Like the title says. Had the truck for 4 yrs. Bought it with the intention of using it as a winter beater and mud truck. Well..... It didn't really run and almost all the electrical didn't work. So its sat.

Its a 1978 Dodge W100(150?) full time 4x4, small block (318 or 360) 4spd, Step side.

Finally got a place with a garage. Starting to work on it. Thinking mild restoration and major upgrades. No exact plan yet. Just some thoughts.

"Plans" as of now

4" to 6" suspensive lift no blocks
37"-38" tires
hydraulic assist for steering
high steer kit
fix/replace passenger fender
rock sliders/rocker protection
trim low hanging sheet metal
fix/upgrade front bumper make it actually handle a winch
custom rear bumper with integrated receiver hitch and D ring shackles
replace front and rear windows (damaged)
replace all weather stripping
Full set of auto meter gauges
Exhaust stacks
Bigger badder engine undecided as of now
"rhino" line the cab and bed
Relocate the gas tank. Preferably under the bed
Rear discs
Better running engine.
Right now I'm thinking this http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MLL-BPC4080CT/ . With 375hp and 460ft/lbs. It should do the trick.



Thoughts on paint for the truck include stock, midnight express, camo/olive green, and General Lee themed.

Right now I'm seriously leaning towards the midnight express theme. Its exactly like the little red express but black. Maybe I'll do flat black.

Ok time for the pics

http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m513/lurch-13/78dodge002.jpg

http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m513/lurch-13/78dodge001.jpg

http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m513/lurch-13/78dodge003.jpg

http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m513/lurch-13/78dodge004.jpg

This was as of mid June. Just copy/pasted from my new members thread.

Not much progress so far. I have my sisters wedding and my vacation coming up so time and money are thin at the moment.

Took the front bumper off. It literally just lifted off. The welds holding it to the brackets were completely done for. So I pulled the bumper brackets off as well. Would have been one hell of a knee knocker.

Picked up a cheap set of used tires/rims off craigslist. Lots of tread, but also lots of dry rot and cracking. 3 are 11.5/15(32") 1 is 10.5/15(31"). Close enough. Mostly so its not sitting on 3 flats. Don't want the "city" or neighbors giving my buddy shit over the truck.

Looks much better. Like a tuck again. Wish my camera battery wasn't dead when I was putting them on. Rather funny looking with bigger air filled tires on one side and flat down to the rim tires on the other. There was a 5 1/2" difference.
How it looks at the moment-
http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m513/lurch-13/78dodge008.jpg

The new(to me) rims/tires-

http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m513/lurch-13/78dodge009.jpg

The reason they were so cheap-

http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m513/lurch-13/78dodge010.jpg

No I don't plan on driving on the tires with all the cracks in them. Just a temporary fix till its ready for the road again. Which won't be anytime soon.

Finally got back to it this week. I've decided to take it down to the frame. Removed the hood, hood hinges, cowl, grill, grill extension, fenders, and inner fenders. Few months ago me and a buddy removed most all the under hood wiring and some miscellaneous bits. Taking lots of photos as I went to help with reinstalation.

Here's how it looks now.

http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m513/lurch-13/DSC01919.jpg

http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m513/lurch-13/DSC01918.jpg

I'm trying to keep the picture size reasonable. If any one thinks I need to use larger or smaller images let me know. I hope to put at least 1 afternoon a week into this. So probably have weekly updates.

If any one has any ideas on making this project go easier or turn out better in the end. Please feel free to throw your 2cents in. This is almost entirely new to me and any input is welcome.

Nice project. I will be following along for sure. Thats a good engine pick gobs of power for the money. I really like the step side kinda rare. I would get that bed off and make life easier for ya as you have a bunch of work to do under there. Then look in to a Ram Charger fuel cell and work on your lift. You can take that vin to the dealer parts guy and get a build sheet so you know what your starting with. Kinda dig the gold color too.

progress report.

Removed the rear bumper yesterday(its for sale). Removed the passenger rear "fender" and both side steps today. Also got the core support and radiator off a little while ago. Slowly getting it tore down. Now that the holidays are over I should be able to get to little more often.

As of right now.
http://i1129.photobucket.com/albums/m513/lurch-13/DSC01949.jpg

Hey your going great!

going to be a interesting and great build project :thumbsup:

Cool truck. I'd like to have one like it.

