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Lowered trucks...more on mine or start over? #1411927
03/31/13 04:34 AM
03/31/13 04:34 AM
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Cheeto Offline OP
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Thinking it's time for a new project.

Should I blow the dust/cobwebs off my '78 and:
-New seats/wiring/wheels etc.
-Throw on a Holley Projection to increase drive-ability or
-Swap in a Magnum/newer Hemi.


or.....


7648023-cheeto78v.jpg (129 downloads)
Last edited by Cheeto; 03/31/13 04:46 AM.

Cheeto
It's not perfect.
It's not correct.
It's not yours!
Re: Lowered trucks...more on mine or start over? [Re: Cheeto] #1411928
03/31/13 04:37 AM
03/31/13 04:37 AM
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Cheeto Offline OP
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Start over on a '94-'01 now that dropped spindles are available and they are getting pretty cheap to buy.

NOTE: Pic is my old dropped dually. New project will NOT be a dually even though I still have the Bell Tech kit off that truck.

or....

7648024-yd_hips.jpg (85 downloads)
Last edited by Cheeto; 03/31/13 04:39 AM.

Cheeto
It's not perfect.
It's not correct.
It's not yours!
Re: Lowered trucks...more on mine or start over? [Re: Cheeto] #1411929
03/31/13 04:43 AM
03/31/13 04:43 AM
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Cheeto Offline OP
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Maybe step up to the '02-'05 body. Doing this would mean the project would only get drop and wheels/tires due to purchase price eating up all of the project money.

NOTE: Pic is my lifted diesel but I'd look for the 2wd gas sister version.

7648027-misc019.jpg (66 downloads)
Last edited by Cheeto; 03/31/13 04:47 AM.

Cheeto
It's not perfect.
It's not correct.
It's not yours!
Re: Lowered trucks...more on mine or start over? [Re: Cheeto] #1411930
03/31/13 05:50 AM
03/31/13 05:50 AM
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Iowa
76dodgeboy Offline
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Id say if your tired of the 78 and or want to build again redo the 78 IMO. Plus you save money that way since you already have the truck

Re: Lowered trucks...more on mine or start over? [Re: 76dodgeboy] #1411931
03/31/13 10:31 AM
03/31/13 10:31 AM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 21,345
Marysville, O-H-I-O
70Cuda383 Offline
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I think a 408 (5.9L Magnum stroked) with factory EFI and SCT tuned would make for a FUN ride! and it's not hard to do. buy any V8 OBD-II truck for the harness, computer, motor, and swap it over.


**Photobucket sucks**
Re: Lowered trucks...more on mine or start over? [Re: Cheeto] #1411932
03/31/13 01:55 PM
03/31/13 01:55 PM
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Ontario Canada
Webster Offline
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Quote:

Thinking it's time for a new project.

Should I blow the dust/cobwebs off my '78 and:
-New seats/wiring/wheels etc.
-Throw on a Holley Projection to increase drive-ability or
-Swap in a Magnum/newer Hemi.


or.....






I vote for the "78"

Re: Lowered trucks...more on mine or start over? [Re: Webster] #1411933
03/31/13 02:11 PM
03/31/13 02:11 PM
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,652
Amarillo, Tx
old_goat Offline
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Without question the 78.
The newer trucks aren't even close for "cool factor"


84 D150 440/727
79 /6 swb D150
1964 A100 window van. Just because it has spark plug tubes doesn't mean it's a Hemi.



If ya haven't been there, ya just wouldn't understand.
Re: Lowered trucks...more on mine or start over? [Re: old_goat] #1411934
03/31/13 02:23 PM
03/31/13 02:23 PM
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,235
Marion Illinois
72d100 Offline
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the 78.

Re: Lowered trucks...more on mine or start over? [Re: Cheeto] #1411935
03/31/13 03:12 PM
03/31/13 03:12 PM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 816
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
4dr4x4 Offline
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I think you should build a twin to your 78, only a stepside.

Your 78 is the coolest truck I've ever seen just as it is. You could make the new truck similar but not the same with all the things you want to change on your truck. Just food for thought

Re: Lowered trucks...more on mine or start over? [Re: Cheeto] #1411936
03/31/13 04:00 PM
03/31/13 04:00 PM
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Chilliwack B.C. Canada
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RUNCHARGER Offline
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New seats and wiring and a magnum engine in the 78.

