Taking the Plunge

[Gordon Maney]

I stopped and talked to an old friend this morning who works at a frame and alignment shop. He agreed to repair the cross member and make sure the frame is straight if I could get it to his shop. Done....


1967 W-200 Sweptline 318 (parts donor)
1967 W-200 Sweptline 383 (I am restoring this one)
2003 DODGE 3500 SLT 4x4 Cummins

Great!

[medic1241]

I finally soaked the rusty screws holding the grille on long enough. They came right out... almost.... with a little encouragement from a hammer. It will go to the blaster as well. I gave the other one away that the blue truck came with. It was a '70 I believe. You can see the '67 grille a page back.




1967 W-200 Sweptline 318 (parts donor)
1967 W-200 Sweptline 383 (I am restoring this one)
2003 DODGE 3500 SLT 4x4 Cummins

[medic1241]

I'm looking to move the fuel tank to the rear inside frame rails. Any ideas or suggestions on a poly tank? I do think that I want to buy a new one instead of fighting with a used one. Thanks...


1967 W-200 Sweptline 318 (parts donor)
1967 W-200 Sweptline 383 (I am restoring this one)
2003 DODGE 3500 SLT 4x4 Cummins

[medic1241]

A few pics of the donor vehicle...

[medic1241]

I ordered a set of Optronics 4" Round Sealed LED Parking Turn Signal Light Amber - STL 43AB for my Power Wagon from Ryder Fleet Products (.com). The new LED lense is 4 5/16". It requires a grommet which increases the diameter to 5 3/8". (I bought 2 grommets and 2 pig tails) The original assembly is 4 1/2 " wide. The diameter of the cutout in the grille that the assembly covers is 3 3/4". The original amber lense is 4 3/4" across. So, I'm thinking that the new assembly will sit flush over the existing cutout in the grille. Now... How to mount it... I could use some type of clips .... Gorilla Glue... The description of the grommet says that the " Black PVC grommet allows 4” round lights to be flush mounted in 4.5” cutout." But, I only have a 3 3/4" cutout..... Hmmmmm.....Suggestions?

I have less than $32 in everything...


1967 W-200 Sweptline 318 (parts donor)
1967 W-200 Sweptline 383 (I am restoring this one)
2003 DODGE 3500 SLT 4x4 Cummins

[Gordon Maney]

A few pics of the donor vehicle...

Nice lockouts!

[Gordon Maney]

I ordered a set of Optronics 4" Round Sealed LED Parking Turn Signal Light Amber - STL 43AB for my Power Wagon from Ryder Fleet Products (.com). The new LED lense is 4 5/16". It requires a grommet which increases the diameter to 5 3/8". (I bought 2 grommets and 2 pig tails) The original assembly is 4 1/2 " wide. The diameter of the cutout in the grille that the assembly covers is 3 3/4". The original amber lense is 4 3/4" across. So, I'm thinking that the new assembly will sit flush over the existing cutout in the grille. Now... How to mount it... I could use some type of clips .... Gorilla Glue... The description of the grommet says that the " Black PVC grommet allows 4” round lights to be flush mounted in 4.5” cutout." But, I only have a 3 3/4" cutout..... Hmmmmm.....Suggestions?

I have less than $32 in everything...


1967 W-200 Sweptline 318 (parts donor)
1967 W-200 Sweptline 383 (I am restoring this one)
2003 DODGE 3500 SLT 4x4 Cummins

Do you know anyone who could fabricate some rings for you?

[medic1241]

Not right off hand.... But that's a good idea, Gordon.

[medic1241]

I spoke with my friend at the frame shop. It seems that the truck had been in a pretty good bind at some point in it's life. Nothing that can't be repaired, though.

[medic1241]

I took the drive shafts to Marietta Joint and Clutch for a makeover this morning. I laid them down on the garage floor of the shop and an older gentleman came over and stared at them. "Are they from an old ton and a half Dodge?" I said that they were from my 3/4 ton '67 Power Wagon. He said that they would take some effort to get in to shape.(I think that translates in to more money)

I borrowed a trailer with a winch from my neighbor and got a buddy to help me this afternoon. I picked up the frame from the frame shop. They were closed but I have to go and settle up on Monday. I saw the guy who worked on it on the way home. He lives on my road. I asked how much it would be and he repied, "Around two hundred." At least the frame is straight and the 2 cross member bolts replaced. We dropped the frame at Custom Applicators. They will do the sand blasting.

[W_A_Watson_II]

At least your drive shaft shop knows how to work on them. When I took the rear shaft off the 46 to be fixed at the local Drive Shaft shop you won't believe what I was told. Oh we don't make drive shafts, we order new ones and parts. We can't work on that.

[medic1241]

Wow... Not the answer I'd want to hear either...

[Ggg6]

At least your drive shaft shop knows how to work on them. When I took the rear shaft off the 46 to be fixed at the local Drive Shaft shop you won't believe what I was told. Oh we don't make drive shafts, we order new ones and parts. We can't work on that.

At least you know who NOT to go to for good quality work. I know of a very good shop in Bensenville (near O'Hare). DTS 630-860-7474. I know they are a ways away from you, but I take my shafts there from Rockford. We used to have a good shop up here but the owner retired and the new owner and quality are no good anymore.
I would like to add stay well away from Suburban Driveline on North Av. in Villa Park. I have known these clowns for several decades. Very shady business practices.

[Gordon Maney]

At least your drive shaft shop knows how to work on them. When I took the rear shaft off the 46 to be fixed at the local Drive Shaft shop you won't believe what I was told. Oh we don't make drive shafts, we order new ones and parts. We can't work on that.

Wow. Isn't that something?

[W_A_Watson_II]

At least you know who NOT to go to for good quality work. ...

Wow. Isn't that something?

I'm amazed at how non-customer service related a lot of the shops are here as compared to SEMI and SEMO. They seems to only be interested in the ADM and CAT business, which I guess is good when you get it,m and all off the shelf products. I expected better service here as the farmers have to go someplace, but I guess it's the smaller towns with the better shops.

NAPA here has always been great, just pricy and no services, also on the other side of town. O'Reilly Auto Parts service and selections here has gone bad in the past 6 months. I can find items at Autozone that O'Reilly's no longer has!

Willl