98 Dodge 1-ton *5-sp. swap on page 2*

[jason]

Big plans. 5-sp. swap, new bumper, interior updates. I will have pics from start to finish. Picturez from last year:

[jason]

Well, I finally took some pictures of the progress of the truck. A few things here and there added, mostly craigslist finds. Plans keep changing with this, so I'm not sure which way I'm going to go. Rockcralwer, performance daily driver or just a daily driver. In the meantime, I'll fix the things as time allows until I come up with a solid plan. Any major work won't be done until I get my other truck up here, and can afford to leave it on jackstands/in the shop for an extended length of time. Picturz:

New bed and bumper:




No more crappy bent step bar. Seems to be higher, even though it's not. I need taller springs.


Serious beef on the bumper. 1/2" plate everywhere it seems, as well as a full tube in the back (not a half-round like I had initially thought). Picked it up for cheap. I just put the lights on, but my backup switch is messed up so they're non-functional as of now.




Well, that's it for now. The bed was an hour north of me while in school out in MO. The bumper was about 30 minutes away. Some old farmer had it, but it wouldn't work on his ford so I picked it up for cheap. The only blemish on the bed/tailgate is a small dent on the inside near the top. I've got some black bed caps to put on it, so that should take care of it. Also snow ram from PS has some black sport lights I'm going to get, which should help in the looks department. Next up is the front axle, followed by a ranch hand bumper up front and some better tires for the mud/snow (stock size, just better-suited for the snow). I'm going to try the new goodyear wrangler duratracs. Tirerack.com has them, if anyone cares to look. $130ish a piece isn't bad, either.

As for plans in the near future, the list is as follows:

New:
wheel bearings
trac bar
ball joints
rotors/pads/calipers
gears/bearings/carrier/axle seals
shocks/steering stabilizer
camper package or skyjacker D25 coils
control arms OR 1 new control arm (bent) and new bushings
sway bar links (frame and axle ends)
carrier bearing for rear d-shaft

That's the stuff within the next 1-2 months. Hopefully by the end of the summer I'll have the transmission rebuilt and the new tires on, as well as the rims powdercoated black. I may put the chrome center caps on. I've seen one 2nd gen dually with them like that. Something different, and it sure beats buying new rims.

Edit: I also picked up a 105 gallon fuel tank while I was in GA a few months back. I also got the filter head figured out too, as the filter I was wanting to use wouldn't thread on there. A different filter solved that. Since I'm changing the fuel filter on the truck every other oil change (about $27 a pop), hopefully the tank-mounted filter will cut that down to maybe once every 3 oil changes. Besides, that thing is pretty big and only cost $9. It was nice driving from MO to UT and not having to pull in to get fuel (still had about 62 gallons left in the tank by the time I got home). The other 50 gallon tank is in my other truck, as it looked dumb in this one with the toolbox. I also picked up a 6" wide 30' long tow strap from tactor supply company. With all the assorted chains/cables and now the gianormous tow strap in the toolbox, hopefully I will be prepared this winter to be recovered/help someone out (unlike last winter).

[Zac]

Looks good.

The new bed and silver wheels really dress it up relative to the 'before' pictures. I never noted your dog (great dane?) when you posted those 'before' pictures months ago. What a monster!

[jason]

Thanks. The doodoo silver wheels are actually scratched up and in need of powdercoat very bad. I suppose it's the factory's coating them put on them, then slap the chrome simulators on. I need to wax it, as I don't think it has been since 1998.

Yes, the monster was our great dane (named "daine"). We gave him to a guy my wife works with who had 2 of his die as soon as they moved out here. I think they were 8 years old. We do have a new replacement, named Gus (short for Angus). He's an english mastiff, brindle in color. I have a feeling he's going to be a big, lazy dog; unlike our great dane who had more energy than he or I knew what to do with. His grandfather, I guess you could call him, was somewhere in the 250 range. If ours gets that big, someone could take a dump in our yard in the middle of the night, and I wouldn't notice the difference; except that gus doesn't get many peanuts in his diet.

