Project BigB... a 1977 Dodge Van 6x4!
- Thread starter Keyblazer
- Start date
alosix
Expedition Leader
Found one such 'combo' shower pan:
http://www.pellandent.com/Motorhome_Product_Details.aspx?ProductID=276
Still searching for more for my 725 project.
Cool van.. will def be checking in this one.
Jason
http://www.pellandent.com/Motorhome_Product_Details.aspx?ProductID=276
Still searching for more for my 725 project.
Cool van.. will def be checking in this one.
Jason
wanderer-rrorc
Explorer
vans are durable enough I wouldnt worry about an exo...(and the added weight/sway it will add...go 4point around the driver/pass if yer worried..but these things are STRONG!!)
Keyblazer
Adventurer
Yeah, the Exo sounded fun... and the idea came from the idea to put a looooong rack on the front roof as an "Observation deck"/storage area.
This is another shower pan that I was considering, as it is cheap, and the step area could be be drilled to accept a toilet.
http://www.dyersonline.com/Products/24x36-LH-Drain-StepSeat-Tub__24156.aspx
This is another shower pan that I was considering, as it is cheap, and the step area could be be drilled to accept a toilet.
http://www.dyersonline.com/Products/24x36-LH-Drain-StepSeat-Tub__24156.aspx
This is the same Pathfinder set up as my Transvan, let me know if you have any questions. I would order the front axle bushing kit from Pathfinder before the stop making them. The front axle is a Dana 44 and the brakes are Dodge 3/4 ton 4x4 pickup brakes. Mine also had alot of rust on the roof so I just replaced the roof with one from the junk yard, although mine was a cab chassis so the roof is only 3 feet long. If you are going to take the windshield out try to save the rubber, I have not been able to find new rubber for it. As stated in a previous post do not drive it with the front drive shaft disconnected as it will wreck the transfer case, also the part time kit available will ruin it as it does not allow the oil to circulate.
If you want head room I bet you could piece two fiberglass tops together pretty easily if you could find two matching ones. Mines also has only 5' of headroom and it gets old ducking all the time. Good luck with your project, I saw this when it was first posted for sale and was tempted to buy it. I think I would break it in half on some of the camp spots I go to though.
If you want head room I bet you could piece two fiberglass tops together pretty easily if you could find two matching ones. Mines also has only 5' of headroom and it gets old ducking all the time. Good luck with your project, I saw this when it was first posted for sale and was tempted to buy it. I think I would break it in half on some of the camp spots I go to though.
It has the 360, 727 trans, and 203 tcase. It looks like yours has the Thermoquad carb, mine has the 2bbl. I think it's a California van it has a smog pump and egr and that's about it. I did a alternator upgrade to a 120 amp. as the stock 60amp is useless in a RV. If your has the ammeter in the dash you should do away with it and put in a volt gauge. They would run all the power thru the gauge and they are known to burn up. The connections also go bad where they pass thru the firewall. I also suggest putting a heavy duty trans cooler on it.
I am interested in the 6x6 conversion, its probably not worth the work but people are coming up with some great ideas. I saw somewhere and I don't know what kind of axle it was but you take another input side and bolt it to the cover side of the diff. The ring gear would run the pinion and just connect the two axles together with a driveshaft. Maybe someone who knows more about diffs could tell us if that is even possible.
I am interested in the 6x6 conversion, its probably not worth the work but people are coming up with some great ideas. I saw somewhere and I don't know what kind of axle it was but you take another input side and bolt it to the cover side of the diff. The ring gear would run the pinion and just connect the two axles together with a driveshaft. Maybe someone who knows more about diffs could tell us if that is even possible.
Keyblazer
Adventurer
OK, so a few hours on "Googlesketchup 7" has me a pretty good scale version of my planned interior.
I first laid out a box 187" x 68", and then overlaid a side and rear picture over that box...
That way I could project the windows and from that the rail heights and window tops.
I am pretty impressed how it worked out...
Three views..
From open rear doors...
From Drivers end....
From side...
What do you all think?
I first laid out a box 187" x 68", and then overlaid a side and rear picture over that box...
That way I could project the windows and from that the rail heights and window tops.
I am pretty impressed how it worked out...
Three views..
From open rear doors...
From Drivers end....
From side...
What do you all think?
Expedition Key
Adventurer
That thing is freakin awesome!!! Sketch Up looks good, but you're going to have all the weight on one side, I would definitely lay it out with the weight distributed evenly side to side.
Kye
Kye
Root Moose
Expedition Leader
This thread is full of win!
Keyblazer
Adventurer
The 16.5 wheels and tires had to go...
So today we took a step forward....Wheels acquired!
Weld Stonecrushers.... 16x10 with some custom center caps.
Tire mounted are part worn "E" Load rated Nitto Terra Grapplers in 305/70 R16.
They are about 33" and are 12" wide, so should give the look and the footprint I wanted!
I only got 5 of them, so the plan is to mount 4 on the rear, and try one on the front... if it works, I will find another 3, cos I want to carry 2 spares...
If it dont work on the front, lift it more, or get 16 x 8's for the front...
So today we took a step forward....Wheels acquired!
Weld Stonecrushers.... 16x10 with some custom center caps.
Tire mounted are part worn "E" Load rated Nitto Terra Grapplers in 305/70 R16.
They are about 33" and are 12" wide, so should give the look and the footprint I wanted!
I only got 5 of them, so the plan is to mount 4 on the rear, and try one on the front... if it works, I will find another 3, cos I want to carry 2 spares...
If it dont work on the front, lift it more, or get 16 x 8's for the front...
Last edited:
wanderer-rrorc
Explorer
NICE wheels!!
ya might wanna check on the front...my 16s JUST clear my brake calipers..so if they put the ballance weights in the wrong spot the caliper will peel it off the wheel,,,
ya might wanna check on the front...my 16s JUST clear my brake calipers..so if they put the ballance weights in the wrong spot the caliper will peel it off the wheel,,,