Sheldon

Re: Lowered trucks...more on mine or start over? [Re: RUNCHARGER] #1411937
03/31/13 04:20 PM
03/31/13 04:20 PM
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Posts: 6,653
Near Reading PA USA
pinkduster Offline
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That 78 is a nice truck! I think you have grown tired of it... Therefore, you should just sell it... To me. (Cheap of coarse.)

Re: Lowered trucks...more on mine or start over? [Re: pinkduster] #1411938
03/31/13 09:22 PM
03/31/13 09:22 PM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 12,291
Kent, Wa
340SHORTY Offline
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Kent, Wa
Start a new project with this..



I am truckless..
Re: Lowered trucks...more on mine or start over? [Re: Cheeto] #1411939
03/31/13 09:36 PM
03/31/13 09:36 PM
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Lehigh Acres, Florida
rickstershemi Offline
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Quote:

Thinking it's time for a new project.

Should I blow the dust/cobwebs off my '78 and:
-New seats/wiring/wheels etc.
-Throw on a Holley Projection to increase drive-ability or
-Swap in a Magnum/newer Hemi.


or.....






Personally I would keep your present truck as is.....love it by the way

Maybe look for a much older platform to build of maybe even an older coupe and match the scheme you have......

Rickster

Re: Lowered trucks...more on mine or start over? [Re: pinkduster] #1411940
04/01/13 01:19 AM
04/01/13 01:19 AM
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Cheeto Offline OP
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Quote:

... I think you have grown tired of it... Therefore, you should just sell it... To me. (Cheap of coarse.)




I tend to get burned out on car shows after a while and that's what happened with my purple truck. I "finished" that truck in 2003/2004. I believe my last show was in '09 and that was after a year or two of not going to any. I don't think I've driven it half a dozen times since then.

I had it sold last Fall for $8k with a boatload of spare parts (glove boxes, dashes, gauge panels, a grille etc.) but the guy couldn't come up with the coin.


Cheeto
It's not perfect.
It's not correct.
It's not yours!
Re: Lowered trucks...more on mine or start over? [Re: Cheeto] #1411941
04/01/13 01:33 AM
04/01/13 01:33 AM
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Marion Illinois
72d100 Offline
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i wouldnt sell it. i would upgrade the drivetrain and interior and make it a fun cruiser that can still be shown if you want too. kind of like a pro touring vibe

Re: Lowered trucks...more on mine or start over? [Re: Cheeto] #1411942
04/01/13 01:51 AM
04/01/13 01:51 AM
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Cheeto Offline OP
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That crew cab is WAAAY too long for me. My diesel is trouble enough in a parking lot.

Older toys are pretty much out too.

What I'm really wanting is a comfortable,clean,simple,driver that can haul a couple people, a wheel/fender/bumper/etc. and get decent mileage on my trips to MT. Project budget is about $10k total.

The purple truck is too nice to load up the dog and head off to deer country in the dark. It's also not real comfortable and the carb needs rebuilt. Of course if I rebuild the carb I should throw a timing chain set on. While I'm in there I should also...see where this is going? It would be fun to drop in a newer Hemi and update the rolling stock but I have a Gen I Viper now for a fair-weather toy.

The lifted diesel isn't the kind of thing you want to be in a tight parking lot in. Forget about parallel parking between two small cars...I'd have to do it by "feel". My back is so scrogged now that on the bad days climbing in and out of it isn't much fun either.

These are the reasons I'm leaning towards a '94-'05 Club/Quad cab I can lower, drive all over the place and not care if it gets left outside in the rain. Room for 2 plus the dog, cargo capacity, easy ingress/egress, small V8s get decent mileage for what they are, aftermarket parts availability has come a long ways on these models. I love the looks of the '02-'05 Quads lowered but the buy-in would take most of my budget. I like the looks of the few '94-'01s I've seen but there just aren't many out there lowered so it's hard to get a feel for what works well. I was the guinea pig when I built the '78, I don't want to go through that again. A '94-'01 would leave enough budget for bolt-ons like LED tails, new headlights, a better stereo (I haven't had a high end sound system since the early '90s!!!) maybe some small graphics/airbrush work etc.

