MADDOG403Aug 18, 2011, 11:36pm, thor209 wrote:
come on dodge truck guys I got a 1974 extended cab that I need tips on.
I have never seen a 70's or 80's dodge make or take more than a couple of hits! With that being said I have never looked at one really close either
99XI've seen a 80s dodge win one and helped biuld it but it was all luck and it was a few years ago. It bent EVERYWHERE! They aren't the best mabe run in a chain and bang truck class and that's about it. JMO tho
Mewes5xi disagree with everything above!. yeah there not goin to hold up goin head on with a one ton.. but build right they compete and last 6 or more shows easy.. *need to know how to build them tho*
Remington75i just picked up a 68 3/4 ton hoping it holds up for a while
Maddog403 Aug 20, 2011, 9:21am, mewes5x wrote:
i disagree with everything above!. yeah there not goin to hold up goin head on with a one ton.. but build right they compete and last 6 or more shows easy.. *need to know how to build them tho*
Maddog403You can build ANYTHING to be strong! If you are on the tips thread then that probably means that you are not going to put the time into a junk dodge to make it stronger! Trucks are cheap and scrap is high, If I had a mid 70s or newer dodge I would pull some parts off it, scrap it and find something better!
137Got one in the yard with 5 runs on it still straight..
Truck SmasherI would take a 70's to early 80's Dodge after anything. I have ran many of them and done well. Just like anything you need to start with a good base, not a pile of rust.
As for tips, weld all that you can, including frame mounts for cab and suspension.
Change all body bolts- I run 10 bed bolts, and then the 4 in the cab, and 2 up front through core support. Most all are 1" pinned through the frame.
Build a good cage about 6 to 8 inches off the floor.
Build a good gas tank protector tied into your cage.
Add leafs front and rear and clamp tight.
I like my tailgate in stock location welded solid, inside and out. Some like to slide them down.
I also like to remove the rear bumper and run without one.
Shorten the front frame and hard nose bumper.
You can weld your box to the cab also, but I don't.
Under tuck your box and weld it up.
Change out steering with some u-joints.
Longer trucks are not better,just bigger targets.
That's all I can think of right now, I add more if I can think of any.
mewes5xAug 22, 2011, 1:00am, MADDOG403 wrote:
You can build ANYTHING to be strong! If you are on the tips thread then that probably means that you are not going to put the time into a junk dodge to make it stronger! Trucks are cheap and scrap is high, If I had a mid 70s or newer dodge I would pull some parts off it, scrap it and find something better!
theres nothing wrong with 72 to 92/3 dodges.. there not the best out there but will eat a chevy up any day the week in the front!
CatScratchRead through this and I'm getting mixed signals about how well a Dodge truck can do. I think it is because of differing build rules. I'm going to ask this as straight forward as I can so that you guys can give me your opinions (and I realize what opinions are but let them fly anyway):
Stock build: stock bumpers, only sheet metal welding is on the doors and gate 5in on 5in off skip welding, can change cab/bed mounting bolts, 4 bar cage in cab, and change drivetrain to Chevy if I want. 2 wheel drives only, no front straight axles.
With these rules how will a 70's-80's Dodge 3/4 ton compare to same years Chevy 3/4 tons?
Thanks.
jbsmashtymeThey can compete just fine with Chevy. I have ran a 1990 dodge 1/2 ton truck 6 times now. The last two times did not really count much due to only making only one hit each time. Got hung up and broke drive shaft and broken tranny the second time
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