Tech School Auto Shop Creativity Challenge

Lowered D150, mild engine build. SWB ftw.

In reply to fasted58:

Great idea, but where are we getting the SWB?

D1 50 service and fabrication truck running the fusion hybrid drive train with 240v electric output from the electeic motor for the bed mounted welder.

Does one of the cars have a wheelbase close enough that you could drop the body on the Blazer chassis?

Fusion Hybrid mid engine D150 truck

M030 wrote: In reply to fasted58: Great idea, but where are we getting the SWB?

short bed is not short wheel base? then I obviously missed something

Is adding boost to that Stratus out to the question?

Are the missing keys of the Fusion really a disabling factor?

Bypass ignition in Fusion, start with rocket launcher style switch

Going to make this easier.

1. 2005 Ford Taurus 3.0.

2. 1985 dodge D1 50 short bed 2WD missing engine and transmission.

3. 1998 Chevy blazer S10 4x4 4.3, two door.

4. 2005 Dodge Stratus four-door, 2.4/auto

5. 1999 Saab 9–3 sedan.

6. 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid (lost keys)

Take a m90 supercharger that I have that needs a rebuild (I have the kit) I will loan it to the kids in return they can rebuild it with the kit I have. Add it to the Tauris. Then we scavenge parts from the other cars to try and make it Handel. Purchas any specific parts to make it Handel if needed like a rear bar and decent shocks.

Add a metric tone of lightness and clean up the interior.

As for engine management see we can see about hacking the stock system as needed or I will be glad to help teach the kids to rig up a ms system. We would probably need a wbo2 and I would run a ms2v3 with EDIS as it probably already have a EDIS 6. If not I think those are cheap at Autozone.

There will be more needed but that is a start of a plan

Wonder if we can convert the Taurus to a manual. Wonder I contour svt parts would bolt in.

Require more information:

What age are the students? What is/are the courses they are enrolled in?? What is their background/experience? What is the length of the course/s and program?

Its Obvious that the FxF Blazer is the one.I bought a 99 and after fixing the stuff that allowed me to get it for $100.00 (leaking oil line water pump gasket) all I could ask for is a 2-door I could Slam into a handler as it's got pretty good power and lightened up can't hurt, LOT'S of S-10 Stuff to hop it up. 4 bucket seats Dark Glass and stereo Bright Paint stay away from air ride Its too much work for a semester long class. Trade something for a V-8 swap and that would be mucho power (CHEAP)

In reply to outasite:

We're a program for 18-25y/o at-risk youth. Our stated mission is to make them B-level techs, but we strive to go way beyond that for the ones who truly want it. Some kids, as expected, have tremendous potential and real, innate mechanical aptitude, while others can be apathetic or are just not in their element. we try to make good lube-techs or parts counter people of them. The more invested students tend get funneled into an advanced training program to bring them up to A-level techs. They also get the more challenging projects. The reason I daydream about this stuff is that it's always our goal to inspire and excite the otherwise apathetic ones into becoming real enthusiasts. This car stuff can be a wonderful career, if you love it. Sometimes all it takes is a creative project I can assign, like "make the Fusion run with a rocket launcher" And, yes, lost keys is a HUGE issue where we work; requisitions are an act of congress, and we're perpetually under-funded (although we did just get a new alignment rack, so they do find the money, if we can out wait them)

Call Roadkill.

Any full size truck screams out for modification, especially a shortbox

Budget 318 or 360 from a junkyard or craiglist

The Blazer would be a good one for basic aftermarket bolt ons (intake, exhaust, programmer) and a few things like light bars - shocks - off road tires.

How is the body on the truck and blazer?

Let's get some pictures.

It's this supposed to be D150 or D50?

