Full time "garbage"??

[quote=Mr onetwo]If you change the wheel bearings(if bad) in a full time axle and grease them per IOM they will last forever.Check the slack in the chain of the 203...strong TC except for chain play.

I have a '79 4x4 Roundup Powerwagon that we purchased new in Nov.'78, now has 110,xxx miles on it, no problems thus far, but, the bearings have been greased religiously. I pump grease in until the old grease starts oozing out the backside. The transfer case chain has some stretch, but not enough for a tear down for that only...

Each to their own. I've driven full time trucks for 17 years. Never had a wheel bearing problem. Never had a transfer case problem. A Ramcharger I had ran 37" tires too. Maybe I'm jinxing myself by saying that, but I do the maintenance, and they're fine.
I had a '92 for a short time. Would have the front end of my truck bang + bounce in the air when under load, in 4x4. The tiny little plastic tabs on the CAD fork were gone. Wouldn't engage all the way... That's garbage...
My project truck right now has a D60. It has drive flanges. No CAD or hubs for me!

Alot of folks did not know of that grease fitting that accessed through brake rotor with the wheel removed.

Thank you, I prefer to leave it in there as I doubt it has been abused to bad since this old truck only has a little 318-2 but I haven't gotten to that part yet.

I have read that about the chain and plan on learning about it, thnaks.
I think it will be just fine for me. I have a 2003 44wd Ram 1500 that gets used when I actually need a pickup.

Wow, that is a nice looking truck, that helps to motivate me. Yours is the fancy one right, thus the four headlights? When I got mine I thought someone had put a 72 grille on it but read that the low eline custom had the two headlight grille. Right?

That is good information, thanks.



I sure didn't and will be checking that out soon, thank you very much. This thing has been sitting for at least 6 years so everything was dry as a bone.
Right now I am consumed with replacing the botched floor pan job and replacing the bed with a better one. Lots and lots of sheet metal work.

If the bearing retainers have never been off, then the fitting will be at either 3 or 9 oclock. Mine were any way. The fitting is between 2 of the 6 bolts that retains the bearing to knuckle. If they have been off, then the fitting could be at the 4 other positions of the clock. Think "6" bolts even spaced.

I think it will be just fine for me. I have a 2003 44wd Ram 1500 that gets used when I actually need a pickup.



Not a fancy Truck...just an oddly optioned dealer stock Truck. Custom trim level, rubber mat, vinyl seat, etc. but has air, auto, protection pkg, HD front springs, 318, limited slip, quad headlights AM radio, and the 4x4 Round Up pkg. which I think is a decal and the White Spoke wheels with 10-15 Goodyear Tracker AT's.

And another was apparently ordered just like it by the dealership according to the Warren Truck Build Order...I am still looking for it, as indicated in my sig below.

Thanks for the kind words.

I have driven 75-79 full time 4wd Dodges forever, and never had a single wheel bearing issue. The bearing setup is like an early version of the wheel bearing that almost every vehicle has been using for 25 years. In fact, having the grease fitting makes them better than the 94 and
newer trucks in my opinion.
If one was to install a part time transfer case, and leave the full time front axle, you would have almost the equivelant of the 94 and newer trucks and maybe gain a bit of fuel mileage.

I haven't even taken a wheel off this truck yet, working on the cab and bed, but that is one big nut on the end of the front axle! I stuck an 1 1/2 socket up there and it wasn't even big enough.

I am going to go through the brakes all at once, but was curious about that big nut.

Trust me on this one...get a service manual and a parts book for this project. It will save you more money than it will cost. They show up on e-bay and else where and you can watch for the best deal while working on the body. Many of the parts sold on e-bay and elsewhere are still stocked by the original part #s. As stated earlier, I have owned and maintained my Truck since 1978...then in 2013 this gotta do it restoration Truck comes along and I find out quickly how much I don't know. I did not do the major work on it, but did source 90% or so of the parts. Here's a link to that completed Truck:

https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/ubbt...tml#Post2469227

Thanks, that is good advice.
I have enjoyed finding a few things in common so far with some of my previous a/b body projects. Loved it that window cranks are the same as the left over 68 Barracuda ones that I still had and the door hinge bushings were the same too.
I get it though, when I get into that drive train, other than the 318, it is going to be all new to me.
Guys like you and the other posters in this thread make this site invaluable.

Geez that red '79 is BEAUTIFUL!!!!!

Here is a link to a pdf copy of the Dana service book for you to peruse. http://www.billavista.com/tech/pdf_index...e%20Spindle.pdf Also a good video on YouTube showing the procedure. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kOQPQfKAuHU

Yeah, all the hard core guys like to bash the NP203.
But if most of your use is on the street, I'd strongly recommend you keep it.
Most other T-cases are never recommended for pavement or hard surfaces.
The NP203 is more like a modern AWD system, exactly what you'd like on wet,snowy, or icy pavement. Most new trucks aren't available with AWD, you've got to buy a Durango to get it.

Thank you so much!
I have been making pretty good progress with it. Fenders, doors, hood and bed are off. Floor pans are roughed in waiting for a couple more parts.

That is very encouraging information, thanks! I am going to be sure to check out the chain when that time comes. Not far now from yanking the drive train.

Getting so much closer to the fun part of this hobby. Can someone tell me if these front leafs need to be re-arched, or are they supposed to sit like that?

Those look like stock/poss original springs, but the trucks I had sure had that bumper cushion under shock mount only about an inch from spring. Even when vehicle was new.

Excellent news, thank you!

I'm pretty sure mine have some arch, but not a lot. I'll look when I get home from work.

Very cool that you're bringing her back to life! Love this gen short bed especially!!