I have started my build. I plan to use DTR as my online journal, a place to think, plan, and get great ideas. Thanks in advance for all your advice and encouragement.

Goal: Build a daily driver capable of hauling family, three hole dog box, 28' trailer house, and two dirt bikes.

Product (s):

A. W-350 Crew Cab Short Box Cummins 5.9bt Intercooled

B. W-350 Crew Cab Long Box Cummins 5.9bt Intercooled

Donor Trucks:

A. 1991 W-250 5.9bt Intercooled, 727 w/ OD, 4" spring re-arch, 215 tires, light pump mods, regular cab/long bed



B. 1985 W-350 Crew Cab Short Box (has 360 4 speed (NP451) with a NP205 T-Case, Dana 60s full float.) ad removed

 

Things I want improved:

1. Seats (2nd or 3rd gen)
2. Cab noise, anyone use this stuff? http://www.secondskinaudio.com/
3. Floor dimmer switch, yeah baby - stupidest thing Dodge ever "improved"

Possible Modifications:
1. NV4500 tranny swap
2. Long bed

Parts to find:
1. body mounts
2. weather stripping
3. rubber floor mat
4. wiring harness?

Body and Trim:

Paint - original color of crew cab metalic light blue
Badging, Trim, and grill - can't decide, keep the look of the '85 and add a 89 or 90 cummins badge; or, make it look like a 91.5?

 

Hey , What is all of the wet stuff all over the first picture????? I live in Az and we hardly ever see any of it.. All B.S. aside , With what you are hauling , I would build a long box . Depending on how much money you have I would do a 5600 conversion, I think it is a much better trans, my opinion only....

 

very cool..

I will be watching.. I did this almost exact thing and I love my conversion now

 

I dropped the T-Case and Trans, by my self last night. So much for people saying they are coming. That's OK' I am finding I really need this project right now. Wife laid off, me getting a pink slip last week, this project is therapeutic. With the job situation, don't expect my build to go nearly as fast as our new fabricator buddy 93D250.

What is the best value for new body and cab mounts? I haven't seen a kit for the crew cabs. Point me in the direction please.

 

what part of the country you in Thiss? maybe some help would stop by if we knew .

 

I am in Monmouth, OR. I learned of how close Troopthorn is already. I am actually coming up your way tomorrow, Farmer01. my brother in-law lives in Cornelius.

 

stop by anytime we are just off hwy 219 and simpson road.

 

Heck you are right by my buddy on Unger Rd. I was just there today, maybe next trip.

I am shopping around for cab/body mounts. I think I was polyurethane. Where is a good place to buy? Do they have a set specifically for the crew cab?

 

i live on riedweg road which connects to unger. shoot me a email or pm and i will give you an address. don't know about the cab mounts i havn't torn my crewcab down yet. still have to finish up my suburban

 

Parts and Supplies

$74.99 Eastwood Chasis Restoration kit http://www.eastwood.com/full-chassis...kit-black.html

$58.21 Energy Suspension Body Mounts http://www.energysuspensionparts.com...?prod=5%2E4101

$64.98 Second Skin Audio Spectrum Sludge http://www.secondskinaudio.com/sound...rum-sludge.php

 

looks like you will be busy!!

 

Interior is gutted. Floor boards are in good shape, few spots of surface rust, some cracked sealant, but otherwise good shape. Aside from the ash tray and jockey box, the dash ( I was on my way to taking it out, until I learned from Bruiser's post that the windshield must come out, this is the first major difference I have seen from my old '77 Power Wagon) is mint. This gives me my first quandary, I was banking on the dash being gone and had foreclosed myself to using my good grey dash from the '91. Now which dash to use? I kinda want to convert the interior to gray, this would force me to paint door panels and swap in two shoulders belts and one lap from my truck, I would then need to find two more grey shoulder belts and one lap, hmmm.... I measured the rear seat space and think I can get away with using 91 bench. Total purchased 3 seat belts and a 60/40 bench from a second or third gen, and rubber floor mat. It did have a replacement mat that came in three sections and fit nicely, is there anyone still selling these?

I also attacked the wiring today, I have nearly the entire harness gutted. I didn't label or mark a thing; planning on using '91 harness. However, I did keep the '85 harness in-tact, I didn't go after it with wire cutters. The way I see it the only mod needed for the '91 harness is to lengthen wires for taillights and 7 way hitch plug. Anyone know better?

 

you can buy bulk seat belt strapping in most colors and have your strap replaced. i plan on doing this to my latest rig.

 

I would pull the windshield to check for corrosion and then re-install with a new gasket. I would probably paint the windshield channel with the new paint before installation. While the windshield is out, I'd swap out the dash.

Or better yet, pull the windshield and leave it out until the truck is painted. I've never liked the results of taping around a gasketed glass.

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