My Dodge Buildup -- Axles complete.

[superhawk2002]

All pics are here if you cant view them..Please let me know if all you see is red X's...

http://photobucket.com/albums/c330/Superhawk2002/

I lost alot of pics when my computer got fried by my dogs in November -- they knocked a cup of coke right over the keyboard. I have posted what I have left.

First off, I know you all will flame me repeatedly for everything I did. Its cool.. I just started this truck about 8 months ago (have owned it for a little over a year).

I got this truck on ebay for 5500 dollars. It is a black 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 4X4 club cab with a 5.2 in it and had 120,000 miles. When I road my motorcycle to Michigan to pick it up, it was not as described (tires were not new, several small flaws, and nerf bars were totally rusted through), so I got the seller down to 4800.00. I then sold all the aftermarket stuff he had on it, including a hypertech programmer, some sort of holley ram air system, and some other small things. I was down to 4400.00 I thought I would be fine with a nice 4X4, but then I wanted to lift it. Heres how it looked when I got it...minus the tonneau cover and a white stripe that I didn't like.




The first lift I did was a PA body lift and added new stainless nerf bars (bars are on in above pitcure). Looked great, so my wonderful wife bought me new rims and tires for my birthday in May. Tires now for sell!!
Sorry, no pics of just body lift. I put the new tires on, but since they rubbed, I figured I would go ahead and do a suspension lift. I was looking for a complete bolt on kit that I could do. I went through Topguncustomz and got a 7inch lift for the front and a 5 inch lift for the rear. Front lift is all Skyjacker minus the drop bracketry for the track bar. Rear is an AAL and a block.

You can see the new control arms compared the the stock ones. Nightmare of a time getting the stock ones out. Ended up


I think I was confused here.


Got the lift done -- while I was doing the lift, I found a rollbar on ebay with lights shipped for 350.00 bux. I had been looking for one for a year and couldnt believe I found one so cheap...



Got the lift done. Here is the completed truck (for the moment)...



All this and now I was having some tranny problems and figured the motor and trans was not going to hold much longer. The motor was fine, but I wanted something more. So I decided to find a diesel. The diesel conversion began -- next post will be up within an hour.

[superhawk2002]

I had never heard of anyone doing a diesel conversion and couldnt find any info on it, so I began by going to the Dodge dealership. I asked about frame differences and everything else you could think of. The Dodge dealership in Noblesville Indiana was an amazing wealth of info, they gave me wiring diagrams, complete parts list, and offered advice as often as I needed it. I got all my info and started looking for a donor truck. I found this truck in Boston. A 94 Dodge Ram 2500. I knew I would need a whole truck, not just a motor. Sorry the pics are crappy, they are the ones I just took from selling it on ebay. All my other pics are gone. The doghouse is already off and the motor pulled in these pics.





I got my motor and trans out of the 1500 and temporarily left the axles in. I was hoping to get the axles out of the 2500 (Dana 60 and 70) and swap them into my 1500 when I sold the 2500, being able to easily roll it around was a big plus. Next came getting the diesel motor into the 1500. If anyone ever does this -- take off your body lift. Nothing fit correctly because all the lines and turbo stuff were 3 inches short EVERYWHERE. Everything lined up as Dodge had promised. Motor mounts and all fit perfectly. Pic of 2500 motor removed and installed in the 1500.







Sorry, no pics of the axle swap -- I had lots of help and had to drive to South Bend to a friends house to get this done -- forgot the camera.

During this time, I found a Ranch hand bumper on ebay, so I bought it while I was at it and put it on myself. It was meant for an 03-05 Dodge Ram, but I made it fit my 97 Sport. As soon as we got the diesel running, it went straight to Haisley Machine for a full tune and to get a fuel plate and pump work done. I also immediatley installed some stacks on the diesel and some cab running lights. Installing stacks with a body lift and a roll bar caused some minor issues -- everything had to be changed a little. Here are the pics of the stacks and new front bumper. New style (03-05 style)headlights to fill the gaps are on the way as well.







I am now working on completing the 12 inch suspension lift, as well as working over the axles as much as possible. I have taken them back out. I will also be installing an indexing ring and getting a front driveshaft to work. I will also be cutting the crossmember to make room. Thurens track bar and steering are on the way, as well as a full long control arm system. More pics will be coming as I go.. Special thanks to DJ Gaston, Chuck Hines, and Don Thuren for their CONTINUED help and answering ALL my questions.. And to Rock Ready Guy for making lots of parts for me!! Hopefully I will have it done within a few weeks.

[ChinookFE]

Pics no worky

[superhawk2002]

Are the pics working yet? Who is everyone using to host thier pics? Anyone using yahoo? I cant seem to get them to show up, they always show up on my computer, but no one elses???

[Mountain Ram]

I see them- truck looks good- I think I would have just swapped all the good stuff onto the red truck... But it's your project.

I don't see why you were flamed too bad- like I said- it looks pretty good to me!

Good luck with the future mods!

Todd D

[superhawk2002]

Installing the 4 inch coil spacers and doing some axle work. I am currently wiating on my Thuren track bar and longer control arms. The back will be getting a shackle flip and a 10 inch leaf pack. I will probably remove the block.





I will not be using bigger tires for awhile (the 39 inch TSL's will be fine for what I want to do). I do not want to do any brake upgrades and axle upgrades. I am running out of money.

The tires are not holding the weight of the truck up. I have jack stands and blocks on the frame. They are just there in case -- maybe it will give me like an extra few seconds if this thing falls.. I know its a bad idea

[edglock21]

I see 'em in your top posts, but not your last one

Looks good, lotta work there

Edit: I got the last ones after refreshing

[superhawk2002]

Have not been flamed yet, just waiting... . I figure since I have followed the advice of everyone on here, I cant get flamed to bad, but then again - you never know. As soon as I get enough money, I am going to get the hydro a$$ist steering.. The red truck had huge dents in the bed and front was kinda mangled, and it had an electrical problem. It also was rustin out on the bottom of both doors and frame in general was doing the same. I want and need the extended cab -- my truck already was wired for lights and several other things that I liked. There were several reasons I could not go with the red truck -- I seriously thought about it tho.

[motobum]

I see all the pics . Looks awesome.

What all did you have to do to get that 3rd gen ranch hand on there? Will the 3rd gem headlights bolt right up (Maybe new wiring harness)? I like it.

[CJC Off Road]

That is absolutely awesome. I hadn't seen a 1500 converted to a diesel until yours.