That's a cool truck! It looks like you're going for the Rock Crawler theme. I'd sink an aluminum fuel cell into the floor of the bed. It looks cool & tucks the tank up higher out of the way. I welded a 1/4" plate on the bottom of the frame rails & set a 16 gallon on top of it then cut the wood to fit around it Skidplate protected & up high where it can't get caught on anything. If you mud race this is also a way of bettering your mudynamics under the truck.

I like the idea of the Midnight Express theme. That's a cool project ya got there!

Thanks for all the ideas and support. I really appreciate it. Had issues with my internet so updates will be infrequent.

That's a cool truck! It looks like you're going for the Rock Crawler theme. I'd sink an aluminum fuel cell into the floor of the bed. It looks cool & tucks the tank up higher out of the way. I welded a 1/4" plate on the bottom of the frame rails & set a 16 gallon on top of it then cut the wood to fit around it Skidplate protected & up high where it can't get caught on anything. If you mud race this is also a way of bettering your mudynamics under the truck.

Was already thinking something very similar. Unfortunately I'm working with Zero cash right now so tear down and clean up is my only options for now.

I was shooting to have it re-powered and road worthy by the end of summer. But with a wedding to save for now (proposed back in December) funds will be few and far in between. So I'm shooting for fall 2013.

As of right now I've gotten the bed off and am starting the tear down of the cab. Gong with the slow but steady plan of attack.

Hey man nice project. I have been there a few times myself I noticed something as I was looking at your updates. I dont think you have a 78 by the position of the gas tank. 76 was the last year of the gas tank behind the seat but the first year of that dash and 4x4 setup you have. looks like it was hit in the rt front it would be easy to change the grill to make it look like a 78, I could be wrong but by the fender chrome not being in the pass side thats what it reminds me of. check the vin on the truck the 6th letter tells the year. I have many parts for these year trucks of you need something would be happy to help just let me know.If you are going with 78 I have the amber parking lights for the grill as a 77 had the clear ones like you have and I have a nice A/C dash if you want air. I will be watching and will be posting some of my own projects as time goes on ( I just joined the forum today) Good luck and congrats on the upcomming wedding . Mopartrkman

Thanks for all the ideas and support. I really appreciate it. Had issues with my internet so updates will be infrequent.



Was already thinking something very similar. Unfortunately I'm working with Zero cash right now so tear down and clean up is my only options for now.

I was shooting to have it re-powered and road worthy by the end of summer. But with a wedding to save for now (proposed back in December) funds will be few and far in between. So I'm shooting for fall 2013.

As of right now I've gotten the bed off and am starting the tear down of the cab. Gong with the slow but steady plan of attack.

Slow and easy with high quality is a good way to go. make sure you take gobs of pics and bag and tag everything. Keep everything in a good place. Ask me how I know:hilarious:

Any new updates?

I love the Midnite Express Personally I wouldnt do the Midnite on a 4x4 since they were all 4x2 and if you took it off road the stacks would get in the way around trees and at $1000.00 a set that would get expensive fast. For a 4X4 I would do a Warlock or a PICK M UP, they were made in 4x4 and no stacks to knock off. However I dont want you to think I am trying to tell you what to do , I think it would be beautiful no matter what you decide on. As a matter of fact I will try to help with the budget. I looked all over for the Midnite Express stripes and the cheapest place I have found to get decals is Shawn McCarthy 373 Jacques Ave. Winnipeg, MB R3W 1N5 Canada
I just found the website rockrazz@shaw.ca I only paid $29.99 plus shipping. I have had them about 5 years now so the price must have gone up but still cheaper than anyplace else I have found. They are of good quality and are all there. They make all sorts of decals for all kinds of vehicles. Good luck and keep the updates coming!:alien::thumbsup:Mopartrkman:rockon:

I know this is an old thread but i have to comment, if you are planning a lift or big tires, dump the small bolt pattern axles! the 5 on 4 1/2 bolt pattern and small bearings will be dangerous! if you can't change axles at least change outer c's to 5 on 5 /12 with full hubs. trust me with 37's and big wheels you will break studs and posibly loose the wheel.

and yes, 78 had amber front turn signals, 77 clear, and in cab fuel tanks were available in 78, I have one and I'm sure, it came with a service body on it and probably was built as a cab/chassie. also 78 was the first year for inboard front body mounts( actually was the only year to have holes for either) 77 front mounts were outside the frame, 78 were in the front crossmember and had an additional support piece in the rad support.