I posted this on another forum & want to post it here to get more suggestions. I recently bought this for $400. Has 132k on the clock and has the 318 and 46rh. With the exception of the headliner the interior is in great shape. The outside is ugly but it's going to get repainted. The motor is blown but the replacement is already bought. Truck has been sitting for a few years. I am going to do some work on it and thought I'd share it here and get some comments.

Engine:

Bought 360 from wrecked 99 ramvan 1500 w/71k for 600
Complete tune-up - In process
New belts & hoses - Bought
Going to replace seals & gaskets while out - In Process
Install all the sensors from my 92 - In Process
Install the manifolds from my 92 - in Process
"Open" exhaust up. Single 3" all the way with a Flowmaster 50 - Removed. Opinions on muffler- not going with flowmaster 50.
CAI - Bought K&N with open element top
Remove fan - Done
Install high flow water pump - Bought regular flow pump
Install Flex-a-Lite 398 fan & controller - Got spal controller & fan
180 t-stat - Bought
Have clean up and modify the stock throttle body - Not done yet
Have a kegger done (not comfortable doing it myself anyone got one for sale?) - Gonna try it wish me luck
Put in 5.2 Mopar PCM or get a custom one - Help
External oil cooler

Tranny:

Master rebuild kit - Bought
Transgo shift kit - Bought
New torque converter (any thoughts? I will tow occasionally & want to keep low end)
Rebuild np231 & new chain - Bought kit
External tranny cooler

Misc:

New ball joints, pitman arm, idler arm, tierod ends (kits I see on ebay any good?) - Bought
New calipers - Bought
New drum rebuild kit - Intalled
New pads & shoes. Discs & drums resurfaced - Bought & Installed
Flush brake & steering fluid
New shocks Bought & Installed
31x10.50x15 BFG A/T Bought & mounted
15x8 98 dakota rims (got em free)
torque up lift keys - Not buying


Going to spend a good part of the next month or two of days off to get this done. Should be mechanically sound when it's done. I'll have the a/c done when it's back together. I has 3.55's in it now with a factory posi. Later on I want to swap in 3.92's. I look forward to the comments & suggestions.

Working on it slowly. Was a real PITA getting the powertrain out. I think I know the cause of the motor blowing. Once the motor was pulled you could see a rod through the oil pan. There also was ALOT of caked on ground in mud all through the underside. I'm pretty sure someone was giving it hell in the mud when she let go. Anyways now that everything is out I've been going at system by system. Did the rear brakes and shocks today. Going to spend next Mon & Tue doing front end & brakes and both pumpkins. My plan is to then rebuild the t-case then transmission. Last thing will be motor. Going to swap out all my sensors, kegger, and TB onto the new motor. I'm going to put a new water & oil pump in it. Also going to do all gaskets. Once it's all back together it'll be new hoses, belts, cables & complete tune-up. I'll then flush out the brake & power steering fluid. Once all the mechanicals are done I'll take care of the appearance. I was able to score an overhead console & bracket from a 95 dakota. I also got the temp sensor. I'll have to wire it in since it wasn't an option in 92. I already checked the connector behind the dash isn't there. The cloth on the base of it was ripped. I plan to scrub all the glue and fabric remnats off of it and paint the base maroon to match the interior. I'll install it when I redo the headliner. I'll try to get some pics on Mon an post them. Thanks again to all who left comments.


Jereme

 

Sounds like alot of work and money. But Sounds like a good plan. I would suggest not getting the high flow water pump they take more hp to move so you loose HP from the engine. Electric water pumps will free up some HP if you want. The Kegger mod is not hard. Check the FAQ2 for a link on how to do it. You should if you have the money get a fastmans throttle body, way better than stock. Get stock style torque converter, if you want the low end performance. Post up some pics. And later on too as it comes along.

 

Sounds good.
Yea, it's easy to spend the money...

 

Yeah I have 3500 budgeted for the mechanicals. We'll see if I make that mark! I've decided against the high flow pump. I think my stock one with the efan setup will be more than enough. I might tackle the kegger. I have a friend who is much more mechanically inclined than I am maybe I can get him to help if I supply the beer!

 

Good choice, I won't start with the water pump again but a regular water pump should be good.

Might want to think about a high flow air filter also.

 

Oh, and I don't know if you are looking for something specific, but the tie rods and ball joints and all that fun stuff was pretty well priced from JCWhitney. Only if you aren't in a hurry because a lot of it has lead times of 6-8 weeks, but might save you some cash.

 

thanks for sharing!..that's a good choice!...

 

I guess I'll post something useful...
when doing the tune-up on the 360, just keep in mind that the Dodge motors seem to do better with single electrode and regular copper spark plugs.

While you have the engine out, you might want to look into changing the timing chain. Haven't really read on here people having too much problems with 'em, but the stock one in my V6 went around 110,000 miles. (Right after water pump replacement, went to start it up... Grandpa replaced it for me (I was on vacation to see them), but it destroyed the sprokets.

For the ball joints/tie-rods/etc. I haven't seen the kits on Ebay, but I'm replacing vir.tually everything on my front end (except the lower control arm bushings, which aren't available anywhere!) and I'm using Moog. Their more expensive than others, but their supposed to be good.

 

That reminds me, a few of the suspension components I got from NAPA, like a tie rod end, actually came with a lifetime warranty. I did have to pay more though. Not sure of the brand offhand. I usually buy Made in the USA whenever I can.

 

NAPA is usually good for parts (not as easy on the wallet, but, usually don't have to redo jobs later!). I go to NAPA and O'Reillys for parts. I skip AutoZone if possible.