89 RAM 50 4g swap "Validation Plan"

[PLDSM]

This is the Build Thread for 89 RAM 50 4g swap "Validation Plan". Reply below.

 

[PLDSM]

Picked up this project around a year and its about time to get into it and turn this into a street monster. Plans for the truck are as follows.

2.3l stroker 4g63
T56 6 speed trans with bell housing adapter
Top mount manifold with a holset hx40
FRH intake manifold with wilson tb
Custom intercooler and piping setup
Big injectors
Fuel cell with intank pump
Ford 8.8 narrowed
Caltrac setup in the rear
Boxed in frame
Custom tunnel, motor and trans mounts and a whole lot more. Stay tuned for updates.

 

[Dusty Landrum]

Soooo sexy..

 

[Sweetjp]

Really excited to see how the t56 does. I'm currently doing a rwd swap myself with an AR5 trans but i scored a 2.4 6 bolt narrow block at the yard recently im gonna build to go in later and was thinking of going to a t56 for some added overdrive.

 

[PLDSM]

Really excited to see how the t56 does. I'm currently doing a rwd swap myself with an AR5 trans but i scored a 2.4 6 bolt narrow block at the yard recently im gonna build to go in later and was thinking of going to a t56 for some added overdrive.

Sweet! Yea the t56 is pretty bulky so to set the correct driveline angle a trans tunnel will for sure be needed. A friend of mine has a t56 in his ls swapped c10 and he loves it so why not, being a 6 speed is great as well as parts are not hard to find so thats a plus.. looking forward to see how that ar5 works for you.

 

[Sweetjp]

Yeah you just gotta either have some super low gearing or super down low grunt to pull 6th. That's either a .62 or .50 overdrive and alot of guys can't pull it or have boost creep issues. So curious how that 2.3 will handle it.

 

[PLDSM]

Yeah you just gotta either have some super low gearing or super down low grunt to pull 6th. That's either a .62 or .50 overdrive and alot of guys can't pull it or have boost creep issues. So curious how that 2.3 will handle it.

Copy that. Will let you know in a few months when its done and driveable.

 

[PLDSM]

Worked on getting the back half of the frame repaired and braced as well as got the ford 8.8 shortened and rebuilt. Now just have to set drive line angle up front so i can weld on the new perches on the rear axle.

Also built some wheel cribs so its easier to take out and put in the trans as well as redo the tunnel and establish the angles.

 

[92AWDHX40]

Should be a fun build man, ill check it out soon .

 

[PLDSM]

Fuel cell placement established, going to modify the cell i have and make the hanger for the intank pump setup.. currently thinking of just a single walbro 525 hellcat pump which has been pretty well proven in my 1g. And run some 8an feed and retun lines and call it a day.

Also got the mock up motor and trans in its final position. Trans tunnel has been cut(will still need to cut back half). Working on making some motor mounts and a trans mount. Final position is roughly 1 degree of driveline angle, which is what i was shooting for.

 

[PLDSM]

Lot more welding and fab work done today on the truck today. Engine mounts complete, trans mount complete, perches welded on the rear axles as well as tabs for the rear brake lines and the rear shock mount plates welded in.. big team effort thanks to my buddy Dan and his mig and tig. My current mig setup is for 110 and welding all the 1/4" steel is easier to weld with 220. Alot better penetration. Buddy got to practice with his tig while i was using the mig on the parts.

 

[PLDSM]

Rear axle and misc other pieces painted. Axle mounted as well as filled up with gear lube. Rear shock mounts made and top stop made for fuel cell.. next will be to modify fuel call and work on trans tunnel.

 

[PLDSM]

Back half of the frame painted, shocks installed, fuel cell mount/skid plate painted. Caliper getting painted then going to make the rear brake line, start working on the fuel cell and keep at it with the trans tunnel.

 

[KB90TSIAWD]

This build is lookin mean man! keep posting updates!

 

[PLDSM]

This build is lookin mean man! keep posting updates!

Thanks man.. yea so far its been alot of work, no light at the end of the tunnel yet but the vision is there.

 

[Mech Addict]

Dodge truck and DSM: can’t argue with that combo! Nice call on a stoker motor. Fab work looks top-notch. Pickups and ladder frames do give a little more breathing room to modify, but this is simply impressive.

 

[PLDSM]

Dodge truck and DSM: can’t argue with that combo! Nice call on a stoker motor. Fab work looks top-notch. Pickups and ladder frames do give a little more breathing room to modify, but this is simply impressive.

Thanks, lot more updates to come and more fab work thats for sure.

 

[PLDSM]

Not a ton of progress completed in the last couple weeks but the wiring for the most part is out of the way in the engine bay. Also started half ass prepping the bay for paint. More to come

 

[PLDSM]

Long night today, front of trans tunnel created. All i can say is that was a breeze. My good friend Dan came over and helped as usual since im down one hand. Took us longer to finish our beers then make the tunnel. Check out this ingenuity.

Template created

Tools aquired for forming the tunnel.

Formed, cleaned up and ready for mock up.

In its new place, still need to do some forming tapping to weld it to the firewall on the bay side but gettin there.

 

[Mech Addict]

Creative use of welding gear!

 

[PLDSM]

Creative use of welding gear!

Yes sir, whatever gets the job done. Alot easier to do fab work when you actually have proper tooling but have to improvise and think on the fly most of the time.

 

[92AWDHX40]

Looking forward to seeing it .

 

[PLDSM]

Trans trunnel to fire wall formed into place and welded up.

 

[PLDSM]

Old rear trans tunnel cut out. Template made and mid section made. Have to still fully welded it from the inside and out but some progress made.

 

[PLDSM]

Tie in pieces made to the trans tunnel for both sides, bracket/hanger for the power steering pump made and tapped new holes in the frame for bigger bolts to hold the trans mount in place. Working on an underside brace/driveshaft hoop to stiffen the floor up even more even tho it doesnt really need it.