I miss having a truck...

[Greg]

All said, I think that in order to get what I really want, I'd have to build it. I'd rather avoid another project and at this point I'm not committing to anything... but I'm really digging the idea of a 4 door Dodge Dakota with a Cummins 4BT, 700R4, NP241 and doing a solid axle swap using a Ford HP Dana 44 front and Ford 9" rear. Run Ford radius arms on the front with 14" coilovers and Alcan leafs in the back.

4 Door Dakotas with junk 4.7 engines are popping up all over the place, there are several on KSL around $4k. Picture something like this, with a SAS on 35's (37's??) and a 4BT rattling under the hood. :greg:

 

[Hickey]

I'm sold on that. Get Kurt's motor. I've always liked that body and think more should be lifted and wheeled.

 

[Greg]

I'm sold on that. Get Kurt's motor. I've always liked that body and think more should be lifted and wheeled.

Me too... HONESTLY I don't want a project, but the more I think about that build, the more I really like it.

 

[Tacoma]

You THINK you like the idea of a 4bt in there. SHAKE SHAKE SHAKE! Look into mcinfantry's M715 build, he ran one on 4.56's, 39's, NV4500, etc. and was displeased to a high degree w/the highway performance. Seemed to like it on the trail alright though..

Also take a look at the sheet I posted in general, note the "clutch engagement torque", and at what ridiculously low rpm that is-- building a 700r4 to take that will be interesting.

Carry on.

 

[Greg]

You THINK you like the idea of a 4bt in there. SHAKE SHAKE SHAKE! Look into mcinfantry's M715 build, he ran one on 4.56's, 39's, NV4500, etc. and was displeased to a high degree w/the highway performance. Seemed to like it on the trail alright though..

Also take a look at the sheet I posted in general, note the "clutch engagement torque", and at what ridiculously low rpm that is-- building a 700r4 to take that will be interesting.

Carry on.

I love the IDEA of a 4BT... :greg: I realize they aren't for everyone and if there were a better option, I'd consider it.

I wouldn't be the first to put a 700R4 behind a 4BT, it's been done many times over. You think a 4L80e would be the ticket? That = $$$$. A NV4500 would be nice, but overkill and the gear ratios are a bit off.... and I'm lazy and an auto sounds great.

 

[Tacoma]

4L80e's are pretty pricey, as I'm finding out-- the buy-in costs, the rebuild costs, a standalone computer costs (I'll be going full manual). The rebuild is literally double the price of a TH400 at a shop, so I guess I get to learn how to rebuild transmissions! weeee

No, you won't be the first to put a 700r4 behind a 4bt, I just have zero faith in that transmission holding up worth half a sh*t-- mine is going again, with no abuse, a beat-to-death 350 in front of it, and a reputable rebuild. hence my 4L80e.

You are a weirdo to like 4bts. But it will be a neat build if you go that way.

 

[Greg]

4L80e's are pretty pricey, as I'm finding out-- the buy-in costs, the rebuild costs, a standalone computer costs (I'll be going full manual). The rebuild is literally double the price of a TH400 at a shop, so I guess I get to learn how to rebuild transmissions! weeee

No, you won't be the first to put a 700r4 behind a 4bt, I just have zero faith in that transmission holding up worth half a sh*t-- mine is going again, with no abuse, a beat-to-death 350 in front of it, and a reputable rebuild. hence my 4L80e.

You are a weirdo to like 4bts. But it will be a neat build if you go that way.

Yep, 4L80e's are stupid-expensive. I'm looking at a 4BT that already has the Chevy adapter behind it, so I'm basing my options on that. I'd prefer an auto over a manual and HOPE a nicely built 700R4 would be reliable, but that's a shot in the dark.

For you (which I'm sure you're well aware of ) - http://www.monstertrans.com/store/c...arts/GM-Chevrolet/4L80E/Monster-Rebuild-Kits/

 

[Stephen]

All said, I think that in order to get what I really want, I'd have to build it. I'd rather avoid another project and at this point I'm not committing to anything... but I'm really digging the idea of a 4 door Dodge Dakota with a Cummins 4BT, 700R4, NP241 and doing a solid axle swap using a Ford HP Dana 44 front and Ford 9" rear. Run Ford radius arms on the front with 14" coilovers and Alcan leafs in the back.

