1st gen crew cab.. Was this truck ever made?? If no, why not?? I ask out of ignorance. I have only seen 3rd gen CTDs.

 

I've been looking into a crew cab conversion myself. It seems they stopped regular production about 86. Started using Cummins in 89.

 

yup, redleg has it right. There are conversions around tho...

 

The last year of a REAL Dodge Crew was '85.
The Cummins saved our beloved truck fron extinction. Dodge had planned to reduce the truck line down to D-150's only. Sales for all '88 Dodge trucks combined were under 100,000 units (well under). In a last ditch effort to save the line Dodge deciced to try a diesel option. the rest is history...
So an honest answer to the question" how come there are no factory 1st gen CTD Crew's" Cause no body was buying them.
If I remember correct. the sales figures for '93 Dodge trucks were around 80,000 units. '94, around 430.000 units
The real question, why did they wait so long and only do half a job??? ('03 Crews are SMALLER than 1st gen crews)

 

[quote author=Winr link=board=9;threadid=16516;start=0#155106 date=1057009138]<br>The real question, why did they wait so long and only do half a job??? ('03 Crews are SMALLER than 1st gen crews) <br>[/quote]<br><br>I agree, why did Dodge &quot;short&quot; us on the new 4 doors?? (might own one in ten years, ya know ) I just went to lunch in the back seat of a friend's new Chevy crew cab, and even with the front seat all the way back, I was comfy. I'm 6' 1&quot;. I have also sat in the back seat of the new Dodge, and it's not bad, but definitely less room.

 

I once owned a 2 door car (Imperial) and swore never again less than 4 doors. After a succession of Chrysler wagons ( until they downsized in '78), I was looking for a truck. The '81 crewcab sb was ok but it was well used before I got it and leaked everything in and out. I tried the '93 club and felt cramped. Fortunately due to good timing I still have a crewcab and a diesel to boot. This truck is a pain around town and this may have influenced the newer shorter design. But I wouldn't have anything else.<br>Terry

 

Crewcab... it's a good kinda pain

 

Ain't that the truth

 

a nice w200 crew shortbox single axle wouldn't be too much of a pain tho there was one on ebay awhile back, reserve of 17k, still way cheaper than anything new

 

Anybody know who makes these conversions and about how much they would be?? I have thought about trying to make something on my own with another truck of a similar year, but if there is a kit, that would be sweet!!<br>Brian

 

Brian
Some company in Texas used to do them, only they made them a 3 door. The one I saw wasn't that well made(real flimsy) What most people (if not all) are doing is finding a good clean rust free crew cab truck and either converting that truck to a CTD or useing parts from crew cab and converting their truck 6 of one, 1/2 dozen of another. I dont know of any company offering this service but there might be some.
I did mine and realy didnn't have any trouble. I converted an existing crew cab into a CTD, by buying a '92 CTD and using it for parts.
You could just find a cab and swap it on to a newer truck but you will have to stretch the belly of the frame to have the cab sit right. There are also other mods that need to be done to the cab due to changes made over the years but nothing that anyone with decent mechanical skill couldnt handel
If you decide to do one get in touch and I will go over the requirements in more detail.