If you question the frame and the welding done to it then I think a front frame section swap would leave you better peace of mind when all is said and done.

 

Geesh,

Where in the world would he find a good example of this "so called frame frankenstein" you're speaking of ? You know, something to utilize as an example ?

 

The frame is not too bad. I could fix most of the issues by swapping out the front crossmember that holds the strut rod mounts, as those have both been welded up.

I just think upgrading to the thicker diesel frame, rather than swapping the 8 lug front end and swapping out the front crossmember sounds reasonable. It might be a little more work but the end result would be better.
Welding in a front half ALA the Gauntlet RC style frame build could be a solid option. I am still weighting the options and my choices, but the 1/2 and 1/2 frame is a solid path in my eyes.

 

That's the way I would go but I have a talent for complicating things

 

Me too...
I have really hard time just slapping something together.

 

There's never enough time to do it right but there's always enough time to do it over.

 

My wife gets so mad at me when I won't even start something I know won't work

 

Like vacuuming your home?
Or
Lifting the toilet seat?

 

My wife nagged me until I put her can crusher up in the garage and now she wants me to crush the cans while she's at work! Sheesh!

 

I have the grille, engine bay wiring and front bumper off and most of the core support, fenders and the hood ready to pull off.
I am planning on pulling all the sheetmetal from the frame and seeing what makes the best sense from there.

The Compushift package showed up along with the Georend deep transmission pan for the 47 RH.
I will be sending some oil samples to Blackstone Labs, on the couple of donor motor choices I have to choose from. After that decision has been made I will start re gasketing and dialing that motor in.

 

That's because you don't HAVE to do it right but when whatever you did that wasn't right fails you HAVE to fix it.

Never done that though. Nope. Never.

 

Me neither!

 

On my 2wd RC, I decided the stock frame is good enough... and swapped the 8-lug suspension over.

If it ends up not being good enough.... I'll shorten/modify the whole D250 frame. Then it will have the thicker metal the full length.

I wouldn't stress about the 3.23/3.54 ratio. Dodge speedos aren't bang-on stock, and when you use different tires it changes again. Might end up close enough in the end.

 

Ollie, you ever consider boxing the existing frame?
These guys did it for a pretty serious off road rig. Pretty cool video.

 

Thanks for the ideas Guys!
I love Dirt Every Day, but had not watched that episode until now. Boxing the frame looks like more work and added weight than cutting the frame and adding the 3/4 ton front end.
I have a welder buddy I am waiting on his input on the 1/2 and 1/2 frame idea. I am cool with cutting and getting things all square myself, but I would like a pro welder to lay the beads.

The point on the speedo is right on...I have bigger things to worry about and...
Running a slightly smaller than stock tire size on a 3.54 geared axle while running a 3.23 speedo ratio might work out just right in the end.