Members Rides This section is for the members to show off their vehicles. Please read the rules before posting.

1979 black dodge trans van with v8 magnum swap

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 30, 2019 | 07:26 PM
  #1  
Viperdave's Avatar
Viperdave
Thread Starter
|
Professional
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 139
Likes: 5
From: Los Angeles
Default 1979 black dodge trans van with v8 magnum swap


Just though I would add my ride to this forum....here goes

1979 dodge trans van built by champion

MB400 motorhome chassis 14500 GVW frame and suspension

swapped LA motor and 727 trans for. 1995 360 magnum and 46RH transmission

ran a carb for the last 4 years and just installed factory fuel injection

Added and ADCO front sway bar, ( never had one installed from factory)

added rear HELWIG sway bar

5000 lbs overload air bags in back

on-board air system

49 gallon factory fuel tank

LINEX bedliner sprayed on roof to seal from elements

4 optima yellow top battery’s with custom battery management system

external 4 camera system

custom kitchen with bath and shower, grey water tank and sewage tank

full custom front seats with heat and massage

custom floor shifter

1995 dodge van AC system fitted in engine compartment and behind dash

custom overhead console





more pics on my Facebook page. Just look up “TERMINAL DEFIANCE “.
 

Last edited by Viperdave; Jul 30, 2019 at 07:42 PM.
Reply
Old Jul 30, 2019 | 07:58 PM
  #2  
HeyYou's Avatar
HeyYou
Administrator
Veteran: Air Force
Community Favorite
15 Year Member
Community Builder
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 87,480
Likes: 4,223
From: Clayton MI
Default

Where did you install the arc reactor?
 
Reply
Old Jul 30, 2019 | 08:12 PM
  #3  
Viperdave's Avatar
Viperdave
Thread Starter
|
Professional
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 139
Likes: 5
From: Los Angeles
Default

This chassis was not what I actually wanted, I was looking for a short wheel base version but couldn’t find one with a decent body

i had plans to convert the short wheelbase to 4x4 and make it the ultimate bug out vehicle

had a beer and BS session with my friends right after I got it and we were seriously considering a 1996 viper v10 with tremec trans

i had one, complete engine and trans but it had a spun rod bearing, replaced it at a buddy’s garage with one I got off of eBay for the customer

customer didn’t want the core so I kept it

too much customizing to extend the dog house to get it to fit so I settled with a magnum swap...way easier and more reliable

viper engine and trans ended up in another buddy’s 1969 Dodge Charger Wicked fast!

viperdave
 
Reply
Old Jul 30, 2019 | 08:33 PM
  #4  
Viperdave's Avatar
Viperdave
Thread Starter
|
Professional
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 139
Likes: 5
From: Los Angeles
Default

Also check out more pics in the gallery section. Also a recent addition is in the first pic, the roof now has a dometic low profile AC unit
 
Reply
Old Jul 30, 2019 | 08:50 PM
  #5  
HeyYou's Avatar
HeyYou
Administrator
Veteran: Air Force
Community Favorite
15 Year Member
Community Builder
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 87,480
Likes: 4,223
From: Clayton MI
Default

You could still convert it to 4x4......
 
Reply
Old Jul 30, 2019 | 08:59 PM
  #6  
Viperdave's Avatar
Viperdave
Thread Starter
|
Professional
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 139
Likes: 5
From: Los Angeles
Default

*** end hangs way too far, I scrape just coming outa the driveway and even lifted it would catch and scrape on everything

decided to just keep it highway cruiser, I can still tow my wrangler with it

just wish I could find some custom wheels for it
 
Reply
Old Jul 30, 2019 | 09:13 PM
  #7  
Viperdave's Avatar
Viperdave
Thread Starter
|
Professional
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 139
Likes: 5
From: Los Angeles
Default

Here is a couple of pics from 4 years ago, I had already done some customizing but it was before I had the roof sprayed





the entire van was painted with a rattle can......well lots of them!

it has a 50 foot paint job, from 50 feet away it looks great! Close up, not so great!
 
Reply
Old Jul 30, 2019 | 09:36 PM
  #8  
HeyYou's Avatar
HeyYou
Administrator
Veteran: Air Force
Community Favorite
15 Year Member
Community Builder
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 87,480
Likes: 4,223
From: Clayton MI
Default

Yeah..... Departure angle of about 4 degrees..... Not good for off roading.

1 ton 8 lug wheels? I think the ford aluminum slots will bolt right on.
 
Reply
Old Jul 30, 2019 | 10:16 PM
  #9  
Viperdave's Avatar
Viperdave
Thread Starter
|
Professional
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 139
Likes: 5
From: Los Angeles
Default

Looked into that. These rims are coined, ford used a smaller center hole

dodge was stupid back in the day

ford and Chevy used the same style rims, but ford and Chevy were hub centric dodge was neither hub or lug centric. They didn’t do anything about it till they stopped using the coined rims around 1992

they did have a wonderful TSB that came out sometime around 1992

it addressed a shimmy at highway speeds

so you get two 5/8s tapered lugnuts. Install them on the rims first to center the rim properly. THEN. Install the other 6 lugs to specs then remove the tapered lug nuts and install the other lug nuts to spec

gotta love those engineers!!lol

viperdave
 

Last edited by Viperdave; Aug 18, 2019 at 01:15 AM.
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2019 | 09:22 PM
  #10  
Spencer Yancey's Avatar
Spencer Yancey
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Default

Does it have a battery system to run the a/c when the engine is off? Im thinking about buying a spit on a secluded lake for a weekend getaway and wondering if an air conditioning battery system can be set up for night time.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:52 AM.