1996 1500 Rebuild

[DarrenT]

So, I've had my 2nd gen for almost a year, and I'm already into a major rebuild. Inspection wasn't due until June this year, so I just got through the winter without doing any major work. I knew the frame needed attention, but to what extent I wasn't sure (rolling around the floor in negative 30F isn't on my to do list).
I swapped my trusty 97 Wrangler 2.5 for a 1996 Ram 1500 318 in October last year. The Jeep was great, but I just needed a truck to haul things - winter fuel mainly. So When the inspection came around it failed spectacularly!! The rear of the frame was like swiss cheese... I don't think it had been undercoated in 17 of its 18 years.
The truck didn't owe me a dime so I figured what the hell, let's get her rebuilt.
So here's my pictures so far in the Album: http://www.ramforum.com/members/darrent-albums-1996_rebuild.html

I just have a few more bits to do on the frame; mount the bumper, mount the fuel tank, clean out all the crap and give it a good coat of undercoating/frame treatment.

Then I have rockers to replace, front ball joints, repair the transmission cross member, and fit my plow

Then it's onto cosmetics.... So far, the grand spend total is about $450.....
Thanks to a buddy of mine, I managed to acquire all the steel I needed for a 24 of beer..... albeit 3/16" instead of 1/8" - but hell, that'll take a while to rot out!!

I'll post more as I make progress!

DT

 

[DarrenT]

Finally got the last of the frame welding done. had to remove the transmission crossmember and stitch the frame around the mount points.
Cleaned up the cross member, and rebuilt a body mount.
Back together and ready for inspection....