53 3100 w/ Dakota Suspension
 

Hey guys,

Starting a build thread to keep me on track!

History
I got this 53 roller in Texas for $1100 and a running 235 for $300. Super stock and drove it for a few weeks until it needed a rebuild of the 235. Also did a bonded title to get it squared away legally. This was back in 2016. I was able to work on it from time to time and collect parts, until we decided to move from Texas to Indy in 2020.

Drivetrain
I overhauled the 54 235 .30 over pistons, .10 under on the crank, drilled for full oil filtering w/ remote filter, tapped the crank for sbc bolt and used best gasket rear seal. Stock cam and everything else. Fenton headers, and a rebuild carb with electric choke. Tranny is a T5. Rear axle was a 9in, but switched to a ZR2 s10 axle, we'll see if that was the right move. Both might be too long for my truck as I got the slammed bug. axle is 3.73/posi which with the t5 should suite the 235 pretty well.

Suspension
I bought a dodge Dakota custom crossmember from industrial chassis in 2017 which bolted in and allowed me to still use the 235. It has disk brakes, gm calipers, power rack and pinion, and the coil has been cut one loop ~2in drop. I have drop spindles coming soon to lower the front. Rear suspension was stock with leafs pulled, but I just installed the TCI parallel leaf kick which was a 4in drop and I had 3in drop blocks laying around so I threw those in there too. Probably going to raise the bed 3in and c notch the frame a bit.

Body
Cab is decent for a Texas truck, new glass, and needs some light body work, but I just want to drive it first for a while and I will circle back to bodywork. I sold the bed and just bought new. I also have one new front fender and running boards, otherwise she is stock everything else.

Extras
I wanted this truck to look and sound stock, but have some tasteful upgrades like the t5, vintage air a/c, power steering, alternator, classic instrument gauges etc. I installed a new wiring harness from speedway (their basic one and it was perfect). I had to shell out some cash to get the right mounts for all the accessories and a 2 groove pulley, but love the functionality even if it robs a little power from the 235. Steering column is a cheapy from Jegs that I had left over and I have 59 impala steering wheel. Gas tank is a 68 Camaro model that I want to fill via license plate flip. Bed wood is oak which I need to treat once it gets warm out.

Over time it has been sitting without much progress as I worked on other projects like my c10 and k5. Now I am finally focusing on it to get it running this summer.

Re: 53 3100 w/ Dakota Suspension
 

engine brackets I got off Ebay for my power steering, a/c, alt, and 2 groove balancer for the 235.
replaced floor pans in the cab, just need to do cab corners and some dents here and there later.
the 53 sitting in the garage, because of the blue 76 and the 85 (73) k5 blazer

Re: 53 3100 w/ Dakota Suspension
 

a few pix when I first got this truck, dropping a motor in it and getting some wheels for it. Humble beginnings!

Re: 53 3100 w/ Dakota Suspension
 

last old pic from 2017, I was able to buy a handfull of 3100s and collect the best parts and sell off the rest, My oldest loves being around.

Re: 53 3100 w/ Dakota Suspension
 

thats so cool. the little fella loves to drive too. you gotta get a seat for the poor kid. haha

Re: 53 3100 w/ Dakota Suspension
 

Well figured out a solution with the frontend suspension.

The dodge dakota suspension allows either stock old rotors with a 5x4.5 or a dodge fullsize rotor with a 5x5x5 pattern. Years ago I opted for the bigger one. I was going to try to get all four wheels to be the same, but needed a dodge dakota caliper bracket and that was too much of a fight, so just stayed with what I got and ran 15x7 fronts w/ 5x5x5/5 wheel and the rear are 5x4.75/4.5. Not optimal, but I am driving the truck June, no matter what!

One issue that I noticed is the clearance for the tie rods was really tight, specifically the moog rubber boot. I ended up going to oreilly's and using a dorman cheapy and that solved the clearance issue.


Here is the truck without the engine in it. 2in drop (1 loop of springs cut) + 2in drop spindles (belltech). Rear is TCI kit ~4in + 3in drop. Kids were hanging out in the engine bay, they loved it.

Re: 53 3100 w/ Dakota Suspension
 

Not the biggest Dodge fan, but to be honest, Im surprised more builds (not Chevy trucks, just in general) have not used the Dakota front. It has allot of things going for it...including the width of a bunch of various vehicles. Lorne

Re: 53 3100 w/ Dakota Suspension
 

Ya this was my first experience and drifted towards doing something different than the tried and true M2. It also was cheaper per se. In hindsight, I wish I would have just done the kit. I changed my mind later and wanted a 5x4.5 to match the rear/combo tires, but finding used brackets and playing that game hasn't been fun. I ended up keeping the d150 rotors and calling it a day and just getting wheels but hey it's part of the pursuit.

Got my 235 reassembled and dropped in the truck. Front tires rubbed a tad, so probably going to go a little narrower up front, 205/70/15 vs the 225/70/15.

Really hoping the rear seal (Best gasket) holds up well. I think I am still on track for a June cruise up to Michigan.

Key tasks:

1. connect all engine components
2. run the engine/break in + mount camaro gas tank
3. body mockups and figure out steering a bit better (not happy with the mounting situation in the column
4. drop in tranny and driveshaft
5. interior necessities, windows rolling up/down, doors etc

Re: 53 3100 w/ Dakota Suspension
 

love the red trucks!

Re: 53 3100 w/ Dakota Suspension
 

What spot or cruise are you hitting up in MI? Just curious. I live in SW lower MI about 20 min from the MI/IN boarder.

The truck is looking good.

Marc

Southaven, my FIL lives there so the plan is cruise on up there in June.
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Re: 53 3100 w/ Dakota Suspension
 

Very cool. South have is great. I'm about 40 minutes SE of there.

Marc