new toy, need guidance

[dmopar74]

tonight i traded a pos ford taurus for a 1973 d200 crew cab short box 2wd:rck:

now what im looking for is info to swap the front end to 1/2 ton 5 lug, OR where to look for aftermarket rims for the 8 lug that will actually fit this truck.

[2low4me]

If you swap the front to 5 lug, won't you still have 8 lug in the rear?

What size rims are on there now? 16.5s?

Are you getting new tires too? OR keeping the current tires so need the exact same rim size?

[dmopar74]

If you swap the front to 5 lug, won't you still have 8 lug in the rear?

What size rims are on there now? 16.5s?

Are you getting new tires too? OR keeping the current tires so need the exact same rim size?

i would swap the rear too, but thats easy.

new tires yes, this truck is going to be lowered. im hoping to make it into a somewhat descent street truck. right now im a ways away from that but we gotta start somewhere.

[Speed Dragon]

Dude 8-lug aftermarket wheels are everywhere these days. Google is your friend :)

[dmopar74]

Dude 8-lug aftermarket wheels are everywhere these days. Google is your friend :)

8 lug is a strange science too me lol. wasnt shure if any 8 lug wheel with the same bolt patten would fit over the hubs in the rear??? you get me?

[Speed Dragon]

I think pretty much any aftermarket 8-lug will fit.

Chevrolet used a smaller center hole for a long time, I think it went up to at least '97. So '97-older factory Chevy 8-lug won't fit. Newer ones may fit, I have a friend who is using Hummer wheels on his W350.

Ford wheels will fit also.

[85_d250]

I have a friend who is using Hummer wheels on his W350.

That is different:YO:

[bherder]

Dude 8-lug aftermarket wheels are everywhere these days. Google is your friend :)

Yup... Try Summit.
They have more rims there than you can shake a stick at...

[dmopar74]

thanks guys, will use the 8 lug then.

how about interior parts, door panels, etc??

im shure i will have a ton of Q's along the way, i know my way around an a-body mopar pretty damn good, but this is my first project truck so....

[dmopar74]

thought i'd throwup a pic. she's rough but worth fixing.

note- the "custom" flame job was existing and will be gone soon lol.

[Speed Dragon]

Dude that's a cool truck man, congrats.

BTW, I should clarify, the guy is using chrome Hummer H3 wheels, not military Hummer wheels. He was wanting to use late-model Dodge wheels, but they wouldn't clear the drums or something.

[dmopar74]

thanks! and might i sy this forum rocks, everyone's been really nice and helpfull so far.

now to get her in the weeds. perhaps chop the front springs and flip the rear axle? right now on the cheap is good, wll go more custom later.

[Speed Dragon]

Don't cut much off the springs if you go that route, it doesn't take much. Get some 1-ton control arms, that will drop it about an inch I think.

[bherder]

Interior parts... Some parts you can find new, other will be junk yard/ebay/craigslist only. (BTW, if you need a black dash/glove box I've got a primo set here) http://www.dodgetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=244811&highlight=dash+pad+board
Dash/glove box/door panels/instruments/dash bezel are all gonna be as stated above..

Switches/Carpet(Not sure about a crew cab though)/door handles/window cranks/window regs/ can be bought new.

You can also buy new body parts (Made in China, but that's pretty much all there is) Fenders/patch panels/floor pans/etc .. I see you're gonna need to repair the infamous 'rotten rear wheel arch' ...
http://raybuck.com/c-54810-1972-1993-dodge-fullsize-pickupramcharger.html
is one source..

Most anything under the hood you can buy new/rebuilt...

[volaredon]

where are you located?? I know of 2, '73 D 200 CLUB cabs in yards; one about 5 miles away the other 40 miles away.

[B-300]

If you have front disc brakes be aware that there are 15" 8-lug wheels made for 4 wheel drum brakes that won't clear the calipers on disc brakes.
Also 16.5" tires are harder to find than 16" which is what most newer trucks use.

