I got a 1988 dodge D-100 short box. it has a 318 tbi. Engine runs great and some rust on the body, (box fenders). I been looking for another short box but am getting little luck living way up north Minnesota. and they over kill the roads with salt. Then i got a idea! I was wondering if there was a easy way of putting on a Step side. Like the Warlock. I was wondering if any one had any ideas. Also I am looking for a performance upgrade on the engine. Im not a big fan with these TBI they have. but i dont want to put the effort into a carb conversion. anyways. if there are any way to boost the 318 power. then that would be great. This truck was a gift from my dad and will be a fun project.

 

welcome to the forum
what are you looking for from the motor?

 

Im looking for a little more power. Nothing to the point where im tearing every thing apart. but light mods. Im looking for a after market tbi. im not really into switching into a carb. i read up on that and looked like a project with in a project.

 

Welcome! Got any pics? I love the reg cab/short bed trucks from this era, they are sexy! I use to have an 85 D100.

The frames on a lot of the Dodge trucks from that era are all the same (minus the front end between the 2wd and 4wd models) so you shouldn't have any issue bolting up a step side bed to the frame.

As far as the motor goes, you can probably get an intake, headers, distributor, 8mm wires and a larger coil (voltage wise), underdrive pulley kit, depending on the transmission either a shift kit (automatic) or a stronger clutch (center force II), and depending on the rear axle that is in it you can get a llimited slip carrier and swap that in so that both tires spin instead of just one.

Of course you could do what I did with my old 85 D100 and **** it all out for a built 383 BB.

 

Ok, I seen side panels from a warlock on ebay, I got the wires, coil and distributor due to a old sparking issues runs dandy now I do have a auto, and my dad before me installed llimited slip, it rocks but don't go no where on ice. I can check into the intake. I do like the idea of adding a 383

 

2wd truck with limited slip in the winter can be scary. My 01 Dakota was set up like that but it had a V6 and manual. I went nowhere when it snowed.

Shift kits help out some and can help hold a gear a little longer so that you can really get into the power range before shifting.

Swapping in a 383 will call for a new tranny as your's won't bolt up. Luckily though, you can order a set of motor and tranny mounts for it to bolt right in as the mounting brakets did not change and the trucks came stock with the 383 and 440 big blocks till about 78. If you don't want to go that far, maybe look into swapping in a 360. There is a little work to it (318=internally balanced - 360=externally balanced) but you can use the same tranny, mounts, radiator, plus you'll have more displacement.

We all know the old saying - "There is no replacement for displacement."

 

hey its good to see more trucks on here you should check mine out. yeah i'm looking for a carburetor set up on mine it has a holley t.b.i on it know but its running funny but probably some thing stupid but any was welcome to the site its a good one to be on