Project Dodge

[Robert97dodge]

I have a 97 dodge ram 1500 4x4. I am about to being doing a one ton swap on. I have a D60 from a 01' dodge ram that I am useing for the front and a 14BFF for the rear. I know that the D60 will be pretty much bolt right up. I will be running 38.5" boggers with either 5:13 or 5:38 gears. I have not decided yet. I will be running 37's on the street so I am leaning more towards the 5:13's. I am runniing 3" susp lift up front with 5" AAL's in the rear and a 3" body lift. I am gonna put some 3" coil spacers up front and raise the rear about 2 more inches. I am gonna get some long arms too. Now for the questions.

Long arms: I talked to foolish earlier and he told me to check out Astar's new long arms and I did and they look awesome. But his post said for 7+ inches of lift. I will be running 6 inches. So should I get something from Astar or stick with the DC long arms? Also I know that you are supposed to have to modify a body mount when installing the DC long arms. Since I have a 3" BL will I have to modify the body mount still?

Steering: I am thinking for steering just do a one tons chevy upgrade steering. Sound good? What would be some other options? I want to run tre's becuase when they wear out I can just go to auto zone and get replacements. I also have looked at the heim's and they just dont look like they would last to long.

Driveshafts: I know that my driveshafts are gonna have to be shortened. When I do that should have them change out the yokes to run a 1410 u-joint or should I use a different part #?

I think that is all of the questions for now. I am sure that I will have more later on.
Just a few pics of the truck.
http://www.supermotors.org/getfile/202602/fullsize/IM002507.JPG

http://www.supermotors.org/getfile/202601/fullsize/IM002506.JPG

http://www.supermotors.org/getfile/202603/fullsize/IM002508.JPG

[jpcj]

what are you doing for the tranny/t-case??? Ifn you don't change the yokes on your shafts you are probably going to find you are going to need a funny ujoint (ie one that when you walk in with remnants of the old one, they aint gonna have one on the shelf...) I can't think off the top of my head what my 97 half ton takes....

why not just buy a clapped out one ton??

[Robert97dodge]

what are you doing for the tranny/t-case??? Ifn you don't change the yokes on your shafts you are probably going to find you are going to need a funny ujoint (ie one that when you walk in with remnants of the old one, they aint gonna have one on the shelf...) I can't think off the top of my head what my 97 half ton takes....

why not just buy a clapped out one ton??


The tranny and transfer case are gonna stay stock for now. I will eventually change them out when funds are avaliable and when they crap out. I will go with a APS tranny and a atlas transfer cae. I got the front axle for $200 and the rear for $50 so I made out pretty good on those. The front one was in a truck that caught on fire so it will need to be rebuilt but that is not a big deal .

[Nickm]

you might wanna do a SYE, with that little collar archer did. I think it was archer or glen from ps

[Fawk Awph]

i got a buddy with the same truck really.

on those gears, where are you finding 5.38s for the 14 bolt? i lowest i could find was 5.13*. i havent heard of anyone with anything lower than that.

also, what kind of engine does that truck have? if you want to run highway with 37s, look into just running 4.56s or 4.88s. you can definately find a 14bolt with 4.56 already and with a v8 and auto you will have plenty of crawl.

just my $.02

Callen

[Robert97dodge]

i got a buddy with the same truck really.

on those gears, where are you finding 5.38s for the 14 bolt? i lowest i could find was 5.13*. i havent heard of anyone with anything lower than that.

also, what kind of engine does that truck have? if you want to run highway with 37s, look into just running 4.56s or 4.88s. you can definately find a 14bolt with 4.56 already and with a v8 and auto you will have plenty of crawl.

just my $.02

Callen


I have not checked into finging them yet. I just assumed that they had them. I have 4:56's and 35's I think that it is perfect. I have a 318 that is wore out so I need something to make up for the wore out motor. I know for sure that I am gonna get at least 5:13's.

[Fawk Awph]

right on.

you are not going to find 5.38s for the 14 bolt. they just dont make them that low as far as i know. good place to get 5.13 thick gears is through dunksperformance or peak (look for peakzj as a member name)

Callen

[American]

5.38's are SUPPOSED to be out very soon.

[Robert97dodge]

5.38's are SUPPOSED to be out very soon.

