Project Crewcab Dually has begun.

[lugnutz]

Small update. I pulled the wheels off my truck and got the mounting flange measurement from the Dana 70.
Dana 70 Dually axle measurements:
Leaf spring centerline measurement is 43 3/16”
Wheel mounting flange is 72 ½”
Wheel offset is 7 7/8”

2003 (Drum brake) Dana 80 Dually measurements:
Leaf spring centerline measurement is 43 3/16”
Wheel mounting flange is 72 5/16”
Wheel offset 7 7/8”

Which means, the wheel mounting distance on the Dana 80 is 1/8” narrower than the 1st Gen Dana 70 and not enough to make any difference.
And since the wheel offset measurements are the same, the tire foot print will be in the same place they are now and the tires will not rub the inner fenders or stick out any further than they already do now using the stock truck bed.

[lugnutz]

It’s been awhile since I have posted so I thought I would update the build thread.

The frame is all painted and the front suspension is mounted. I installed the front axle today and hung the leaf springs in the rear. The Dana 80 rear is in place to go up but I have to fabricate u-bolt plates for the rear. I am also waiting for the centering bolt bushings to show up.

After it becomes a rolling frame again I will get the engine block and transmission dropped into place so I can get the transmission cross-member located and installed.

Than it’s time to set the cab onto the frame and that’s the part I want to get to……..

[PToombs]

I just find it amazing that some of you guys have the time and energy to take on a project like this. I'd get it apart and it would be 4-5 years before I got it together again.
Looks great, keep plugging away!

[lugnutz]

Well it’s taken me 7 months to get this far. So, I'm on track for the 4 to 5 year time frame if I don’t stop getting side tracked.

[PToombs]

You need to get rid of women, kids, pets, and yard work to accomplish anything.
Just an FYI.

[lugnutz]

Been trying to get rid of the job too so I can work on it, but that's not working out so well.

[PToombs]

[dazedandconfused]

Have you made anymore progress?

[lugnutz]

Naa, haven’t made any more progress. I switched from day shift to swing shift at work and than have been workin on boats on the side during the morning hours.

On another note, I made a trip to New York and back in my extended cab 1st gen. and I am beginning to have second thoughts about completing the Crewcab project. The engine noise got old after awhile and I have been contemplating moving up to a 3rd gen truck.

[dazedandconfused]

Sound deaden the cab. That's what I plan to do with mine when I redo the cab.

[lugnutz]

Already did that. When I converted to bucket seats I had to remove the carpet.

I installed a thick sound-deadening pad on the floor, attached more to the factory rubber piece and than put the factory carpet back in. I also installed a resonator in the exhaust system.

It did help the noise level but after driving awhile I was hoping it would have helped more.

[oldestof11]

Biggest difference is noise from reading conversion threads is doing the firewall. Sound deadening there is a must!

[dazedandconfused]

My plan is to spray the entire interior of the cab with lizard skin including inside the doors. Then I'm gonna put down dynamat over as much as possible. Thenput all my trim back in and carpet with a nice thick insulation pad and carpet down. It should quiet it down a good bit.

[lugnutz]

Just wanted to give you some eye candy to look at. My time to work on it is limited as life has thrown me a couple curve balls over the last year.

This is where it's at right now. I have sandblasted and painted the frame. It has a 2003 Dana 80 Dually rear, Dana 60 front (converted to GM hubs to get away from the coined wheels) 1997 12valve bare block, 2003 NV5600 (it's currently 2x4 but I have the adapter to convert it to a 4x4) Rebushed and re-arched all four leaf springs, and added one extra leaf to the front springs. Also installed the 35 gallon Ramcharger fuel tank to use as an auxiliary fuel tank.

The cab goes onto it next weekend and I am moving forward to sell it off. I will post it in the classifieds when it gets to that point.

[soggy]

Where at in WA are you, and what are the details on the sale? I'm very interested.