" 1985 dodge D1 50 short bed 2WD missing engine "

In reply to jstand:

It's the full size truck. Was originally a slant six/automatic

M030 wrote: In reply to outasite: We're a program for 18-25y/o at-risk youth. Our stated mission is to make them B-level techs, but we strive to go way beyond that for the ones who truly want it. Some kids, as expected, have tremendous potential and real, innate mechanical aptitude, while others can be apathetic or are just not in their element. we try to make good lube-techs or parts counter people of them. The more invested students tend get funneled into an advanced training program to bring them up to A-level techs. They also get the more challenging projects. The reason I daydream about this stuff is that it's always our goal to inspire and excite the otherwise apathetic ones into becoming real enthusiasts. This car stuff can be a wonderful career, if you love it. Sometimes all it takes is a creative project I can assign, like "make the Fusion run with a rocket launcher" And, yes, lost keys is a HUGE issue where we work; requisitions are an act of congress, and we're perpetually under-funded (although we did just get a new alignment rack, so they do find the money, if we can out wait them)

As a retired auto tech instructor (2 years/Vocational High School and 30 years/Technical College) I hear your concerns/challenges. We used live work at the TC after introduction, school cars, bench work. The HS was similar to your situation. You could use the special project as a carrot to encourage better grades, attendance, participation and retention. Administration, money, and time management are always challenging. I would go with the D 150 here in the midwest. Keep it simple, I have been to HS programs where students lost interest because project was complicated and time consuming. Perhaps you could get their input by asking for suggestions (could open a can of worms). Good luck and have fun.

The Blazer to me seems like the easiest "cool" project.

Those 2-doors are neat, and while all of us like the whole "make it handle" concept, there's tons of aftermarket and off road stuff out there.

I'd make it into a trail rig / off road-wheeler. The 4.3 should be stout enough, and parts are everywhere. Suspension fab is unlimited.

...after that the Dodge would be the coolest as a "muscle truck". The biggest hurdle is that you lack the muscle.

xflowgolf wrote: The Blazer to me seems like the easiest "cool" project. Those 2-doors are neat, and while all of us like the whole "make it handle" concept, there's tons of aftermarket and off road stuff out there. I'd make it into a trail rig / off road-wheeler. The 4.3 should be stout enough, and parts are everywhere. Suspension fab is unlimited. ...after that the Dodge would be the coolest as a "muscle truck". The biggest hurdle is that you lack the muscle.

In reply to xflowgolf:

The Dodge truck is certainly the coolest of the back-lot. Now if somebody were to donate something with a modern Hemi to the program... And I misspoke, the blazer is a four door, so there's that

M030 wrote: And I misspoke, the blazer is a four door, so there's that

I was going to vote for "Make the Blazer a trail rig," and that's still my vote regardless of how many doors it has. How much of the body remains on it is up to you.

Finding a drivetrain for the D150 would be my second choice. Running slant sixes are still something you could score for peanuts, but unless you put a blower on it, a built 225 would be awkward in a heavy truck. And a new Hemi may break the budget. So I'd go with a small block Mopar - or if you really wanted to be different, a 4.7 SOHC. Those are starting to show up in U-Pull-Its for cheap.

Maybe build the SAAB as some sort of tribute to their older rally cars. And rallycross it, if they have it in your area.

Chadeux wrote: Is adding boost to that Stratus out to the question?

Take this, stir in srt4 bits, proceed to awesome.

Edit- at risk youth/young adults. I dislike the concept of stereotyping but that leads me to believe that something like the dodge or the blazer laid out on bags with some fat chrome wheels might be the jam. Bonus points if you can hock the car at the end of it to fund more bad projects.

Dodge + slant six + turbo + 4 speed. To me, there's alot here to learn. Basics of FI on a engine that's pretty stout and will be unmissed if it blows up. Also swapping an auto to a manual seems like it would be valuable if any of these guys are interested/capable of more advanced fab work. The cheapest, most straightforward things though, is the blazer. Drop it (or bag it), swap it, go on with your day.

And the deck seems to be getting mildly reshuffled; I think I just talk someone into donating their 2003 VW Jetta to the program.

For ease of work, the off road GM Truck sounds like a good step one.

For step 2, I would have them figure out a way to put that Taurus 3.0l in front of a trans into that Dodge truck. Yea, I know it's not a V8, but everything learned to make that swap work still apply.

If insanity is ok, find some 4WD uprights, and drop in the hybrid powertrain into it (yes, making it a FWD truck, but that's part of the fun).

Then, perhaps find that make your own mid engine sports car book, and put any of the FWD engines in it. If they want to get good mileage, use the jetta diesel, and a super slippery body.