90 Ram to 52 M37

[noclinkers]

Starting my new build.

I have a 90 Ram 6bt that I want to stuff under the M for a trail rig.
I have been reading retiredguys build and it is great to see that someone has done it before. Mine won't be as nice as his.
Right now I have both of the rigs stripped and am mocking them up to see where to cut the frame on the Ram. The Ram is 133" WB and the M is 112"WB. Math says 21, but I know it doesn't always work out that way. I know retiredguy says he cut 38" out of his, but I am already having issues thinking ahead to the radiator and not having the engine in the front seat.




I will figure it out, but if anyone has some pointers, I'm all ears.

[Cal_Gary]

I have no pointers but am here for moral support! That's quite a project-thanks for sharing your pix as well. Good luck!
Gary

[retiredguy]

One thing I see already is you cannot run that fan. I also removed the fan mounting bracket and made a new one to reroute the belt.

[noclinkers]

Thank you Gary, yes it will be fun.
Retired, thanks for chiming in! I will look again how you did the fan delete and reevaluate.

[retiredguy]

check on page 7 on my build you'll see the belt reroute. I had to do that so the rad motor would clear the engine.

[noclinkers]

Looking now. Thank you.

[k8icu]

You'll have to shorten the frame so that the bed will end up in the correct position. It's a cut and weld job just keep everything straight, square and level.

[noclinkers]

You'll have to shorten the frame so that the bed will end up in the correct position. It's a cut and weld job just keep everything straight, square and level.

Yep, got that. I was just concerned about my numbers being so far off from Retiredguys build, but we got that worked out.
I ended up taking out 25" of frame. I chose to cut it in the place I did because I can use the existing parking brake mounts and my fish plates when welded in will tie everything together with the leaf spring brackets in the rear.



Gonna move the front axle forward.
I'm only going to have to re flare one brake line and shorten the rear drive line too. WooHoo...

Edit: don't judge my welding....Haha

[noclinkers]

You can see the bead on the leaf spring bracket. I plan to pop out the rivets, then fish plate the frame behind and drill through the plate to bolt the bracket back in place.
Who thinks those rims look out of place......I do....Haha

[rickf]

I am glad to see you did a proper frame splice, I see so many bad welds where a frame is cut and welded straight across.

[noclinkers]

I am glad to see you did a proper frame splice, I see so many bad welds where a frame is cut and welded straight across.

Thanks

[k8icu]

Looks good. You welds look better than mine so I'm not judging you...LOL! How far forward are you going to move the front axle? Is that a leaf spring or coil spring axle?