brcron007

Hi All,

The Crew Cab CTD W-350 longbed conversion has started. I was able to get her pulled into my shop this last weekend and I wanted to share.







Here she is all ready for the conversion.

Here's my CTD I'll be using for my conversion.





I've been following the crossover steering thread for the conversion to CC. I only want to lift it 2 inches max.

I will post more picks as progress continues. I would like some input on help with safely removing the Crews driprail mouldings for polishing.

Thanks, Ron

Onemoparnut

I also would like to know how to get the drip rail moildings off. Seems like too nice of a truck to part out for a conversion. Why did you choose that as your donor vehicle?

simplysmn

Useing the Crewcab frame is your best bet and just swap it to 4xis simple I just started on mine other day pulled front clip n dropped the motor n trans out to get it ready for my diesel good luck n feel free to ask question's when you run into troubles

thrashingcows

I recently picked up a "Mopar Action" magazine and it had a little spot on how to remove your drip rail moldings. The issue was Dec 2011 if you can still find it.

Anyway here's what they said..

There are a couple pics as well with tech below them. It appears they use electrical tape on the top part of the pliers. Also they state that you should start at the back edge and move forward. And then the re-installation is the opposite...start at the front and work your way back. You place the top of the molding over the top edge of the drip rail, and pushing down towards the floor you snap the bottom edge of the molding in place by pushing in with your other hand.


Hope this helps....

brcron007

Thanx for the moulding removal tech help and the article.

Here's some of this afternoon's progress.





The reason I'm using my club cab is that the drip rail above the windshield has begun to rust. In order to repair it the way I repair things. IE take it all apart so nothing gets burned when I reweld new sheetmetal in. I decided to convert it to a crew cab and then fix the club and sell it. That way I end up with a cool crew and no rust.

brcron007

Thought I would share the Crew's progress this past week.

I also want to mention that the paint can can opener idea for the drip rail mouldings worked like a charm.

The bed after I cleaned it up is in super shape. It's scratched up but not a single dent. Amazing for a 27 year ols truck.

brcron007

I also found the original build sheet. in the seat back of the rea bench seat. It's amazing it survived 27 years in the Arizona heat without turning to dust.

brcron007

So far so good, the body is in super shape.













I wanted to mention that the can opener has to be bent to get past the upper windshield lip to grap the sriprail moulding. Just thought I would pass that along.

Featherman

Ron.........................that is a very, very clean 1st gen crew you have there!

Are you painting it a different color?

brcron007

Hi Featherman, Thanks. Yeah It's being painted 92 Dodge Ram Colorado Red. Like my donor truck. With all the trim and mouldings.

Thanks, Ron

Crossy's son

Nice.

Make sure you let is scavengers buy that old red body off ya, I know i would put my engine/trans into that club cab in a heart beat! It looks so nice

simplysmn

Don't ya just Love working on Rust Free Truck's that's about as clean as my 85 but it's Air Force blue

brcron007

Hi all, I thought I would share the past 2 weekends progress on my Crew.

brcron007

And some more progress.

















Thanks for checkin my progress.

brcron007

Hi All, Sharing this last Saturdays progress on the Crew. Gotta love those factory rivets, what a bear.





I used a come along to put just a little tension and used my 25 lb sledge hammer to slide the crossmember out. Since I am reusing this on the club cab I didn't want to cut it out.