It’s FINALLY Done! 1978 Dodge W200 Crew Cab "Problem Child" Build Wrap-up, Breakdowns & More

This awesome Dodge crew cab 4x4 has been in my life for the last four years. We restored the truck at my old shop, with "completion" coming at the height of the pandemic in 2020. But there was always a hit list of things that weren't quite right, or I didn't get to. That all... mostly... changes now. It's been a long, ridiculous road to get here - a road almost entirely of my own design. But it's finally as done as I can get it, and "Problem Child" has moved on to its new life in the sunny part of the country. Oh yeah, and I completely forgot to mention this in the video, but this truck was featured on the cover of the latest LMC Truck Dodge catalog! How cool is that?!

[@SpeednDemon]

The truck is on the cover of loc truck awesome work

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yes! I completely failed to mention the LMC cover in the video because I’m so “good” at stuff. I did mention it in the description - not that anyone reads those. The owner sent me a copy of it. Super excited about that.

[@BlindBatG34]

I’m convinced the only way you can buy good parts for old cars today is to invent a time machine.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Three letters… N.O.S. Other than that, it’s a gamble, on just about all fronts.

[@MrGrey-no7sn]

Man I remember when my steering wheel was all play like this. Adjusted the steering box and she is all good to go.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I have never managed to adjust a steering box without going too far and ruining it.

[@bigwrenchtech]

But wait! I haven't had my coffee yet.!!!

[@jeffhutchins7048]

If it will fit, put two hose clamps on the lower radiator hose coming out of the water pump. Had to do that to my '91.5 Cummins when it was NEW.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Well that’s special… I’ve had to do double clamps a few times.

[@jeffhutchins7048]

Kinda sucks when you have to FIX a new truck. My Dad actually bought it new. He's been working on vehicle, and equipment, electrical systems for 53 years. When he bought the truck it was eating voltage regulators constantly. They couldn't figure it out and actually FLEW an engineer out here to Lebanon, OR from Detroit. He couldn't figure it out either. Dad didn't think HE should have to figure it out on a NEW truck but he had no option so he got to thinking about it. He decided that since the voltage regulator is mounted right behind the head maybe it's heat related??. Moved it over to the fender well and it's had THE SAME regulator on it now for 31 YEARS.

[@shaunclifton5281]

Steel drums playing Toto & Mopars...Cool combination 👍

[@kellismith4329]

Last time he looked in that general direction it was Gordon Lightfoot

[@mattg9958]

On my 82 225/435/9.25 2wd short bed reg cab truck. I blasted the gas tank with water and air to dry it, and it still left me stranded a few times. Cleaned the inline filter, and I was good to go. It took a few times but eventually it became my go to when my 99 durango takes a dump.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yeah that’s exactly what I did with this one the first time. I think this may have been primarily scale that fell down from the metal filler neck attachment on the tank. It’s in pretty sorry shape. Unfortunately I couldn’t really replace it. It just seemed like a lot of debris for that. Hopefully it stays good this time!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Unrelated, I really want another early 80s slant truck like that - but 4x4.

[@rocketresto]

Lotta work into this one. Always good to see a truck delivered to a happy customer.

[@ScottDLR]

That's one good looking truck.

[@dantupper1784]

There was a whole lot to like about that truck. Thanks to the owners and you bringing us along for the ride.

[@tonyb3864]

I love it. A friend of mine had a truck like that back in the early 1980s. It had a 360 in it. It had big rig truck horns on the roof and a compressor under the hood.. We called it "THE WAR WAGON". We had a lot of fun in it.

[@kellismith4329]

I love that generation of the dodge trucks, not necessarily the long crew cabs but it is a sweet truck, good work

[@TimothyRussell-uv7uv]

Problem child is awesome!! Love to find one like yours. Keep being awesome!!

[@shaunclifton5281]

Love the old 2wd one .

[@richjordan9375]

Mine was a 1990 W250 Club Cab, 360/auto/long bed (aka the Farm Implement). My first NEW vehicle, ordered at the dealership. I loved that truck. When it worked the throttle body injection ran very well, the overdrive (A518) was awesome. I still miss it...

[@SpressoHead]

Those trucks were so awesome looking, and they’re pretty scarce these days. You can correct me if I’m off, but I believe these were the last Chryslers to get a 440 under the hood. Thanks for saving her!

[@alcyr5655]

This crew cab is what got me looking into your channel. You'll probably miss it more than I will. Electrical smells never end with my '80 Powerwagon. Blower motor, then head light switch. Now have to look into firewall bulk head connection. 20 plus years of a love hate relationship.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Nice! Always with the smells… but I can’t help but love them. I love this damn thing. I was serious about potentially buying it for a bit there - but I just can’t justify it when I have a crappy crew to build for myself one day. All in good time…

[@ThisValiantAdventure]

What’s 6 months among friends? Inconsistent gauge lighting has plagued my Valiant since I’ve had it. We have a solution in mind. ;)

[@leerindal8980]

I just sold my 64 Dodge D200 4 door to a guy in Minnesota. I miss it and this project makes me miss it even more. I had wanted to throw a more modern diesel frame/engine under it but I wanted to focus my limited funds at my 67 Barracuda fastback. Love your videos!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Thank you!

