RamCharger.net

Tech => Projects => Topic started by: crazzywolfie on April 22, 2013, 11:28:45 PM

Title: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on April 22, 2013, 11:28:45 PM
i just  figured it was about time i started my own thread for the ramcharger. it has come a fairly long way since i got it but has a even longer way to go if i plan on keeping it. the money i was planning on spending on fixing the plenum gasket and getting better gas mileage may end up getting spent on sheet metal this week.
a picture of when i first got it
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-TP3QNKpew6g/T3NCHHWXuVI/AAAAAAAAC0U/DIbg9feUVHo/s912/IMG_3091.JPG)
one of my favorite mods. it is so nice to know the outside temp plus having the extra lighting is nice.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-oLpikubEkA4/UBhTapgJR0I/AAAAAAAADDA/akAf22bilGk/s720/IMAG0055.jpg)
this shows that extra lighting/led light upgrades i did.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-NfIyTW8Lbj8/UKcSqr4yaBI/AAAAAAAADzw/nfYiNJLucaM/s720/IMAG0272.jpg)
another one of my favorite upgrades was the backup lights. i can see pretty much everything when backing up.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-vOCMBBcPCB4/UV9zNyFFiZI/AAAAAAAAEso/BEeuUvlX220/s720/IMAG0567.jpg)
now the next project. this is why i wouldn't mind getting a ramcharger from down south.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-TFnGHJVfS_Q/UXXxmiltoKI/AAAAAAAAE2Q/AQaaYnfePPw/s800/IMAG0653.jpg)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-RkB5kF7_mfA/UXXx63opaAI/AAAAAAAAE2Y/-1gW8s-apxE/s720/IMAG0656.jpg)
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: rjtx667 on April 23, 2013, 10:06:53 AM
 :confused2:

man good luck on those floors :-(

You ever make a trip down to dallas I can make you a deal on some side panels  :laughing7:
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on April 23, 2013, 04:15:55 PM
thanks. for the most part the outside is not too bad. it is just the floor under the feet that is in rough shape. the area around the floor pans seems solid and has the factory white paint still on it. just trying to figure out if 72-80 cab mounts will work with my ramcharger. otherwise i think i will be ordering the parts from c2cfabrication.com. they are the cheapest i can find.
http://c2cfabrication.com/store/index.php?manufacturers_id=27&filter_id=203&sort=4a&page=2

i think if am in the Dallas area i may just search for another ramcharger 87 or older to slide my engine and transmission into so i don't have to deal with emissions testing. engine and transmission work fairly good. just the body falling apart around it like most vehicles up here.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on April 23, 2013, 06:57:08 PM
$290 later and the new sheet metal is now ordered. said it should be here in 2-5 days. ordered left and right floor pans and cab mounts. now i guess all i need to do i break the bolts on the old cab mounts loose and prepare the cab so that i can sandblast and weld stuff. also have to see about getting some of that plastic bed liner stuff for the floors so i should never have this issue again. might also have to visit my 91 and take the seat out of it. i think a bench seat up front might be nice. never really liked the bucket seats in the ramcharger. they have always kind of made me sore plus they see to put a bit more stress on the metal under the seat which is kind of why i tore into it. the seat was wobbling because one of the spot welds broke. 
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: rjtx667 on April 24, 2013, 08:12:38 AM
I always thought the buckets were pretty comfortable? But yeah they do have extra stress. The 93 I have the spot welds and extra support bracket on the driver side broke so the floor pan was loose and really messed with ya while driving.  :laughing4:

