The "WTF what do I do?" retard thread for Offroading Dodge owners.

[dobbers84]

Originally Posted by stickbug

Can anybody help me with a question on front brake calipers?

I have a 77 hp dana 44 out of a ford and dodge 1/2 ton (flat top) knuckles. I need to order calipers and was wondering what years the knuckles could be. I have the old calipers that came with the knuckles and they have an old chrysler emblem stamped into them. Will calipers from late 70's dodge 1/2 ton work? What years are the same?

im thinking mid 80s would be right. do you have a picture of them?

[Mr. Mindless]

I don't think the d44 in my '84 ramcharger had a flat top passenger knuckle but it's been a while.

77 ford d44 did. need pictures to work from.

[Elwenil]

I have yet to see a Dodge D44 that did not have flat top knuckles on both sides and I've been under more W series trucks than I care to recount, lol. The year will be important as I think the brackets change. Also I think there are slight differences in the bracket between the 1/2 ton D44 and the 3/4 ton D44HD. So to help narrow it down, do you have any more information?

Were they drum or disc brake?

Did they have a "normal" spindle and wheel bearings or the '75-'79 fulltime setup?

5 or 8 lug?

[stickbug]

Originally Posted by Elwenil

I have yet to see a Dodge D44 that did not have flat top knuckles on both sides and I've been under more W series trucks than I care to recount, lol. The year will be important as I think the brackets change. Also I think there are slight differences in the bracket between the 1/2 ton D44 and the 3/4 ton D44HD. So to help narrow it down, do you have any more information?

Were they drum or disc brake?disc brakes

Did they have a "normal" spindle and wheel bearings or the '75-'79 fulltime setup?Not sure what you mean here

5 or 8 lug?5 Lug

Pics of the caliper..then the backside of the knuckle.








The bolts used to secure the caliper to the knuckle...

[Elwenil]

Looks like typical '80-'93 1/2 ton knuckles and brakes. I'm guessing that it's 5 on 5.5" and probably has some form of the common 1/2 ton locking hub or possibly the CAD pucks with a stainless cap. If that's the case, just get some calipers for a mid '80s Dodge 1/2 ton. Depending on the year, later '70s 1/2 ton Dodge truck calipers are the same but when new ones are less than $30 a piece, I'd probably just get new ones. It's cheap insurance.

[stickbug]

Nice. Thanx for the help guys.

[mvanhelden]

What's the reccomended caster for a 99' ram 2500 cummins? Not the acceptable range bullshit givin by the tire shops, what works well for you guys on the highway? Running 285/75/16 tires, leveling kit, just did a hub conversion, and replaced all steering components, and balljoints. Thanks

[dobbers84]

Originally Posted by mvanhelden

What's the reccomended caster for a 99' ram 2500 cummins? Not the acceptable range bullshit givin by the tire shops, what works well for you guys on the highway? Running 285/75/16 tires, leveling kit, just did a hub conversion, and replaced all steering components, and balljoints. Thanks

6 deg

[mvanhelden]

Originally Posted by dobbers84

6 deg

Thanks, you are talking about the 2nd gen ram right? I know the general specs for a dana 60 front, just making sure these trucks suspensions required a different spec the way they're setup

[stickbug]

Originally Posted by dobbers84

im thinking mid 80s would be right. do you have a picture of them?

I checked calipers listed for a 77-93 1/2 ton and they were not the right ones. My search continues.

[Elwenil]

They look identical to the ones that have been on all my 1/2 ton Dodge trucks. For example, here is the NAPA listing for the calipers that were originally on my '88 Ramcharger:

https://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/C...+50022+2022061

[stickbug]

Ok I must admit this is worthy of a flame job...I just looked at the ones I have in the garage and realized that the caliper bracket is attatched to the caliper...doh. The ones at Lordco didn't and that is why they didn't look the same. I was looking (on the new ones) for the two bolt holes and they didn't have them. So all is good. I know now that 77-93 will fit.

Thanx for the input and the memory jog Elwenil.

lmao.

[Elwenil]

It's what we are here for, lol.

[djxedxd]

My stupid question number 1 .
So i buy this truck see and theres a 110v plug sticking outta the bumper.I ask the guy whats that for ,he says he thinks to run the air compressor for the air horns,"which dont work anyway" if you dont wanna wear the battery down ??? I give him the yaaaa oookay and figur ill check it out later .
So i run the wire back to the engine block and am surprised to see it goes right into the block ???
Asked my one budy at work and he said the dodges that are all decked out (fully loaded) Have it but why around my area it dont get that cold here .I'm in pa.
Is this common i know the diesels have em but gas?

99 dodge 2500 v10 12' skyjacker lift on 38.5's
With 110v power option ahhh yaaaa lmfao

[Elwenil]

It's a block heater. You plug it in when it's very cold outside to maintain enough warmth in the engine to get it to start. Virtually useless unless it gets below zero for weeks at a time where you are.

[ramv]

Wow! Yes a block heater is exceptionally useful in cold temperatures. Although I have started my 5.9 magnum at -25 deg F without, it takes a long time to warm and isn't good. My Chevy will barely crank at -10, stupid POS is fully loaded EXCEPT the block heater.

[djxedxd]

Weird thing that threw me though was the truck was the truck was bought new here in pa by original owner .WERE lucky if we see single digits but one week outta the whole winter. I'm in Allentown PA.

[K5runner@hotmail.com]

I need help with my speedo.

It was working great before the 4x conversion. I found out the the gear box thing the speedo wires plug into, bolt right to the Chevy 205 tailhousing. So I installed a Chevy 205 tailhousing on the rear of my Ford 205. But now my speedo jumps around at high speeds and doesn't really move/work at lower speeds. I have run a ground wire to the 205 case thinking it could be a grounding problem, but no luck. Anything else that I should try?

[Elwenil]

Are you running the stock electronic '92 speedo? What codes are you throwing? Are you using the same sensor off the 2WD transmission?

[K5runner@hotmail.com]

Originally Posted by Elwenil

Are you running the stock electronic '92 speedo? Yes What codes are you throwing? ?Are you using the same sensor off the 2WD transmission?Yes

^

[Elwenil]

You do know you can pull the codes off the computer in the '80s and early '90s EFI models don't you? Here's how to do it:

http://ramchargercentral.com/electri...-codes-pre-95/

More info:

http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/fault/index.html

[K5runner@hotmail.com]

Well I guess a good question would be is, Do I need a signal from the rear axle (sensor on the top of the diff) for the computer to convert the speed signal from the T-case?

Everything was working when it was stock then I removed the rear axle (swapped in a 14bolt) and swapped in a Chevy 4500 with a Ford 205. On my CTD 92' extra cab.

[Elwenil]

As far as I know, the axle sensor only does the RWAL. The speed sensor on the transmission should be all you need for the speedometer. Is the gearbox geared for your axle gearing and tire size? If not it might be so far out that the speedometer can't make sense of it.

[K5runner@hotmail.com]

It seems as that when its jumping around, the highest (fastest speed) it jumps to is about correct. Like it would jump from 0-50 when I'm cruising around 50, and 0-70 when I'm cruising around at 70. It has never gone past the approximate speed I've been traveling at. For example it has never gone to 85+

[Mr. Mindless]

Sounds like it's wildly off on signal. Probably will need a convertor box if that's the case.