[jason]

So, the updates continue (although slow). Found out this past weekend that the better part of next year will be spent in the sand box. Leaving in January, coming back sometime in July. Hopefully then this thing will either be A) fixed for good, or B) sold in favor of a newer dodge. Not sure which, as I kind of like it now that I started doing small things to it (got the engine tuned and running right, new bed, new cupholder, etc.). Not sure if I want to dump the money into a different turbo(s), built auto or swap to a manual. I thought about upgrading to a slightly larger turbo (s300 or bd super b), getting a "standard" rebuilt auto from goerends, buying a trailer and a 2nd gen 1500 to wheel with. Problem with that is, that will be 3 trucks, when I only have room for one; not to mention the trailer.

Anyways, hopefully my new tail lights will be here within a week. Then a ps.com member has some black 19.5's I can hopefully pick up next month. While not a fan of 20's, or "blingy" rims, these are powdercoated black and should look good with some 34" tires (265/70-19.5) and the leveling kit plans. I'm thinking about getting a muffler for this thing, too. Maybe a nice 4" straight-through, or a medium-duty truck muffler that flows good. The loud noise is getting kind of old, even though the exhaust is as far back as I can get it.

Other small updates include a genosgarage.com cupholder and new transmission linkage bushings. Although not as cool as some new tires and a big lift, the small things sure do make a huge difference in the everyday convenience factor. Also got the seat un-stuck, as the tilt feature for the front of the seat was stuck in the "way up" position. Ended up taking apart the motor/worm gear and eventually working it back down. Also removed the gay steering wheel cover and old leather wrap on it. The small things end up being huge improvements. Most of them were free, just requiring a little time; but it's amazing what the small things do.

[jason]

ese A change of plans, once again. I've been thinking about switching this to a single wheel, but keeping the rear dually axle. Well, after having no luck finding a longbed in black, let alone in good condition, I came up with this: 33x15.50x16 Mickey Thompson MTZs out back and 33x11.50x16's up front. I ordered one, a factory blem for mock-up to see how I like it (and if it will be as wide as the 2 tires out back currently). I plan to put the rears on 16x12 black D-window steelies, and 16x8's up front. Or I may go blingtastic and get some classic lock MT's in the same sizes. I'll still keep my dually rims/tires in case I ever have to make a long haul. But for the mountains around here and getting around, the BFG commercials don't hold up. They are strictly a highway tire and have held up well to the 20,000 miles I have on them (still about 85% tread left). I know it's going to be a super-wide rear tire, but it's different and I haven't seen it done yet. Here's some pics of some 33x15.50x15's. Not sure how wide of a rim they're mounted on, but they look pretty stout. They're load range E too, but I don't plan on towing a lot with them.

[jason]

Since about 20 people asked in this thread, I'll provide some info about the tire I ordered. This thing is freaking huge. I think the UPS guy weighed it at 60 or so pounds. Discount Tire rocks, as well. Called about some 16x12's, since they're local and everyone says they have good prices. Summit was the lowest-price place I could find the black "D" window black steelies at $150ish a piece (plus shipping). Discount Tire can get them for just over $100 a pop with no shipping. Hopefully they can get the other tires for cheaper, as that's who I'll be going through. Not sure when I'll get the other ones ordered, as the tires I have on now are fine and have plenty of tread left. I guess the ultimate goal would be to have the 6 rims fitted with snow tires, and keep these for driving around in the mountains. Hopefully the other truck will be here next month, and I can drive that to work instead of this.

[MYTYT]

Looks good man. I had a 02' 3500 that I should have never got rid of. The CTD's are awsome trucks.

Is the rear bumper a custom job or does it have a MFG. plate on it? I have been looking for one for my truck with no luck...

[jason]

The guy I bought it from said it was a genuine ranch hand, although the ones listed on their website look different. I have seen 2 or 3 like this before, but couldn't find out who made them. There's no ID plate, either. I bought it was $75 with a fresh paint job, so I can't complain. It's freaking huge and stout, so that's all that matters. I will eventually buy the wrap-around bumper from them, as the corners of the bed always seem to get dented. For now though, this will do. I need to get it powder coated, though. It's starting to fade to a light gray color.

[jason]

Okay, time for an update and final plans for this thing. After much consideration, planning and getting ideas, I finally have a solid plan for this thing. Not sure what you would call it, but it is what it is.

