I am purchasing a 100% bone-stock 1984 w150 Power Ram Royal SE SWB. Truck has approximately 195k original miles. The 318 motor in it has some parts missing (2-barrel carb, radiator, valve covers, etc) due to thieves. I am told that it ran fine before the parts were stolen. The truck is an automatic with a bad (no reverse) transmission in it. I was thinking that I would like to swap the 318 for a similar era 360.

I found a donor truck, which is a 1985 w350, that has a running 360 in it and is a 4-speed. The truck runs drives and stops, but is currently being used as a “farm truck” and likely has some mileage (odometer reads 95k). The person is selling the whole truck, which is a work truck with large tool boxes on the bed. I got the bright idea that I would like to take all of the 1-ton running gear off of the donor and use the parts on the w150. The donor has a Dana 44 in the front and a Dana 60 in the rear. I am not sure what transfer case it has, but it looks almost new. Guessing it has the factory 4-speed and transfer case.

Questions:

• What, if any, modifications to the frame or undercarriage might I have to do to swap this gear to my w150?
• Will the transfer case in the w350 work with the transmission (guessing a 727) in the w150? I should probably convert it to a 4-speed though.
• Thinking that to run the bigger 1-ton brakes that I also need to take the master cylinder and brake booster from the w350. Correct?
• Will that 360 line up with and bolt to the bell housing on the w150’s tranny?

I know I am probably over simplifying this and have forgotten to ask something.

My purposes for this truck is to have a fun project and to eventually use it as a weekender/wheeler.

Thanks for reading and being willing to help.

 

All small blocks have the same bell housing bolt pattern. It would be allot less work just to do a body swap if the 350 is beat up. Put the 150 cab, and front clip on the 350 frame. But you'll need a long bed for it, or go with a wooden flat bed if it's just a trail rig. Just keep in mind the 3/4 and 1 ton platforms use 8 lug wheels. Your better off using the 4 speed, the 360 is externally balanced, so you'll need to find a torque converter balanced for a 360. 340/318 are internally balanced.

 

What is the respective condition of the two body's and frames? What is the gearing in the heavier truck? The body parts are interchangable. The frames and axles are not. The 318 is balanced differently than the 360. As another poster mentioned, I'd swap the good 150 body to the heavier truck. All the heavier stuff is already there and the 150 will make a good parts donor.

 

I would love to just do a body swap, but was really hoping to keep the short bed. Thanks for the additional info about the 360 being externally balanced. Very helpful.

 

So the frame is actually different size/configuration on the w350, other than the fact that it is a long bed? I was just thinking that the the primary differences were suspension, hubs, axels and brakes. In other words, can you just swap the front and rear diffs to the w150 platform?

 

You can, the spring mounts are probably wider than your springs, but it shouldn't bother. You'll have to use the 8 lug wheels. Maybe get the rear shaft shortened. Might have to change the slip yolk. I do know the leafs are wider on the 3/4 and 1 ton platform, but it shouldn't bother in your case unless you wanted the leafs from the 350. Then your next dilemma, keep the 318, or go with the 360? And then a trans. Rebuild or swap in the 4 speed? Buy a TC if you go with the 360 and want to keep the auto, or just swap over the pedal setup with the 4 speed with the current 360 would be cheapest you already have a donor truck, so it's just mostly labor at that point. As far as the brakes check the rear line going to from the Master to the diff. If it's bigger than 3/16 then you'll have to swap. Check the part number on a master from the 150 and see if it's the same for the 350. As far as I know GM is the only one who used a bigger line going to the rear.

 

Here is a thought.
Have you considered shortening the 1 ton frame?
I dont believe it would be that difficult to do......
If its like a chevy,you take a cut out of the frame close to the cab, and then have to shorten the end a little.
FWIW, Brothers truck sells a kit for Chevy...... https://www.brotherstrucks.com/1963-...tinfo/LTSC372/
This may give you some idea of what is involved.