1963 D400 chassis...

[Lahti35]

Hello!

I am new to the board but not to old cars. I've done some restorations on various cars from the 20's through the 60's so I'm no stranger to vintage vehicles. I am new to dodge stuff though, never had one.

I'm thinking of picking up an early 60's dodge short school bus on a D400 chassis but I have some questions I can't find answers to after searching around the forum.

The vehicle in question has a manual transmission and a slant 6 under the hood made for a military contract... how fast will it go? I'm sure high gear is 1:1... The bus is in rough shape and we're thinking of turning it into a mini camper so I need it to go 55mph but no more. Is there a way to tell what ratio the rear axle is without opening it up?

My other question has to do with parts availability... can you get spare parts for these? Do the 400's share parts with other models?

[PwrWgnDrvr]

Hello!

I am new to the board but not to old cars. I've done some restorations on various cars from the 20's through the 60's so I'm no stranger to vintage vehicles. I am new to dodge stuff though, never had one.

I'm thinking of picking up an early 60's dodge short school bus on a D400 chassis but I have some questions I can't find answers to after searching around the forum. BAD IDEA

The vehicle in question has a manual transmission and a slant 6 under the hood made for a military contract... how fast will it go? NOT FAST I'm sure high gear is 1:1... The bus is in rough shape and we're thinking of turning it into a mini camper BAD IDEA so I need it to go 55mph but no more. Is there a way to tell what ratio the rear axle is without opening it up? USUALLY ON THE VIN PLATE, ALSO A TAG ON ONE OF DIFF THE COVER BOLTS. OTHERWISE, JACK IT UP AND COUNT THE PINION TURNS AS U ROTATE ONE WHEEL 360*, THEN DO THE MATH AND DIVIDE BY 2.

My other question has to do with parts availability... can you get spare parts for these? SOME AND HARD TO FIND, BRAKE DRUMS PROBABLY NOT Do the 400's share parts with other models? SOME

[Lahti35]

I don't think its a bad idea, I'm willing to put the work into it and as long as we are realistic about it and don't bank on taking it across country at 70mph we should be fine. It would be for short range trips under 200 miles over a long weekend...

I did some more research last night and found that if it has a 5.83 two speed rear end with 8.25 x 20 tires it should be running about 2750 rpm at 55... sounds reasonable to me and not too taxing on an engine.

[PwrWgnDrvr]

How many thousands and how many yrs do u have / want to spend on this project?
What is the detailed condition of it now?
What parts specifically does it need?
Post a detailed list.
Post some pics.
I don't see 55 mph with a slant 6 in that weight of vehicle. Based on driving 100, 200 and 300 models with 318's for the last 40 yrs.
My experience is with the following list of trucks, plus a few others, all but a couple of which I currently own:

42 WC63 6x6
59 D500 parts truck
61 D100 392 hemi project
62 W300
62 D400 dumper parts truck
63 D100 parts truck
63 D200 Crew Ute 413 NP420 parts truck
64 D100 Ute
64 D100 CSS Ute
65 D100 CSS Ute
66 D100 CTD NV4500 Daily Driver
66 D300 parts truck
66 W300 parts truck
66 W500
66 W500 parts truck
67 D200 CS parts truck
67 C500
67 D500 chassis/flatbed
68 D100 Adventure 383 727 parts truck
68 W200
68 D400 parts truck
69 D200 parts truck
69 D300 long chassis
69 W300 parts truck
69 D400 dumper
70 D100 parts truck
70 D200 CS parts truck
70 W100 383 NP445
70 W200 318 NP435
70 W200 383 NP435
70 W200 Crew 383 NP445 parts truck
70 W300 parts truck
70 W500 parts truck
71 D100 parts truck
71 D100 Adventurer
71 D200 CS
71 D200 CS Adventurer parts truck
71 W300 rock crawler project

[712edf]

Is 5.83 the low ration of the 2 speed rear or the high?
Are those 20" wheels split-ring type? Tires are likely tube type bias-ply that you have to get from a truck tire dealer (not pass car or light duty truck).
Brake parts are going to be hard to come by.

Bucky

[digdoug]

If it has a 2 speed rear,the rear brakes will be easy to find.The front brakes are a different story. Also,I have never seen a sweptline era 400 that didn't need kingpins.The front axle on a 400 is terribly undersized. I agree with Terry. I wouldn't waste my time on it...and I have wasted PLENTY!