1966 A100 Project

Hi Everyone,

New to the forum, and wanted to say hi. I have a 1966 A100 that I will be doing a full updated restore for my daughter. I will be pulling some of the older items and replacing them with updated items for a safer more efficient ride.

IIt has a decent slant 6 in it right now that I am going to pull and replace with a 318. I am planning on working up the slant to get more power and better milage for her trip in a few years. The previous owner replaced the radiator with a 2 row aluminum and I have the 727 with the adapter. Hopefully I can keep costs down on the temp engine install so I can put more into the /6.

The outer body needs to be completely stripped and some body work done. I won't know exactly how much until the strip has occurred. One of the previous owners decided to put aircraft pai t remove on the lower half of the van and then clearcoat the rusted metal. Luckily It only has one or 2 rust spots that I can see right now.

I will also be swapping the rear gears for a more highway friendly ratio. She needs it highway ready not fast.

I am sure there are plenty of other things needed and wanted so this should be a fun journey. I have a little over a year to complete it before her 16th birthday.

I surely will be asking for lots of help so I wanted to jump on and introduce myself.

Thanks Darren

Welcome to VV, Darren!

welcome to vintage vans,
just my own option if the project is for the young lady i'd leave the /6, alone,, address things like
wiring, aluminum rad , seatbelts, new master cylinder, front disc brakes electronic disturber
electronic voltage regulator. . led lighting after the wiring is addressed and remove the amp meter
from the dash and install a voltage gauges , i'd also get a service book on ebay for the 66 van .
when you need help just ask away...
Dix...

Thanks,

I am keeping the /6 for her to put in later. I guess I do have the option of refreshing it when I pull it. Most of the items on your list are also on mine. Luckily the previous owner had already bought a lot of it.

I bought the petronix kit with the coil, and ordered some new front seats and 3 point belts. (The original seats were in great shape, but they were the brown cloth version)

I plan on redoing the entire wiring and doing the Scarebird setup for front brakes. LED lights are a must and seem to be pretty cheap.

As far as the gauges go, I will be going the autometer route with a custom panel. The old style gauges are just too much for todays youth.

The previous owner had the 66 truck CD from Chrysler, I think that is the full service manual. I need to find a cd reader to check it out.

Thanks for the input always appreciated.

Welcome...

Something to house those gauges in?

https://www.egaugesplus.com/64-70-dodge-a100a108-dash.html

Welcome to VV and have fun with your project. Good to see, that some younger gals will get going with an A100.
Top.

Welcome to Vintage Vans !

"...restore for my daughter..."
mine was curious abt "all the noise in there" and since joined me. 1st was 'how to change a tire', nxt tune up, now she wrenches right beside me (10 yr older sis not interested). She's pretty competent now, no fears of break downs w/o safety for this Pop. 5' 2", 120#, 24 y/o she got karate lessons (not frm me. Something her Sis did follow up with) as well...
"Gee dad, what;s the big deal. This is just 'crafty' like mom & the stuff she does." was her last comment after mudin up'n sandin dwn some body panels...I think she's right~
At the least, ask her if she wants to "join me?" or "have any interest." or...or...

chrlsful wrote:"...restore for my daughter..."
mine was curious abt "all the noise in there" and since joined me. 1st was 'how to change a tire', nxt tune up, now she wrenches right beside me (10 yr older sis not interested). She's pretty competent now, no fears of break downs w/o safety for this Pop. 5' 2", 120#, 24 y/o she got karate lessons (not frm me. Something her Sis did follow up with) as well...
"Gee dad, what;s the big deal. This is just 'crafty' like mom & the stuff she does." was her last comment after mudin up'n sandin dwn some body panels...I think she's right~
At the least, ask her if she wants to "join me?" or "have any interest." or...or...

That is kind of the thought here. She is going to have to learn to at least diagnose if not repair certain things on her own if she wants an older vehicle. In the meantime I am trying to make it as trouble free as I can.

mine was raised by the mother, bearly any contact. No common sense, -0- skills of observation, etc.  Basically it's "drive w/all ur senses honey." (listen, smell, feel, think).  She already caught a rad. leak as she saw the H2O run underneath. The mom would have driven w/the whistling escape, till no coolant, wondered not at the dash light, and melted the engine.
Wrking together can B some wonderful father/daughter time! We enjoy it. Hopin we can get to know each other...