I just drilled 2 new holes and bolted it up for now. I will look for a more permeant fix at a later time.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on April 24, 2013, 09:52:40 AM
i am a pretty big guy and the material seats just seem a bit too hard. plus the wobbling around while going around corners didn't help. i am thinking about just welding it back together. plus i wouldn't mind having room for 1 more person in the ramcharger. then wouldn't have to squish someone in the back seat if i am hauling my niece and nephew.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: rjtx667 on April 24, 2013, 11:01:38 AM
I can understand the space issue... it gets hard only seating 5. Its one of the things I like about the 2000 is the bench front seat... that and the rear seat is not between the wheel wells and a big larger as well.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on April 24, 2013, 11:18:02 AM
my sister says there is more room in the back seat of the ramcharger than there is in the back seat of a typical car even tho the seat is between the wheel wells :icon_scratch:. i also find with the bench seat in my 81 it seems like it is easier to get into. i think if the ramcharger had tilt steering it might be a bit easier to get into but as is it is a bit of a pain. with a bench seat you can just slide on in.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: rjtx667 on April 24, 2013, 01:26:03 PM
I have a tilt wheel off a 91 I can send down your way... at least I think I still have it. :steeringwheel:
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on April 24, 2013, 01:32:59 PM
thanks for the offer but i think i might be ok with the stock one until i swap in a bench seat. i am hoping i might come across a good seat that matches the the stock seats or i may have to get something to cover the red seat from the 91.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on April 30, 2013, 09:00:43 PM
had the parts i order show up yesterday. i was pretty happy until i pulled everything out and discovered that they had sent me 2 drivers side floor pans and one of them was even damaged :angry5:. well after getting ahold of them they said they would ship out the right one and they where going to have me box up the extra pan until they noticed i was up in Canada. once they noticed that they seemed to say never mind. you can just keep it :icon_scratch: :13:. got a e-mail today from fedex saying there was a package on its way here and will be here on Thursday :dance:.

today was also a pretty nice day and the next 3 days are suppose to be even nicer. now i do got to say i am pretty angry at my ramcharger right now. i fired it up while sitting on the floor and put my foot on the brake so i could put it in neutral and my foot went all the way to the floor :angry4:. the front drivers side brake line blew. go figure it is the 1 line i have not replace but was already replace at one point it time. i think i have all the tools, fittings and brake lines to repair it but i wish i didn't have to. i took the front seats inside and removed the floor mat thing. now i am thinking about removing the rear seat and floor mat. all i know is that by may 7th i need to have this thing back together and fixed to pick my sister up at the airport.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7xdSMF5wMxo/UYBtKqWWgDI/AAAAAAAAE58/ApJAaKOjrBM/s912/IMAG0674.jpg)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-1UUvRT54ti8/UYBtFY4H0ZI/AAAAAAAAE50/DRKvgR3_gNw/s912/IMAG0673.jpg)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bLU9LaUCw8M/UYBtNl-KD0I/AAAAAAAAE6E/4T2P0Od3Rqc/s912/IMAG0675.jpg)
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: SixGun on April 30, 2013, 11:26:39 PM
How much was the shipping?

Looks like you will be fixing a 2nd truck's floor pan.   :13:
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on May 01, 2013, 12:32:57 AM
2 floor pans, and 4 cab supports cost me $130 to ship up here. shipping is a bit expensive but compared to what the local parts store prices it is cheap. i think the local parts store wanted $150 per floor pan. i think $290 shipped to my door is a good price if they can get me the correct floor pan this time.

i was thinking the same thing. the 81 does not look too bad and i am not sure what i am going to do with the drivers side floor pan out of the ramcharger. if i can get it out in 1 piece i might actually try selling it for $20. someone might need it. 
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on May 01, 2013, 08:50:29 PM
i think this ramcharger is going to kill me. started working on it at 10am and didn't finish till about 7pm and don't feel like i got very far.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-EL-n1b7yZ_c/UYG6nTenudI/AAAAAAAAE6g/SZoOKl37llQ/s912/IMAG0679.jpg)
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-k3khzmsUxEs/UYG6z0hZAmI/AAAAAAAAE6w/cmpsebXHXi0/s640/IMAG0676.jpg)
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: rjtx667 on May 02, 2013, 09:48:06 AM
seems that kind of work is very tedious and time consuming.

