So I finally get it back and it’s much straighter and only minimal rust after being gone for 18 years. I wanted something fun, probably not practical and was thinking of converting it to a lowrider like I was originally intending. I don’t do off reading and I like in more city oriented area, so that makes more sense. Then since it’s smog exempt, big block and auto, why not build it for some track use? A nice cage, big beefie’s In the back and a decent engine with enough room up front for a super snail might be fun too. I got the idea from a Truckinin’ cover pic of a black Blazer I seen back in the day and though a Mopar would look even better. This won’t happen for years as I have 4 other mopars ahead of it, so I can take my time deciding the pro’s and cons of each one. What do you guys think?

1975 Plymoth Trailduster build single choice
	Mostly stock 4X4 with big tires.
	Modified into a low ride cruiser with low profile wheels
	Converted into a drag truck, cage, big tire and power adder.
Votes accepted starting: 05/29/21 07:43 PM You must vote before you can view the results of this poll.

I voted and wish I could put !!!!!! on the mostly stock vote

It would be stock-ish if a 4x4. Just better wheels, tires, seats, stereo and factory exterior with trim. But to be honest, that’s kinda boring and I don’t plan on any wheeling with it, so it’s a waste of a 4x4. Big block and open headers sounds soo much better!

how about 4x4 drag truck? Takes care of traction problems.

If it was 2wd the lowering would be ok. But you're looking at a lot of frame work to get a 4wd down low, even if you ditch the front axle.

I voted drag truck. Ditch the BB for a Hellcat engine!

It depends on how you actually are going to use it. You have full time 4WD so making a low rider make no scene(to me anyway). I think just fixing it up to be a nice rider would be best. 4X4 drag truck? Are you talking on asphalt or dirt? Either way mods will need to be done so get another truck that you can cut up and make it into either one. Take a bit from each, Mod it (lift kit, bigger tires, different motor etc) I would like to drive it because when was the last time you seen one of these on the street?

But Traildusters so rare and a factory 400 too so that would make ME want to keep it closer to stock but then it is your truck......

You don't get a vote....you have "raptor" in your name

i have another truck to donate the subframe in the front. so all of it will be converted to 2wd. Cur old bolts out, swap frame and add bolts. there is 1/2 in difference between standard and ramcharger frame, so it will be a simple mod.

If I was going to make many modifications (like the drag truck, or the low rider) I would probably start with a completely different frame, something more easily modified to accomplish your goal, then I'd tuck the original frame away. Whom ever may be the next care giver may want the original stuff.

A low rider 4x4 can be accomplished, but it involves channeling the body over the frame (Cut the floor pan out and raise it up inside of the body). See pictures, this truck is a 4x4.

The short wheel base might not make the Trailduster such a great drag truck. A short wheel base can be a challenge to drive.

Your truck, I didn't vote. What I think doesn't matter. Gene

My vote would be none of the above.

Trail Dusters are indeed uber rare compared to Ram Chargers but I've never bought in to that making them more valuable. I mean the differences aren't more than a few badges. It's hard to argue against an as shipped 4x4 unless it's got the 318 and ya have no use for the 4wd. I've never been a fan of laying frame or much of a drag racer so those options aren't my cup of tea.

I'd go basic big block 2wd street terror. I've got an LRE and it's a lot more fun on twisty roads than my 318 4wd RC but it's not a convertible. The G3 Hemi swap is the current big thing - to the point that Holley is actually making kits for it. It's "only" 3-5x the cost of vintage iron. Tempting but ya know, a couple 440s in the basement.

As for 4wd to 2wd, no need to cut frame rails if your parts donor is a 72-93 pick-up. Just swap the engine cross member and upper control arm mounts and then move the rest of the front suspension over. I'm pretty sure they left both sets of mounting holes (small block vs big block) in the cross member through the end of the run. Another good trick is find the much more common 2wd RC from the 80s and swap tubs. There is a difference in the frames because they added rear seat leg room when getting rid of the pop top but you can get around it with different height body mount bushings.

It depends on your preference, but if I were to decide I'd probably go for 4x4.

Thank you with you assessment " basic big block 2wd street terror.", you pretty much see it spot on. My idea of a drag truck is not a trailer troll that shows up once every couple months to lay rubber down the 1320, but a ride I can drive to the track, go on cruise meets, weekend stoplight parties and such. To me, a drag truck can be more than just a quarter mile at a time. If you removed 6 emblems/decals on the truck, it's a Ramcharger. Added bonus of an extra seat is all to to the interior and frankly, the plymouth grill is really just a dodge grill with a gaudy pot metal emblem in it.

As for cutting the frame, that was a mis-wording on my description. I have a 1979 truck for parts, so I'm cutting the front frame off of that and thinking of transferring the center mount crossmember. That is one way I'm considering on converting the front suspension. My other choice is to ship off the clip to Magnum Force and have Ron design a whole new front suspension for it. I like their work, have used lots of their parts, got two Transformer suspensions going on other cars and always loved how much better the cars drove. As for the convertible aspect of it, I will probably get another roof and doors for racing Though it would have a full cage, I would still run the roof, but a gutted one that was lighter and easier to remove and replace when needed. I have an Indy headed race engine already, so if it don't go in my CUDA, it would probably go in this truck. I greatly appreciate everyone's impute, makes it feel like an interesting build is what is needed in my life. Like I said before, I have like 5 years til my other rides are done, so I'm just going over ideas til that times comes.

I voted stockish 4x4. Around here, TrailDusters are very rare animals. You'll see 50 Ramchargers to every TrailDuster. AAMOF, it's been quite a few years since I've seen one.
How about I buy one of the 2wd Ramchargers that keep popping up here and trade you for it?


Tim

yea! me too!!! no hellcat.

wait till you see the D150 2x RB440 82 stepside gasser truck on a 4x4 chassis I am a building.. ditching 4 wheel drive front axle and replacing it with a 2" add-a -leaf 3" tube & knuckles/spindles out keeping the stock steering. by using the full time 5 on 4.5 wbp with the stub axle to torque/hold the wheel bearing it fits a drag skinny front rim 165/15 on 3.5x15 weld rim. then a shackle flip in the rear flopping the abody 8 3/4 in on top of spring to give it the nose up gasser truck look with a 12x15 rim 29x15x15 M/Ts. ditch inner fenders add some outside chassis headers/exhaust.

scratchin around on the street me thinks a lot of fun it will be.

both of my 2x trucks are lowered & tubbed for street duty but I have always wanted some kind of gasser on the street just for the fun of driving it so I figure this will be ass close as I come to driving a gasser for the first time. bucket list check mark!

Nope, not worth the extra work since I already have a clean body, clean paperwork and stored away already. Besides, makin something like 'Farm Truck' would be soo much cooler!

RWG if they made that Gen3 kit for the W's I would be all in.

If you're talking about poorboy's truck, IIRC, it's on a Dakota frame and has 2 different style of Dak wheels.


Tim

A few years back I tried talking my boss into turning his Jeep Wrangler into an autocrosser - sitting low, custom frame & suspension, wide wheels/tires.
Nobody would have seen that coming.
I think this rig would be a riot in a similar fashion - twin-turbo, stupid power, sitting low on a chassis that could do anything, maybe full-time AWD.
Find an automotive-aftermarket sponsor to feed the budget, and do something unique.