Hello to all the guys out there smart enough to own Mopars.
I'm a USAF Crew Chief currently stationed overseas but should be returning stateside next year. With that said, I've got 2 major projects to do on my Dodge trucks and I'm always open to suggestions.
First up is my 2001 Ram 1500 4X4. It's in excellent shape except for it's paint job and engine. (Has anyone else noticed a problem with Dodge's turn-of-the-century paint jobs?) The 5.2L in it just isn't strong enough for what I want so I'm considering swapping it out for a rebuilt 5.9L
Second up is my old travel companion; a 1989 Dodge W-150 4X4 nicknamed Old Red. Wow, if this guy could talk! I've owned this truck for almost 15 years now and he's never let me down. I've driven it clear across the USA twice, with a side-trip up the Alaska Highway to Fairbanks and back! This old truck holds far too many memories of family and friends not to mention places seen for me to ever part with him. The problem is he's a 20-year old truck with 200,000 miles on him. The trusted and true 318c.i. (note I refuse to call an engine of this year a 5.2L) is worn out and need of either replacement or complete overhaul. His 3-speed Torqueflight transmission is pretty rough too and so is the transfer case. Considering how reliable everything has worked over the years I'm hesitant to just up and replace the components so I need some help. I've never restored anything on this large a scale before and I don't want to screw it up. I'm hoping everyone out there will be free with their suggestions on anything, from where to buy parts to who does a good paint job. In short, I need your help!
Like I said, I'm wide open to suggestions.
Thanks in advance for all your comments!
Tim

 

First off, thank you for serving.

Second, welcome to THE GREATEST FORUM EVER!

Third, I would love to own a W-series as beautiful as yours. You can either rebuild the motor or get a reman. I'd rebuild it myself as the reman ones are not always up to spec. They run great but some don't get the proper decking done to them to make sure that everything lines up just perfect. Have a tranny shop rebuild the 727 with some B&M or TCI parts. it will make you and the tranny very happy. As for the t-case, you can get rebuild kits and do it yourself, they are not that hard at all.

 

Once you get back, check around your next duty station for places that everyone recommends, and take your time doing it, you know how it goes at military bases. Heck, it may even be worth doing some travel to get to someone who really loves them as much as you.

I'll agree with 78, if you can do the work yourself, go for it. The 727 is a pretty simple tranny overall, but I've never messed with a transfer case, and the 318, well, if you all still have hobby shops/rent a bays on post, it might be a good place to do the rebuild. There's a lot of knowledge hanging around those places.

Welcome home when you make it, I know how good it feels to be back in the States after awhile, and good luck with your projects, keep us up to date, and we'll help as we can. Shoot, if anyone knows Foose, this would sure be a good project for him

 

Thanks for the comments! This is the kind of info I need to get my plans in order here. I know finding a competent machine shop to clean and magna-flux the engine will be dependent on where I'll be stationed, but it's still a big help to know what brands of parts would work best in these old trucks. B&M and TCI huh? I'll remember that. Usually when I repair something on any vehicle I own I just go to the local NAPA or Autozone and buy whatever they have. With Old Red's restoration though, I want to put only top-quality parts in him so that I can still go out and drive him when I'm 80+. That said, here's a couple more questions for you:
1. What do you guys think about the spray-on bedliners? Big Black had one in him when I bought him and love it! I'm considering doing the same in Old Red. He's got an over-the-rail liner in him now and I'm worried about corrosion beneath it. Have you ever heard about problems with the spray-on liners?
2. When I restore Old Red I want to do a full body-off if I can. Ideally I'd like to remove the cab and box, sandblast the frame clean and repair any damage to it and repaint it, then run clean wires and brake lines and put everything back together. Yes, this job will likely take years to do, but I think after enduring Vermont's salty roads for years it's the only way I can really ensure the frame isn't going to rot out anytime soon. At this level of restoration, what else should I be thinking of?
3. One place I'm considering going through for the upgrade to Big Black's engine is online at http://www.dodge-chrysler-auto-truck...r-engines.html (I'm not endorsing them in any way, I'm wondering if anyone had any dealings with these guys.) I've been checking them out but can't really find anyconcrete testimonies on the company. I do like the warranty they offer but 78's comment about re-mans not being up to spec has me wondering. I'd like to hear what some people suggest before I lay out that sort of . Do you guys have other suggestions on where to look?
Thanks a bunch again!
Tim
PS: If you guys are interested I can upload a photo of me and my jet. It's not what you might think.

 

I'd love to see that pic.

B&M and TCI are the two top companies out there for trannies and tranny parts.

If you have a good solid long block (block, heads, rotating assembaly), then I would just do a rebuild on what you have. The 318 motors are so much better in those trucks that the 360s.

as for the bedliner, both my parent's have the spray in stuff in their trucks and they both love it. No problems with it at all and its been a number of years now.

As for the frame, when you get done repairing any sections that need it, use POR 15. That stuff is the greatest thing on earth for frames and undercarrages. The biggest thing is though, you NEED to prep the frame exactly how they say to, otherwise you'll run into issues with it peeling off.

I've got a site that you might like to look at for motors. It's on my home computer and will post the link if I get a chance tonight.

 

First of all, thank you for your service. It is because of people like you we are able to enjoy our hobbies/obsessions

As for spray in bed liners, I had an '01 Ram 2500 4X4 ( MAN I miss that truck ) that had one. It was AWESOME! I've never seen one in an older truck, so can't really comment on it. Functionally, it should be the same. I checked out the link, and am also interested in their quality. What I couldn't find, was shipping. Will shipping a long block cancel out any savings over a local machine shop? What is your recourse in case something goes horribly wrong? With a local shop, you can just pop in and say ...HEY! But who knows. Maybe they have a 10,000 Ft. Sq. shop and hundreds of workers.

How is the body on Old Red? Fenders, bed, cab? I have a 72 D100 that has some serious cancer issues. Tail Gate, Bed and front fenders all need replacing. I am happy to report I haven't found much of anything for rot through on the cab (WHEW! ) I found a source for front fenders, but can't find the link I had saved for the Bed parts. If I can find that again, I'll post it for you.

Are you a hard core 4 wheeler?

j

 

Thanks, I like that old Challenger! Old Red is largely solid. I had to replace the driver side floorboard a few years ago but (knock on wood) everything else seeoms ok. Any ideas on where to look for panels should I need them?

 

get stationed at luke afb - there is an awesome mopar shop here, the guy who owns it and does all the work is one of the best mopar guys around.

 

I can't help much with the restoration questions. I am no expert and am just feeling my way along on my GTX clone project (first Mopar). But I did want to thank you for your service as others have. I have a lot of respect for those who have been in or are still in the service.

 

Thank you all for you giving a damn about those of us who serve. Don't understimate what your simple thanks means. Knowing that what we do everyday is important to you is why we keep on doing what we do. Thank you for caring!