1975 Plymouth Trailduster: 4X4/lowrider or Drag Truck?
#2928276
05/29/21 07:44 PM
05/29/21 07:44 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,681 San Jose,CA
migsBIG
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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?
Last edited by migsBIG; 05/29/21 10:03 PM.
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Re: 1975 Plymouth Trailduster: 4X4/lowrider or Drag Truck?
[Re: migsBIG]
#2928290
05/29/21 08:08 PM
05/29/21 08:08 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,938 Central Florida
larrymopar360
Stud Muffin
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Stud Muffin
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,938
Central Florida
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I voted and wish I could put !!!!!! on the mostly stock vote
Facts are stubborn things.
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Re: 1975 Plymouth Trailduster: 4X4/lowrider or Drag Truck?
[Re: larrymopar360]
#2928322
05/29/21 09:38 PM
05/29/21 09:38 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,681 San Jose,CA
migsBIG
OP
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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!
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Re: 1975 Plymouth Trailduster: 4X4/lowrider or Drag Truck?
[Re: migsBIG]
#2928388
05/30/21 06:44 AM
05/30/21 06:44 AM
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 5,947 ohio
ruderunner
master
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master
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 5,947
ohio
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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.
Angry white pureblood male
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Re: 1975 Plymouth Trailduster: 4X4/lowrider or Drag Truck?
[Re: migsBIG]
#2928486
05/30/21 01:03 PM
05/30/21 01:03 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,938 Central Florida
larrymopar360
Stud Muffin
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Stud Muffin
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Posts: 15,938
Central Florida
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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! 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......
Facts are stubborn things.
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Re: 1975 Plymouth Trailduster: 4X4/lowrider or Drag Truck?
[Re: ruderunner]
#2928573
05/30/21 05:10 PM
05/30/21 05:10 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,681 San Jose,CA
migsBIG
OP
YouTube is my go-to news source
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OP
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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 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.
Last edited by migsBIG; 05/30/21 05:17 PM.
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Re: 1975 Plymouth Trailduster: 4X4/lowrider or Drag Truck?
[Re: poorboy]
#2928782
05/31/21 09:08 AM
05/31/21 09:08 AM
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RWG75
Unregistered
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RWG75
Unregistered
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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.
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Re: 1975 Plymouth Trailduster: 4X4/lowrider or Drag Truck?
[Re: ]
#2928811
05/31/21 10:22 AM
05/31/21 10:22 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,681 San Jose,CA
migsBIG
OP
YouTube is my go-to news source
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OP
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Posts: 21,681
San Jose,CA
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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. 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.
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Re: 1975 Plymouth Trailduster: 4X4/lowrider or Drag Truck?
[Re: migsBIG]
#2928919
05/31/21 03:28 PM
05/31/21 03:28 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,681 Buford, GA
I_bleed_MOPAR
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master
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Posts: 8,681
Buford, GA
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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
'71 Charger 383/727 '17 Challenger SXT (Wifeys car )
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Re: 1975 Plymouth Trailduster: 4X4/lowrider or Drag Truck?
[Re: redraptor]
#2929079
06/01/21 08:31 AM
06/01/21 08:31 AM
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 15,487 Florida
scratchnfotraction
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 15,487
Florida
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I voted drag truck. Ditch the BB for a Hellcat engine! 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!
Last edited by scratchnfotraction; 06/01/21 08:43 AM.
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Re: 1975 Plymouth Trailduster: 4X4/lowrider or Drag Truck?
[Re: I_bleed_MOPAR]
#2929484
06/02/21 01:22 PM
06/02/21 01:22 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,681 San Jose,CA
migsBIG
OP
YouTube is my go-to news source
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OP
YouTube is my go-to news source
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,681
San Jose,CA
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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 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!
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Re: 1975 Plymouth Trailduster: 4X4/lowrider or Drag Truck?
[Re: migsBIG]
#2929515
06/02/21 03:09 PM
06/02/21 03:09 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,938 Central Florida
larrymopar360
Stud Muffin
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Stud Muffin
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,938
Central Florida
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RWG if they made that Gen3 kit for the W's I would be all in.
Facts are stubborn things.
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Re: 1975 Plymouth Trailduster: 4X4/lowrider or Drag Truck?
[Re: Tony21]
#2929750
06/03/21 12:06 PM
06/03/21 12:06 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,681 Buford, GA
I_bleed_MOPAR
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,681
Buford, GA
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If you're talking about poorboy's truck, IIRC, it's on a Dakota frame and has 2 different style of Dak wheels. Tim
'71 Charger 383/727 '17 Challenger SXT (Wifeys car )
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