white89

My father purchased it new and its beat up and been in a field for over ten years. I got it running and driving and other than the fenders and doors beat with dents the body is in good shape. No under body rot. The truck has 179,000 miles and I have receipts on a rebuilt trans before it was parked. The truck does not have OD and a open diff, 307 rear. The motor and trans seem to be in solid shape, I've driven it around town and hwy and does good. The front end is a mess, ball joints, springs, tie rod ends, all wore out, needs full replacement on the front. I'm thinking $1000 in parts? The rear is wore out as well. I don't know how it is still moving the truck. There is so much play in it. You can spin the drive shaft almost all the way around before it catches the axle. And drive to reverse is a loud clunk. What should I do with the rear? I can't find a 307 and would like a posi but that gear ratio is tough to come by. Could I just replace the carrier and what gear ratio should I go with being that I don't have OD? As of now I have $200 in a new windshield and don't know if I should fix it or find another?

Crossy's son

Fix it! It don't have ball joints on the front. It's got king pins and tapered roller bearings

If you did the front end right with new everything I can see it costing $1000.

As for the rear. I've never heard of one with that much play. I'm sure it's rebuildable though. Used parts are not too hard to come by.

Not sure where you're located, but there's a feller named Mark Nixon that lives in Nebraska that parts these trucks out and sells them every day. There's many many others too that'd be willing to sell you parts!! I wouldn't give up on it, I would fix it up. They're awesome trucks

And welcome to the forum.

Diesel Dave2

As for the body...any 1st dodge gas truck being parted out....You could get better fenders and doors..

deanhinsley1963

Actually it could have ball joints if its 2wd. About the best thing to do is rebuild the diff you have if possiblew/o od you would be geared pretty low with the more common 3.54s. However if a od is in your future the 3.54 parts woul be easier to find. Also Mark Nixon may have what you need.

Crossy's son

Ohhhh for some reason I got 4 wheel drive out of his post.

It sounds more like it's a 2wd, If that's the case a Front end rebuild if you do it yourself will probably be around $1000

We just did a complete front end rebuild on the 92 that's in my signature

Figure on

7226S coil Springs
Inner & Outer tie rods
Center Link
Pitman arm
Idler Arm
4 Ball joints
Control arm bushings
Probably needs rotors/bearings too

i would buy most everything from rockauto.com..... try to get MOOG parts where you can

white89

It is 2wd. I'm located in Kansas City so shipping from Nebraska may not be too bad. How do I get in touch with Mark Nixon? I'm not worried about cosmetics yet though ill start part hunting. I'll start with the mechanical stuff first. Get it on the road. What are my options on this rear end? Any dana 70 carrier will work depending on gear? What about newer rear ends?

Crossy's son

You can search him on this forum in the members list which is at the top.

His User is Mark Nixon