Hey all! I'm not sure if this is the place to put a build thread, but if it's not, I guess move it or delete it.

Anyways, this is the build thread for my '77 Dodge D-100 pickup. I bought it on June 11th, 2013 and have had an absolute blast with it! It's my first truck ever, and I've always wanted a Lil Red Express, so this was as close as I could get for the money. It's a regular cab/stepside with 85k original miles and has a 225 Slant Six with a 3spd on the tree. That's about all for options. LoL! There is no power steering, no A/C, no nothing! I kinda like it that way because it's crude and I kinda dig it. The only thing I really want power is the windows. It's a bitch to open the pass. side with a crank when you're the only person in it.

I have lots of plans for this truck. A full restoration will be done at some point, and over a few years (probably at least 5). I do want to keep the Slant Six because of the mileage it gets (20+ on the highway) and they can be built to be a peppy lil motor with the right parts. I already have a complete Super Six 2bbl setup I need to install but I want to paint the engine first before I do so. I also plan to lower it 4" in front and 6" in rear (approx. numbers) and have all the parts to do so. I just need to buy new OEM front springs and Energy Suspension bushings. Also already purchased is a set of Ridler wheels. The fronts are 18x8 and the rear ones are 18x9.5. Tires have not been purchased yet, as I want to lower the truck first and make sure the rear wheels will have no fitment issues. I have a few sets of bucket seats, but both sets have no seat tracks, so I have to go to the junk yard and find a set that will work. I am employed at an upholstery shop, so I will be doing my own interior work, with the help of my co-worker. Colors of the exterior/interior are still up in the air, but I'm leaning towards B5 blue/gunmetal two-tone with a pinstripe dividing the two colors...maybe Go-Mango orange?

But enough of the truck. That's what I have right now. More will come with progress. Here's some pictures of the truck!






Wheels:




Suspension and JVC MP3 receiver:

_________________
-Brodie

1977 Dodge D100 stepside, slant six/3 on the tree
2002 Chrysler 300M Special (daily driver)

that is a great looking, solid truck to start with

keep us posted on the progress.

Last weekend I did an oil change on it, but it was a half-assed change because I could not get the old filter off (hate it when previous owners of cars wrench their $#!+ on SOOOOO tight), so I'll have to take it in and get it changed next time. I also got the chance to replace the old brittle valve cover gasket and clean off all the built-up crud on the cover itself. I bought a new breather and oil cap as well.



Since I was at it, I also removed one of the wheels so I could test-fit the 18x9.5" Ridler wheel so I knew there weren't any fitment issues. Everything is clear and has tons of room, so I went ahead and ordered my tires. I bought Sumitomo HTR-Z II 245/40/18's for front and 275/40/18's for rear. They are actually scheduled to be delivered to my home tomorrow and I'm super pumped to get them mounted/balanced and on the truck! I won't keep them on the truck though because I am doing the lowered suspension overhaul soon.




On the way back from my parent's house last weekend, I stopped by my favorite place to take a few pictures of the freshly-washed truck (first time I hand-washed it since I've had it!).

_________________
-Brodie

1977 Dodge D100 stepside, slant six/3 on the tree
2002 Chrysler 300M Special (daily driver)

Great looking truck. Hang onto those cop rims and center caps, someone will want them.

The police wheels and tires are going to my friend so she can put them on her '54 International pickup. She is the one who will be doing the body work/paint work/upholstery work on the truck, so they will be going toward what I owe her. I will be helping with everything, but she's the brains of the organization.
My tires showed up today! I was SOOOO stoked to see these big black rubber rings sitting on my porch! So of course...the first thing I did was roll them down to the truck and took some pictures.

_________________
-Brodie

1977 Dodge D100 stepside, slant six/3 on the tree
2002 Chrysler 300M Special (daily driver)

The wheels and tires are on the truck! Firestone mounted/balanced them for me and they tore a bead on one of the rear tires, so they ordered a replacement and should be here next Thursday. Other than that, I think they look fantastic! Obviously it now shows how desperately bad the truck needs to be lowered, but it'll do for now.

