4x4 Plymouth Trailduster [Archive] - ForumsHQ

[hagrid]

I guess I will make a post.



I am building up a '77 Plymouth Trailduster(Dodge Ramcharger).

I put a 3/4 ton GM 14 bolt in the rear and am still needing a front end. I was thinking about an old dodge 3/4 front end(dana 44) or a dana 60. I just hacked all the old rivets holding the side molding on. It was not much fun. hehe

I still need to order the shock mounts and weld them on the rear.

I totally gutted the inside and lined it with bedliner. I dont like carpet in my trucks so I will get a rubber mat for the inside.

I am rebuilding the engine which is a 360. I had the block done at a machine shop and have the new bearings in along with the crank. I still need to get the heads rebuilt and a cam/lifters/pushrods. I want to get a medium cam since its older and emissions isnt too bad. I have the stock 4bbl intake and a 650cfm endelbrock carb. I was told to go with an 800 but dam thats a big ass carb.

It has the 727 torque flight i believe. I think the xfer case is the 203 full time unit. It would be nice to find a 205 to put in there but not a big deal.

For tires and rims i would like 16x9.75 or 16x10 white spoke rims 8 lug. They are steel and cheap. I dont care about fancy rims on a 4x4. I think they are about 40 a piece. Tires i would like 36x14.50x16 mud hawgs or something in that size. I wish BFG would make a 35x14.50 but dam they are lazy!

I will put a small 2.5" or 4" lift since I cut the fenders out. As it sits it has 33's with plenty of room.

I took out the gas tank and cleaned and painted it. I also put undercoating on the back half of the truck so far, since the gas tank was out.

I took out the back seat and replaced it with a folding one. I had to weld some brackets on the wheel wells but it works great. I also need seats for the front and seatbelts.

It has the full removable top which is sweet, 4x4 and has ac. What more could you want? (maybe a sweet women or 2 in it) :)



Shawn

[Platinum]

Damn..sounds like one hell of a project, heh..post some pics ;)

[hagrid]

Here are some pics. :) They will be up today sometime.

I also forgot that i need to get the driveshaft shortened 1 inch, new joints, except 1 will be a converter to fit on the 3/4 ton rearend.

I just ordered the rear shock mounts and have to weld them in. Luckily the next door neighbor has a welder.

I will get some pics of the engine. I might just buy a used engine for now and rebuild the other with some good stuff. i can get a 1990 360 for $550 which is sweet.



http://members.cox.net/shawns_4x4/index.htm



Shawn

[Relorian]

Dont go with a 1990's anything for that project. Putting in that new of a 360 is just a waste of time and money as you will then have to put in a fuel injector computer and those 360's dont get as good of a power rating.



If your gonna go to all the trouble of putting this thing together you might wanna look at getting a new Intake from Edlebrock cause them old intakes were not the best. Also a new carb wouldnt hurt. The newer ones last a lil longer. Otherwise i think its a damn fine project... I love the Ram Charger line...

[hagrid]

Dont go with a 1990's anything for that project. Putting in that new of a 360 is just a waste of time and money as you will then have to put in a fuel injector computer and those 360's dont get as good of a power rating.



If your gonna go to all the trouble of putting this thing together you might wanna look at getting a new Intake from Edlebrock cause them old intakes were not the best. Also a new carb wouldnt hurt. The newer ones last a lil longer. Otherwise i think its a damn fine project... I love the Ram Charger line...

I actually have the original motor that im rebuilding. I just wanted to get the 1990 motor since its cheap and i have an intake, distributer, and carb I can put on it.(So i can rebuild the old one really good) I just wanted to get it running at least to get it out of the carport.



I also just got my welder and am putting in my shock mounts. I love having a welder!! I may have to weld more when I get another front end.



I also would like to put a full cage in their like my jeep had.



I was also thinking of just going with 33x12.50x16 or something and putting in a detroit locker in the rear, then later in the front. It has 33's on it now and has plenty of room, since I cut the fenders back. hehehe, Gotta love a sawz all!



Shawn

[kfm102]

Noticed you had original engine. What size is it? Have 78 restoring.

Original 440 with air,cruise,ect... Also get 18 MPG hwy 440 4x4 ? Old Game Warden SUV. Haven't taken transfer case apart yet to see what they done to get this MPG yet. Front 3:48 ratio rear 3:50 original dana. Also take off good, top end good, and pulling is unbelievable also.

[The Ghost]

WHEW talkin about NecroPosting.. :)

[exmonkeypunk]

I'm not one to liking too many Edelbrock products. I personally have had better luck using Holley carbs and manifolds. In my area that is, there are more parts available for holley carbs and i've spent way less time tuning their products. The 90's Dodge motors weren't junk, there were just alot of coked up rednecks working on them so now you have a bunch of jacked up motors circulating around all over the place. I had a 81 ramcharger with a built up 360 that was tits. it was built in 93 by a drunken hick who did an outstanding job. Unfortunatelly, we went mudding with it and got it stuck in about 5 feet of mud and had to leave it there. life lesson learned. If you like to off road, make sure you also have some friends who have trucks as well, so when you get stuck, you have someone to tow your ass out. The truck was bought for like 400 bones so it was no loss. it's probably still there.