Dodge Power Wagon build (x2)

[Unimog]

I don't see how you could successfully hone that. It might bore out. Check out what the specs are for the current sleeves and oversized pistons before trying.

 

[xjtony]

Thanks for all the input guys. Kind of how I was leaning as well. It's going in my kids truck so we are going to do it right. I checked today and pistons and rings are available off the shelf up to .060 overbore. Everything else looks really good other than a little surface rust here and there. To the machine shop we go!

 

[Magerdgr]

Count me in on the “bore it” side. Typically if you can catch your fingernail on it it needs bored.

 

[xjtony]

Got the block to the machine shop yesterday. Rebuilding the heads, boring the block and hot tanking it. Picked up these on the way home for mine. A little Freiburgered with dents here and there but that's just optimized for peak power.

 

[xjtony]

The plan is slowly coming together. I still have some fittings and little stuff to install it but it's going to look cool!



I still need to wrap the headers and build a 2.5 inch exhaust, but I now have most of the stuff needed for the engine part of the build. The axle swap, suspension, Atlas and 5 speed swap will all kind of happen together, but that will probably wait until we get the block back for my son's truck and get it built.

 

[xjtony]

Got to spend a little time in the garage today. After a TON of grinding (as you can see by the dust everywhere) the D60 is cleaned up from the truss and the 4 link stuff. I am getting lucky with this one. Placing the leaf perch in the same spot as the cast in one I end up within 1/4 inch of where the leafs will fall in their stock location.

I still need to rebuild the kingpins, install the new hi steer arms and hardware and rebuild the knuckles but it's close to ready to mock up under the truck

 

[xjtony]

I love it when a plan starts coming together.

Fuel injection stuff

Bubble flare tool

Got one of the headers wrapped. Real PITA

 

[xjtony]

The -6 AN fittings are way overkill but I had them laying around.

 

[xjtony]

Well my kid and one of his friends got the old 318 out of his truck, stripped everything out of the engine bay and got it painted and ready for the new block. They asked a few questions but overall did it by themselves. He even organized all the hardware in bags. It's nice when you see your kid has picked up some of the things that you've taught them over the years. Unfortunately my garage looks like a homeless hurricane hit, so he picked that up too lol

 

[xjtony]

Lots of stuff coming together for both trucks.

Got the block and heads back from Hunter Machine. Bored .060 over. Heads are completely rebuilt, new pistons and rings. Just waiting on the bearings and it can start going back together.

Ran down to GJ last weekend to pick up a bed for my son's truck and came home with a set of doors that are much less rusty than mine.

 

[xjtony]

It's been a minute with graduation and being sick but the .060 318 is going back together.

Got the crank in today.


Still need to press the wrist pins and we have one set of rings that need to be opened a few thou, but it'll go together pretty quick after that.

 

[xjtony]

Finally got some time to work on the 318 (332. The boy likes to make sure to add that .060 over lol). Between his graduation, being sick, my neice getting married in Alaska and a bout of the BA5 there hasn't been much time. Waiting on parts has been a challenge as well.

Pistons all installed and moving freely. Cam is in and we should have the timing chain and cover on tomorrow.

 

[xjtony]

After some really hard soul searching I've decided that my Power Wagon project will be continuing, but along a much different path. We are trying to get a new business off the ground and my physical health has deteriorated to the point that another full build is no longer in the picture. I have too many projects to finish and the time has come to let some things go. Avery's truck is well on its way to being done and mine will get worked on too, but as more of a stockish build. It'll keep the stock axles, transmission and transfercase, but the 1 ton swap, atlas, ax15, and coilovers will not happen. Basically my time crawling is coming to an end. This choice has been a very hard one for me because I've been building and crawling rigs for most of my adult life and I've had a great time with all of you guys out on the trail for years but that chapter of my life is coming to a close. Don't get me wrong the PW will still be out and about on some mild to moderate trails sometimes (she has 3/4 ton axles and a 205). That being said I will be posting lots of good crawler parts here for sale here in the near future.

 

[mbryson]

Bummer on the truck but most importantly I hope your health issues start clearing up

 

[xjtony]

Haven't posted much but progress has been made.


Lift installed. It will settle a little still, but the exhaust is done and everything is going back in. Now to all the tedious stuff...

 

[xjtony]

Found another project today

86 or 87 Chrysler Laser. 2.2 turbo with a 5 speed. Been sitting since it got hard to shift into second gear....22 years ago. Still looks water tight, no real rust. Hopefully be a fun little commuter.

 

[Greg]

Found another project today
View attachment 154312
86 or 87 Plymouth Laser. 2.2 turbo with a 5 speed. Been sitting since it got hard to shift into second gear....22 years ago. Still looks water tight, not real rust. Hopefully be a fun little commuter.

Hmmm... @TurboMinivan might like to see that.

 

[Mouse]

Those little turbo 2.2's have a lot of potential. Seen some on the drag strip (90's) pulling some quick times

 

[xjtony]

It looks like a good barn find so far. I've got to pick it up this weekend. If everything is as solid as it appears I will be building it some. Parts are fairly cheap and from my research 300 hp is not out of the question with them.

 

[Tonkaman]

It looks like a good barn find so far. I've got to pick it up this weekend. If everything is as solid as it appears I will be building it some. Parts are fairly cheap and from my research 300 hp is not out of the question with them.

It’s definitely a sleeper car. Nobody expects that much boogie out of an old Chrysler especially one they likely haven’t heard of.

I had a ‘92 laser which is the newer body style and 2.0. With minimal work it was a 500hp axle snapping demon 😎