My D440 project

[C Body Bob]

Ok I didnt know if I should post this here or in the General section. Mods you can move it if necessary. This is my 87 D150 shortbed Ram. I thought you guys would like to follow along as I slowly progress. It started life as a slant 6 auto. Had a 318 put in it & now has a 440 auto in it. I bought it from a friend. He did the 440 swap. He used 1977 mounts. It looks stock other than the headers. Runs good. I have owned this 2 years. It has the slant 6 springs in the front & is a hadfull to drive in a turn. I bought a rear shackle kit that is supposed to drop the rear 2 inches. I will remove the stiff flat spring. I also bought a 8 3/4 rear from a 72 D100. The perches on it are a 1/2 inch lower so all of that should drop the rear 3 inches. I plan to put an aluminum intake on it. I bought a Eddy Performer & an aluminum water pump housing. It has the stock computer mounted to the fender that probably is a pound or two. ANd it currently has 2 A/C compressors. I'm going to make the slant 6 compressor work on the 440 because its a Sanden that is lighter & less parasitic drag. So removing the stock one that came with the 440 should loose a bit more weight. That should get at least 70 pounds off the nose. Hopefull this will help the handling as the truck will be more balanced. Here are some pics. Oh yea its fast for a stock 440

 

[C Body Bob]

D440

It had a bench seat in it. I took that out & installed a pair of buckets from a RamCharger. I also got the center console. Have not mounted it yet. I would get some pics of the buckets, but the truck is full of parts. Maybe one day as I get further along

 

[C Body Bob]

D440

Today I worked on the rear end. I bought a 3:91 sure grip for it. That ought to make that ole 440 move that truck

 

[1978 NYB]

Nice truck project.

 

[detmatt]

You're going to blaze the tires right off that thing! Sweet project, love those trucks!

 

[live4theking]

Sounds like it's going to be one heck of a parts chaser... LOL

 

[C Body Bob]

Haha. That's for sure. And gas is chesp right now too

 

[commando1]

I really like that truck. Simple, clean, classic.

 

[67-Fury]

Great Project Bob, looks like you are going for a bit of a sleeper vibe?

 

[LocuMob]

I really like that truck. Simple, clean, classic.

X2, but you forgot to add sleeper!

 

[C Body Bob]

I have a vision for it. It will be a bit of a sleeper

 

[polara71]

Very cool C B B ....A gear vendors overdrive would be a nice addition to the drivetrain

 

[C Body Bob]

Yea I thought about that.

 

[polara71]

Yea I thought about that.

Do it! I'm planning on one going under my convertible. If you're going to put some miles under it, why not.? If it's an around the town cruiser, maybe not. But with those 391s I think it couldn't hurt

 

[C Body Bob]

Those things are about $3500 bucks aren't they? Plus I'm sure there will be some fab work involved. Two of my buds want to buy it LoL. I want to drive it some after I get the rear swapped & the 3:91's in. Haven't thought that far out yet.

 

[C Body Bob]

Pic of the buckets

A guy way way way across the other side of town was parting out some Dodge trucks. So I rode over one saturday & got the seats, console & some other stuff. And put the seats in the D440.

 

[C Body Bob]

D440

I've got the bed off right now. Had to remove the fuel tank & also figured it would be eaiser to change the rear. Plus I want to put in a drive shaft safety loop. And maybe fab some kind of sheild for the fuel tank. The drive shaft runs right along the side of the big plastic fuel tank. Incase I do a track time with it. I have seen too many cars break driveshafts at the track. Oh yea I painted the frame rails. Will install a larger fuel line too

 

[furyus 67]

Nice project Bob!! Me and a buddy just pulled a 318 out of an 87 and put the 318/904 that came out of the my fury back in it! No tire burner but fun none the less! He's was looking into putting some lower control arms from a b-series van on it. Supposed to net 3" of drop(deeper spring pockets)and retain stock drivability.

 

[C Body Bob]

That's what I hear on the B series controll arms. My dropped when the 440 was bolted down.

 

[C Body Bob]

Paint

Well I finally got some paint on the rear housing. More rain comming this afternoon so I waned to get this & a set of valve covers done.