1991 Dodge Adventure Truck

I am taking a $500 pickup truck and making into an RV tow pig.

To build something my Border Collie would like to ride shotgun in.

I had a 1991 D250 with the 5.9 Cummins, 4WD, and a 5-speed that I was planning to build the same way. Unfortunately, a dump truck ran a stop sign, tipped over onto it, and the whole thing went up in flames.

I look forward to seeing what direction you go. 

Toyman! said:

I had a 1991 D250 with the 5.9 Cummins, 4WD, and a 5-speed that I was planning to build the same way. Unfortunately, a dump truck ran a stop sign, tipped over onto it, and the whole thing went up in flames.

I look forward to seeing what direction you go. 

 

The guy I bought the motor from had a First Generation Cummings that didn't run. He wouldn't sell it. The diesels I have seen are more money than the gas powered trucks. They seem to be very desirable. The one in this thread cost me $500, but then I had to put another motor in it.

In reply to Snowdoggie (Forum Supporter) :

The Cummins 12v 6BT was basically the benchmark for diesel-powered light trucks in North America. They're completely mechanical, practically bombproof in stock/lightly modded form, and you can make an absolute boatload of torque with a few minor mods. All this, and good fuel economy to boot. 

Here is the dirty old engine with the leaky block getting hauled off.

Here is the new engine. Painted in Hemi orange. We couldn't find Mopar blue. No. It's not a diesel Cummings. It's the LA360 with the throttle body injection, just like the old one we pulled out. Should be a perfect fit.

The engine is in!

This is what I was thinking about to go in the pickup bed. A pop top Palomino which seems to be top of the line for pop top campers. I can fold it up and still get into the underground parking garage at work so I can actually drive it to work and spend my lunch hour in it if I want to. I have looked at some other brands as well. There is a small camper they make here in Texas called the Capri Cowboy Camper. Not a pop up, but small and available. There are a lot of them for sale where I live at reasonable prices.

Another idea I had was an Alaskan Camper. They are a little more expensive, but they are still small and very well built. There are a lot of older ones in my price range.

Mrs. Snowdoggie doesn't like camping. Her idea of roughing it is going to the Hyatt instead of the Hilton. So it's going to just be me and a couple of dogs. I would like to have a newer model with working propane, refrigerator an a/c, or at least a well maintained one. I found out on my motorhome how much its costs to replace all that stuff on my 47 year old Class C. I am looking at selling the jet ski I never use and my 1978 Tioga II to raise the money to buy a camper. I really don't need two RVs and I really don't want another old RV that needs work. Even if I have to borrow a bit of money, I think it might be a better decision than buying and old one and trying to replace all the systems. I don't do propane. The truck by itself is enough of a project. Just some thoughts. I will have to get the truck running well enough to drive it to where a camper would be for sale. After some research, my budget for the camper is from $2,000 to $6,000.

$500?!

Congrats, you straight up stole that thing.   Club Cab longbed will be great for a slide-in or to pull a trailer....sucks to drive everyday, though. 

Do you have the OD transmission (A518) or the three-speed (727)?

psteav (Forum Supporter) said:

$500?!

Congrats, you straight up stole that thing.   Club Cab longbed will be great for a slide-in or to pull a trailer....sucks to drive everyday, though. 

Do you have the OD transmission (A518) or the three-speed (727)?

Not quite sure on the transmission. It actually is a new one. I will have to look.

I have other cars to drive to work but I may drive it occasionally. I have driven worse.

This truck looks a lot like the one I want to build ...

More work done today. Fuel injection and other things hooked up. May have a running truck by tomorrow.

psteav (Forum Supporter) said:

 

Congrats, you straight up stole that thing.   Club Cab longbed will be great for a slide-in or to pull a trailer....sucks to drive everyday, though. 

 

Laughs in Crew Cab Longbed Daily Driver

I didn't know they put long beds on crew cabs. That's kind of cool.

In reply to Snowdoggie (Forum Supporter) :

2wd only.   The 4wd Crews were all shortbeds.

Now we have the hood back on it. Getting close to having it running.