What I've been wasting my time with lately (Ramcharger rebuild) Pt.1

[criket]

Sweet man!!!! I know that's an awesome feeling getting it to pass inspection and finally legal!

[The_War_Wagon]

I FINALLY got to drive The War Wagon for the FIRST time today, EVER (when I inherited it, it wasn't running - it's been ROLLBACKED everywhere ever since!) - even though it was just around the parking lot at Monro, but - HOLY GUACAMOLE... WHAT have I gotten myself into?!?!?

For starters, even though the ENTIRE brake system is NEW, with those drum rears, it feels like MANUAL brakes, getting those BIG MEATS to stop! I can see WHY the Suburban Hydroboost and rear disc conversion is SO popular!!! I think I know where NEXT year's tax refund is going!!!

As for THIS year's refund, the transmission selector feels a bit stiff - no doubt due to the fact we haven't touched the transmission yet. And with 3.55 gears, it needs a fair amount of go-juice, to get 'er into motion. The B&M Transpak and ring & pinion swap will be GOOD investments, once I get it out of hock at Monro!

On the PLUS side though, Monor Muffler's latest wheel alignment rig, has updates for 4 wheel alignments that INCLUDE Dodge Ramchargers now! With the steering geometry figured out (that stupid shim in my front right leaf pack REMOVED!), it's perfectly aligned, and steering wheel is straight, too! It steers like a dream - it seems as if it steers TOO well, given it's size, but I'll take it! That, and the a/c is charged, and blows COLD!

Paid another $750 on the account today - I'm down to around $3200 & change left. Ordered a few more parts today as well, not the least of which was the Dana 44 front carrier. Oh - and Parts Geek has aftermarket grills for $73 shipped right now! I'll look into making it a "FARGO," while I Plastex the old one and fix it up for a spare!

[Holaday07 4.7]

Looks awesome man!

I had an 87 K5 on 35s in High School. Thing was a beast. What kind of trails are you going to use it for?

Only thing you might want to consider is the lower part of that front bumper. It will kill the approach angle.

Keep up the good work man

[The_War_Wagon]

Looks awesome man!

I had an 87 K5 on 35s in High School. Thing was a beast. What kind of trails are you going to use it for?

Only thing you might want to consider is the lower part of that front bumper. It will kill the approach angle.

Keep up the good work man

You're not the first, to point that out...

That's actually where the winch mounts behind the bumper. The other thing is, I think PA is one of those states, where your front bumper can only be "X" number of inches off the ground to be street legal, and this is the 'cheat' to achieve that.

I definitely don't want to aim it at a boulder (or even a BIG log!), and I'm pretty sure the MOAB is out, but for the lower Alleghenies, I think I'll be OK. I'll let you know the first time I get it good & stuck/high-centered though.

I think for starters, will try it in some swampy fields, and see where all the interior leaks might be!

[Holaday07 4.7]

You're not the first, to point that out...

That's actually where the winch mounts behind the bumper. The other thing is, I think PA is one of those states, where your front bumper can only be "X" number of inches off the ground to be street legal, and this is the 'cheat' to achieve that.

I definitely don't want to aim it at a boulder (or even a BIG log!), and I'm pretty sure the MOAB is out, but for the lower Alleghenies, I think I'll be OK. I'll let you know the first time I get it good & stuck/high-centered though.

I think for starters, will try it in some swampy fields, and see where all the interior leaks might be!

Gotcha. Ours is headlights in MO and it depends on where you get it inspected.

Best invesment I ever put into that thing was a lunchbox locker. I look forward to seeing the wheeling pics!

[The_War_Wagon]

I can't BELIEVE I never posted a video of the engine running!!! This was AFTER the fuel lines and exhaust had been done, but we hadn't TOUCHED the engine yet! This is with 6 year old motor oil in it, no less!

http://s212.photobucket.com/user/The...e2fa3.mp4.html

Here's some under-the-hood pics, since that's done now.







With the new adjustable draglink installed, we were able to do away with the lift block AND the drop Pitman arm, and now the truck turns RIGHT, too!



We're still going with the dual stabilizer though, which should be here from 4wd parts any day now!

Here's a pile of "other" in my office at the moment, including the new front & rear diff carriers. I should have enough in ye olde tax refund to get the axles and transmission work done, and even get the winch installed next month!

[pjmjr508]

looking good