GZP Ram 2500 Overhaul

So, I do a lot of towing, and was running around with a 2WD 94 1500, regular cab, that just was not cutting it. So, we found this 96 V10 2500 4x4 on craigslist a few months back on Long Island (NY). We ended up getting it for a song and a dance, and drove it home to PA.

It's been sitting out back of our shop for quite a while, and now we're finally diving into it.

So, onto the pictures :)

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-...7_985132_n.jpg

Pulled back the carpet and found this... which is what prompted the top to bottom overhaul

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...l/IMG_4590.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...l/IMG_4592.jpg

you can see the new floor panel to the side, waiting to be installed, once we cut out the rotted metal on the floor.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...l/IMG_4591.jpg


Some rot areas on the body, so, we're cutting sections out, and we got replacement panels to weld in

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...l/IMG_4587.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...l/IMG_4586.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...l/IMG_4593.jpg

Chucked the bed liner. We'll be fixing the major damage in there, then just getting a spray-on bedliner

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...l/IMG_4594.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...l/IMG_4595.jpg

V10 :yum: Looking good so far!

Hans had to buy me some step-up bars so I can get in and out of the truck by myself... without someone lifting me in :lol:

Haha, can't wait to see how it turns out.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Emilie@GZP

Hans had to buy me some step-up bars so I can get in and out of the truck by myself... without someone lifting me in :lol:

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I used to have a lifted Bronco II. My friend and his girlfriend rode with me to a WVU game in it. She was short. Probably shorter than you. He had to give her a boost to get in it. It was quite comical. :p

thats a lot of work....but it will definitely be worth it. I can't wait to see the results.

I so miss my V10 2500! traded for a damn toyota for mileage, and wish I had not.

8 to 14 mph, but will pull like a sumbitch.

Surprised to hear people liked the V10's. I worked at a Dodge dealership when they were out and people would buy them and trade them in 2 months later because they couldn't stand them.

Cool project though. I used to have a 1500, same style and color even...one of the best trucks I had. Rust does suck on them though as mine was rusting on the bed sides just like yours.

Make sure you go over the suspension good too...that's one area those trucks had issues with.

It's getting a new set of shocks all around. I'm not sure what brand yet... looking at some heavy duty bilsteins, but I may end up going with some Rancho's. It has some H2 Hummer wheels on it now with 35 inch tires. The rest of the suspension seems to be in good shape. I did buy all new ball joints for the front before I even looked at it. It doesn't need them yet, but I have them just in case. I'm also doing in intake manifold gaskets and valve cover gaskets on the engine as well as some Doug Thorley long tube headers with a custom cat back exhaust :)

The truck is getting painted sandstone grey (from a 92 3000GT) with the company logo being painted on the bed and tailgate of the truck in Silver (factory color from a 92 3000GT) and Blue (from a 92 3000GT as well). Trying to keep the factory 3/S paint scheme on it. We're putting in new bottom cab corners, new driver side rocker panel, driver side floor pan, and driver side wheel arch on the bed. I got a sport grille for it. I'll probably get a sport front/rear bumpers for it as well. I don't like chrome bumpers. Em got some ghey halo headlights for it. I'm not sure how I like them, but we'll see how it turns out when the truck is painted.

I'm probably going to pull the plow mount off. I really don't think I'll ever plow with this thing.

Boy you easterners sure have rust issues over there. Not as cold for as long here, so chemicals and sand, no salt on the roads.

yea, the rust was a bit surprising. LOL

Those Rams rust like crazy but usually it's just the box sides, bottom of the doors, and the rocker panels. I've never seen a floor rotted out like that before and I've seen some rusted piles.

They make that stuff easy to replace now though because you can buy it all pre-formed.

The floor pan doesn't go all the way to the rocker. It leaves like 4-5 inches of space that I have to make my own floor pan to replace the rust. The carpet was soaking wet, so I'm sure that didn't help this thing... along with it being used as a plow truck.

some more cutting, grinding, panel-pulling, and starting to fill in all of the dents/dings.

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...l/IMG_4638.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...l/IMG_4639.jpg

Oh man can't wait to see this thing all done up!! It's going to be awesome.

I wish I had a Dodge truck :-( I want one with a Cummins tho :-)

Yea, I wanted a diesel too but for $1250.... I went with the V10 haha. Who could say no for that price.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Hans@GZP

Yea, I wanted a diesel too but for $1250.... I went with the V10 haha. Who could say no for that price.

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Did you steal it from someone and left a flaming bag of shit with $1250 inside on the front door!?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Atrosity

Did you steal it from someone and left a flaming bag of shit with $1250 inside on the front door!?

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Guy was getting divorced, he needed it gone :dontknow:

Your front license plate is hanging down.

Doesn't matter in PA :p

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alex3000gt

Your front license plate is hanging down.

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those were the plates we drove it home with. PA only issues one plate. Problem fixed :p

Subscribed. I will be buying an older Ram or Dakota next weekend most likely. I love Dodge trucks.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by CoopKill

Boy you easterners sure have rust issues over there. Not as cold for as long here, so chemicals and sand, no salt on the roads.

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Yeah its nice not having a bunch of rust buckets on the roads here in the NW.

Here are some more recent pictures of the overhaul. Our body guy was out due to some health issues, so it was on hold for a bit. Now it's almost done :)

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...l/IMG_6616.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...l/IMG_6617.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...l/IMG_6618.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...l/IMG_6619.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d1...l/IMG_6612.jpg

The new floor boards.

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._7384629_n.jpg

Its about time you updated us, almost forgot about this build.

Nice, it's looking good!

Looking forward to seeing the finished product!
Dodge trucks are my favorite ride.

God damn northern rust.....

-Chris

I used almost a half gallon of POR15 on the frame and on the underside of the floor in the cab. The wheel wells will also be painted in POR15 along with having the plastic factory liners in there.

Right now the whole cab is ready for the top coat. My body guy has off today (needs to go to the hospital every Thursday for a follow up) so some more pics will be posted this weekend. My hinge rebuild kits should get here just in time to put the doors back on.

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._1611345_n.jpg
http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._5814293_n.jpg

fail. i don't see a 3000gt body anywhere on that chassis.

it's 3000gt sandstone gray... close enough.

you're such a tease. first you post 4x4 3kgt pics, then you DON'T make this into one.

http://newsimg.ngfiles.com/154000/15..._sad_kitty.jpg
http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/c...t_trollcat.jpg

Nice, I need to POR15 my underbody on the 3kgt :)

So, what kind of condition is the engine in? How many miles? I wonder how difficult a 5.9l cummins swap would be...

It's an 8.0 v10 with 150k on it. It fires right up with just a jumper pack attached (no battery). 3.55 gears with 35 inch tires on hummer wheels. I'd love some 4.10's, but I don't want to spend the money. I already have a ton of money into this paint job. The roof is getting painted tomorrow. Black... stealth style.

I still need to get new carpet and some black dye for the interior along with some new molding for the doors. It's getting some heated power seats from a crossfire.

Black-topped it (had to prop the "roof" of the painting area up... as it's a bit taller than the cars we usually paint (3/S's) :lol:

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._2526191_n.jpg

Got the doors on and aligned

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._6916000_n.jpg

I would suggest instead of getting carpet you should get molded rubber/plastic interior with high edges it prevents water from sitting and makes clean up really simple for any spills

I've got it in my 98 2500 12 valve cummings turbo and its great

HTC EVO

I like the easy of clean up and durability of the rubber floor but I hate how they look and feel. Carpet is cheap enough to swap out every few years if need be.