooo freeeaaakkken goooooooood! :wings:This truck is now a one hander going down the freeway(not that thats me :sombrero
Its now really easy to drive, and cant wait to drive some long distance.
Will be getting material and start making the drawer system friday!
After that it was a 10 minute job to put on. Took longer for me to clean my tools then to install that part. Went for a short drive and HOLY CRAP!!!! This steering is sooooooo freeeaaakkken goooooooood! :wings:This truck is now a one hander going down the freeway(not that thats me :sombrero
Its now really easy to drive, and cant wait to drive some long distance.
Will be getting material and start making the drawer system friday!
If you live in the southern california region then you know we have been getting some wet weather lately. Good thing for me because I found a leak in my truck! YAY ME!!!.......
Carpet was soaked to the max, puddle of water in the driver foot well... So all the carpet and padding came out. Sitting in garage letting it dry out. Found the leak.... corner of rear window.... yep its a dodge!
This past weekend I started work on the drawer system for the truck. Its all plywood (3/4 for base and sides, 1/2 for the sleeping area) held together with pocket joints. I was also going to add dowel pins to really give it a bit more strength but as of right now I dont think its needed. No finish on it yet, didnt have time for that. Needed to get it to a point where we can sleep on it as Im going to death valley with the SCOTA group this weekend:wings: But for now here are some photos. If you have any questions on the construction of it feel free to contact me!
Bolted down to the bed with rivnuts.
completed frame for now.
Fame with foam mats. These will be cut to size and also have a memory foam mat on top. Should be nice!
Cardboard box is the size of frig Im looking at(dometic cfx-65). Wated to see how "big" it is in the space provided. Tons of space around it to store things and can still easily get in and out throught the glass door!
Carpet was soaked to the max, puddle of water in the driver foot well... So all the carpet and padding came out. Sitting in garage letting it dry out. Found the leak.... corner of rear window.... yep its a dodge!
This past weekend I started work on the drawer system for the truck. Its all plywood (3/4 for base and sides, 1/2 for the sleeping area) held together with pocket joints. I was also going to add dowel pins to really give it a bit more strength but as of right now I dont think its needed. No finish on it yet, didnt have time for that. Needed to get it to a point where we can sleep on it as Im going to death valley with the SCOTA group this weekend:wings: But for now here are some photos. If you have any questions on the construction of it feel free to contact me!
Bolted down to the bed with rivnuts.
completed frame for now.
Fame with foam mats. These will be cut to size and also have a memory foam mat on top. Should be nice!
Cardboard box is the size of frig Im looking at(dometic cfx-65). Wated to see how "big" it is in the space provided. Tons of space around it to store things and can still easily get in and out throught the glass door!
Nice looking fab work there Mr Sparks! Strange how some people dont know how metal reacts when its heated and welded. Good thing you got your steering bracket all fixed up and ready to go.. I am looking forward to seeing the canopy stuff done. cheers, chilli..
Chilliwak,
Thank you sir! And I know right?! Well welding school at lest taught me that everything must be tacked before going to town. Hell, Im looking forward to have the time to work on it!
Not a whole lot has happened as far as the build goes. With the rainy weather that socal has gotten and with class (finishing up on my A.S. in Drafting and 3 machining certs) time has been limited. However, not limited enough for a trip to death valley!
Went again with the SCOTA group (new website fyi scota4x4.com) and this time Sam got to come with. two thing happened for her on this trip #1 never been to death valley #2 never been in a snow storm. Just look at that smile :wings:
We took south pass road into saline valley to get to the hot springs. Goal on this trip was to just relax at the springs, nothing else.
Dirty Deb lead for a little bit just going at a leasurly pace. Both the truck and the 85 toyota where looking sharp!
Yet again had an amazing time out in the dessert. It has quickly become my go to spot as its easy to get to and its just a great place to unwind from the modern day life.
More updates in the coming week.
Went again with the SCOTA group (new website fyi scota4x4.com) and this time Sam got to come with. two thing happened for her on this trip #1 never been to death valley #2 never been in a snow storm. Just look at that smile :wings:
We took south pass road into saline valley to get to the hot springs. Goal on this trip was to just relax at the springs, nothing else.
Dirty Deb lead for a little bit just going at a leasurly pace. Both the truck and the 85 toyota where looking sharp!
Yet again had an amazing time out in the dessert. It has quickly become my go to spot as its easy to get to and its just a great place to unwind from the modern day life.
More updates in the coming week.
Radio upgrade! The little btech did its job, but it was time to upgrade. TM-D710 went in. ONe of my friends has this radio and went on for days about how good it is. Found one for sale on a ham radio swap page and the seller was local so it was a no brainier. I felt kinda bad drilling 4 holes in the original 100% crack free dodge dash. Having a crack free dodge dash is worth its weight in gold. Tankfully the dash matt will cover the holes up.
