Hello fellow MoparHeads. I have this pickup truck that has been in the family since new. My grandad whom I was close to, bought it from his sister who got it new the year I graduated hs. After his passing it became mine. It had set for several years and is in need of a do-over. The body does not have a single dent and there is only one small bit of rust 3 inches long. The bed doesn't even have a dent. So for me it's a must do for the emotional factor alone.
It has a slantsix, dana 60 I think and not sure what tranny. I checked the vin and it's supposed to have a 318 in it, so I don't know what to think.
The rear end leaks, sloppy, tranny seemed fine, engine runs on 5. Pulled valve cover and water had been sitting on the front cyl, valves and springs have become one with rust-it's bad.
So- I'm thinking I need a complete driveline swap-

So the first question is, if you were going to swap the driveline in this trk- How would you go about it? Is it feasable to outfit with a modern powertrain with ECU's? I want decent fuel economy and is that possible with a modern driveline? As pickups go, this thing is light, I have a Ford (forgive me) 250SD and my little Dodge prolly weighs half of that.

I would like to put ladder bars on the rear and maintain the leafs and stuff the widest 15" wheeled tire I can in there.

My goal for this project is what I would call my old school hotrod from my period. We had lots of souped up trucks back in the day.

I would like to convert it to disc brakes all around, it has power brakes, and steering. No ac- Is there an easy spindle swap to obtains discs?

This project will start off with a frame on saw horses and go from there.

Also, if you know of somwhere for me to source parts that would be greatly appreciated. I've been reading around here for years but was never ready to start this project but the wife said it's time to get it going. Plus my family is always asking if I did anything to grandads little red truck yet. So it's go time! Gotta love having permission from the CFO
Thanks- Len

 

Nice project.

Installing a modern Hemi isn't that big of a deal really. You can keep the FI and use an aftermarket computer system or spend the time to keep the system from the donor if you find one.

You can also install the new 4 or 5 speed automatic if you keep the fuel injection.

You should already have front disk brakes and depending on the rear differential kits are available. (You will not have a D60 in a little 1/2 ton truck unless it was from the Mexican market).

 

Almost anything is possible with enough money and time. That being said, fuel economy and hotrod are not usually two things that go together. Sounds like you have a general outline but to advise you on specifics we will need more specific info from you. What engine do you think you would like? After market disk brake kits are available but they are pricey and you must be sure what diff you have or what diff you will use. Most six cylinder drive lines will not handle the power I think of when I think hotrod.

 

Tanks for the input guys, I appreciate it.
SLS- Your right of course! It does have discs, guess I just assumed. Ok, that's checked off!
On my economy part- I guess I'm saying, mild 360 with nice exhaust system, headers. Dual plane intake, I had a Edel- SP2P once that i liked on a sbc.
I've had a couple mopars in the past, a 69 Charger, and a 69 Belvedere I turned into a RR clone with a k-frame swap from a slant to a 440 and swapped in a 8 3/4 rear and a 727. So, those are the components I'm familiar with.
guess I'm not sure what I should even be looking for at this point.

 

you can do whatever you want to it but it is all about how much money you want to spend. i know i have seen the new hemi's in the older trucks but that would probably cost some serious money.

 

True Wolfie! I've seen your post before on Ramcharger- At least you had a v8 to work with! Like I said I've been reading and looking at all I can find, I remember yours.
Thanks! As for going high teck modern, I'm really doubting that's an option. Besides, hotrods from my days had one coil a carb and a distributor- and no plug for computer diagnostics. Think I'll keep it that way. I don't even like the looks of this spark controller on the air cleaner on this slant.

 

well if it makes you feel better my 81 start its life out with a slant six at one point in time.

 

If it was my project, I'd pick up a beater Durango/Ram with a 5.9 magnum and 46re - the benefit of the Ram would be in possibly finding a 9.25" with disc brakes. Or if you get really lucky find an 01/02 2500 v8.

Go through the motor, air gap manifold, cam, heads from hughes engines, depending on budget maybe a 408+" stroker build.

Take the 46re to a local builder and pimp it out, bolt it all up, get it tuned, and have fun with it.