First off, I'm new to Pirate, so I'll start by introducting myself. Name's James and I call Tacoma, WA my home. I have owned my 1990 Dodge Ramcharger project for about 4 years now. Bought it bone stock and have since modified it for basically anything mild to moderate. I have an evolving 5" lift, 33" BFG a/t's, roof rack, heavy duty rear bumper (swing away tire carrier in progress), factory limited slip, built 360 engine, and a bunch of other odds and ends to help in the camping department. Here it is:

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p60/Raminator_photos/360%20Engine/EngineInstall06.jpg

No frills interior:
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p60/Raminator_photos/Ramcharger/DRC05.jpg

There's a rebuilt and upgraded 360 in there somewhere:
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p60/Raminator_photos/360%20Engine/SomeMore02.jpg

Summit Racing aluminum radiator and 16" PermaCool electric fan. I've been impressed with this setup this year.
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p60/Raminator_photos/360%20Engine/16inchPerma-CoolFan02.jpg

Goofing off on the RTI ramp (the woman in the pic is my wife):
http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p60/Raminator_photos/2006-02-1320Small.jpg

After putting BFG a/t's mounted on Unique 15x8 wheels:
http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/1714/bfgat031os.jpg

Doing what I built it for:
http://img379.imageshack.us/img379/586/nicerack6yy.jpg

Goofing off at Reiter:
http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/7056/20051226reiter19small0eu.jpg

After night wheelin' in Canada:
http://img385.imageshack.us/img385/1615/2005sept3676small3vz.jpg

During said night wheelin':
http://img385.imageshack.us/img385/7594/97977daa8dsmall2by.jpg

nice.

Agreed, nice set up. I am building a similar Ramcharger to M880 military specs. Any particular reason you didn't go with a full length roof rack?

Here's a pic of mine:
http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/4259/0724081715wn1.jpg

And my newly rebuilt Braden worm drive winch and bumper:
http://img127.imageshack.us/img127/6605/0823081710xd6.jpg

nice fal.

Agreed, nice set up. I am building a similar Ramcharger to M880 military specs. Any particular reason you didn't go with a full length roof rack?

Here's a pic of mine:
http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/4259/0724081715wn1.jpg

And my newly rebuilt Braden worm drive winch and bumper:
http://img127.imageshack.us/img127/6605/0823081710xd6.jpg

You got some more pics of how you mounted that Winch???

Thanks all. I didn't go with a longer rack primarily for two reasons: I like how it looks with the rack just behind the doors, and weight considerations. It holds my canoe up there with no problems, which is mostly the reason why I bought it.

Thanks all. I didn't go with a longer rack primarily for two reasons: I like how it looks with the rack just behind the doors, and weight considerations. It holds my canoe up there with no problems, which is mostly the reason why I bought it.

Gotcha. I do like the look of the shorter rack but I just thought it was a little unusual. I'm still debating things like a roof rack and gathering ideas. I might end up with an exo, so if that goes in it will probably be a full length deal tied into the cage.

You got some more pics of how you mounted that Winch???

I'll post this one last one, I don't want to hijack James' thread too much. It's pretty simple, just two pieces of (I think) 2" angle notched and welded in flush with the 4" channel frame extensions. The Braden requires an open center between the mounting since the spool and housing drops below the level of the mounting "feet". A custom 2" dia roller fairlead will be fab'd up next since the small rollers on the commonly available fairleads are a little small for the 3/8" cable this winch uses. Anyway, here's the pic:

http://img127.imageshack.us/img127/9407/0823081637aia8.jpg

I went with the shorter rack also because it looks better from the side. It's as long as the window.:D

What gears are you running and what is your fuel mileage?
Travis..

What gears are you running and what is your fuel mileage?
Travis..

3.53 now. At the moment, I don't know what mileage I'm getting. I haven't driven the RC more than 2,000 miles since rebuilding the engine last year. I think I'm getting a little more than 10mpg.

Hi James,nice old rig. Dont see too many of them in oz:smokin:

Is the alternator the standard type? I was curious as it looks the same as the denso 120amp in my Landcruiser diesel.

Hi James,nice old rig. Dont see too many of them in oz:smokin:

Is the alternator the standard type? I was curious as it looks the same as the denso 120amp in my Landcruiser diesel.

Thanks man. It's a 120 amp alternator for the trucks. Bought it at Schucks a couple years back when my 90 amp alt died. Although, I heard somewhere that you can get 138 amp alternators from the newer Dakota trucks that will fit. I haven't confirmed it yet, but I'm curious to go yardin' one out to see if it will.

The newer style alternators will work with a few small mods. Main thing is converting the pulley since all the Magnum engines use serpentine belts.

The newer style alternators will work with a few small mods. Main thing is converting the pulley since all the Magnum engines use serpentine belts.

Shouldn't be too difficult.

I can't help but notice the 'smiley' fog/spot lamp covers. I think they are really cool. I was just wondering where I can buy one of those.

__________________
Cargo Liners (http://www.car-stuff.com/cargoliner.htm)

I can't help but notice the 'smiley' fog/spot lamp covers. I think they are really cool. I was just wondering where I can buy one of those.


Those are made by KC. They used to be EVERYWHERE in the early 80s.
Travis..

Wow, it's been a couple years since I've updated. I guess it's for good reason. I've spent the last couple of years just enjoying the RC instead of modifying it or working on it (other than normal maintenance). Plus, I've been spending all my truck money on home repairs, too many guns, and somewhere along the lines, my wife and I ended up with a couple of kids. Either way, despite all the predictions from my friends that I'd sell this truck to pay for diapers, I still have it, and am beginning work on the next phase. Gonna stuff me some new axles under it and new tires and wheels.

