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1st Gen. Ram - All TopicsDiscussion for all Dodge Rams prior to 1994. This includes engine, drivetrain and non-drivetrain discussions. Anything prior to 1994 should go in here.
Just picked this diamond up it’s got a 318 in it 150k original miles daily driven leaks nothing. I changed some ball joints thus far but I know the shocks are shot and before I replace the useless 1/2 ton junk I want to know what years d60s I could buy would be easiest to swap. Would like to know the difference if any of the leaf spring perch’s. Also planning to d60 leaf spring the front any info on what I would need to do crossover steering and what years would be easiest. Another thing I’m interested in is I know I have to change the x member but what tranny/ divorced trans combo would be ideal or what have others gone with. Currently running auto 3spd plan on gathering the axles and swapping on weekends as it’s my daily so the more knowledge I get on expected issues or what I have to modify as I go I know with the front I’ll be drilling for days I don’t need a part by part list of what I need either. Thanks for any input
You're making it a 4x4 but keeping the 318? or doing a diesel?
Doing the 4x4 conversion is not for the faint of heart. 1st step is be sure you can weld and weld well. Several guys on ramchargercentral.com have build threads that show conversions but can't remember the exact build names now. Major cutting involved also
You want a front dana 60 from 1980 to 1993. Very expensive axle. Unless you have some major fab skills leave the 94 and later axles alone.
For the rear, you need to decide to keep the RWAL/ABS. If so, youre stuck with 1989-1993. If not 72-93 and you can use later axles (94+) but they used 3 inch leaf springs so the perch measurements are off a little.
My advice- find a truck thats 4x4 already because it will be cheaper that way. A rear dana 60 should be about 200, but the front starts at 5-6. Doesnt include the rear perches for the front springs (jungle on RCC) and the million and 1 little pieces
I have done 2wd to 4x4 AND several small block to 12v Cummins swaps before on 1st gen Dodges.
Plenty of info here on DTR.
Check out Mknittle's 2wd to 4x4 thread, as it is one of the best.
There are dozens of smallblock V-8 to 12V swaps on 1st gens here that are also good.
You are looking at a lot of parts to locate.
I would have ALL of the needed parts here at my shop to pull it off, but you will still need a lot of time, space to work in and skill to make it all happen.
Describe you plan better and we can give better info..
You can check out my crewcab 2wd to 4wd conversion....link in my sig. No cutting or welding of frames if you decide to grind down and pound out the cold rivets on the 2wd suspension......that is what I did but still it's a lot of work.
You can check out my crewcab 2wd to 4wd conversion....link in my sig. No cutting or welding of frames if you decide to grind down and pound out the cold rivets on the 2wd suspension......that is what I did but still it's a lot of work.
It will take a while to read the whole of Thrashing's thread, but it will answer ALL of your questions in just that thread by itself.
11-03-2018, 05:12 PM
No cutting or welding of frames if you decide to grind down and pound out the cold rivets on the 2wd suspension......that is what I did but still it's a lot of work.
