Posted by Garrett on April 27, 1999 at 21:43:05:
I have been asking so many questions about my 77 PW that maybe someone could help me with problems I am going to encounter along the way- or for that matter for someone looking to buildup one of their own Power Wagon's. Well here it goes. Input on anything would be great.
--Currently--
ENG: 360 bored .10 over, performer intake, Holley Pro-Jection TBI, rebuilt 15k ago
TRANS: TorqueFlite 727 auto with 2200-stall converter
TRANSFER CASE: NP 203 With Mile Marker part time kit
FRONT AXLE: Stock Dana 44 With Mile Marker Part time hubs, 3.55 gears, Open diff., rebuilt 3k ago
REAR AXLE: Stock Chrysler 9.25", 3.55 gears, Custer posi, 11x3 drum brakes
WHEELS: 15x10 Chrome Steel
TIRES: 36x14.5 Kelly Safari A/T's
SUSPENSION: Rancho 3.5” lift springs front re-arched Duster springs rear with 4” tapered blocks and add-a-leafs rear, latter bars
OTHER MODS: 3/4 ton drive shafts, all custom gauges (Minus the speedometer and it’s broke), 78 grille, scoop, and radiator support (rusting), Roll Bar with 2 lights, 6" sealed pipe bumpers, custom made hitch, Grant GT steering wheel, Kenwood stereo
PROBLEMS: Bed hits cab, rear left side of bed dented, rear stake holes cracked, tailgate rattles, hood shakes (no support), dented rocker panels, rusted cab floor, dented fire wall, cracked front fenders at the grille, no windshield wipers, the old molding I am getting rid of the molding so I have the mounting tabs (I don’t know what they are called) there and it will screw me up,
PAINT: Stock, scratched, worn out Metallic Green
FIRST IMPRESSION: When I originally bought the truck, I wanted just to wheel it hard and not do a frame up. Finding the rust in the floor changed my mind.
NOW: The truck is in pieces all over my yard. I want to continue where the last owner left off with the on-board air and replacing the gears.
--Plans—
ENG: Leave it alone (would like a 340 or a 426 some day)
TRANS: Leave it alone (wish it were a 4spd)
TRANSFER CASE: Would like an Off-Road design 203 to 205 Tc setup to eliminate the chain
FRONT AXLE: Stock Dana 44 With 81-83 Dodge, 72-91 Chevy, or Ford ¾ ton knuckles, 4.10 or 4.56 gears, ARB Air Locker, Warn Hubs
REAR AXLE: Dodge 1 ton Dana 70 dually (converted to single wheel), 4.10 or 4.56 gears, ARB Air locker
WHEELS: 15x10 or 16.5x9.75 black steel (would like 15x10)
TIRES: Would like 38.5x14.5” Super Swapper SX’S, but due to the lack of derivability I may get 35x12.5 BFG Mud or Goodyear Mud. 36” or 38” radial Hawgs also ran across my mind due to their long life.
SUSPENSION: I NEED HELP WITH MY FRONT SUSPENSION, re-arched Duster springs rear with 4” tapered blocks and add-a-leafs rear (replace with nationals one day), latter bars
OTHER MODS: Speedometer, 79 cab (already bought, can’t get the heater out), 80 bed (maybe), replace the front clip (maybe), install the on-board air, possibly a rear tire mount that held Jerry cans that could be removed easily, a camper shell, front receiver hitch flipped up-side-down (above the bumper) to be used with a winch, leather 6 way electric bench seat out of a 65 Imperial (Have tons of parts for anyone in need), cut-out fender flares, re-designed gauge arrangement (put the tachometer where the stereo is) and dron the stereo down to below the dash, a 12 disk changer, snorkel, raised vent lines,
PAINT: Stock Metallic Green (any suggestions would be nice)
I have had thoughts before about the 413 I have sitting around, a Dana 60 front (too hard to find), a grille guard, roll cage, 120 power with the 12 (RV style), custom home built center console with coffee maker and cd compartment, a RV-style bed with a shell for long trips (say… across the country in 3 months)
I don’t know what else to add- but there are always more to the process of building a perfect truck. Anything that would be good on my truck, you like, or any comments at all would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for all those who respond to this message. I will be sure to post a picture as soon as I find one without me in it. Thanks Garrett