About 35 years ago, I stumbled upon this concept for my vehicles that has ruled my choices ever since:
"What the factory SHOULD have built, instead of what they did build."
First platform that got this treatment was my 1966 Dart 270 Wagon. Was a factory V8/AC car with most of the factory options, including rear seat belts ($12, I think). When I was done with it, it had ALL the factory options, including electric rear window lift and luggage rack. 360-4bbl, New Process A500 OD/lockup AT, 8-3/4" Powr-Lok rear, front disk brakes. This was my daily driver/cruiser for more than 10 years. It's been to Florida 3 times, and the Far West a half-dozen times. I racked up more than 160K miles on it. It's been off the road for awhile for some rust issues which are now mostly repaired.
Next in line was my current daily driver, a 1977 Dodge M880, the BUFF. If that model seems unfamiliar, it's what Dodge built for the military, originally 5/4 ton, 318-2bbl, Dana 44F, NP203 full time transfer case, manual steering. Today, the truck is what Dodge SHOULD have built for the military (but didn't for obvious economic reasons). I built this one in 2007. It probably has a half-million miles on it by now. It's on its 4th engine.
- Cummins 6BT, USA-made HD cylinder head, mildly tweaked for power/torque.
- Dana 60s front and rear, both with Powr-Lok
- Part-time 4WD with the NP205 transfer case and lockout hubs
- Compound springs in the rear
- 4-wheel disk brakes
- power steering
- Engine driven hydro-boost to serve power brakes
Really, the only original parts left in The BUFF are the frame, the steering column, and the dash. From 10 feet away, it looks bone-stock. And it gets 20MPG.
Next vehicle, currently in build, is a 1965 Dodge Coronet A990 Super-Stock tribute car. Only this one goes just a bit beyond the factory equipment:
-572 stroker Gen II Hemi
- aluminum radiator
- hydraulic clutch (blueprinted New Process A833 4-speed)
- 4-wheel titanium disk brakes
- Narrowed Dana 60 rear (for tubs), Powr-Lok 4.56:1
- subframe connectors
- Customized rear frame (lightened and strengthened).
- fuel cell
- Deleted firewall/dash structure (heater ducts, wipers, etc.)
- Fiberglass front fenders
- major diet plan. This car will have a <=3000 lb curb weight.
Just bought the Hemi in August, in kit form. $18K. Should be on the track next summer.
That's how I roll.
Last shitbox I drove was a 1985 Chevy Cavalier wagon, but it's been gone for almost 30 years now.
-Paul
"What the factory SHOULD have built, instead of what they did build."
First platform that got this treatment was my 1966 Dart 270 Wagon. Was a factory V8/AC car with most of the factory options, including rear seat belts ($12, I think). When I was done with it, it had ALL the factory options, including electric rear window lift and luggage rack. 360-4bbl, New Process A500 OD/lockup AT, 8-3/4" Powr-Lok rear, front disk brakes. This was my daily driver/cruiser for more than 10 years. It's been to Florida 3 times, and the Far West a half-dozen times. I racked up more than 160K miles on it. It's been off the road for awhile for some rust issues which are now mostly repaired.
Next in line was my current daily driver, a 1977 Dodge M880, the BUFF. If that model seems unfamiliar, it's what Dodge built for the military, originally 5/4 ton, 318-2bbl, Dana 44F, NP203 full time transfer case, manual steering. Today, the truck is what Dodge SHOULD have built for the military (but didn't for obvious economic reasons). I built this one in 2007. It probably has a half-million miles on it by now. It's on its 4th engine.
- Cummins 6BT, USA-made HD cylinder head, mildly tweaked for power/torque.
- Dana 60s front and rear, both with Powr-Lok
- Part-time 4WD with the NP205 transfer case and lockout hubs
- Compound springs in the rear
- 4-wheel disk brakes
- power steering
- Engine driven hydro-boost to serve power brakes
Really, the only original parts left in The BUFF are the frame, the steering column, and the dash. From 10 feet away, it looks bone-stock. And it gets 20MPG.
Next vehicle, currently in build, is a 1965 Dodge Coronet A990 Super-Stock tribute car. Only this one goes just a bit beyond the factory equipment:
-572 stroker Gen II Hemi
- aluminum radiator
- hydraulic clutch (blueprinted New Process A833 4-speed)
- 4-wheel titanium disk brakes
- Narrowed Dana 60 rear (for tubs), Powr-Lok 4.56:1
- subframe connectors
- Customized rear frame (lightened and strengthened).
- fuel cell
- Deleted firewall/dash structure (heater ducts, wipers, etc.)
- Fiberglass front fenders
- major diet plan. This car will have a <=3000 lb curb weight.
Just bought the Hemi in August, in kit form. $18K. Should be on the track next summer.
That's how I roll.
Last shitbox I drove was a 1985 Chevy Cavalier wagon, but it's been gone for almost 30 years now.
-Paul