I am not for sure though if I want to run them or not though. I will be running 37" tires on the street and then 38.5" Boggers on the trail and in bogs. So I want to make sure that I have enough for the boggers and but I dont want to much for the 37's. I am gonna go and look at a set of 37" SSR's today. The guy siad that they have about 10K miles on them with about 70% tread left. He wants $500 for them but I am gonna see if I can get them for $400.

[T R A V I S]

I really think 5.38 is going to be way to much gear for 37's dude

[Robert97dodge]

I really think 5.38 is going to be way to much gear for 37's dude


I have looked at a couple different charts and according to them 5:38's and 37 when in over drive shouldnt be to bad. I will be around 2200-2400RPMS. After looking at these charts I am leaning more towards the 5:38's. That is if I can find them for my 14BFF.

http://images.cardomain.com/member_images/10/web/322000-322999/322743_59_full.jpg

http://www.4x4connection.com/images/gearchart.gif

[blackdog840]

Does not matter if you have a body lift or not you still need to modify the body mounts with the DC arms. I would stay away from the one ton steering upgrade it is shit you know that you have read the reviews. As far as your driveshafts go do it right and stay away from those conversion joints you will be happier in the long run.

[Robert97dodge]

Does not matter if you have a body lift or not you still need to modify the body mounts with the DC arms. I would stay away from the one ton steering upgrade it is shit you know that you have read the reviews. As far as your driveshafts go do it right and stay away from those conversion joints you will be happier in the long run.


What do you suggest for steering then? Also on the body mount that has to be modifyed is it the part that is attached to the frame?

[Pavemen]

btw, i'm at 2250 rpm at 75mph with my 36/37's and 4.56s in OD

[blackdog840]

Yes it is the part attached to the frame. The forward cab mount I would call it.
I bet you can get all the parts you need for a quality steering set up from a place like BTF. 3/4 heims, tube inserts, jam nuts, think they even sell tube.

[Robert97dodge]

Yes it is the part attached to the frame. The forward cab mount I would call it.
I bet you can get all the parts you need for a quality steering set up from a place like BTF. 3/4 heims, tube inserts, jam nuts, think they even sell tube.


I would rather not get heim's. I would rather get tre's. So I will probably end up doing the chevy one ton upgrade. I have heard good and bad about the heims. I think that once I get all of the steering installed with the PSC gear box, pump, and cylinder assist they will hold up just fine.

[T R A V I S]

What is your reasoning for going with TRE's everyone knows heims are a must better choice. You should look at thurens setup if you dont wanna build your own.

[Robert97dodge]

What is your reasoning for going with TRE's everyone knows heims are a must better choice. You should look at thurens setup if you dont wanna build your own.


I have thought about thurens but I cant afford that. RIght now the chevy one tons upgrade will be cheaper and will hold up fine for now. If I notice that it is wearing out to fast or anything like that then I will ditch it and get something else.

I have decided to go with teh 5:13 gears also. I think that it will be the best gear for what I need it for.

[T R A V I S]

yeah 5.13's would be a wise choice, Andrew is running 5.38's with 40's, I dont know why would would wanna run 5.38's and 37's

[Robert97dodge]

yeah 5.13's would be a wise choice, Andrew is running 5.38's with 40's, I dont know why would would wanna run 5.38's and 37's


I think that andrews motor is probably a little stronger than mine too.

[blackdog840]

Everyone who has the chevy one ton upgrade says it sucks. Too much play in the steering in a month. Sorry don't understand your logic in choosing that setup I think I would stick with stock before I did that. You get a lifetime warranty on the TRE regardless of which ones you purchase correct?

[T R A V I S]

Is there something wrong with your stock steering? and with your new axle dont you have the newer steering anyways? I would say you should run that steering until you could afford something with heim joints like Thurens steering of something similar.

[Robert97dodge]

Is there something wrong with your stock steering? and with your new axle dont you have the newer steering anyways? I would say you should run that steering until you could afford something with heim joints like Thurens steering of something similar.


The steering from the 00'-01' wont work on my truck. THe pitman arm is differrent. I have already tryed that. Another reson why I dont really want the heims is because there is not really a boot on it to hold grease and to keep water and mud out. This truck is gonna see lots of mud bogs and mudding. So I would rather have the tre that is gonna hold plenty of grease and keep water and mud out. Plus I am getting a pretty good deal on most of the stuff needed for the one ton set up. I am gonna be able to do it for under $200.

[blackdog840]

I guess you have your mind made up on the steering then.