[@bulldoggarageapparel7511]

nice truck, Jamie you do good work aftermarket parts is not what they used to be, would love to see the little guy truck videos soon, thanks for opening your shop up to us brother have a good day

[@RK48frazergasser]

One thing good old dodge should have done 8ft bed otherwise great truck great videos keep them coming

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

8’ bed on these 4x4 crews you mean? They did make them in that configuration in 2WD. I could see the reasoning behind not building an off-road vehicle with the turning radius of a school bus - but of course this is commonplace now. There are a lot of things in truck world that Dodge should’ve done over the years and didn’t… Suburban type vehicle? Cummins powered SUV?! Maybe building true four door trucks like this when the Cummins hit the scene? Or reintroducing them at any time in the second or third generation Cummins powered truck runs? Nope… meanwhile, Ford and Chevy were making crew cabs the whole time. So many missed opportunities.

[@rexkean]

Nice build. Folks sometimes forget youre building these things for a customer, and have to build them according to the customers vision! Very nice build.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

For sure. In this case I was totally onboard with the vision. When we started, this thing had a metallic green roof, long step bars, a roll bar with round lights on it, a push bumper, and multiple ridiculous pieces of trim down the sides. His vision of a simple, plain, understated truck was absolutely the way I would’ve gone. Personally I think I would’ve even done away with the two tone and done all green - but that’s just me.

[@catasupernova]

​@DeadDodgeGarage I like the two tone.

[@markusa5521]

That truck is awesome great job

[@OldIron2188]

I've seen two or three people leave the classic Mopar hobby because of the sheer frustration of chinsey new replacement parts. So it's kinda refreshing to see you power through that. I also had no idea how to turn on the gauge lights in my w200 until 21:17

[@brianrussell1110]

Awesome truck. Good job. Great video.

[@wbarney59]

Thanks Jamie

[@randyman828]

Awesome truck..

[@dominickserignese8837]

Super cool truck!

[@davestark2015]

Really nice

[@musclecarmitch908]

Awesome truck!👍

[@slantfish65sd]

Excellent job keep up the great work

[@jittychitty]

We really try and not work on the older vehicles at our shop... they never seem to get done and their needs and problems just keep going and going.

[@olikat8]

Marshall Gauges/Instruments...really good stuff

[@Ross046]

Belt dressing will help the squeal. Having built a big block 4x4 crewcab people have no idea how many little things.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I know it will... But I just can't bring myself to put goop on there.

[@Ross046]

@@DeadDodgeGarage The belt will suck it up.

[@JoseMorales-kg7zb]

Nice triuck.

[@jamesadams4304]

I do believe that the gas gauge on all W150 small and big blocks models is ... reads full and then empty in no time flat is a standard factory option !

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

It might be all Chrysler vehicles in general. Haha. For the rear tank, this one is particularly bad because the replacement sending units that are commercially available are just not right at all. There's only so much I can do with that.

[@glennmanchester5696]

Gotta love Mopar it's always something I know they all have issues but it just seems to me I don't have as many issues w Chevy's lol

[@idaholineman5788]

I’d love to have a Cummins crew cab…but the single cab first gen I daily is a nice excuse to not have to drag all the kiddos on my outings to the dump and such. And I’ve just had that truck for so long I can’t ever see myself parting with it.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I’ve wanted a club cab W250 Cummins for many years. And have long wanted to build my crew into a Cummins rig. But I totally see the value of a single cab these days. That short wheelbase… ideal. My third gen is like a school bus.

[@idaholineman5788]

@@DeadDodgeGarage the single cab is awesome. Easy to drive and park. Tows well. It handled my big 40’ 5th wheel I hauled during my apprenticeship easily enough

[@OrrinCahoone-dd4tm]

Nice,nic,nice,need I say more? Gonna miss it in the background. Just made room for 2 something else's. 😂

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I can't believe how much space I have now. It's incredible. Haha

[@Mopardude]

She is a pretty cool looking truck, so we can over look the bad. lol

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I always have 😅

[@allenm00]

You do good work, but i would never have you install a radio. I could see one of your customers waiting so long to have a tape deck installed just to find it is obsolete when you finish the job. Then he has you change it to a cd just to find that too is obsolete once you finish. I love your channel

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Haaaahaha. Nice.

[@Ripsaw17]

If you sandblasted the handles you can use that Dip paint it sticks perfect and it's a lot easier to get off when it does Chip

[@engir63]

I have always been told in an automatic transmission when it's puking fluid out of the dipstick it is a front pump issue

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yes - if it is pressurizing the case inside the transmission and blowing fluid out the top of the dipstick. That’s not what this one is doing. For some reason I’ve just had repeated dipstick o ring failures. It’s a horse of a slightly different color.

