New Project! 85 D150 Shortbox

[sundog_]

Hi all.

This week, I picked up my next project - a 1985 D150 , complete minus engine and tranny (had a 440 that went kaplooey)

With the help of some experienced buds, the plan is to bag it and body drop it this winter, putting a LA318 in it until the next season, where the full body will be refinished. Thats the plan. lol

Anyways, here she is





Ive owned a full on custom airride vehicle previously, so that'll help, but Im still getting familiar with the ins and outs of a D150, and will have a ton of questions Im sure.

 

[MADDOG]

I know the LA318 is a reliable engine but...wait...it had a 440 in it.

My thought is installing another BB would produce a really special. Any plans for that beyond the LA?

Cool project.

 

[sundog_]

Well, I have a pretty quick car in the stable, so the plan is to go low n slow with this truck, while still retaining a bit of daily driver duties. We will be doing a professional body drop and putting it on air. Right now, I just want it to run, and have a powertrain so we can mock up stuff.

Next winter, the plan is to refinish the body and paint, and at that point ill either go hemi powertrain or something. the ease of finding 318s plus the lower cost is appealing at this stage ha.

 

[MADDOG]

Totally understand. A 5.7L HEMI with a NAG1 autostick transmission would be a nice swap.

 

[sundog_]

I think so. make a bit of a pro tour build out of it, while still sittin low.

I have some questions! A quick search didnt really answer these...

1. what steering columns have people swapped from newer trucks?

2. will the tail lights from a newer truck fit? Like the 89-90 style, with no chrome?

3.rear chrome bumper, has anyone mounted a c10 style, or found an alternative sport / slim chrome bumper for out back?

4. The trucks frame is an 83', so its 5x4.5, with a built rear. I cant seem to find a disc conversion kit. What are the go-to rear ends for this bolt pattern?

 

[crazzywolfie]

if you want one that parts are still readily available you will want 91-93 column.

any 81-93 tail lights are interchangeable. just most aftermarket lights are pretty cheap and fit poorly.

72-80 ramcharger/truck bumper. same as what you would see on little red express.

should be easy to find conversion kit for 9.25 axle. here is one for an example but others sell similar or i think people even make DIY kits where you can buy most of the parts from parts store and just have to buy the brackets from one of the specialty suppliers.
https://leedbrakes.com/i-23439384-rear-disc-brake-conversion-kit-mopar-8-1-4-9-1-4-rear-axles.html

if you are wanting it for daily driving might be worth looking at 318 magnum. also if it is setup for big block you will likely need a new transmission to go behind the small block. the 46RH would likely be the best option but if you are going to get a new tranmission/engine minus well just do the hemi swap and get it all over with sooner rather than later.

 

[reek]

agree with the going magnum, but go 360. the magnum and LA motors are very close except when you get to the heads. having said that, the 318 and 360 are almost identical twins when it comes to cams and heads. Magnum parts are just easier to find.

as for disc brakes, I'm pretty sure that a disc brake conversion kit for any Mopar 8.75 banjo style rear axle will fit your rear end. Here's my thought - via transitive property of equality. I have 2 old project trucks going. so empirical experience states that the backing plate and all parts for the drum brakes are interchangeable from my 1972 d100 8.75 rear end to my 1992 d150 9.25 rear end. the 8.75 rear end did come on a 69 dodge charger. I ordered a disc brake conversion kit for a 1969 dodge charger for my 8.75 rear end and it fit perfectly. Also, I put the entire 1992 rear drum set up on my other 8.75 rear end. so with that said, the disc brake set up for any mopar 8.75 should fit a 9.25 rear end. Hope that helps. Hope that's right. disclaimer: I regularly drink a lot of IPA.

 

[crazzywolfie]

disclaimer: I regularly drink a lot of IPA.

hahahahahaha.

the only reason i recommend the 318magnum over the 360magnum is because everyone always claims they are trickier to usually track down a good one for a reasonable price and the 318's are usually dirt cheap compared to them.

 

[sundog_]

Well after looking at prices and considering I have to swap mounts and install anyways, I think Im going to go with a hemi. The next info Im tracking down is what tranny to use. I have a line on a 07 hemi with trans from a 300. Im looking at putting an aftermarket steering column in as well, and want column shift. Which also led me to start looking at options for a rack n pinion set up , or at least an updated setup.

 

[sundog_]

Also, the brake pedals on these things are a mile away form the throttle! Im guessing at some point someone has found a work around or lever swap for this?

 

[reek]

hahahahahaha.

the only reason i recommend the 318magnum over the 360magnum is because everyone always claims they are trickier to usually track down a good one for a reasonable price and the 318's are usually dirt cheap compared to them.

I can see that. took me a while to track down a 360, but theres plenty of 318s to be had locally.

 

[reek]

Well after looking at prices and considering I have to swap mounts and install anyways, I think Im going to go with a hemi. The next info Im tracking down is what tranny to use. I have a line on a 07 hemi with trans from a 300. Im looking at putting an aftermarket steering column in as well, and want column shift. Which also led me to start looking at options for a rack n pinion set up , or at least an updated setup.

you are definitely going to town on this build! depending on how much fab work you want to do...

https://www.bouchillonperformance.com/inc/sdetail/742

I was going to go Hemi on my stepside but all said and done, it was looking at well over $10,000. My magnum rebuild is going to be less than $5000 and I just rebuilt the 46rh that came with it for $600 using hi-po parts. If you can swing it, definitely go hemi! keep us posted!

 

[sundog_]

Well my trhoughts are, the engine bay is basically fresh, we're modifying the frame anyways.

Theres a few 5.7 lx hemis for sale in my area. My biggest issue Im finding is what transmission I should get. I want column shift, for daily driving / highway cruising. I dont plan on making a ton of power, or taking the truck to the strip.

 

[reek]

like Crazzywolfie stated, if you have all your shift linkage parts, an a518/46RH/46RE will probably be your best bet/least fab, for column shift, OD trans that will bolt up to the hemi.

 

[crazzywolfie]

but if your going with a new engine might be worth looking for a newer style transmissions to go with it unless they are junk. i don't know if any of the new stuff is available with column shift or not.

 

[sundog_]

What year and make is this steering column? Cant seem to find it.





Pic of the rear thats in the truck currently

 

[crazzywolfie]

looks like it may be the factory column for the truck. i think they used that style till 87 or maybe 88. then the turn signal lever got more complicated with wipers/dimmer switch.

looks like a standard 9.25 rear axle

 

[sundog_]

thanks for the reply. Im guessing the notch on the collar behind the steering wheel is for tilt? (it doesnt do anything currently)

 

[crazzywolfie]

i don't think that is for tilt. i think that is just how they are. there might be a reason for it to be like that but i don't know why. here is one on ebay that looks the same
https://www.ebay.com/itm/81-93-DODG...STEERING-COLUMN-W-KEY-89k-MILES-/123600112524

 

[sundog_]

ahhh its a collar lock!