Mods
74 Dodge W-200 chassis with a 96 Dakota cab, 2.5 "amc" engine, and ax-5 5spd. On-board air by using an a/c compressor, air dump box, air tailgate and fittings to run air tools in the woods. Subaru turbo and hood stack. Double stack of 3/4 ton springs. Divorce transfer case to stock W-200 axles with a welded rear diff (Lincoln Locker). Hitch and winch electrical mounts front and rear. "Custom" deck board front fenders with a reverse opening osb/T-111 hood and 2x12 box sides/ floor/ tailgate. 31x15.50 R15 ag tires
Build story
I needed an off road dump truck and I had a good running 2wd 96 dakota with a rotten frame and a W-200 rolling chassis with no body. So I combined the two using mostly dodge parts and scrap. The dakota's 2.5 amc 4 cyl and 5spd easily fit in place of the 400ci, I just didn't want to feed it gas hourly. But the amc just didn't have the ass to get 3 yards of stone/dirt moving without riding the clutch out. So I threw on a subaru turbo for 10ish psi of boost and plenty of detonation. \r
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I used an a/c compressor for air, i put a few quarts of oil in the first air tank so it's pressure pushes the oil back into the compressor. It builds air faster than any air brake vehicle I've seen. Along with a bunch of valves and switches I'm able to dump anything I can put in the box. The box frame I cut off a big ass trailer and the air bags/ lines/ valves/ switches/ air horn/ and tailgate air cylinder I got from an old school bus. \r
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I originally put on some old bias ply dry rotten mud hogs with front chains, but since upgraded to the big ag tires I bought for real cheap, it won't get stuck unless it runs out of power. Rebuilt the steering box which I don't recommend attempting (don't drop the balls), and keep the stock drum brakes adjusted up tight. Parking brake is custom dog runner cable with a clothesline turnbuckle. Believe it or not it drives like any old dodge, just not very fast, or comfortable.\r
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To make it functional and driveable only took one month, but I've been tinkering and upgrading ever since. Total cost to date for the build is just under $2000, the steel wheels and pressure treated lumber was the biggest expense. Sorry Peg- I couldn't take the mint, mint, mint, mint rain cap anymore so it got a curved stack. I don't wash and wax, I spray with used oil...
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I used an a/c compressor for air, i put a few quarts of oil in the first air tank so it's pressure pushes the oil back into the compressor. It builds air faster than any air brake vehicle I've seen. Along with a bunch of valves and switches I'm able to dump anything I can put in the box. The box frame I cut off a big ass trailer and the air bags/ lines/ valves/ switches/ air horn/ and tailgate air cylinder I got from an old school bus. \r
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I originally put on some old bias ply dry rotten mud hogs with front chains, but since upgraded to the big ag tires I bought for real cheap, it won't get stuck unless it runs out of power. Rebuilt the steering box which I don't recommend attempting (don't drop the balls), and keep the stock drum brakes adjusted up tight. Parking brake is custom dog runner cable with a clothesline turnbuckle. Believe it or not it drives like any old dodge, just not very fast, or comfortable.\r
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To make it functional and driveable only took one month, but I've been tinkering and upgrading ever since. Total cost to date for the build is just under $2000, the steel wheels and pressure treated lumber was the biggest expense. Sorry Peg- I couldn't take the mint, mint, mint, mint rain cap anymore so it got a curved stack. I don't wash and wax, I spray with used oil...