Disregard my buddy in the pic. That's the new rear end for it.

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p60/Raminator_photos/DSCN0948.jpg

The latest pic of my RC. Nothin' fancy. Just that it's still around.

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p60/Raminator_photos/DSCN0947.jpg

Good to see you still have it and are enjoying it. Is that a 14 Bolt you are swapping in?

Yes, it surely is. Heavy sucker that thing is.

nice, i've always liked the ramchargers. i very rarely see this nice or clean looking RC

Wow! I haven't seen a clean RC in along time.

Elwenil i have a quick question for you....sorry to inturrupt the topic a head of time..

Question; I seen you have a worm drive winch i was wondering why you decided to go that way are the worm drives a bettter set up? or is it to do with the M880 specs your going for(not sure if it has to with it or not familiar with the M880 :( )

Thanks :)

Not much to do with the military spec since the M880 series were not available with any kind of winch. Most military winches are worm drive but are PTO powered. I used the Braden because it's built to last and I had it laying around. Worm drives will take a lot more punishment than the lighter weight planetary geared winches and are self braking since they can't reverse without power. They are slow but from what I've seen, my Braden is pretty much the same speed all the time with a load or without. It seems to not be much slower than the average 8k lbs planetary winch with a load on it, though they are much faster without a load. It does tend to pull a lot of amps when under load though.

ya i didnt thnk it had to do with the m880. so there isnt much gain going that way more of a preferacne thing. i only ask cause i have seen a few for sale around my area set up a little different i seen one warn worm drive that basically looked like a a drum onv its side. but basically ya wondering if they were better or not.

Depends on what you want. If you want speed, planetary is the way to go, but if you want durability and don't mind the slower speed and typically larger size, then worm drive is the way to go.

This is exactly the direction I'm headed with my 87. Very nice!

http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/282106_10150278081307010_681122009_7501233_6262954 _n.jpg

Whatcha got in the trailer ?:D
Awesome rig, btw.

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p60/Raminator_photos/DSCN0947.jpg

That's my father's utility trailer. I usually "borrow" it to haul garbage and recycling to the dump, but that pic was taken right after we emptied a GM 14 bolt rear and Dana 44 front out of it.

If you haven't decided on gears, I'll throw in 2 cents worth.

I have a 92 with the TBI and overdrive trans. With 4.56's and 35's I do o.k., but there is room to go 4.88 with it, since the chrysler overdrive has such a high ratio. O.D. is .69-1 compared with a lot that are .75-.85-1.

I get around 10-11 with 36x12.50 swampers and when I switch to the winter 35x15.50 swampers, I lose 1-2 mpg over the 12.50's.

Thanks for the info. It's always good to hear different opinions about this stuff. :)

What does the lift consist of? Do you still have the blocks in the rear? I want to get rid of my blocks ASAP.

It still has blocks. The rear lift consists of a shackle flip and slighly lowered/beefier spring mounts. The front consists of a longer swing shackle and lowered/reinforced spring mounts. All uses stock springs.

After my new axles are installed beneath this pig, I'm going to work on getting new rear springs so I can also ditch the factory blocks as well as level the truck out, while still maintaining a 6" overall lift.

FWIW, the rear can articulate like a sunovabitch with the shackle flipped. If you plan on giving your ramcharger an altitude adjustment, I'd highly suggest a shackle flip. You can get a kit now at DIY4x.com: http://diy4x.com/cart/index.php?route=product/product&path=24&product_id=160

I plan on buying this when I redo my springs because this kit looks much better than mine.

Very cool. Mine has an AAL kit and it rides like a buckboard wagon. No flex at all. Is there anything you dont like about the longer shackles up front? Any pics of the spring mounts?

I don't have any pics of the front spring mounts, but I haven't noticed anything about the longer shackles that is negative. With the front sway bar disconnected, they do allow for a bit more travel, but the axle does swing forward. I haven't flexed it too far, so my driveshaft never separated yet.

The rear shackle flip does a bit for ride quality, I think. I also installed Pro Comp shocks back there, so that helps too. I have Rancho RS5000's up front, and I hate them. The truck rebounds okay, but dives hard when it goes into a hole. They suck.

i like your color choice :grinpimp:

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n106/asdffdsa29/a9e278e6.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n106/asdffdsa29/54c04f1f.jpg

basically same setup i want, except a different custom front bumper, and im waiting to install my sliders and build the roof rack

Doing what I built it for:
http://img379.imageshack.us/img379/586/nicerack6yy.jpg


Nice rifle, metric or inch pattern?

Thanks again guys. That rifle is a metric variant. For an FN FAL, it was a basement bargain gun that I bought really cheap (R1A1 with a Hesse Receiver) and sold high. It seems that a new coating can make any rifle look like a million bucks and I had a buyer that really really wanted it. Funny how that works. Sold off all my FAL mags too, which I bought years ago for less than $5 a piece. By the time I sold all 40 of them, they were worth more than 3x as much. Not a bad investment if I say so. :D

Sorry for the hi-jack, I just thought it was cool that you took a picture of your old Dodge with your FAL. I did the same thing a couple years ago.

Sweet rig though. I've been on a Ramcharger kick lately, and have been thinking about building one similar to yours with a second gen cummins if I can find the right candidate.

I stumbled upon this thread in Google looking at Ramchargers for sale .

Bonus with so many nice,clean examples is the FAL porn , gotta love it :smokin:


Keep the pictures coming !