I guess maybe I'm just thinking (typing?) out loud here.

Any links to pics of lowered '94-'01 Rams would be appreciated...doubly so if it lists suspension/wheel/tire specs.

Thanks all.


Cheeto
It's not perfect.
It's not correct.
It's not yours!
Re: Lowered trucks...more on mine or start over? [Re: Cheeto] #1411943
04/01/13 02:19 AM
04/01/13 02:19 AM
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Back home in PA
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BulletBob Offline
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Keep the 78'
Do an 02 with a 5.9 Mag You can find them cheap with a bad trans or Bambified in the front.
Drop,408,street/strip type
You've covered Lowered & Lifted with show now do a Show/Street/Strip truck oooor Nastruck style with a handling suspension BUTTTTTT

You've covered 72-80 94-01 02-
What about 81-93 Lowered CTD CrewCab Dually

Change the colors to some that work with your interior on the 78 & paint them opposite with a matching interior
Opposite meaning say 78 red/black & 81 black/red
Change up the wheels on the 78 to make it a different truck at the shows

Decisions Decisions



Start a poll as to what colors to use with your existing interior

Get them in the magazines & maybe that will kick start a remake of "EMERGENCY"
One can only hope!

RC buckets front & rear with full length console
I can help you with that as I'm fixing to do a similar thing to my CrewCab

Larry's already done a grille swap just take the little grilles out & put black mesh in there

Re: Lowered trucks...more on mine or start over? [Re: BulletBob] #1411944
04/01/13 02:32 AM
04/01/13 02:32 AM
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Back home in PA
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The above ramblings are a result of acute "Dodge truck Addiction" & sheer exhaustion

You can pick up a CL Dodge with decent miles for between $600-1200 depending on condition with the trans bad

A buddy of mine & I grab some nice ones cheap

I bought this SS/T with a trans that wouldn't shift to OD for $775 with the A/C cold, driving down the road
Drove it for a month & a half before it quit
I have $1500 in it with a new trans & new tires me wheeling & dealing & doing the I/O on the trans

The deals are out there & you can get the custom touch you want CHEAP

7649394-SAM_3962.JPG (59 downloads)
Last edited by BulletBob; 04/01/13 02:47 AM.
Re: Lowered trucks...more on mine or start over? [Re: BulletBob] #1411945
04/01/13 05:29 AM
04/01/13 05:29 AM
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Posts: 440
Marysville, WA
77ProStreet Offline
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I love your truck! I've seen it in person at the Mopar show they held in Bellevue. Like most the guys on this forum I LOVE the 72-80 body style, Built many, raced many but none as nice as yours. I would love to see you throw a new Gen Hemi in that thing, change your wheels and maybe revamp the paint in some subtle way, Maybe your interior as a last detail thing if you want. But you would not be as happy with any other truck! I know, cause I keep coming back to them and revamping my vision as I get older.

Just a thought!?

I would love to see you back on the WESTSIDE someday to show that BEAUTIFULLY UPDATED OLD truck!!!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Lowered trucks...more on mine or start over? [Re: 77ProStreet] #1411946
04/10/13 02:47 PM
04/10/13 02:47 PM
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Cheeto Offline OP
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Well, my thinking this week (thinking is subject to change at any time without prior notice) is to drop some money into the '78 to update it a little. That way I won't be into it a whole lot more if the buyer comes along again.

This still leaves me needing a comfortable run-around vehicle that has some cargo space and gets decent mileage. I'm thinking I've found a good candidate in....wait for it...a minivan! When I was rebuilding wrecks I had several of them and I really liked the ride, cargo room, and mileage. What I couldn't handle was the image. I've gotten older (and more broken down physically) and I think I can get past the fact that I'd be driving a minivan. Knowing what toys I have at home helps a lot in that regard.

Thoughts?
Good idea?
Bad idea?
I must've hit my head because it's such a bad idea?


Cheeto
It's not perfect.
It's not correct.
It's not yours!
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