Well I am not getting any younger and I need to get around to getting this started. I will add to this thread as well as add more threads to it as progress is completed. I have ordered 99% of what I need before I even began this project now it is just about finding the time to get it all done.

If you see N/C that means I have parts but have not comleted.

History:
I have always been a do-it yourselfer type of person. I tend to do most things by myself and be self tought. I like to watch the Saturday Morning Truck shows (Trucks, Gearz, Horsepower TV etc). I have never had a lot of money so most of my projects were very small, wheels and tires, maybe and exhaust or tuner but over the course of probably 10 years I have done a lot of little projects. In October of 2008 my Dad died from a 15 year battle with Mutliple Sclerosis and left me a little money. I have always been a fan of Stacey David's and my 2 favorite projects were "the Little Red Wagon" & "Crazy Horse". I finally decided to take the leap and build a truck of my own. They way I want it with me doing all the work.

I named it Project Swamp Fox in memory of my dad becaus that was the name of his hunting truck.

Project: Taking from the "Crazy Horse" idea I found a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 that is bone stock, I am talking bad engine, broken CD player, stick shift, rubber floor just nothing to it. The good news was it really had no major issues, no rust, paint is ok, body is ok, interior is plain but in great condition. So I met the kid and bought it for 1k. Alot of my mods come from the Little Red Wagon and various projects Stacey did and a few little things of my own. Enjoy!!!!

Engine: With a bad 5.2 and not being able to afford the Supercharger or Turbo route I found that what I wanted to do was drop in a 360!!! Found 1 in the crate for $500 on Craigslist. I didn't get any pics of the build as this was my first motor swap and I was more worried about getting it right.
I did add:
Harland Sharp 1.7 Roller Rockers
Hughes Plenum Fix
Pacesetter Headers
Magnaflow Hi-Flow Cat
Edelbrock 14x3
Optima Red Top - N/C
as well as all new accessories. If anyone has any questions about this swap feel free to ask I have a decent memory and have no problem helping.

Interior:
I went to stockinteriors.com and ordered replacement carpet to put inplace of the rubber floor (project LRW). N/C
I ordered a 3 guage pod which I have put my 3 Cyberdyne green digital gauges in but not hooked up.
New shift ***** , B&M for Tranny and Skull for 4x4(wanted to do the pistol grip shifter just not that kind of money right now)
New CD player (not purchased will pick as a finishing touch
Also have a piece I am fabricating to go were an overhead console would be that will have my CB and 4 Flip switches (rear lights, front lights, back-up camera, and 1 undetermined) I am going to cut it out and cover it in Pic guard material to look good (project Harry hauler)
Will do seat covers just not yet.

Exterior:
Ventshades
Bug Shield - N/C
I have the Daystar leveling kit - N/C
new Shocks -N/C
17x9 rims GF-X
285/70/17 BFG Mud Terrain KM-2's
Ranchhand Bull Nose Bumper N/C (front)
Ranchhand Rear Bumper w/lights - N/C
bedliner - bought of craigslist for $30 just have to go pickup

The exterior needs to be set-up because I duck hunt a lot as well as run hunting dogs for racoons's. I will add pics and updates as I get them. I will also ask questions as I am sure I will have them. I appreciate all the help from you guys.

The Truck:
truck1.jpg?t=1262976528
Crate Motor (teaser)
engine1.jpg?t=1262976586

 

Cool Man and good luck!!! I'll be watching for updates.

 

I will be watching for updates as well. Very awesome.

 

sounds amazing! What an honor to your father!

 

This is awesome! Make sure you write in to gearz to see if you get mentioned during the "What are you working on?" segment.

 

Running into some snags but I will make a seperate post for that. Here is the update and only pic I have right this second.

Carpet - IN
Shift ***** - IN
Guages - IN
Headlights - ON
Front Bumper - ON
Wheels & Tires - ON

Still a lot to do but progress is coming slowly. The details are gonna take a long time because there are so many and most will never be noticed (i.e. painting the grill inserts, making consoles, all the little things)

truckupgrade.jpg?t=1263250995

 

Sounds great!!! Cant wait for updates!

 

Issues:

Headlights - WTH!!! Pulled them out of the boxes, hooked up everything looks fine got the Silverstars in.......... turned them on on the street for test drive and there is no light in front of the truck???? I can see beams going all over the place but nothing that looks like a light beam. These aftermarket ones have little silver things that go over the bulbs but I don't think that is the problem gonna have to deal with this one some more.

Check Guages: I installed aftermarket digital guages for water temp & oil pressure. I don't have the old electrical connections hooked to anything so now I have a permanent "Check Guages" light which is giving me a permanet CEL. Any Idea?

Oil Pressure: Only getting 23-25 Pounds @ idle. I am gonna check my new sensor to make sure everything is ok with it. Would the fact it was very cold and I am running 15W-40 as a break-in oil have any effect?

Starting: Since I switched from the 318 to the 360 everytime I have tried to start it I have had no issue at all.........until yesterday now to get it to start I have to push the accelerator like a carb engine and it will roar to life and idle just fine and when I drove it everytime a let off the gas for a stop sign it would die. I haven't changed anything no clue what the issue might be?

 

Thats the problem with aftermarket headlights. They dont have the same specifications as the factory lights do. In short, most of them suck.
Plug the connectors back in. Since the computer isnt getting any reading (because the sending units are unplugged), it is assuming that your oil psi is 0, throwing the Check Gauges light.
Where is the new sending unit?

 

That is the issue the reason the factory connectors aren't plgged in is because I removed the factory sending units and replaced them with the ones for the aftermarket guages so there is nowhere to plug them into.