Making my truck 'tow capable'

[Dan Babb]

Well, I think I'm going to do some major work to my truck.

It's time to get a new daily driver. After experiencing our first winter, we'd like to have something with 4wheel drive. I don't really want to get another truck and the cool stuff I like with 4WD don't have enough of a tow rating to pull my 68 Camaro on an open trailer.

So, I think I'm going to look into doing the required mods to the 52 so I can occassionally use it to tow my Camaro to track events.

So what are the 'required' mods? I'd like to do this all for less than 5 grand (is that crazy or doable?)

Bigger engine is a must have. I just don't think the flat head the juice to do it. Might need to start looking for a real early Hemi - just because that would be cool. An engine swap would most likely result in a 12v conversion.

How about the trans? Probably a lot easier to buy a matching engine/trans than to try to adapt the 3 speed to a bigger engine, right?

Rear bumper - I don't have one now. Is there a place to get a rear bumper that's made for these trucks that I could mount to the rear frame and be strong enough for towing?

Brakes - think I can keep the drums or do I need to upgrade those? Maybe keep the drums, but put in some type of power brake system? Please give me some ideas.

Leaf springs - They look pretty stout. Don't think I need to make a change. Agree?

I wouldn't be taking very long road-trips. The track I'd go to most is about 90 mins away (VIR).

Anyone else done this to their truck? I don't want to do major surgery. Once I pull out the flathead, I'll clean it up and keep it so it could go back to original if I ever to sell it and the buyer wants that option.

[greg g]

look around for a dodge powered motor home with a 360 or 440. Then you get the hd trans, the coolers, an hd rear axle, maybe even a bumper you can cut down and a reciever hitch as well radiator snooze control all in one package, and a play house for the kids................or a kennel or gut it and use it to store your race car.

[austinsailor]

You might consider a Chrysler or Desoto 6. A 265 Chrysler would probably do it, and if you wanted more power, a little bit of work on it would get you even more. And, installation would be very simple. Move the radiator forward 2", weld some tabs on your front motor mounts.

$100 for a core motor, maybe $1000 for a rebuild, a couple hundred more if you want a better cam and a few goodies. You'd still have plenty left for disk brakes on the front and maybe install air conditioning with change left from your $5K. I'd also look for a 4 speed to replace the 3 speed for your towing. Add $100 or so.

There would be no need to change the 6 volt, it would need no attention if it's already working.

The hemi is going to crowd your $5k just for the motor once it's rebuilt.

this is what I'd do. Actually, this is what I'm going to do for my car.

Gene G.

[oldmopar]

I know you said you did not want another truck but Here is a 77 D600 not to far from you that should be able to pull a trailer

http://www.dodgesweptline.org/phorum/read.php?6,5922

[Dave72dt]

A 360 and auto trans is what I'd use along with a disc brake setup in the front, conversion to 12 volts if for no other reason than to run the brakes on the trailer. Probably fab a new rear bumper and heavy mounting brackets. The stock pieces are simply not heavy enough. You might want to add a leaf to the rear springs.

[4852dodge]

A class 3 hitch assy from an older body S-10 is almost a perfect fit. The frames are less than 1/4 inch different in width, the dodge frame is narrower. I picked up one for the wifes Blazer and never instaled it. One day I held it to the frame of my B-1-D and all I had to do was drill bolt holes to install. If you want to tow the car I would upgrade to a V-8, and disc brakes the trans is your choice.

[oldmopar]

A class 3 hitch assy from an older body S-10 is almost a perfect fit. The frames are less than 1/4 inch different in width, the dodge frame is narrower. I picked up one for the wifes Blazer and never instaled it. One day I held it to the frame of my B-1-D and all I had to do was drill bolt holes to install. If you want to tow the car I would upgrade to a V-8, and disc brakes the trans is your choice.

What year blazer/s10

[4852dodge]

Our Blazer was a 94, the earlier squarer body. I'm not sure but the later rounded models may have a different frame width.

[oldmopar]

When I finish my truck would I to to add a hitch and since my truck like yours is a 1 ton I have the solution

Thanks