97 ram 1500 4x4.

its a shortbox now so how hard would it be to lengthin the fram to fit a long bed on it?

Is there a straight section in the fram between the cab and bed? or am I not that lucky.

I can get a 97 regular cab short box for 1000.00 that needs a bed,passanger door and front fender aswell as an engine.

I have a ford 460/C6/BW1356 I want to drop in it to have a decent DD but hate the short box.Can this be done withought to much trouble??

thanks for the help.

save your time and money, buy what you want the first time (IE a long box Ford)


JMHO

Well I allredy have a big ford.But have allways had a soft spot for this erra dodge trucks.However I dont want to wast my money on another 318 and still not have any power.I am just curious on the Question I asked above.

$1k seems a little steep for what you are describing with the amount of work required and it not really being what you want.

I know that similar trucks to what you are looking at go for around $3k + or - at auction in running and drivable condition. Are you going to have less than that into this truck? If not I would walk away until you found something you would be more happy with.

Well this would not be an overnight build, But I am not afrade of work.I just havent crawled under it to have a looksie at the frame to see about lengthing it.

I would never lengthen a frame. If you are building a rollback or similar it would be warranted, but just to get a combination that is readily available it seems sort of foolish especially when you aren't going to save any cash or anything to do it. not trying to be rude or anything, but that's my thoughts on the matter.

I would never lengthen a frame. If you are building a rollback or similar it would be warranted, but just to get a combination that is readily available it seems sort of foolish especially when you aren't going to save any cash or anything to do it. not trying to be rude or anything, but that's my thoughts on the matter.
That is what I was trying to say as well... trucks of that era are plentiful, and to find a longbox truck that has a decent body and needs an engine shouldn't be that hard... As for the whole power thing... power out of the magnum engines is easy. If you look in my sig you can see the Dakota I built, granted it is lighter than a Ram, and also a 4x2, but it was also only a 318... You can build a 408 stroker that keeps the fuel injection and you will not be dissapointed... JMHO

Ya I suppose I will keep lookin for the perfect shape donor with a bad motor and trans.I have a big ford with a 460 done right and love the power.I love the looks of the 94 to 97 rams but want my simple carbed 460 with tons of power.I want it as a DD with 5 inches of lift and 33s but other than that all stock.With the exception of under the hood.

IIRC you don't need 5" of lift to fit 33's on those trucks, just a 2" leveler for the front... just a thought, but I could be wrong...

I dont beleave the 5 inches is needed,however it does serve a nice look factor.

I dont beleave the 5 inches is needed,however it does serve a nice look factor.
eeek. run away run away