4 Door Dakotas with junk 4.7 engines are popping up all over the place, there are several on KSL around $4k. Picture something like this, with a SAS on 35's (37's??) and a 4BT rattling under the hood. :greg:

I have a buddy (newtoy here on RME) who had one of these for a number of years. Bone stock, but it was a very comfortable vehicle and went most places he was willing to point it. Built the way you are proposing I think it would be down right Bad-A.

 

[Greg]

I have a buddy (newtoy here on RME) who had one of these for a number of years. Bone stock, but it was a very comfortable vehicle and went most places he was willing to point it. Built the way you are proposing I think it would be down right Bad-A.

Good to know Stephen, comfort is a good thing, as it's easy to spend multiple long days in a vehicle while traveling offroad.

 

[Tacoma]

Monster was my first stop for info

If you need a good core 700, let me know. I've still got a couple here.

 

[iamsparticus]

i have seen a 4 door dakota we wheeled with him in moab 2 years ago at EJS. he was on the cover a Petersens 4wheel mag several months later. It was a early 2000's had coils front and rear and dana 60 up front and back ,4.7 V8 for the engine, tranny was auto and transfercase was a NP 231. He had 35's
Heres a pic.

 

[1\4elliptic toy]

FWIW, I have bought 2 trannys from Monster, both still working awesome to this day.

 

[Bart]

I went through all of these thoughts when buying my last truck. Thought I could do without a truck at all, that didn't work. Got a sweet little 91 Chev, but that was underpowered, and the interior outdated.

Sold that and for not a lot extra got my 99 Dodge V10. I have to agree, I'm amazed at how cheap the interior is, especially compared to the 97 and 01 Ford Superduty's I owned. I am in the process of replacing the ball joints and TREs also.

My decision was based on price and what I really used the truck for. I only put about 4K a year on the truck so I had a hard time justifying a diesel. The V10 has ok power, but nothing like an oil burner, but the annual cost to own one makes up for the difference in fuel mileage, and I love the turning radius of the Dodge over the Ford that needed a small parking lot to navigate a U turn.

I got into my 139k V 10, ext cab, short bed for $4300. It fits the bill nicely. YMMV. Good luck.

 

[ricsrx]

I have to agree, I'm amazed at how cheap the interior is, especially compared to the 97 and 01 Ford Superduty's I owned. I am in the process of replacing the ball joints and TREs also.

I can only add more of what you have been hearing allready.
If i slam the door hard on my 04 dodge cummins, at least two interior panels will fall off, the seats suck, every time i get into the seats of my old 94 ford im ready to get some for the dodge, dont push the window button to hard becase the button trim will pop out of the door, I have also replaced the ball joints.
but if i hook it to my house it will pull it off the foundation.......

 

[Bart]

I can only add more of what you have been hearing allready.
If i slam the door hard on my 04 dodge cummins, at least two interior panels will fall off, the seats suck, every time i get into the seats of my old 94 ford im ready to get some for the dodge, dont push the window button to hard becase the button trim will pop out of the door, I have also replaced the ball joints.
but if i hook it to my house it will pull it off the foundation.......

Great points. I forgot to add comments on my seats, they really bring the suck. It's like sitting on a tilted board (outside bolster non existent) with material on it. I am looking for a different seat for the front. The map lights don't work at all, in fact they mostly flop and rattle around. I could go on, but why. I still like the truck for the price.

 

[iamsparticus]

i think most would agree that the dodge trucks have good motors for the most part but they bring the suck for quality interior and exterior. I have driven several and id never get one but thats just me. A 90's ford truck with a 4BT in it sounds cool to me

 

[I Lean]

Saw this today....kinda appropriate, based on my FJ80-truck comment from before. :greg:

 

[SAMI]

Funny, I posted that on FB a day or so ago..

 

[I Lean]

Funny, I posted that on FB a day or so ago..

I don't see how I could have possibly known that....

 

[Kiel]

I don't want to be the downer here, but I think you should stick with a stock engine setup no matter how cool it is. The last thing you probably need or want is an older project truck that needs to be reliable, but can't get parts for at the autozone when you have to becaue its part bread truck part newer truck and part older truck with custom wiring left and right. Besides its more fun to be using the truck then to be building it. And you won't get your money out of the truck when you DO SELL IT. Your wife will thank you too.