Recovery rig thoughts

[LT.]

Okay, I got a winch for the front of the truck now. Warn 16.5 ti should cut it. I am pretty excited about this. This is actually the same winch I had that I did some horse trading for. I did some more trading and got it back. Brand new still in the box. Whew. I can't wait till I can get this project going.

LT.

 

[LT.]

1. Dana 60 front axle with 5.13 gears and a Detroit.
(Done except I went with 4.88 gears.)
2. 14 Bolt FF with 5.13 gears and a spool.
(I still need to order the gears and spool.)
3. NP-203/205 doubler again from Off Road Design.
4. New clutch.
5. Rebuilt motor. If anyone knows of a big block Dodge please let me know.
6. 17" beadlocks.
(I think I have decided on the Daytona style Allied Bead Locks.)
7. Radial tires in the neighborhood of 37" to 40".
(Leaning towards the 37" radial Rocker right now.)
8. Big winch on the front and maybe even one off of the rear. 12,000
(Done, I now have a Warn 16.5 ti for the front.)
9. Pre runner styled bumpers front and rear with a full sized spare tire in the bed.
10. New exhaust. I don't have a reason for liking to work on exhaust so much but, it is important to me to have a great sounding/working exhaust system.
(I will most likely go with a 3" system with Dyno Max mufflers.)
11. Replace the wood on the bed floor.
12. Decide on a lift spring.
(I think I am going to go with a six inch lift with a small block on the front and rear.)
13. If time allows I would like to address some smaller issues. Electrical, interior, and the bed.

I am considering moving the front axle forward an inch or so with a product available from DIY4X or Off Road Design. It is just a small block that bolts to the bottom of the leaf pack. Maybe even move the rear axle back the same amount. The reason I want to move the front axle is for compression. When the suspension compresses it moves the front axle towards the firewall. This always causes contact on the back side of the fender. This would also increase the approach angle on the truck. Which is going to be important with that big winch on the front.

What am I missing? I have a large CO2 tank I think I will carry for air. And as much as I would like to have an onboard welder I don't think I am going to have the funds for it this time around. What would y'all do different?

LT.

 

[LT.]

I just talked to Boyce and my front axle will be shipping out tomorrow. Yea!

LT.

 

[LT.]

The front axle shipped today and I just finished ordering a few things from DIY4X. I ordered two easy inch, rear spring perches for the 14 Bolt FF, and some upper spring plates for the same axle. I will take pictures when things show up.

LT.

 

[LT.]

The new Dana 60 front axle showed up today. The only problem was that it showed up at my house. It sucked unloading it and then re loading it in my truck.

I guess this thread will serve as a build thread now. I don't see a point of making another thread for this truck. I will take some pictures of the front axle when I get a chance. I have been working a bit of overtime and have not really had much of a chance to do anything but catch a few hours of sleep.

LT.

 

[LT.]

My order from DIY4X showed up yesterday evening. I have some pictures but, they are on my phone. As soon as I get a chance I will post up the pictures.

LT.

 

[Greg]

I'm excited to see this thing come together!

 

[sixstringsteve]

you definitely need some pics in this thread.

 

[Marsh99]

Would you be interested in a 1975 dodge 360 with 27k on it?

 

[LT.]

Here they are. The first picture is the parts for the rear axle from DIY4X. Next is the front Dodge Dana 60 from Boyce Equipment loaded with new Warn hubs, brakes, calipers, rotors, axle shafts, U-joints, 4.88 gears, and a detroit locker. The last picture is the front axle spring perches, U-bolts, and bolts also from Boyce Equipment. I am waiting for a few other parts to go in before I really get the axles in and the suspension on. Up next is the engine. As some of y'all may know the truck has a 400 big block that is locked up. I am now looking at a 440 and the rotating assembly from 440 Source. I had bad luck with their customer service but, I have been talking to them and they are much more eager to help me this time. Last time I got a recorded message, this time I actually spoke to a person! I am not too sure how big the new motor will be but, it will be using a 440 block at least.

LT.

 

[LT.]

Would you be interested in a 1975 dodge 360 with 27k on it?

If I brought home another truck my wife would kill me. I own 5 pickup trucks, one SUV, and three trailers. But, man I wish I could have more.

LT.

 

[LT.]

Update time. First I have named this truck Christine. It has tried to seriously hurt me twice now. The front and rear axles are under the truck. The wheels and tires I bought from Mr. Herzog are also on the truck now. Here are a few pictures.

LT.

 

[LT.]

Now for the hiccup in the truck. I knew the floor boards were a little rotten before but, I had no idea they were this bad.

LT.

 

[LT.]

I also got around to cleaning up the bed of the truck. The boards are not as bad as I thought.

LT.

 

[LT.]

And now for some good news. The rockers are very solid. I could not figure out as to why until I found some extra mounts on the frame that did not go to anything. I think this truck used to have some running boards on it at some point in time. This might explain why the rockers are like new and the floor boards are hammered.

LT.

 

[LT.]

And now just showing off.

LT.

 

[Bart]

Hahaha, show off.

 

[Greg]

Nice collection of Dodges!

 

[Herzog]

Nice wheels! Glad they finally made it down to you.

 

[LT.]

Thanks guys! If anyone else tries to bolt on newer model dodge wheels on an older project beware. On the front they won't just bolt on. The off set is pushed too far inboard to clear the calipers and tie rod ends. I had a set of two inch spacers laying around and had to use them on the front to make the wheels work.

LT.