It took me 2 weekends of work to get the leaf springs changed on my 91... and now I am thinking I want those springs on the 93 and new springs for the 91... it never ends.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: SixGun on May 02, 2013, 11:38:09 AM
Well Mat, the light at the end of the tunnel is that it should last another 20 years if done correctly.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on May 02, 2013, 08:23:23 PM
hard to say if i will have this thing for another 20 years. i think the next thing i will be looking for is a new frame after this. i have a feeling my frame is a bit thinner in certain area's than it should be. i guess i am lucky that it should not be too hard to find a ramcharger with a rotten body but decent frame.
Quote from: rjtx667 on May 02, 2013, 09:48:06 AM
seems that kind of work is very tedious and time consuming.

It took me 2 weekends of work to get the leaf springs changed on my 91... and now I am thinking I want those springs on the 93 and new springs for the 91... it never ends.
ya. is is even more time consuming when your dad is making a exact template for the support when you just need something quick. doesn't need to be perfect. just close enough.

otherwise the fedex truck showed up and guess what? wrong floor pan yet again so it sounds like i am going to have to make my own until they can get me the right one or whatever is going to happen. they said they are going to have to contact there manufacture or something like that. almost thinking about trying to sell the 2 left side floor pans and buy me a passenger side one if i have to.

by the time i am done rust removal and cleaning underneath i think the ramcharger will be a couple hundred pounds lighter. the underside is just caked with oil and dirt. now the oil has save some of the metal but completely screwed the rest.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on May 03, 2013, 07:59:29 PM
i spent today bending metal and sandblasting. i think the back of my neck and face are sun burnt. hopefully by tomorrow i will be welding things in.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-BFnfnwAElwU/UYRYZN4huSI/AAAAAAAAE7U/Q1y_bqBSQ_M/s912/IMAG0690.jpg)
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: SixGun on May 04, 2013, 01:41:49 AM
 :sunny:  Nothing wrong with being a little redneck.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on May 04, 2013, 02:25:20 AM
ya. i guess at least it is warming up up here. no more snow.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on May 06, 2013, 10:44:57 PM
it has been s busy couple days but it is back together and feeling a lot better. no more wobbling seat or having to really slow down for turns. will have to tear it all back out at another date to fix a few things up but for now they should do. i then removed all my tools and cleaned it as good as i could. i also have it a bath which help it get rid of all the dust that has built up on it over the last couple of weeks.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-reFJuFYBUfI/UYhgGtQ_LFI/AAAAAAAAE9g/avWF6Qy28VM/s912/IMAG0696.jpg)
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: Toyradio on May 07, 2013, 08:31:01 AM
Looks very good. :13:
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on May 07, 2013, 09:36:36 AM
thanks. i am kind of glad i am getting closer to having a break from fixing this thing. it just keeps eating up all my money. i don't remember my 81 ever being this bad. this ramcharger has really been neglected.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: SixGun on May 07, 2013, 06:34:09 PM
I know what you mean.  Just when I think that I'm done to a point of working on the RC, something else comes up on the D150.  It's a never ending cycle.  Keeps a smile on my face though.   :dance:
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on May 07, 2013, 08:27:09 PM
ya. the work never seems done. next thing on my list of things to do is adjust the passenger side door. don't remember having any issue with it up until today. it seemed to be a lot harder to open and close. pins and bushing seem to be pretty good still so i am not sure why the door has dropped so much :017:.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on May 09, 2013, 05:53:21 PM
i seem to be getting lots of good news today. got a letter from the insurance company and my monthly insurance payments are taking a big drop. last month my insurance payment was $394/month and this month the insurance payment were suppose to drop down to $325/month but since my birthday is at the beginning of July and insurance renewal is at the end of June they went back and made a few changes so my monthly payments will $244/month :13:.  that $150 more each month that i will be able to spend on keeping this beast moving.