I had the flywheel resurfaced today, but I'm going to sell it to a guy in Indiana. Then next Friday, a 13" valair kevlar or organic clutch is going in. 13" flywheel with the HD pilot bearing option, throwout bearing, the whole shebang. I picked up a set of used hydraulics from a local guy yesterday for $60. Saved me $140 over new stockers, so I'm happy. A guy also came and picked up my transfer case today. That will basically pay for a total rebuild on my rear driveshaft. New u-joints, carrier bearing, straightened, balanced and cleaned. I also found out that a QC/SB 2wd 5-sp. truck has almost the SAME rear driveshaft as my QC/LB 4wd automatic-equipped truck. Not sure how the hell it is, considering it's 2' longer, but they are. AND the only part that's different is the shaft coming out of the trans to the carrier bearing; by maybe an inch. But since the slip part is on the back shaft, I couldn't make it work and have to make 1 shaft out of the 2. No worries, should be done tomorrow.

I also picked up a sport bumper cover from a 2000 ram. The guy wanted $50, so I went and picked it up last week. Should be ordering the sport grille/hardware/frame next week. Then hopefully in the next 2 or 3 weeks, get them painted black. I think that will end up being $375 or so. So the sport conversion will be done on it, save for the headlights. If you look in the pics further up this post, the bumper I picked up from Archer on PS has the bottom lip cut off. Well, the frame was in good shape, just not the cover. Then next year after I get back from the desert, the whole truck will be painted black again. Only shiny and straight. I will probably go with the 1-piece headlight/side marker in black, or the projector lights. Not for show, but because these headlights are weak; even with the expensive bulbs. Plus the headlight buckets are broke. Need to find some of those.

As for engine upgrades, I am going to try and retrofit an HE351 out of an '05-07 common rail on this. There's a couple of guys that have done it successfully. Supposedly it will support up to 450hp or so. Then hopefully later this year, a set of 50-75 horse injectors will go on, as well as head studs. My radiator will be rebuilt hopefully in the next 2 weeks, and a new intercooler will go on if I can find one.

Suspension upgrades will be small. I have a bent control arm on the lower driver's side, so a set of stock-length skyjackers are going on. The uppers will get new bushings. I will probably throw a set of D25 coils on, and a set of AAL's in the back. Nothing big, maybe 2". The steering box will also be replaced, since this one has quite a bit of slop (and it leaks, so even adjusting the tension screw wouldn't help). I replaced the steering and trac bar, so hopefully that fixes the wander/wobble I'm getting at 45-50. If not, I'll have to re-check the ball joints. The bearings seem nice and tight. Then after I get back from the desert, the front end is getting a complete rebuild. New gears/carrier/bearings, seals, EMS or similar hub conversion and a posi-lok cable. I'm also going to try and get a different transfer case for this. Not sure if I want to go with an NP271 or find a cast-iron cased unit to go in. If I go with the cast-iron, it will have to be divorced. If I go with the 271, I'll have to find the 4wd tailhousing for the trans. But that's a ways off.

The interior is going to get a freshening up. New weatherstripping, replacement panels for the ones that are damaged and paint for the ones that are just faded. I will probably go with cloth seat covers instead of leather, as I don't like leather in the summer. The carpet is being ripped out and vinyl going in it's place. LMC sells a "floor mat" that replaces the carpet. I will put heavy amounts of sound deadener/insulation underneath. Carpet is dumb anyway.

So, that's about it. The 5-sp. conversion should hopefully be done within the next 2-3 weeks. Just about everything that can be replaced in the clutch system has been (new clutch fork ballstud and spring, flywheel bolts, clutch). I don't feel like ripping the trans out again, so those were just some cheap insurance items. The grille/bumper should be done by the end of November and the control arms should be in about the same time. The rest of the stuff I will get to after I get back from the desert, as the truck is going to sit for 7 months. No sense in painting it just to sit under a car cover in the elements. Daily driver, tow rig? Sure. It's my project vehicle and will have taken 2 years to get done by the time I get back next year. Some people build a hot rod, some people restore a muscle car. I chose an 11 year old 1-ton.