COE anyone done a dodge 3500 chassis?

Just curious if anyone has done a coe swap on a dodge 3500 ch***is with the 5.9 thinking of doing mine or trading it off for a coe

 

I'm using Dodge dually axles under mine, but not the ch***is. I used the control arms from the Dodge and made a new frame mount so they are mounted exactly the same as they were on the Dodge pick-up. One pleasant surprise was the fact I could very easily swap out the front springs for airbags. Mine was a Dana 60 fwd axle, but I cut the pumpkin out and made a sleeve in its place.
I don't know why a Dodge ch***is would be any more difficult than a Ford or Chevy, other than it hasn't been done as much, so you may have to do your own thinking.
Good luck with it if you chose to go ahead with the project.

 

The very first '56 C series I saw in the flesh was dropped onto a late 80's or early 90's Dodge 1 ton ch***is. With it tied down at the core support, cab blocked up with 2-by's, the front wheel centerline was placed very nicely within the fender opening.
That truck and I cat-and-moused each other for a few years. Every time he was hurting for money, so was I... he finally hauled it off across the country to where he relocated to.
JML

 

Thanks guys everyone i have talked to says its not easy on a late 90's ch***is. I would go another route but why when i got the truck and the ***mins thats the main reason i wanna do it!!!

 

There seems to be a large portion of the automotive community that can't build anything if it isn't made out of Chevy parts. No matter which ch***is you use, you will have to problem solve something, nothing falls together without some thought and modification so go for it and have fun..

 

Is your 3500 a solid front axle or IFS? Conventional steering box or rack and pinion? From what I've seen conventional seems to be a little easier, but both are not without their challenges. I did IFS and R&P using a 2002 Dodge 1500 ch***is. Check my build thread for the challenges.

Given your situation with what appears to be a clean, running and driving 3500 ramp truck, I would look into the possibility of some other donor. I would think your ramp truck is worth considerably more money than a rusted body 5.9 donor.... You could build your COE and still have your ramp truck available then sell the 3500 when the COE is done. I 'spose storage space could be a concern.

 

Like SKIER said . But , depending on your determination and skill set anything can be done . Myself I like a challenge, that and I'm hardheaded . Blue

 

I may have missed one detail.. I see you're in Louisiana, maybe a rusted out truck is harder to come by there.. In New England, they're everywhere, although even as a rust bucket, they don't generally give away the 5.9l ***mins.

 

solid front axle conventional steering box... yes i have looked at buying other trucks... But i know how good this one is and would rather build this one its not like ill get rid of it... I also have another dodge 1 ton 5.9 i use as my daily. Im just trying to figure out which cab would work best as far as size looks to me the ford cab is bigger? would love to do a Dodge COE.... But it seems to be a lot smaller than others? I have never seen one in person. You seem to have a pretty good bit of knowledge on the coes's.

 

can't comment on the cab size differences versus brands... But, I can say my 1500 stock front track is a little too wide to lower the fenders down over the tires. I'm considering widening the fenders.. But, mine is a 4WD so it's not a critical issue for me.

I think what you use for a cab REALLY depends upon what you like.. Sure a Dodge COE on a Dodge ch***is is very cool, but if you don't like that body style, why do it? There is one guy on the forum doing a Dodge COE on a Dakota ch***is and Dodge motor. Then it becomes a question of finding one. I would guess that in order of ease of finding them.. it would be 54+ Ford COE, 48-53 Fords, 50s+ Chevy's, all other Chevys and 41-47 Fords, 38-40 Fords. After that I suspect the numbers dwindle so low all others might be equal. (Dodge, Cornbinders, etc)... Then there was a freakin Studebaker COE on Ebay recently!

There is a TON of knowledge and talent on this forum. I still consider myself a Newb by comparison.

 

Track width is the key to finding the right cab/donor ........I'm guessing the Dodge is pretty wide. That will likely limit you to late 40's and newer cabs. Measure across front to edges of tires and post it.
I think 48-56 Fords have some of the widest front fenders. My '51 could have used a couple more inches of track.

 

its 78" outside tire to outside tire

 

That is very similar to my Chevy 1 ton ch***is width.....which is 76ish inches. The max width of my front fenders('51 Ford COE) is around 82" if I recall

 

Any progress, Ratsy? Did the cab come home?

 

There's a guy up in Cambridge, Ontario that used the front portion of a Dodge 3500 and made his own rear frame rails. He used a ***mins from a highway tractor and mounted it under the sleeper. The cab is a '50's something Ford.