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1971 D200 Crew Cab to W200 and Lift Questions

Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 4:41 pm
by FreezePlug
Hey guys.....

I am new here. I recently purchased my 1971 D200 Crew Cab from mfire138 here on the forum. I saw it parked at the fire department here at work, and left a note on it. He called me back, we made a deal, and the rest is history! (well, history in the making I guess). here are some of his pics:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=18163&p=131762#p131762

She's and ex-USAF D200 crew, D60 rear with 4.10:1. NP435 4 speed, LA318. Needs rear lower door skins, some minor rocker repair, and to fix a few bumps and bruises. Over all, not too bad, I am currently daily driving it about 50 miles per day. Heres where you guys can hopefully help me:

I have been toying with the idea of converting it to a W200. I have found a 1972 W200 for parts not far from me. I havent looked at it yet, but the seller says its a 4 speed and 318, divorced transfer case, and axles in good shape (what did these come with, D44 and D60 combo?), however, he also said it has a factory plow which may mean that it is full time AWD. Is that possible in 1972? At any rate, I'd like to lift it up a bit if possible if/when this swap even happens. I have been considering re-arching the springs, but I think I would rather get new packs. If I go with eaton, or something like that, what would you guys recommend? or could I steal some from another model and make a hybrid pack with my main? I did some searching but haven't found a whole lot.

anyone have any specs on this truck? I would like him to sit like this if possible:

Image

I also really like the look of this fargo, but i'm assuming its something like a W300? I don't know all of the models and specs yet. Would D/W 300 fenders bolt on? I am looking to replace my fenders at some point

http://i200.photobucket.com/albums/aa21 ... ac0229.jpg

Re: 1971 D200 Crew Cab to W200 and Lift Questions

Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 5:14 pm
by j2007
These trucks came with a dana 44 up front dana 60 rear. As far as lift rough country made a 4 inch lift kit for these, not sure if they still
make it but it had all new springs and shocks not bad for about $500. If you are going to do the swap I would try and get a dana 60 front
for it if you can. That picture looks like a 200.

Re: 1971 D200 Crew Cab to W200 and Lift Questions

Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 9:04 pm
by FreezePlug
thanks for the reply. The red one i would assume is a W200, however the blue one in the bottom link is probably a fargo W300 or more

Re: 1971 D200 Crew Cab to W200 and Lift Questions

Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 10:05 pm
by 712edf
Look at that 72 W200 closely...If it came with a plow or winch it may have a Dana 70 front.....Yes W200 could be had with a 70 front (still 60 rear). I once owned one, still have the winch. Good luck.

Full time didn't begin in pickups til 75. 74 for Ramcharger.

Bucky

Re: 1971 D200 Crew Cab to W200 and Lift Questions

Posted: Wed Mar 03, 2010 10:06 pm
by j2007
sorry, did look at the link. my bad. by the way :welcome to the site. Any further question I am sure someone here can answer them :Thumbsup

Re: 1971 D200 Crew Cab to W200 and Lift Questions

Posted: Thu Mar 04, 2010 7:01 am
by FreezePlug
thanks for the welcome guys. And great info on the W200 axles...i am almost 100% sure this one was factory equipped with a plow, so who knows what it may have! a front D70 would be amazing.

the springs would also swap over, right?

Re: 1971 D200 Crew Cab to W200 and Lift Questions

Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 2:38 pm
by jimmy
yes, the front springs are interchangable. If you found a D44 or D60 out of a newer truck maybe 75' or newer you will also gain Disc brakes. Dodge used right side front drive lines until 94'. Anything after 93' will not work unless you use a t-case with a left side front drive line.

My :2cents . I perfer open knuckle disc brake 44's & 60's. Parts seam cheaper and they are easyer to work on. Lots of variations of these over a nearlly 30 year use. 44 works very well, however a 60 is certainly stronger.

Re: 1971 D200 Crew Cab to W200 and Lift Questions

Posted: Sat Mar 06, 2010 9:00 am
by Hobcobble
FreezePlug wrote:thanks for the welcome guys. And great info on the W200 axles...i am almost 100% sure this one was factory equipped with a plow, so who knows what it may have! a front D70 would be amazing.

the springs would also swap over, right?
Welcome to the site :welcome :usa The pre-'69
stock W200's sat higher than the '69-'71s. After
'68, the rear stock tall lift blocks were removed.
I would suppose that you could spec out some
new Eaton springs based on the earlier model
W200 and get a set of tall rear stock lift blocks
and build up from there. What you'll have to keep
in mind if not using a factory NP201 t-case and
cross member is that particular attention will need
to be payed to the drive shaft angles. I guess for
that matter.... attention should be payed to this
issue whichever way you proceed. :study :Thumbsup
John

Re: 1971 D200 Crew Cab to W200 and Lift Questions

Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 9:13 pm
by FreezePlug
thanks for all of the replies! I looked at the 1972 D200 that I was talking about. looks to have front ball joint Dana 44, rear dana 60, 4.10:1 gears, np205 transfer case, np435 transmission, 318 with aftermarket headers.

the body is SUPER rotten as it was an ex-National Guard plow truck, but it has only 19,000 Miles on it!!!!!! the frame and driveline look to be in GREAT shape.

It has front double-wrap main leaves....the leaf pack looked to have maybe 8 leaves front, 10 leaves rear, and a rear block. Is this a military thing? (the dual wrapped spring?)

Does it sound like I can make the 4x4 swap happen using this whole truck as parts?

also, is there any difference between the rear dana 60 and the one in my 1971? possibility of factory limited slip? i dont even know if mine has one. but I thought a factory plow truck may

Re: 1971 D200 Crew Cab to W200 and Lift Questions

Posted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 10:33 pm
by digdoug
All the sweptline era W trucks had that double wrap on the front springs too :Thumbsup .

Re: 1971 D200 Crew Cab to W200 and Lift Questions

Posted: Thu Mar 11, 2010 7:43 pm
by FreezePlug
thanks, i did not know