Hi- I'm starting a project to transplant a 2002 Dodge 3/4ton chasis with 5.9 Cummins and auto trans under 1959 Dodge 1/2 ton truck sheetmetal. I'm not a mechanic, and am more or less winging it to a large degree, but have some help from an expert mech and fabricator. Here are some initial questions:
1) What do you recommend for replacement gas tank-- frame shortening requires replacement of original tank with probably a lot smaller tank.
2) Axle width on '02 is about 2" wider than the '59. What's the solution: Shorten axels, use offset wheels, widen fenders slightly, don't worry about width issue? Offest wheels seem to be most reasonable and cost effective solution, suggestions on source of wheels?
3) '59 firewall will have to be modified and dash won't accomodate nearly as much junk as the '02. Will probably need to replace AC underdash components with aftermarket unit. Any recommendations?
4) Will proabably need new guages (I like the Dolphin brand guages), but will replacement guages require new wiring harness. Similarly, I probably won't be runnign all the original accessories, so, will I need to have someone like painless build a harness to my specific needs?
5) Can carrier bearing go when wheel base on doner '02 is shortened?
Well, you can probably see that I'm stretching my limits of knowledge and expertise, hope the questions don't sound to niave, but I'm just trying to tackle some of the most basic questions/issues so my mechanic doesn't have to waste his time (and my money) researching stuff I can research. Any help/comments/leads on info are appreciated. Thanks
1) What do you recommend for replacement gas tank-- frame shortening requires replacement of original tank with probably a lot smaller tank.
2) Axle width on '02 is about 2" wider than the '59. What's the solution: Shorten axels, use offset wheels, widen fenders slightly, don't worry about width issue? Offest wheels seem to be most reasonable and cost effective solution, suggestions on source of wheels?
3) '59 firewall will have to be modified and dash won't accomodate nearly as much junk as the '02. Will probably need to replace AC underdash components with aftermarket unit. Any recommendations?
4) Will proabably need new guages (I like the Dolphin brand guages), but will replacement guages require new wiring harness. Similarly, I probably won't be runnign all the original accessories, so, will I need to have someone like painless build a harness to my specific needs?
5) Can carrier bearing go when wheel base on doner '02 is shortened?
Well, you can probably see that I'm stretching my limits of knowledge and expertise, hope the questions don't sound to niave, but I'm just trying to tackle some of the most basic questions/issues so my mechanic doesn't have to waste his time (and my money) researching stuff I can research. Any help/comments/leads on info are appreciated. Thanks
eelout