[dmopar74]

Interior parts... Some parts you can find new, other will be junk yard/ebay/craigslist only. (BTW, if you need a black dash/glove box I've got a primo set here) http://www.dodgetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=244811&highlight=dash+pad+board
Dash/glove box/door panels/instruments/dash bezel are all gonna be as stated above..

Switches/Carpet(Not sure about a crew cab though)/door handles/window cranks/window regs/ can be bought new.

You can also buy new body parts (Made in China, but that's pretty much all there is) Fenders/patch panels/floor pans/etc .. I see you're gonna need to repair the infamous 'rotten rear wheel arch' ...
http://raybuck.com/c-54810-1972-1993-dodge-fullsize-pickupramcharger.html
is one source..

Most anything under the hood you can buy new/rebuilt...

hey thanks for those links! helps alot. the whole bed is pretty bad so might try and source a better one when the time comes.


volaredon i am in washington state, but thanks for the info.

[bherder]

hey thanks for those links! helps alot. the whole bed is pretty bad so might try and source a better one when the time comes.


volaredon i am in washington state, but thanks for the info.

Homeboy!! ;)

How far is Buckley (sorry, never heard of it ... But most people don't know where Pend Oreille County is either :D ) from Spokane? There is a KILLER 'Pull n' Save' in the valley... Right off of I-90

[C1DoG]

Homeboy!! ;)

How far is Buckley (sorry, never heard of it ... But most people don't know where Pend Oreille County is either :D ) from Spokane? There is a KILLER 'Pull n' Save' in the valley... Right off of I-90

I believe Buckley is south of Seattle, I have an uncle that lives there. And I am a former resident of WA... Moved to FL and got married. :D

[dmopar74]

buckley is south/east seattle about an hour in the cascade foothills. i might have to get over there one day and check out some parts. havent been to the spokane area in years.

[dmopar74]

hey how hard would it be to convert to an auto tranny? i already have a b&m floor shifter and a mopar performance 727 converter laying around. i know i would need a 727 tranny, flex plate, and a crossmember. proboably the correct driveline??? and what else??? engine is a 318.


edit: did some spraypainting today to get rid of the flamejob lol. obviously the kid that owned this truck before me cant drive as all 4 corners of my new baby have damage:bawl:

[85_d250]

BTW, I should clarify, the guy is using chrome Hummer H3 wheels, not military Hummer wheels. He was wanting to use late-model Dodge wheels, but they wouldn't clear the drums or something.

Ohh, I see. Military ones would be sweet though...:gr_patrio

[volaredon]

"all 4 corners have damage"; I don't see any damage bad enuf to prevent driving it; you want an auto??? I'm the opposite; prefer shifting my own gears; a 318 is all that tank's got??? It'd be nice to finda BB to put in there (look for an old abandoned motorhome; lots of em scattered around people's back yards and most likely lo mile; motor trans, mounts, manifolds, etc all in one shot!

[dmopar74]

"all 4 corners have damage"; I don't see any damage bad enuf to prevent driving it; you want an auto??? I'm the opposite; prefer shifting my own gears; a 318 is all that tank's got??? It'd be nice to finda BB to put in there (look for an old abandoned motorhome; lots of em scattered around people's back yards and most likely lo mile; motor trans, mounts, manifolds, etc all in one shot!

the damage is only cosmetic, no biggie but i want perfection(for an old dodge lol). im an auto guy, built auto's are quite fun plus im lazy:o
only a 318 in er, i used to have an old motorhome with a 440 but got tired of looking at it rotting in my yard so gave it away.

[85_d250]

the damage is only cosmetic, no biggie but i want perfection(for an old dodge lol). im an auto guy, built auto's are quite fun plus im lazy
only a 318 in er, i used to have an old motorhome with a 440 but got tired of looking at it rotting in my yard so gave it away.

You can give me a 440 whenever you want...

Be glad to take the next off your hands:rck:

[DisturbedS10]

Wow I wish I could have found something like that out here. I've got a 74 reg cab, and I could sure use the room of a crew cab! Looks like your off to a better start than me. I've got alot more rust issues.....