i also finally just got to sit down and read read my emails and the place i ordered my floor pans from sent me a e-mail. apparently the manufacture had labeled them all incorrectly but they have since corrected the problem and are going to ship me out the correct pan. i am not going to hold my breath on it being right but they said i could keep the 2 drivers side pans even though they are a pain to make fit. don't plan on replacing the floors in my 81 unless i have to. might just try selling the pans and keep the money.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: SixGun on May 09, 2013, 11:22:36 PM
When you say the driver pans were a pain, do you mean that they didn't fit well?    :icon_scratch:
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on May 10, 2013, 08:10:58 AM
ya. they didn't fit very well. i guess if i had a bit more floor left i could have cut more off and made them fit easier but with how much floor i was missing i needed as much of the pan as i could use. hopefully the passenger side will be a bit easier since there is more factory floor pan left.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on May 11, 2013, 07:23:21 PM
decided to add something to my todo list even though i have not finished the cab support work yet. i now want to install a truck tailgate on my ramcharger in place of the ramcharger tailgate. i like the way the truck tailgate looks but not sure what i would do for a top half. might have to make something. does anyone know if tailgate hinges off a 95 f150 would work with a dodge tailgate?
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Pwc8w71ca2w/UY7BmO1VVYI/AAAAAAAAE_c/IU7laB_Zbe4/s720/IMAG0714.jpg)
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on May 13, 2013, 05:11:06 PM
i replaced the o2 sensor in my ramcharger. it was a bit tougher to break it loose than i thought it should be but i got it free using my pipe wrench just like Sixgun suggested(thanks for the tip). not sure if the old sensor was stock or not. new o2 sensor had a few more holes in it. i reset the computer and took it for a drive but i am not sure if it made a difference. the old one did not look too bad. all that premium gas and oil separator on the pcv valve line must be doing its job.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Xzz-2A-bHhI/UZFbAJoRq_I/AAAAAAAAE_s/sAbnyVrco6w/s512/IMAG0716.jpg)
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: The War Wagon on May 14, 2013, 12:09:38 AM
I'm feelin' ya on the floorpans.  My bodywork man just knocked away the rust & welded new steel in mine!

Would love to see some more of that roof console.  I've half a mind to put one of the DE-luxe models out of a Caravan in mine.  My wife has an '08 SXT, and the console in it would make a lotta sense in an RC.  Would give me someplace to mount a CB up & out of the way, too...
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on May 14, 2013, 04:16:32 AM
lately i have been thinking about trying to get an overhead console out of one of those newer caravan with a dvd screen and all that stuff but i am not sure if i would be able to wire it up or not. i have looked at the diagrams and nothing makes sense. it just seems so complicated. here are just a couple shots i got of the overhead console. if you want pictures of any certain parts just ask. could take some new ones.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-q5qSfIoctNo/UBhTPAe81eI/AAAAAAAADCo/nVVKT9le4Ls/s720/IMAG0056.jpg)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-h_xnI-DGXgA/UBhTL3CF7mI/AAAAAAAADCg/GAquNR8jyQ8/s720/IMAG0057.jpg)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-bnpAAEHoXFE/UBck_WcI7gI/AAAAAAAADBQ/DTyXGiXBhj8/s912/IMAG0044.jpg)
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on May 21, 2013, 12:44:05 PM
bit upset at the ramcharger right now. it was raining pretty hard last night. i hop in it today to park in on the street so i could drive my 81 and water started coming out around the light in my overhead console as i started moving. tried putting some more caulking on the plug in the roof that i think might have been leaking since it is suppose to rain a lot more. as i type i can hear the thunder and it is just starting to rain.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: rjtx667 on May 21, 2013, 02:24:01 PM
thats no good... is that a factory plug or one you put in the for temp?
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on May 21, 2013, 03:29:45 PM
i think it is one someone stuck in to fill the hole where a cb antenna use to be. it was fairly dry and i was trying to find a new one to replace it last year but no one had one so i just put some silicone on the plug and stuck it back in. i might have missed a few spots last time but hopefully i got it right this time. i think i may also have to see about inspecting the rust on the roof. hopefully there is no holes.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on May 21, 2013, 05:11:51 PM
getting a bit more upset with this thing. it started raining real hard and i had to drive it and i started noticing more water coming in. found some dripping out of the seat belt hole and also notice some on the panel below the window. i also had to open the tailgate to secure my nieces car seat and found more water.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-llrlh2FjkJg/UZvsqMfPTMI/AAAAAAAAFBE/bGfmd8fVn20/s720/IMAG0738.jpg)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-0-ex7fZH5v4/UZvs0USQMCI/AAAAAAAAFBU/SBup0s3die8/s512/IMAG0736.jpg)
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: rjtx667 on May 21, 2013, 08:41:48 PM
sorry to hear your problems.