[@WhiteTrashMotorsports]

Cummins swap with a nv4500 and it would be the most beautiful thing man has created.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

That’s what I said 😅 but he had good reasons for not going that way. Didn’t want the extra weight over the nose, wanted to keep it usable offroad. Daily drives a 2014 Cummins.

[@rtdc5662]

Etching primer on those door handles

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Oh, good call. Will have to try that next time.

[@powerwagon7811]

Did you do the reverse rotation steering gear swap on this truck? I have the same 78 D 200 converted to 4x4. Made a huge difference for mine with a six inch lift running 36 inch military hummer tires.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

No, this one is still running push pull. But yeah, if you’ve got space for it, crossover steering with the 2WD box is a far superior setup.

[@richardp6178]

A restoration is never finished! It just gives you a break...

[@scottsullivan1464]

I am late to the DDG party and watching this out of order. You (or the owner)went with a Sniper. My 1991 D150 with a 318 runs amazingly well with the stock TBI. Was that not an option? I really love your videos.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

If you’ve got a stock TBI truck and it works, great. There was never a TBI big block Mopar, and even if there was, that system is… not the best. It’s pretty rudimentary, and PCM failures, idle stepper weirdness, and other problems are pretty common. There’s no point in going through all the work to put it somewhere it didn’t belong. Thanks!

[@dominickserignese8837]

Does the dip stick tube need some RITE STUFF to help the O-ring?😂 why does that sniper whistle?

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Haha. It might help… but I don’t believe in putting silicone on those. Just a bit too hacky for me. I actually don’t know why. Something to do with the idle air valve opening, I think.

[@cowthedestroyer]

This is about the only thing i would dump gobs of money into besides the aftermarket efi crap. I love these trucks and i have 2 looking for more and that power steering pump has always been an issue for random noises belt squeal and being a pain to tension by yourself. I went out and got a belt an inch smaller i believe it was for some gm pos so they had a million in stock and that gave me the proper travel much better tension and what should have been on it factory. Now in my opinion it should have been a manual truck and all the chrome would have been chrome with bigger lights on the bumper to blind kia drivers who refuse to move. Cool truck odd build but still would get behind it on the highway trying to guess if its a 360 making a ton of power or an angry 318 turning angry liquid to noise and regret.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yep - a shorter belt and tightening the hell out of it is how I finally got it to a livable state. The big tires just seem to make quiet power steering pump operation impossible. The blacked out bumper look wasn’t my initial idea - it had new chrome bumpers on it already - but damn has it grown on me. I really like the subtle look it brings. Simple, unassuming, and not at all flashy.

[@OrrinCahoone-dd4tm]

Maybe a C body? About the same size.

[@user-yw2uu8xg8u]

Why’s it so hard to get new parts for old mopars that do new part things!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

JustMoparJoe did a great video recently explaining the Mopar parts economy.

[@subarute9304]

The truck is telling you it wants you to keep it

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Srsly tho

[@TinkerinWithTim]

Any ideas where to get a grille for a 77 W200 with the vertical turn signals like this one?

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Well they aren’t reproduced. That grille is ‘77-78, with ‘78 having the yellow turn signal lenses. Otherwise they are the same. I see one on eBay with a dent for $400… or an NOS one for $1500. I have a spare somewhere but it’s not really all that nice - and I may need it some day.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

You might check with Wildcat Auto Wrecking. There are other companies that deal in used parts like they do.

[@12Georgia83]

🍺

[@adamhoffman3687]

I'm not sold on the add-on efi.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Me neither…this being exhibit A for that.

[@adamhoffman3687]

@@DeadDodgeGarage lol proof positive

[@joshuahand407]

Did you end up selling this one?

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

It was never mine. The owner did list it for sale in Arizona. I don’t know if he got it sold or not.

[@scottprato7800]

Umm your parking lot is looking kinda empty. Planning any new acquisition?

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Maaaaaybe…

[@michaelnault5905]

It doesn't matter how long it takes. What's important is that narration was not in a deep lifted truck voice. Builders do that here in their ads. It's annoying.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I wouldn't know - I don't think I've ever watched a non-Dirt Every Day video about building a big huge lifted monster. Sounds like I made a good life decision there. Haha. Obviously this is a fairly big lifted 4x4 crew cab truck, but my approach to it has always been from where I live - classic, drivable, Mopar muscle and truck land. I like everything about the truck - especially how understated, clean and simple it is. And had all kinds of respect and appreciation for the owner's vision of a cool, usable classic crew cab.

[@brianandglendaharkin9457]

👍🏻🇦🇺💯⛽️

[@Ripsaw17]

Actually I prefer the second gen