BODY SWAP DIFFICULTY

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Prospectorpeter

Junior Member
Joined
Jan 13, 2021
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5
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Location
Canada
Ram Year
1984
Engine
318
Hey yall
I have a 90 SCLB W350, box is more bondo than factory metal at this point.( the photos dont do it justice) The driver floor needs to be done ( dont have) , cab corners ( dont have), rockers ( which I do have) and the drip rail leaks when it rains which drives me insane. I had an 84 d250 with the same issue and it was a PITA to fix. A nice box around here is between $500-1000. Pair that with the time itll take to repair the body work and the money for paint and time to prep it and everything- I know it would be tedious and expensive- especially with paint. I'm a working student so I gotta keep it reasonable

My the other option is this clean d150 body I found. hes asking 1000, I think I can beat him down a smidge. super solid all the way around with the exception of the rear wheel wells. the paint isn't fantastic but it's a whole lot better than the current body and has a nice patina that I think would clean up alright. It has a factory sunroof and a couple goodies that I think I could sell along with whatever I take off my truck for a profit. also.it comes with a 78 front end which would be a neat swap

Here's the question, finally: How long would it take to swap the d150 body onto my w350? I have access to a garage (kind of) and the tools. no lift for the cab but I can get some buddies to give me a hand... Would this be cost / time effective compared to rust repair, box and paint

Help me convince my old man this is the path, or vice versa do him the pleasure of me telling him hes right... either way I appreciate the advice:)

TIA
 

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CliffordK

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Location
Eugene, OR
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2013
Engine
3.6
You have your wheel arches to repair. That could be a sign of a nightmare of additional problems, or it may be just an easy repair (and touching up the paint). Rusty Bolts?

I don't know about that era, but the newer trucks are supposed to be pretty easy to pull the cab as one of the methods to access the engine and drive train.

Your problem, however, will be how many electronics and other gadgets you'll have to swap over.

If you are getting a complete pickup for $1000, that should be worth it for the number of parts you'll get.
 

Jim BB

Senior Member
Joined
May 23, 2022
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Location
Hamilton ,ON
Ram Year
2019 Ram 1500 classic Express
Engine
Hemi 5.7L
Hey yall
I have a 90 SCLB W350, box is more bondo than factory metal at this point.( the photos dont do it justice) The driver floor needs to be done ( dont have) , cab corners ( dont have), rockers ( which I do have) and the drip rail leaks when it rains which drives me insane. I had an 84 d250 with the same issue and it was a PITA to fix. A nice box around here is between $500-1000. Pair that with the time itll take to repair the body work and the money for paint and time to prep it and everything- I know it would be tedious and expensive- especially with paint. I'm a working student so I gotta keep it reasonable

My the other option is this clean d150 body I found. hes asking 1000, I think I can beat him down a smidge. super solid all the way around with the exception of the rear wheel wells. the paint isn't fantastic but it's a whole lot better than the current body and has a nice patina that I think would clean up alright. It has a factory sunroof and a couple goodies that I think I could sell along with whatever I take off my truck for a profit. also.it comes with a 78 front end which would be a neat swap

Here's the question, finally: How long would it take to swap the d150 body onto my w350? I have access to a garage (kind of) and the tools. no lift for the cab but I can get some buddies to give me a hand... Would this be cost / time effective compared to rust repair, box and paint

Help me convince my old man this is the path, or vice versa do him the pleasure of me telling him hes right... either way I appreciate the advice:)

TIA
I would be going for the other truck and do a body swap just do some home work and make sure cab , front end and box mount all line up ! to do a body swap a whole lot less money ! ( That they are in the same location ) other wise to do a complete body on your old truck cost wise probably be crazy expensive
 

reek

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2015 RAM 2500 CC 4x4, 72 D100, 73 D100, 01 RAM 2500 field truck
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6.4 Hemi
the rear bed wheel arch rot could be a bear to fix. tedious but not terrible if you have a welder and access to rear sheet metal. the body panel and inner wheel well are welded together to form the wheel arch. over years, it collects salt, dirt, water then rots out. It will need new sheet metal and patch work on the inner wheel well.

the cab floor pan may be slightly different on 4x2 and 4x4. atleast they were in earlier years. you might have to severely massage the 4x2 floor or cut and paste the 4x4 floor/trans tunnel into the 4x2.

having said all that, the actual body swap (not including lines/wire/linkages) is an easy 4-6 bolts per section job. the only major possible variability comes at the heater box. i forgot what year, but the firewall cut out to install the heater box did change slightly.

In general, I personally would do the body swap over fixing the old body since it'll be less involved work. there will be minor fabs and mods but usually less involved. however the bed wheel arch rot may make it a minimal gain in this situation.

kind of a non-commital post now that I read it.
 

GTyankee

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Military
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El Cajon Calif. 92021
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2016
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3.0 ecodiesel
Your post is confusing, i am have trouble figuring out just what truck you have?
What truck you bought for body parts ?
What truck you also are considering for body parts ?

please exclude that you had, that are not being considered

Make sure that you stay with Regular Cab parts, lengths can differ

Heavy Duty single rear wheel bed,

Check bed lengths

1981 - 1993 1st Gen

1994 - 2001 HD bodies are mostly the same, 2rd Generation, 1500 sheet metal, should be the same

2002 - 2009 HD bodies are mostly the same, 3rd Generation

2010 - 2018 & newer HD bodies are mostly the same, 4th Gen

sheet metal parts can be found
mostly used, but also new NON OEM Fenders, door skins, cab corner patches, bed sides, etc.

Websites can be incorrect about the Dodge Ram year History
 
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