pc1p
Junior Member
We all know that life can be a bear at times. Some people read to relax, others do yoga or workout a lot. Then there are those of us who love nothing more than to turn some wrenches, bust our knuckles, curse excessively, and generally get coated in an even layer of gear oil and moly grease...
With my latest Jeep project basically done, it was time to find something new to turn my attention to. After considering some options such as an old FSJ, Grand Wagoneer, a square-body Suburban, and a few others, I settled on a OBS Mopar. There simply isn't a better looking truck from the 70's-90's than the old Dodge D/W series pick-ups!
I did some wheeling-&-dealing and ended up with a 1990 Dodge W150. Now let me say this - a 1990 doesn't seem like an old truck in my head, but this one turns 28 years old in October - it's technically a "Classic" (so what does that make me? ).
This one also happens to be >10 years newer than my last Mopar project (a 78 D200 w/440 and A518 conversion) but is basically the same truck underneath with a slightly updated shell. She has all the important stuff I look for in a project like this - a rust free frame and floor, unmolested engine (since in AZ it still needs to pass emissions), has working A/C, 4WD, automatic transmission, and a V8. The previous owner already dumped a good bit of $$ into the suspension, steering and brakes too.
Overall my build plans are mild - this won't be a wheeling rig, but rather something to pull the camper/trailer for Boy Scouts and to cruise around the valley when it's too hot to take the Jeep.
Short term stuff:
- Replace the itty-bitty looking 31" tires for some proper 33"s or maybe 35"s if I can squeeze them in there.
- Replace the bushings in the older Rough Country 4" lift springs (these were made in Canada - probably installed some time in the late 90's).
- Update/fix the hacked up electrical harness/fusible link situation with a PDC out of a newer Ram 1500.
- Refresh and regear the axles to 4.88's or maybe 5.13's (depends on if I go with 33" or 35" tires) - ideally find a non-CAD D44 front housing. Add a pair of TrueTracs for efficient winter driving up the mountains.
By next the beginning of next summer:
- Swap the TBI 5.2L for a mild 5.9L Magnum build
- Rebuild and liven up the 46RH
By the end of next summer:
- Fresh coat of factory Dodge Dark Quartz Gray Metallic paint.
- Completely restore interior with an original bench seat reupholstered with leather
With my latest Jeep project basically done, it was time to find something new to turn my attention to. After considering some options such as an old FSJ, Grand Wagoneer, a square-body Suburban, and a few others, I settled on a OBS Mopar. There simply isn't a better looking truck from the 70's-90's than the old Dodge D/W series pick-ups!
I did some wheeling-&-dealing and ended up with a 1990 Dodge W150. Now let me say this - a 1990 doesn't seem like an old truck in my head, but this one turns 28 years old in October - it's technically a "Classic" (so what does that make me? ).
This one also happens to be >10 years newer than my last Mopar project (a 78 D200 w/440 and A518 conversion) but is basically the same truck underneath with a slightly updated shell. She has all the important stuff I look for in a project like this - a rust free frame and floor, unmolested engine (since in AZ it still needs to pass emissions), has working A/C, 4WD, automatic transmission, and a V8. The previous owner already dumped a good bit of $$ into the suspension, steering and brakes too.
Overall my build plans are mild - this won't be a wheeling rig, but rather something to pull the camper/trailer for Boy Scouts and to cruise around the valley when it's too hot to take the Jeep.
Short term stuff:
- Replace the itty-bitty looking 31" tires for some proper 33"s or maybe 35"s if I can squeeze them in there.
- Replace the bushings in the older Rough Country 4" lift springs (these were made in Canada - probably installed some time in the late 90's).
- Update/fix the hacked up electrical harness/fusible link situation with a PDC out of a newer Ram 1500.
- Refresh and regear the axles to 4.88's or maybe 5.13's (depends on if I go with 33" or 35" tires) - ideally find a non-CAD D44 front housing. Add a pair of TrueTracs for efficient winter driving up the mountains.
By next the beginning of next summer:
- Swap the TBI 5.2L for a mild 5.9L Magnum build
- Rebuild and liven up the 46RH
By the end of next summer:
- Fresh coat of factory Dodge Dark Quartz Gray Metallic paint.
- Completely restore interior with an original bench seat reupholstered with leather