I have leaks in the 2000 right now too, but the holes are suppose to be there, I just don't have what goes in them yet.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on May 21, 2013, 09:24:30 PM
ya. it really sucks because this means i will pretty much have to tear apart most of my interior to track down the issue. there is some rust starting to develop around the 1 rear window. it don't look like it is leaking but who know. hopefully we don't get too much rain in the next couple of weeks. i would really like to get a proper sand blasting mask before i start doing to much more work.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: The War Wagon on May 22, 2013, 07:10:24 AM
Leaks SUCK!

I've got some bad insulation around my doors right now - heavy rain and/or snow melt leaves a little puddle on the door sill, so I'm gonna cheap-azz caulk it with silicone here this summer (just leave the doors open to let it dry all day - probably the day I try to install & set up the cb radio!), until I can order some replacement foam rubber from one of the aftermarket places.

That's annoying enough as it is - can't imagine what a PITA a roof leak would be!  :angry5:
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: rjtx667 on May 22, 2013, 01:39:42 PM
Quote from: crazzywolfie on May 21, 2013, 09:24:30 PM
ya. it really sucks because this means i will pretty much have to tear apart most of my interior to track down the issue. there is some rust starting to develop around the 1 rear window. it don't look like it is leaking but who know. hopefully we don't get too much rain in the next couple of weeks. i would really like to get a proper sand blasting mask before i start doing to much more work.

I heard that sometimes the windows leak and have to be removed and re-installed with new "gunk" to stop the leak  :dontknow:
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on May 22, 2013, 01:54:05 PM
i don't want to hear that. i was hoping to take the trim off and sand blast and possibly paint around the window if i have to. don't want to have to take the glass out.

Quote from: The War Wagon on May 22, 2013, 07:10:24 AM
Leaks SUCK!

I've got some bad insulation around my doors right now - heavy rain and/or snow melt leaves a little puddle on the door sill, so I'm gonna cheap-azz caulk it with silicone here this summer (just leave the doors open to let it dry all day - probably the day I try to install & set up the cb radio!), until I can order some replacement foam rubber from one of the aftermarket places.

That's annoying enough as it is - can't imagine what a PITA a roof leak would be!  :angry5:
i don't mind having water sitting on the sill. as long as it don't come in and start rusting my brand new floors.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: rjtx667 on May 22, 2013, 03:24:04 PM
taking the windows out is not so bad, I have removed them from my 91... putting them back in I can't say as its not that far along yet.

taking the trim off... now that is a PITA because of the plastic clips and what not. there is a special tool but I don't know where you get it.

You can use a windshield removal tool to get the side windows out.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on May 22, 2013, 04:21:02 PM
i think my dad might have the tool for taking the trim off or knows what it looks like since he did do body work for most of his life and he has owned many dodges. can you get replacement plastic clips? i don't know if i want to take the glass out. the roof may end up coming off  if i take the glass out.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: SixGun on May 22, 2013, 05:59:55 PM
Quote from: crazzywolfie on May 22, 2013, 04:21:02 PM
i don't know if i want to take the glass out. the roof may end up coming off  if i take the glass out.

:laughing4:  Ha ha ha ha .....
Quote from: The War Wagon on May 22, 2013, 07:10:24 AM
Leaks SUCK!

I've got some bad insulation around my doors right now - heavy rain and/or snow melt leaves a little puddle on the door sill, so I'm gonna cheap-azz caulk it with silicone here this summer (just leave the doors open to let it dry all day - probably the day I try to install & set up the cb radio!), until I can order some replacement foam rubber from one of the aftermarket places.

