So, I do a lot of towing, and was running around with a 2WD 94 1500, regular cab, that just was not cutting it. So, I found this 96 V10 2500 4x4 on craigslist a few months back on Long Island (NY). I ended up getting it for a song and a dance, and we drove it home to PA.

It's been sitting out back of our shop for quite a while, and now we're finally diving into it.

So, onto the pictures



Pulled back the carpet and found this... which is what prompted the top to bottom overhaul





you can see the new floor panel to the side, waiting to be installed, once we cut out the rotted metal on the floor.




Some rot areas on the body, so, we're cutting sections out, and we got replacement panels to weld in







Chucked the bed liner. We'll be fixing the major damage in there, then just getting a spray-on bedliner

 

You forgot to mention that we got the truck with 2 different kinds of wheels on it. A little craiglist surfing netted us some H2 Hummer wheels with tires (5 of them) for only $500. One of the original wheels were bent which made for an interesting drive back home with the truck. Anything above 30 mph made the truck feel like it was hopping. Now the new wheels are on and it's all good. The rear diff seems to make a clicking noise. Not sure what that is yet. I'll have to take the cover off to see what's going on.

 

wow never seen a 2gen dodge with that kind on floor pan rust,,,, i would check the 3rd brake light and the rear window seal to make sure water isnt coming inn there


but cool truck!!!!!!!!!

 

Yea, it's all coming out for the repaint, and we're going to reseal everything. It was a Long Island, NY truck, right on the water. So, it probably saw an insane amount of salt, and it was used as a plow truck, so, getting in and out of the driver seat, with wet, salty shoes, probably sped the process up as well.

It's getting painted a gunmetal gray (Sandstone Gray, Mitsubishi color). And it will have our business logo down the sides of the bed, since it's used mostly for business related towing, towing our cars to shows, etc.


We also have some seats from a crossfire that we are going to try to retro-fit in this as well... along with new black carpet, dyed interior panels, new sport grille, new front bumper (sport I think..??) New blacked surround headlights, black step-up bars (the only way I can get in this thing by myself)... the whole shebang

 

sweet !, well keep us updated,,,, and lots of pics

 

I want to hear the song, and see the dance.

Looks like a fun project. Good Luck!!

 

that rust is insane. my 81 is not even that bad and i know they put way to much salt and sand on the roads in the winter where i live. looks good though.

 

oooo, that looks like a fun project....id love to just go to school on my ram.....dont have the time now...

but sweet project

 

Hows the motor look in it?
why go with the sport grille and bumper?
You'll have to go easy with her on wet pavement, the 8.0 loves to take corners a$$ end first.
And for color......C'mon go Patriot blue.
Looks like a good project Have fun.

 

**** hope my truck don't look like that in a few years from plowing!