Body swap

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Mar 2, 2019 | 09:02 AM

#16

ranger140892

Thread Starter

Grumpy goat

Joined: May 2017

Posts: 3,058

Likes: 594

Quote:

Originally Posted by XSoph

Would you be satisfied reinforcing the old Ford Frame and swapping engine/axles? What's under the Ford right now? That sounds like the path of least resistance to me. I've read that you should not do a lot of welding on Ford frames, but I think people have had success with bolted on stiffeners. I think some people just cut up junk yard frames, flip the channel around and bolt the new material through neutral axis.

If the dodge was wrecked and the frame was bent, maybe. But no, I want to use everything below the dodge body.

Not related to this possible build, I have looked at my dentside frames, considering reinforcing the frames on current trucks. I'm no structural engineer, but it seems plain it's not a good idea. You can't totally box it in, and any spot not reinforced will probably be where it cracks, sooner than it would have if the whole frame could flex.

I appreciate everyone taking time to offer options. This is one of those projects that I don't need to do, so I'm not going to compromise. I'll either find a way to use everything below the dodge body, unaltered, or just keep the dodge the way it is....And of course wear a disguise when I drive it

Mar 2, 2019 | 10:27 AM

#17

biasvoltage

5th Wheeling

Joined: Sep 2018

Posts: 40

Likes: 2

I'd be tempted to keep it Dodge, saw this 1965 W200 crewcab for sale in Los Angeles CL: https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lg...817335808.html

Mar 2, 2019 | 10:54 AM

#18

ranger140892

Thread Starter

Grumpy goat

Joined: May 2017

Posts: 3,058

Likes: 594

Quote:

Originally Posted by biasvoltage

I'd be tempted to keep it Dodge, saw this 1965 W200 crewcab for sale in Los Angeles CL: https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lg...817335808.html

I do like the truck. Had one before and loved it. But the longevity built into the drivetrain and chassis far outclasses the interior and electrical. The wiring alone on these trucks has sent many to the scrap yard. One of the many things I hate about it, and all late vehicles, is the large vision impeding A pillar. Our old dents have huge windshields with narrow A pillars. You can see Everything! The dodge's A pillar is damn near right in front of my left eye (only one I got). Lots of stuff like that.

As I get older, my tastes and requirements become more refined. Corrected version of "set in his ways". I want what I want, and usually keep grinding until I get it. Getting old ain't for sissy's, but it's better than the other option!

Mar 2, 2019 | 11:41 AM

#19

biasvoltage

5th Wheeling

Joined: Sep 2018

Posts: 40

Likes: 2

I guess I wasn't communicating well, what I meant was: get a vintage Dodge crew body - like the one in the link above - and put it on your late model Dodge undercarriage. I really like the early Sweptline body style, and you almost -never- see the crewcab version. One of those on a competent, modern chassis would be really nice.