Man... this is awesome! If I wasn't headed downrange again I'd be talking very serious to you! I have a couple questions if you don't think its wasting your time?
You said its been CARC painted. Did you use actual mil-spec CARC? That stuff is nasty to apply but gives a really hard coat, wonder why it has the fading issues?
Were the Dana axles the original ones or more current ones? Whats the gear ratio in them?
What made you want to keep the NP200? Wouldn't a 205 bolt up as well? *can you say doubler boys and girls!*
I'm sorry to hear you getting rid of this. Really would be a heck of a truck. Diesel would be better but no gift horse looking here.
First thanks for serving and keep your head down. I appreciate your service:beer:
No, not wasting my time - I like talking about this stuff
1. I bought the paint through RAPCO in Texas it was listed as CARC mil-spec paint. I had the entire frame, body tin, parts sand blasted then primed with an industrial primer and then had them shoot the paint. I think the company's name in San Diego that did this was "Industrial Coatings"(?) - the manager said they really liked the paint's quality and actually asked for the information where he could buy some. That being said it did still fade and allow slight rust here and there. I think it was more an application issue myself.
2. They are the original Dana 60 and 70 axles (5.87 ratio I believe). I had MIT in San Diego install the ARB Air Locker up front and Detroit Locker in the back. I then installed all new bearings/races/seals.
3 I kept the NP200 transfer case, which is a divorced unit using a short driveshaft b/t itself and trans, because the T98A transmission is set up for that.
Jeff, the owner of MIT, had suggested that I go to an NV4500+NP205 and switch to modern Dana 60/14-bolt axles... but nooooo I was young, and knew it all
I should have listened. If I was to do it over, I would have purchased a diesel 1-ton 4x4 Dodge and swapped the entire engine/drivetrain over... You got good taste!