_________________
-Brodie

1977 Dodge D100 stepside, slant six/3 on the tree
2002 Chrysler 300M Special (daily driver)

I took a trip to the junk yard and got myself yet another set of seats...this set is what will be going in the truck. They are out of a Ford Explorer "Eddie Bauer" edition. Yeah...they're Ford seats...get over it. LoL! I think when reupholstered, they will look really sweet, and be super comfy!



I also got some new gauges to go in the truck. So far I purchased the oil temp, volt, water temp and fuel level gauges. They are made by Equus and got them at my local Orielly auto parts store. $70 for the 4 gauges...not bad! I still gotta get the speedometer and tach, but those can wait for now. I still have to fab up a new plate out of aluminum for the gauges to mount to. They are all going in the stock location, just arranged differently. I also got blue LEDs to replace the incandescent bulbs they came with and they look AMAZING!



As of right now, the truck is going to be driven no more until I can find out why the truck has been running rough. The oil idiot light came on for awhile and I did another oil change and replaced the filter and it went off...for awhile. It came back on and now its running a little rough. The idle is rough and it bucks a little when driving around upon accel and cruising, especially at lower speeds. I'm guessing its the oil pump but could be something else?

_________________
-Brodie

1977 Dodge D100 stepside, slant six/3 on the tree
2002 Chrysler 300M Special (daily driver)

I just ordered the matching speedometer and tach, which should be here tomorrow afternoon. Also, I got the rest of my suspension parts in! The parts I have collected are as follows:


Dayco left/right B200 lower control arms
Moog left/right inner/outer tie rod ends
Moog tie rod sleeves
Moog OEM front coil springs (just to replace the originals for new strength)
Raybestos upper/lower ball joints
KYB Gas-A-Just front/rear shocks
Energy Suspension tie rod end boots
Energy Suspension B200 control arm bushings
Energy Suspension body mounts
Energy Suspension leaf spring bushings
Energy Suspension strut rod bushings

I still need to get some bushing grease, but thats not a big deal.
My buddy that is going to help me with the suspension said we could start on it next weekend! I'm so excited! I cant wait to see the truck much lower than she is right now.

_________________
-Brodie

1977 Dodge D100 stepside, slant six/3 on the tree
2002 Chrysler 300M Special (daily driver)

Check oil pump relief valve found on bottom side of oil pump. It can become stuck open due to improper oil change intervals.

_________________
67' Dart GT Convertible; the old Chrysler Corp.
82' LeBaron Convertible; the new Chrysler Corp
07' 300 C AWD; Now by Fiat, the old new Chrysler LLC

Man that's a good looking truck! Looking forward to your progress!

_________________
1967 charger, 1974 roadrunner

Thank you sir!
I got a lot done on the truck today! I made a template for my new instrument panel since I got all new gauges, and I made it out of a cardboard sheet we have at work. It's nice because it started flat, but with a few slight cuts, it folds and bends very easily. I installed it in the truck and it's damn near perfect! Could be a tad bit bigger on the outside pieces, but I can always redo it. I'm very pleased how it turned out. Now I just gotta play around with the gauge layout ideas...




I also re-did my exhaust...temporarily. My friend Jamie gave me a Borla muffler off of his Audi A4 and decided to hack the original exhaust off and clamp the Borla on. It's still pretty quiet, but it has a nice low tone to it now. Before this, I couldn't even hear the exhaust, even with my ear by the outlet! It was STUPID quiet! I made a few videos of it. I'll try to make more during the day and with a different camera.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-ErQAPBTbA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WocCh_Llmy4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rx0HKghuwiQ

_________________
-Brodie

1977 Dodge D100 stepside, slant six/3 on the tree
2002 Chrysler 300M Special (daily driver)

Nice, but I can hear your valve clatter from here. Adjust them to .012 inches intake and .022 inches exhaust with the motor HOT and running.

I dont know the first thing about adjusting valves...maybe someone I know does? And that should quiet it down a bit?

_________________
-Brodie

1977 Dodge D100 stepside, slant six/3 on the tree
2002 Chrysler 300M Special (daily driver)

Awsom. Go with the Mango Orange.

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www.extrememopars.com

Yes, adjusting the valves will quiet them down as well as make your truck run smoother with more power and more fuel efficiency.

Instructions on how to adjust your valves can be found in your factory service manual (you have one, right?) or can be found HERE.