1A Auto has the weatherstripping you are looking for.  They have free shipping too.  http://www.1aauto.com/1A/Weatherstrip/Dodge/Ramcharger/1AWSD00089/249854/1992
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on October 06, 2013, 03:21:34 PM
haven't got to do much modification to this thing lately. lent it to my sister couple month ago and it had been running great up till couple weeks ago.  the fuel pump stopped putting out the pressure that it should which lead to a nightmare for me. had to drop the tank. dropping the tank was not too hard  but it was very time consuming because of all the rust. sand blasting every rusted nut and bolt that i had to touch and then spray them with penitrating oil and surprisingly enough every nut seemed to break loose with not too much effort. i did find the source of my small fuel leak when pumping gas. filler neck had a few holes covered in rust. currently got it patched but going to hopefully replace it with the one off my 91.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xSY7w0JJ7O8/Uknv25udElI/AAAAAAAAHc0/onw6Rz6vG1g/s512/20130930_173836.jpg)
i also had to make new gas tank straps because the old ones were shot. they were bad when i got it but have got worse. i think the new ones i made were a bit thinner than the stock ones but i also made mine 1/4" wider and out of stainless steel so they should hopefully be fine.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-KTw8fIBe2Tk/UlG4qU-Z1NI/AAAAAAAAHd0/U7te7XMyxwY/s912/20131004_155332.jpg)
i also replaced fuel lines. this kind of confused be a bit. someone had replace the steel fuel lines with copper lines. don't know the reason for that but i replaced them with steel lines again. after all this work i did manage to get it to run for a short bit but forgot to hook up the return line and once i did hook it up the thing wont run. i know it is not getting the pressure it needs at the fuel rail. have not really got to look into this yet but think it has to be a simple fix.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on October 08, 2013, 06:24:57 PM
this thing is driving me crazy. put a bit more gas in the tank this morning and it seemed to fire up just fine. now it pissing gas from somewhere in the frame rail beside the gas tank every time i try to start it :angry5:.

also went and stripped some parts off my 91 for my 93. grabbed the filler neck and bench seat for the 93 and grabbed the heater box for the 81. filler neck was not in as good of shape as i remember but it should be in way better shape than the one i removed. i guess i will find out after i clean it up a bit. 
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: SixGun on October 08, 2013, 09:30:01 PM
Looks like Murphy paid you a visit.   :violent1:
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on October 09, 2013, 01:39:58 AM
seems like he has been hanging around here a lot lately. the vehicle issues seem to just keep coming and adding up quicker than i can fix them.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on October 14, 2013, 07:50:12 AM
getting so close to having things done. got to drop the tank 1 last time and i should hopefully be done. there is a little plastic piece that got lost or forgot to be installed on top of a o ring on the new fuel pump hose which is causing the fuel system to loose its prime and take forever to start. other than that it is running good. i lent it to my sister on Saturday and it got her to where she needed to go and back with no issues. Murphy still seems to be hanging around. the electric oil pressure gauge on my ramcharger quit working the same day that the oil pressure gauge on my dads ford quit working. luckily i installed a mechanical gauge in the ramcharger a while ago so i know i am fine. my dads truck on the other hand i am not so sure about.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: SixGun on December 07, 2013, 07:59:27 PM
I saw your video on Youtube with fuel issues.  Is that still going on?  I saw how nice and sunny it was in the video and made me wonder.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on December 07, 2013, 08:56:10 PM
2 fuel pumps later i got the issue fixed hopefully permanently. i gave my sister back the ramcharger on Wednesday. so far so good. i think i know why the first fuel pump failed. there is a plastic piece that sits on top of the o ring in the special connector inside the tank that put pressure on the o ring to make everything seal up nice. well that plastic piece some how fell out into the filter area without me noticing so the fuel pump was having to work harder to keep fuel pressure up enough to run the engine. it took me a weak or 2 to figure that out and fix it but i think the damage was already done. thing went down hill from there. i finally decided to replace it one more time and make sure things got done right. at least now with all the new bolts thing came apart nice and easy.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: The War Wagon on December 07, 2013, 08:59:50 PM
Quote from: crazzywolfie on October 14, 2013, 07:50:12 AM
getting so close to having things done. got to drop the tank 1 last time and i should hopefully be done. there is a little plastic piece that got lost or forgot to be installed on top of a o ring on the new fuel pump hose which is causing the fuel system to loose its prime and take forever to start.

