1978 Dodge Adventurer Crew Cab

[chriscarroll.ogre]

different?

cant say i've seen a '70's or '80's 4by dodge crewy here yet....

Well, different than just another 4x4 - CCarroll

[disabled modeler]

Well, different than just another 4x4 - CCarroll

A local guy has a mid/late 70s Dodge crew cab short bed 3/4 ton 2wd truck he is restoring....there rare trucks one just does not see them that often.  Most were ether built for Forestry service...Rail road use...etc.  The one we had when I was a kid was a 75..?  Crew 2wd long bed 3/4 ton one with a camper top on it.  I love odd stuff.

[72 Charger]

This is the first coat of primer . Most of this will be sanded off to get the body perfect . The tailgate has been stripped of most of the old paint just the small amount in the corners then this will get primed also.

Next I will be filling the body the roof mainly . Their is still a lot for work to do to get the door frame correct on the rear doors . But we are making progress

Feel free to comment

Thanks

[mchook]

This is going to be nice. I like it being a 2wd myself, it's just different. I did a 1 ton duallie extended cab years ago, it was my first time stretching everything but didn't come out to bad. Get ready for lots of sanding & good luck, I can't wait to see it done.

 

[426-Hemi]

Mark,

I LOVE the Dualie!!!!! NICE job!

Edited December 21, 2016 by 426-Hemi
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[426-Hemi]

Dave, that truck looks GREAT in primer too BTW!!!!! NICE work on the body work!

[72 Charger]

Thanks guys Mark That is a nice Dualie  I would also like to say I love the camper in the rear too . I have been looking for the camper kit forever and I have never had the chance to get one . I may try to scratch build one for this build

The body is still being sanded  Tail gate will get primed next then I can drill for the hinge pins

[mchook]

Thanks guys, Dave the camper was scratch built. It's just an empty shell, not too hard to do at all. It would look great on your truck, you should do it! 

 

[disabled modeler]

Very cool...I love the early 70s Dodge trucks...nice work gents.

[72 Charger]

That is really well built Mark . I like the off road bike . How did you attach the frame to the rear?

[dieseldawg142]

....

Edited May 10, 2018 by dieseldawg142

[mustang1989]

Mark: Nifty idea and you're right. I see a whole lot of body work, sanding  filling in your future.

Dan: I like those door handles.

[mchook]

That is really well built Mark . I like the off road bike . How did you attach the frame to the rear?

Thanks Dave, I built a tow hitch with a removable receiver so I could mount the frame for the bike, a ball or a step to get in the camper.

[72 Charger]

nice work on the cab so far Charger

dont know if your into it, but Chief Joseph has some really nice door handles, and there very reasonable price. i've made quite a few crews and i find it's a lot easier doing the bodywork without them in the way 

they just look better too!

Dan thay are nice and yes it would be a lot easier without the bumps on the cab .  

[72 Charger]

Thanks Dave, I built a tow hitch with a removable receiver so I could mount the frame for the bike, a ball or a step to get in the camper.

Mark that's cool . I was looking at the rear bumper today . Cant decide if to have the rounded one or the square step . I thought about mounting the rear bumper on brass rods so if I get around to making a camper I can swap later .

[426-Hemi]

Dave,

Some REALLY goooooooood ideas here for your truck thats forsure! 

[72 Charger]

The body work is well under way now. .The tail gate has hinge pins and is primed. I still don't have a clear picture of what this will be. I just want to get the body work ready then I will see what colour I want it to be so I'm open to ideas

[disabled modeler]

The body work is well under way now. .The tail gate has hinge pins and is primed. I still don't have a clear picture of what this will be. I just want to get the body work ready then I will see what colour I want it to be so I'm open to ideas

Dave....it just depends on what type of build your going for with it...me I am a factory stock kind of guy mostly myself...ether way it will look great...!

[72 Charger]

I am thinking Ex forces farm truck shop truck

[disabled modeler]

I am thinking Ex forces farm truck shop truck

I like the shop truck idea or the ex-forces idea...too many possibilities..LOL..   Loads of the real trucks were two-tone paint theme styles...we owned a couple over the years Id like to build replicas of.

[kilrathy10]

This is a cool project, Man....I like it.....Great job on the camper, as well.....I do think I'm going to have to do one of those.....Thanks for the idea......Excellent.....

[426-Hemi]

Thanks guys, Dave the camper was scratch built. It's just an empty shell, not too hard to do at all. It would look great on your truck, you should do it! 

-I'd KILL for the chrome Grille you have in that truck LOL '72 -'73......

[gatorincebu]

 

    Wow That looks great! Nicely done.

 

 

 

   Be Well

     Gator

[Dodge Driver]

Unlike the modern trucks of today, crew cab trucks from the 70's & 80's were considered work trucks and heavily used by governments and utility fleets. Many were 4wd, some were 2wd, but back then they were all at least a 3/4 heavy duty chassis. This being your build, it would and could be possible that some creative type builder went the lowered half ton route as well.

Will be interesting to see this one when it's done, you are off to a nice start!

Hi Dave!

 I agree with Mike's comment regarding the trucks as they came originally. D200 series, 3/4 ton,probably a Dana rear axle. A 440 was available in '74-'78 .

However, a Hemi-powered shop/crew truck would certainly be cool and unique!

Having messed around with the Red Express kit, I have some advice. Explore your oil pan options before choosing one. I had trouble doing an engine swap due to the oil pan. The pan hit the front crossmember and made the engine sit wrong. I'd say some trial-and-error is in order.

[Dodge Driver]

-I'd KILL for the chrome Grille you have in that truck LOL '72 -'73......

John, ebay seller "hoppersbazaar" sells that grille in white resin. You'd still have to chrome it, but you won't have to kill for it .