I know some of you on here have already done this conversion, but I'm attempting it as well. Last year I bought a 1985 W350 Crew Cab Forestry truck at auction. It cost me 506 bucks (not too shabby) and had front end damage but nothing major, just body parts. Since then, I've bought a 1991 donor cummins truck to swap the motro from. I am currently working on the engine in my garage and have the '85 stripped down to frame with a new coat of black underbody paint. I plan on doing a frame up, as I want to make this a brand new 1985 truck (but better). Here are my first set of pictures. This is what it looked like when I bought it:

 

Looks like you have a nice project on your hands. Just make sure the frame is strait and true if you haven't. Measure both sides at the same point front to back and then from right front corner to left rear corner then the other way. The reason I say this is with the bumper bent the way it is around the frame you just want to be safe. Hate to see anyone put a bunch of time into something that is bad. But anyway good luck and keep us posted.

 

Looks like a fun project. Is the cab solid? shortbed? keep us posted on the progress

 

Thanks, I will definitely keep you guys posted! I have done all measurements on the frame and it's true, no problems at all. There was no rust found anywhere on this truck, cab was solid, and so was the bed. It has no dents (except the front clip) and is a pretty solid truck. And yes it is a shortbed. I'm going to have to figure out a way to cushion the ride a bit, because the leaf spring packs are HUGE. Anyone like firestone air ride?

 

I have a Kelderman Air Ride system on my truck and there are a couple of other people on here that have it also and I personally don't think I would be able to drive much without it. Mine is a older system probably from 1990 but the newer systems mount better and have a class 3 or 4 hitch incorporated in them. I have pics of mine in my gallery if you want to look at it.

 

sweet.. I am glad to see other 4 doors being brought back to life

 

that truck is a steal. the front axle is worth more than that alone. good buy!

 

Yeah it definitely was! Here are some more old pics to get you guys caught up with my progress. These pics are of the frame after it was stripped down and prep work was begun. Also there, are some pics of the donor '91 CTD engine after it was pressure washed but before it was degreased and painted. The pics of the painted engine and the painted frame will be up soon!

 

It looks like the passenger side of the frame is bent just ahead of the transmission crossmember on the upper part of the channel. There is a dip in that area. I think it is one of the built in crumple zones. Was the top of the fender on that side mashed into the door with the fender bottom to door bottom having a larger than normal gap?

 

Yeah I was curious about that too but the measurements came out too close to call and there was no door/fender conflict on that side. Do you think I should still maybe take it to a frame shop just in case, or how big of a problem do you think it is? Thanks for the input!

 

Let me see if I can attach a picture of what that radius should look like:

 

Trebor, if you look at previous pix the area you are refering to are right at the frame cab mounts. He has pix of driver and passenger side and i don't thing it's dinged. It might be an area for the front of cab to clear. Also nbagett i have some front end sheet metal parts for sale if you need any. Send me a pm and i'll let you know what i have. Good luck and check out the site on DTR forum specifically for conversions....Good Luck Augie

 

I would have it checked. That area does not look right. Frames bend real easy.

 

Oh wow, thanks guys I'm really going to get that checked now. How much do you think this would run to get it all straightened out?

 

To me that frame desn't look bent that is the area for front of cab to clear .What you can do is measure from center of front wheel to center of rear on both sides and see if it comes out the same .