Well, if I don't tell you guys, I might as well not tell anybody..I caught myself looking at a (gulp) 2nd gen over the weekend Basically, now that the effects of boost and eye-watering smoke have worn off, I'm still stuck with a 17 year old truck that makes my garden tractor seem smooth and tight I know, I know, I shoulda held out for at least an LE package truck, but if I sit here and think about all the 'shouldas' I've ever had, my truck will likely age another 17 years in the process So, I'd like to hear what you've all done to make life with your first gen a little more....civil But first, here's a list of things I've got in mind/in the works. Feel free to put them in your personal order of importance, if you like. (of course I'm gonna fix the ol girl up--you didn't think I was serious about that whole 2nd gen thing, did you?!)


1)Skyjacker replacement springs on all 4 corners. 2.5'' lift (like to run 255/85's and still have room for full flex)
2)Borgeson steering shaft
3)I've got an 87 Ramcharger LE and I'd like to use
---captains chairs and center console
---carpet, a bit trimmed
---entire steering colum (for the tilt wheel, etc.)
---entire dash since it has no holes drilled for gauges. Plus, I'll have vents!
---HVAC unit for vents in dash
---any and all A/C components...I assume I'll have to get a Cummins specific compressor/lines, but everything else should bolt up, I hope...


No, buying another truck is not an option. I'm working with what I've got on this project. I'm building a house which I understand is actually WORTH putting thousands upon thousands of dollars into

So lets have at it--this thing really does ride like the tank it is!!!

greg

 

Well I have an LE package , but the best thing i did for the old was to install a 2 bag kelderman air ride and a 3x4 lift 15 years ago. it rides better then my 2nd gen by far. I have 2 second gens and 2 1st gens. the new ones have all the dodads but I still like the 1st gens better . I have slowly been dropping cash into my w250 and i am almost done with the restoration . a new IP and speedo and heater control and DTT trans and im done. by summer she will be new again. and I always get comments on what a great looking truck it is! 1st gens rule!

 

Best improvement I ever done to make it more civil and much more enjoyable, was got rid of the stacks and bought a 4" exhaust kit WITH muffler , 4" back to tailpipe. Now this might not be important to you, as you only have one stack. I had two. This tamed the beast bigtime. I have basically the same non-LE model 89. No carpet, no molding, loud noisey etc. I imagine carpet and the LE molding on the kick panels etc, would tame more of the noisey beast.

A more comfortable seat is very important. Get those captain chairs in pronto. I wish I had a set.

If your steering is sloppy and all over the place, then I suppose the Borgeson shaft would be nice. I didn't think it was worth the money. But I do have a nice tight steering wheel.

Sounds the stiff ride is on your mind. Are those Skyjacker springs those 'soft-ride' springs? I bet those are nice. I don't haul any heavy loads, so I swapped in P rated tires. Just a passenger P265/75R16 tire, same height as the STIFF LT235/85R16 load range E. These made it a night and day difference. Those E rated tires don't give. But I'm sure you tow alot, so I wouldn't use the P rated tires. Just for daily driving though, they are nice.

Lets see, carpet, captain chairs, softer ride by way of soft springs and or softer tires, tighter steering, AC. Swapping out a dash is alot of work. I'm pretty sure you gotta remove the windshield.

 

I have a 89 Cummins A/C compressor left over after the engine swap.

The engine had 68,000 miles on it.

I don't know if the compressor is good; but, I don't see why it wouldn't be.

I also have the hoses that go to the air-box from the compressor.

 

Thanks for the replies, fellas! I didn't know Kelderman made stuff for us to spend money on, too! A little pricey, about twice what full replacement leaf springs would run, but even the best replacement spring probably isn't like riding on air...

Swapping the whole dash would likely be a pain, but I got a lot more time than I do money, so who knows

keep 'em coming!

 

you have a PM

 

If you have a nonAC truck and you want to convert to AC, you'll need the AC/heater box under the dash, AC evaporator, and then the rest of the AC components under the hood. The heater boxes are different. Possibly could be modified though. I say buy another truck if you want AC lol...

 

Would my ramcharger stuff work for that, Bill? I figure if I've got the dash off, it wouldn't be nuttin to drop the RC box in place, fresh heater core and all...as long as it's the same as the CTD version.

 

Oh yeah thats right, you have parts. Yep when you get the dash apart, open both boxes and make sure they are different. Don't forget a new NAPA $40 heater core while you're in there. Don't wanna get down the road and have it go bad, when you're right in there. AC gets expensive. You really want it? I gutted mine lol.

 

''AC gets expensive.''

My buddy owns a shop, so I've got a full-service AC machine at my fingertips Plus wholesale parts pricing

 

I think you oughta stick with a vinyl floor. Carpet has no place in a truck IMO. If you want style, you can get them in all different colors now. http://www.auto-interior.com/dodge4.htm#Regular

I'm planning on gray to replace my carpet. The lot at work is crushed stone and the carpet is a pain to even try to keep clean.

Otherwise sounds like a real good plan. I love the 1st gen captain's chairs, I think they are way better than the 2nd gen seats.

 

If it were me i would put one of those nice foil covered blankets between the firewall and engine for sound barrier. heck, why not bring it back underneath the whole cab? thats how my buddies ferd was. insulation underneath the carpet/vinyl would be good too.

im pretty sure you can by the firewall blanket stuff from JC whitney.

 

Wow that seems really cheap for a molded floor covering!! Does anybody actually have one to attest to the quality?

I'm thinking about stripping the carpet than putting something down like the rhino lining then put that vinyl in. The rhino lining should cut a lot of the road noise out.

Aaron

 

Best thing I've done so far in terms of livability was new springs and shocks all the way around. I added two inches to the front so that it had a bit more travel before it got into the snubbers, with the same rate springs. On the rear I ditched the three inch blocks, added down rated springs (about what you'd find in a H/D half ton) with a five inch lift to make up the difference and a set of Timbren over load rubber springs for the few times a year I put some real weight on it. Added Bilstien 5100 shocks and now I can drive it empty without bruises from getting tossed into the seat belt on every bump. Next is window and door seals and some sound proofing. I have the base model and there is nothing extra in there, not even a head liner.

 

If your going to have the interior out lay down some sound deadening. I did that on my old 86 gasser and it made a HUGE difference in quietness. I did the floor,back of the cab,between the headliner and roof and a layer behind the door panels. That truck was ALMOST as qiuet inside as the 97 1500 it replaced.