Anyone put a GEN III motoer in a 72-78 D100?

Hello all you Mopar lovers.

I would like your input, thoughts, opinions, likes and dislikes, and thoughts on the major components for this project.

I am in the early stages of planning for my next project, which will be a 1971 – 1978 D100 short bed pickup, two wheel drive.

Why a 72/78 you ask? California smog exempt that’s why, plus I like the looks.
My overall goal is to create a great handling, road worthy, streetable truck that could also be used for autocross on occasion.

Suspension: Front
Tubular A-Arms and Rack and Pinion power steering. Does Altercation build anything for Trucks?
Power Disk Brakes, front and rear (what type and size)?

Shocks – Adjustable gas coil over’s (what type)
Suspension: Rear, I am thinking about a 4 link

Motor:
Gen III 6.1/6.4, keeping the fuel injection.
Trans: Automatic NAG1

I have seen a few (Salvaged Titled) Chargers / Challangers in my area that I can buy for around $10,000 to $15,000, therefore I would have all the parts from a matching vehicle. Should I go that route or single source the parts?

Everything you outlined seems do able.

I suspect you could find an engine/transmission cheaper then a whole wrecked car. The only benefit would be the PCM module, there is a company I can't think of right now that can flash them for standalone/transmission control. For me personally the NAG1 would be too much work and I would put a 518 in.

Front suspension, maybe an after market mustang II suspension? should be a company that makes one that fits into a truck. Use the biggest brakes that fit in the rims you want to run.

The rear if the truck had an 8 3/4 I would just put disks on that, if its something else maybe put an 8.8" ford under it, or a car style Dana 60. 4 link you will have to Fab your own but it shouldn't be too bad.

Thanks renuck. The 4 link would come later in the build and only if I truly use the vehicle for Autocross.

Yes the reason for finding a whole car is to have everything I need. I know the wiring harness would need to be modified and from what I have read they want the ECU, harness, and motor to match, or at least have the Vin# from everything so they can match everything up.

ah I wasn't aware it was needed for the laws, I've never had to deal with such a thing. What about a donor truck? 6.1/66RFE? could be a nice combo but I am not 100% sure if someone has the controller for them. I think these guys do the reprogramming of a stock ecu for the engine and nag1

www.hotwireauto.com can convert the original motor harness to a stand alone unit that easily works in an older vehicle. Not cheap, but they have excellent Tech with someone that knows what they are doing, if an issue arises.

I'd buy the Salvage car, take everything that you need, send Hot wire the harness & whatever else they need. and upgrade your brakes. Any Mopar rear axle other then an 8 3/4 I would replace with an 8.8 Ford. Better gears, factory disc brake setup, 5 on 4 1/2" bolt pattern, and with the correct drive shaft flange, a Mopar driveshaft bolts up. Gene

You don't need a whole car. As mentioned above in another post, call Hotwire Auto, and they will tell you what you need to run a 6.1 or 6.4 in an old vehicle. Ditch the Nag1 idea, and find a 545RFE out of a 2wd truck or Durango. It's a 5 spd automatic with a slip yoke tail housing, and Hotwire sells a harness to run it and the motor.. Ask Hotwire if they can make a harness to run one of the 8 speed automatics, and control it. If they can, I would go with that! Good luck to you.

Thanks guys, I like the input. I hope to get this started soon.

I thought California smog exempt only goes up to 1975?

This is correct, but I can't imagine how much different a '78 would be from a '72. Probably to get more people to look at the thread.