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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.
Hey guys, so I bought a service body for a smokin deal this week and I'd like to put it on my truck. There are a few small issues though.. The body is meant for a cab and chassis truck so it is too long. The distance from front of service body to wheelwell center in 60"; whereas the distance from front of my pickup box to axle center is 54". So I'm thinking about stretching the truck 6". This seems like it would be pretty easy, frame, driveshaft, fuel and brakelines. Am i missing anything? Seems to me like the brake lines will be the hardest part.
The other issue is that the service body is meant for a dually, it looks like i can get some adapters to solve that problem.
Has anyone done any of this? If someone has a service body I'd love to hear any suggestions you might have. Thanks guys!
I have never done it, but it seems that 6 inches hanging over the edge, so to speak, would not be a problem. The only thing that you would have to extend would be the wiring. Some fabricator here should chime in too, good luck...Mark Edit: Assuming that the wheel wells line up...
Just trying to solve the problem in a different way...
Why not move the wheel well on the service body forward? It looks like you have several inches of room before that front storage box.
That would be a lot easier than extending the truck frame and components. The other bonus would be if you or anyone else want to put the stock bed back on it, they could.
Another easy trick for moving the rear axle is those "zero rate" blocks that let you move the axle either 1/2 inch or a full 1 1/2 inches.
I used a set of zero rate blocks on my white crew cab when I installed the Dana 80 axle and needed to move the axle a bit further back so I didn't have to modify my driveshaft. 1 1/2 inches pushed back was all I needed for it all work together
Maybe opening up the wheel wells several inches and the block could be used together to dial you in with limited fab work.
I would think opening up the wheel wells on the service body would be an hour job, depending on how nice you want it.
Extending the frame, fuel lines, brake lines, E-brake cable, driveshaft ETC, That sounds more like the 2wd '78 Ram Charger project I just cut the frame in half and welded back up. That project will be done in a year or two, if I am lucky.
I have never heard of blocks like that, but it might be just what I need, my original plan was to just move the wheelwell, but I was worried it would look dumb with the wheels not in the center of the compartments. The wheels should fit with an 1-1/2" or so clearance in the front
I have never heard of blocks like that, but it might be just what I need, my original plan was to just move the wheelwell, but I was worried it would look dumb with the wheels not in the center of the compartments. The wheels should fit with an 1-1/2" or so clearance in the front
See I told you that I wasn't as smart as Oliver, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night. Also, I still know how to google stuff...Mark
Bingo Mark!
That is exactly who I ordered them from.
I keep a couple sets in the shop for custom builds where you need "just that little bit extra".
I used a set on Poncho last winter to get me that extra inch of lift after the shackle flip, extra long shackles, drop hanger bracket on the front of the rear spring and removing the 3 inch block.
I didn't move the axle front or back but the 1 inch of lift was just what I needed.
There are a few pictures in my "Saving a '91.0 W-250" build thread
Have you considered selling that box & buying one for a 56" CA & single wheel?
That's what I would do. Your fab project may not sound like a lot of work. But it will be. Save your time, money and frustration and just find the right bed for the truck or the right truck for the bed.
If you really want to keep the bed, I would remove the 6" from the front of the service body before I would consider modifying my truck. Plasma cutter would make it easy.
If you really want to keep the bed, I would remove the 6" from the front of the service body before I would consider modifying my truck. Plasma cutter would make it easy.
Wiz wheel [death wheel] or saw-z-all would make it easy as well.
Plasma cutter would make it easy and clean, but not everybody has one of those.
Everybody should own a saw-z-all.
I love my cordless one. My daughter and I even used to cut our Christmas tree down with from the wood behind the house.
Alright alright you guys talked me into it! I'll cut the wheelwell as far forward as I can, and see how that looks, and then I can still move the axle back an 1-1/2" if I need to.
07-04-2018, 11:09 AM
...Mark
