Travelette to Dodge Chassis

[Eason Lilley]

Here is a link to the build of Danny Anderson's truck
https://www.redpowermagazine.com/fo...ider-kit/?page=2&tab=comments#comment-1245708

 

[TDTravelette]

JB M715, I think I know exactly where you got this truck from, been eyeing it for the last year or so then I suddenly noticed it was gone. Good score! If its the same truck that I think it is, its what got me into Travelettes in the first place. Can't wait to see what you do with it!

 

[JB M715]

Thanks for the link Eason. I'll see if I can get in touch with him.

TDTravelette, I see your in Chico... so you definitely know where this truck came from. He has hundreds of trucks and everything is for sale!! He is the same guy I bought the Kaiser M715 from years ago.

Torn down and rusty...

International 1 by Jasper Brodie, on Flickr

International 2 by Jasper Brodie, on Flickr

 

[Packerrailway]

Just one fly in the ointment. What are the registration requirements where you live? Many states require that the vehicle be registered to the year OF THE FRAME. Potential for issues when registering and insuring to keep in mind. Also possible emission requirements to consider as well.

 

[JB M715]

Yeah, there are several flies in the ointment with this project... I have plans to accommodate most of the registration/emission issues but there may be a fly or two left in the ointment when its all done.

 

[cudakota]

The good news is it's a 96 Dodge, so it's pre-98, so no Diesel smog for it either anyway. Also, I have heard that some counties up there in Northern California (Chico I believe is one) have little to no smog checking in some zip codes.

 

[TDTravelette]

Chico (in Butte County) unfortunately is not one but, like you said, its a 96 diesel so it shouldn't matter anyway.

 

[Bigdaddy1]

I have started this exact project, My first attempt was with a 96 dodge chassis, the frame is weird and the motor set further back, I didn't want the motor that far into the cab so I punted that chassis. I found another gen 1 truck and everything lined up pretty good, I stretched the frame to the length I needed. Everything sits a little different so I can take the hump mostly out of the floor. The body mounts were really easy. I didn't make any mods to the firewall, but I did move the mounts on the radiator to set the shell a little further into the radiator support and then I ycked an intercooler in front of that that is totally custom. I used the motor out of the P pump truck because I don't like the VE pump as much. This same truck I swapped Chevy axles an PS into years ago on the stock frame and I prefer all the stock steering geometry over having to engineer all of that, making body mounts was easy, I lost interest for a while but just sold my 12 valve extra cab 5 speed Dodge to get back on this project.

 

[JB M715]

Thanks for the input Bigdaddy1, do you have a build thread going?

My current plan is to move the Cummins aft about 12", cut into the firewall 4-6", cut 10" out of the long bed to match the un-modified wheel base of the Dodge.

 

[JB M715]

The game of musical chairs begins...

Int 22 by Jasper Brodie, on Flickr

Int 23 by Jasper Brodie, on Flickr

Int 16 by Jasper Brodie, on Flickr

 

[JB M715]

Traded the chassis + short bed back to the guy I bought it from in exchange for a long bed.

Int 26 by Jasper Brodie, on Flickr


Int 25 by Jasper Brodie, on Flickr


Int 27 by Jasper Brodie, on Flickr


Int 28 by Jasper Brodie, on Flickr

 

[chris@profab]

Thanks for the input Bigdaddy1, do you have a build thread going?

My current plan is to move the Cummins aft about 12", cut into the firewall 4-6", cut 10" out of the long bed to match the un-modified wheel base of the Dodge.

That all sounds like the most work possible, doesn't it?..

I would think, putting the 12V, axles of choice, etc, into the original frame would be far easier.
Cutting out of the long bed, is not going to be easy. It's definitely not easier than going with a frame you can shorten. If you're paranoid, fish plate the seams.

I have talked with a guy that had a newer travelette (72) and used a mid 90's F250 chassis, with the 12V, and he says he wouldn't have it any other way. The swap was easy, the wheelbase was friendly, and he has room underneath to work on everything. If you throw the motor back into the firewall, besides being work, you're going to lose workability.

Besides, those dodge chassis aren't good ones. Front suspension every year whether you use it or not. The only 3 things good with them is axles, and the cummins.

 

[JB M715]

Thanks for the input.

 

[Darrel]

Chris isn't overstating. There are aftermarket parts to fix the loose steering, vibration, and death wobble, but it gets insanely expensive. If you're lucky your donor has some of the upgrades already. Be real picky on what ball joints and unit bearings you go with.

 

[JB M715]

I not dismissing the input and understand that the Dodge chassis has some known issues. This Dodge has a good combination of upgrades (KDP fixed, 5th gear nut addressed, Borgeson steering components, Moog ball joints, aftermarket panhard bar, engine hop ups, airbags, etc).

With that said, for me, buying a complete running driving truck was the best way to get all the parts needed, plus I know what works and what needs to get addressed.

 

[JB M715]

Everything is loose, just need to pull the cab now.

Int 31 by Jasper Brodie, on Flickr

Int 30 by Jasper Brodie, on Flickr

 

[JB M715]

Starting to look like a truck again.

Int 32 by Jasper Brodie, on Flickr

 

[fowldarr]

very cool project Going to be following along.

 

[6BTravelall]

Any progress on this? I will be shortening a 97 ram 2500 frame to accommodate my 73 Travelall in the near future.

 

[JB M715]

Any progress on this? I will be shortening a 97 ram 2500 frame to accommodate my 73 Travelall in the near future.

No progress. I have settled on using the 8ft bed as is and stretching the front axle forward to accommodate the fender openings.