Was also talking to my friend about an app for android phones called aprsdroid. It gives just about any radio the ability to run aprs (location system for ham radios). A company makes a bluetooth device that will connect to the radio and send the aprs information out. The really cool thing about aprs is you can send and receive texts from a phone! All you need to do is put in a specific callsign, number and message! So when Im not in cell service but in the range of a digipeater I can still let people know Im ok. Can also send a link that will open up a webpage with exact location on a map!:Wow1: Website for this feature is http://smsgte.wixsite.com/smsgte
Was also talking to my friend about an app for android phones called aprsdroid. It gives just about any radio the ability to run aprs (location system for ham radios). A company makes a bluetooth device that will connect to the radio and send the aprs information out. The really cool thing about aprs is you can send and receive texts from a phone! All you need to do is put in a specific callsign, number and message! So when Im not in cell service but in the range of a digipeater I can still let people know Im ok. Can also send a link that will open up a webpage with exact location on a map!:Wow1: Website for this feature is http://smsgte.wixsite.com/smsgte
Got some more work done on the drawer system. Sealed it with water sealer and made the access panel to the front compartment. So far we really like how it has come out. still need to work on the sides and making the drawers them self. That should be soon.
Made huge progress on the custom roof rack as well! I now have all the material in and just need to weld the tabs to the roof of cab. Aluminium extrusion is from a company called 80/20. Bars are 4 foot long and hold my 200 pound *** with hardly any bowing.
The only part I didnt like about this stuff is the mounting accessories. Drop in nuts didnt seam strong enough and was worried about vibrations making them come out. Not a good thing when I plan on butting my spare tire and a floor jack up there. They sold a carriage bolt that can slip in for the side but the sides will be covered with the side bars. I remember front runner having holes bored into the top so I copied that idea and it works perfect! Drop in carriage bolt, put washer on, and screw on eye nut. 100% modular roof rack! :sombrero:
Last weekend went out to king of the hammers with the truck and to hang out with friends. Was nice seeing everyone, practically only see them during this event. Got some great deals on stuff. Need to get the rack on before that goes on.
Made huge progress on the custom roof rack as well! I now have all the material in and just need to weld the tabs to the roof of cab. Aluminium extrusion is from a company called 80/20. Bars are 4 foot long and hold my 200 pound *** with hardly any bowing.
The only part I didnt like about this stuff is the mounting accessories. Drop in nuts didnt seam strong enough and was worried about vibrations making them come out. Not a good thing when I plan on butting my spare tire and a floor jack up there. They sold a carriage bolt that can slip in for the side but the sides will be covered with the side bars. I remember front runner having holes bored into the top so I copied that idea and it works perfect! Drop in carriage bolt, put washer on, and screw on eye nut. 100% modular roof rack! :sombrero:
Last weekend went out to king of the hammers with the truck and to hang out with friends. Was nice seeing everyone, practically only see them during this event. Got some great deals on stuff. Need to get the rack on before that goes on.
'round n' back again
Explorer
on that rear window leak; sometimes, not always and not for sure ,but sometimes ,its due to cab mount driver side ripping loose from the truck body, also makes for some squeeeeeks .
ALL of my dodges ripped there
ALL of my dodges ripped there
Radio upgrade! The little btech did its job, but it was time to upgrade. TM-D710 went in. ONe of my friends has this radio and went on for days about how good it is. Found one for sale on a ham radio swap page and the seller was local so it was a no brainier. I felt kinda bad drilling 4 holes in the original 100% crack free dodge dash. Having a crack free dodge dash is worth its weight in gold. Tankfully the dash matt will cover the holes up.
Was also talking to my friend about an app for android phones called aprsdroid. It gives just about any radio the ability to run aprs (location system for ham radios). A company makes a bluetooth device that will connect to the radio and send the aprs information out. The really cool thing about aprs is you can send and receive texts from a phone! All you need to do is put in a specific callsign, number and message! So when Im not in cell service but in the range of a digipeater I can still let people know Im ok. Can also send a link that will open up a webpage with exact location on a map!:Wow1: Website for this feature is http://smsgte.wixsite.com/smsgte
Having worked on cars some time back.. a decade or so ago.. these dashes were cracking THEN... it has to be some kind of sin lol
Hmmm.... as in the cab mount to the frame? I'll look into that. No squeeze here.
Leak is mainly from the rear passenger window. I put silicone all the way around the seal (seal to cab, nothe seal to window). I think it helped but still water coming in. Also put silicone on the 3rd brake light, heard that was a common problem. Finally I blew out the drains on the rear window seal. Heard they can clog and water starts filling up in the window track.
Had a friend spray water on the roof of cab, water was filling the window track but no spilling out. Maybe just needs more time.
But the water leak is driving me nuts!
I really want to get the vinyl floor in and not have my truck smell like a swamp...Haha yeah I felt kinda bad drilling into that dash. But it came out looking so good. Just need to make a shroud to cover the radio.
