76 Trailduster resurrection

[Squashfest81]

It’s been 15 years since I parked her beside my parents house. Finally, I got a cleared and leveled spot to get her towed, to my mother’s excitement, to my house.
Bought her back in like 2000 as a 76 Plymouth Trailduster that the previous owner tossed 3/4 ton Dana 60’s under. She had the standard rot in the rockers and wheel wells, but I knew I was cutting all that out.
Details to follow.

 

[36truck]

interesting project.

 

[rattle_snake]

in for 8-lug wheeler

 

[Chris705]

I had a similar Trailduster as a youngster, loved it when I had the top off it!! Mine went thru front universal joints at the wheels like crazy. i believe that was because they were always turning and didn’t have the kit to ‘unlock’ the hubs.

But that is a vehicle I’d love to own again in my older years!
I will follow you along on the project.

 

[chris142]

I had a 76 ramcharger. The front wheel bearings were a terrible design. The d60 axles you got are a great improvement.

 

[Squashfest81]

The kiddos spent a little time with the power washer. Amazing how she looks without the dirt and moss.

all keyboard symbols

 

[Xti04]

Looks good

 

[Sweetcorn]

Can you outline what plans you have for it?

Looks like a fun project, also cool that your kids are already helping.

 

[Squashfest81]

Happy Mothers Day 2023. Nothing says Mother’s Day like talking beat Traildusters!
Sweetcorn, when I bought her over 20 years ago the plan was to clean her up as a project to make a fun “big” Jeep.
She’s a 400, 727, np203 with a part time kit. Dana 60’s running 4.10’s and a rear Detroit locker. 17in H2 wheels and tires with the centers bored out to clear the full floaters and 2.5” spacers to correct the wheel offset.
Stock 3/4 ton suspension with the overload leaf removed from the rear packs.
All the rot was cut out. Wheelwells cut in that m715 truck style and rockers replaced with 2x2 tube.
The plan was to never run doors, roof, or tailgate so braces were added from the bedsides to the rollbar and to the tailgate area.
Onboard air off the old a/c compressor and dual batteries.
My father and I did all that and I ran around with her until 2008, 2009 when she was parked for the final time beside my childhood home.
15 years and 2 kiddos later it’s well past time to get her going. We live in a seaside town and this will be a killer beach rig.
She had cranked over about 3 years ago, so I have high hopes. Get her power washed, running, brakes, and see where we are at.

 

[shanker]

love them Big block / pop top RC/TD's!

 

[Squashfest81]

Shanker, we are going to need more details. Post up.
What beach? Where you at? I’m seaside in MA.

 

[shanker]

I took that picture on Mustang Island (I live on the TX Gulf Coast). The truck is a 74 Ramcharger SE, factory 440 truck. The only thing I've done is clean it up and, fix everything broken or worn out, and put axles out of a 92 Cummins Ram under it with Jungles spring hangers front/rear.

The next strp for the truck is to put a Softtopper on it and get the A/C working