4x4 conversion

[thedodgeman69]

I've noticed no one has mentioned that if you put power wagon springs in the front of a D series truck, you have to change the rear spring mounts. (Ex: torch or drill out rivets or cut off the loop on the 2nd leaf if you dont change out the brackets). The D trucks have thinner springs than the W trucks. On the first truck I converted, some one already cut off the loops on the power wagon front springs, so I used the f100 mounts. The second truck, I changed out the spring mounts to PW mounts. Also you will have to use lift blocks in the rear or have the rear springs re-arched. To level the truck. D and W chassis are different.

[Hobcobble]

I've noticed no one has mentioned that if you put power wagon springs in the front of a D series truck, you have to change the rear spring mounts. (Ex: torch or drill out rivets or cut off the loop on the 2nd leaf if you dont change out the brackets). The D trucks have thinner springs than the W trucks. On the first truck I converted, some one already cut off the loops on the power wagon front springs, so I used the f100 mounts. The second truck, I changed out the spring mounts to PW mounts. Also you will have to use lift blocks in the rear or have the rear springs re-arched. To level the truck. D and W chassis are different.

I'm in the process of converting my '61 D200 to a W200. I used a stock pair of
front W200 springs from a '67 W200 and they bolted in directly with no issue.

I would add that my conversion is 200 series only.

John

[thedodgeman69]

Hobcobble, I looked at my friends 67 D200 and it has the same bracket as the PW. The 2 trucks I converted were a 69 D200 and a 70 D200. Maybe dodge changed them in the late 60s or maybe different assembly plants? I will try and post some pics of the different brackets.

[twayne24365]

That would be cool! I haven’t got quite that far... I do need all 4 new springs tho, the originals are pretty shot

[thedodgeman69]

I would definitely put PW springs in the front. I left the 2wd springs in the front, steered horrible. Swayed bad in the turns. I changed them out to PW springs. World of difference. Still working on the pics.

[twayne24365]

I read the springs from the 80s dodged bolt in, I was planning on getting a set of front leafs off one of those trucks.

I’ll have to get rear springs for a swept era truck though, I read the centering pin on the later years is offset and will move the rear forward

[Hobcobble]

Hobcobble, I looked at my friends 67 D200 and it has the same bracket as the PW. The 2 trucks I converted were a 69 D200 and a 70 D200. Maybe dodge changed them in the late 60s or maybe different assembly plants? I will try and post some pics of the different brackets.

Definitely do post some pics. I'm interested in taking a look. I don't have
a W Series truck newer than '68. Maybe we can rule in or rule out spring options for
Twayne.

John

[Dale]

Sorry for jumping in. I'm trying to research and learn as much as I can about my 71 Dodge D 100 that's now a W 100. Reading through this article, and I know I'll have to read again, but someone mentioned engine mounts as I have a concern about mine. Also, the transmission cross member has me concerned on my truck. I want to say I have matching axles, which is a D44 up front ( large knuckle?) that is disk brake, and a Dodge 9.250" tapered rear axle. At the moment, I'm installing new hardwood bed mounts I'm making from a new hardwood skid.

I hope to read more about these conversions in the future.

Thanks for the good information shared here, I appreciate it to the fullest!

[twayne24365]

What current engine/transmission do you have?
Or what engine/trans are you wanting to put in?

[thedodgeman69]

The attachment IMG_20190605_120012.jpg is no longer available

This one is of the 70 crew cab that's been converted. The mount has been changed to the PW mount with PW springs.

[thedodgeman69]

IMG_20190605_120200.jpg (26.28 KiB) Viewed 1366 times

This one is the 69 that's been converted. It still has the D200 mounts with the loop cut off of the PW springs. The difference is in the height of the mount to accommodate the thicker leaf springs.

[Hobcobble]

Very interesting.

John

[twayne24365]

I’ll get a pic of mine as well,

On a side note, I got the engine mounts with the 383 that came out of the d300, will those mounts bolt to the factory riveted mount that my truck has? Or do I need to cut out the rivets on mine and change those as well?

[Red383]

FYI. I just looked at a picture of my early 65 D200, and the front spring mount appears to be the taller mount.

[twayne24365]

Can’t get my pic to work, but it appears it has the shorter mount...

[Hobcobble]

FYI. I just looked at a picture of my early 65 D200, and the front spring mount appears to be the taller mount.

Taller is what I see there too.

John

[pwadventurer]

The parts book lists 2 different numbers for the fixed hanger. One number for D100/200 and one number for W100/200. Both not available.

[twayne24365]

So with the shorter mount, what would be needed to use the spring from the ‘80 w100?

[thedodgeman69]

I would do some measuring before in stalling. I'm not too familiar with the 80s era dodges, but some time in the 70s, dodge changed the fixed hanger location to forward of the front axle. You might be able to put them in without modifying the fixed hangers depending on the direction of the loops on the springs. Definitely do some research first.

[twayne24365]

Certainly will, because so far everything I’ve read made it seem it’s a bolt in swap, other than the newer rear axle leaf spring pin location