I redid EVERYTHING on my tank, all the fuel lines - everything right up to the intake itself.  No problems on mine, but the float IS stuck. (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-basic/slaphead.gif)  Reads about 1/3rd of a tankful, even topped off.  I may run it close to empty, drop the skid, and try and work on that this spring.  Or replace it.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on December 07, 2013, 09:20:57 PM
just make sure you get as much gas out of the tank as possible before you drop it. it make dealing with the tank so much easier. the last time i dropped the tank i think i spent about 1-2 hours emptying about 6 galllons of gas just to make the tank easier to handle.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: SixGun on December 07, 2013, 09:28:53 PM
I too had to replace the fuel pump twice.  The first one was a Carter pump and worked fine except for the fuel level never worked right and then at the end not at all.  The next one I put in was a Precision brand from Oreillys.  Magically the fuel level worked right off the bat and has worked since.  I also misinterpreted a dead O2 sensor for fuel pump issues. So I saved the pump for an emergency situation if it should ever arrive.

On what CW said, what ever you do, don't be tempted to put the "dirty" gas back in.  Let the lawn mower use it instead.  A cheap siphon from Walmart emptied my tank pretty well.  I rigged a heavy nut on the end to hold it to the bottom of the tank like a sinker.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on December 07, 2013, 09:58:29 PM
you may almost want to stick the used fuel pump in oil and run it for a second to fill the pump with oil. i know the one out of the 91 no longer worked when i tried it out.

i used the dying pump to empty mine which is probably why mine took so long to empty. i put the used gas back in the tank because it was brand new gas. my sister made the mistake of putting gas in the tank that morning.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on December 19, 2013, 11:56:52 PM
testing out some NGK G-Power spark plugs in the beast. i keep reading that these engines don't really care much for platinum plugs but i guess time will tell. also installed new wires since i had a couple broken ones that i had just stuck back together. i finished putting everything back together and putting my tools away just as my sister was ready to leave to pick her kids from school.

so far the new fuel pump seems to be holding up but i won't really find out till Sunday when i borrow my ramcharger back from my sister. i need my ramcharger back for highway driving because my 81 don't like driving down the highway any more.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: The War Wagon on December 20, 2013, 06:27:54 AM
Quote from: crazzywolfie on December 19, 2013, 11:56:52 PM
testing out some NGK G-Power spark plugs in the beast. i keep reading that these engines don't really care much for platinum plugs but i guess time will tell.

The standard rule on platinum plugs is - was the vehicle built when platinum plugs were AVAILABLE? If SO, then you can give them a try; if not, the stick with copper.  We had a B-I-G argument over this on UltimateJeep forum, as several os us have tried platinum plugs - specifically, NGK (as I did!) plugs - in our Commanders.  My 2007 4.7 Commander loves 'em, and has had no issues after 13,000k miles on them.

I went with some top o' the line Champion copper plugs in the RC though, and the engine runs GREAT (as you can hear in my video links).  I'll stick with 'em 'til the next time to change.  Maybe after some engine mods, the platinum plugs might work better, and enhance the performance.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on December 20, 2013, 09:59:00 AM
well if all else fails i do got the old NGK v groove plugs that i can toss back in. they were only a year and a half old and i think i only put less than 20k km's on them. i also plan on getting Bosch 4 hole injectors eventually which should help things. i think the injectors make a huge difference.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on May 24, 2014, 11:50:30 PM
kaboom :angry4:. 5 hours later my spare box was in and the ramcharger steers better. it just pisses me off that i was just cleaning my spare steering box up this afternoon and getting it ready to paint and install in my 81. i guess i will just have to replace the input shaft seal on my 81's steering box now or rebuild this steering box. i don't even understand why it blew. if anyone know it would be good to know. i figure rust should have been holding it together.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VUETS_os2xw/U4Fr6vZj_yI/AAAAAAAAJp0/NX8CZiIh73o/s512/20140524_230701.jpg)
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: The War Wagon on May 25, 2014, 05:30:23 AM
Quote from: crazzywolfie on May 24, 2014, 11:50:30 PM
i figure rust should have been holding it together.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VUETS_os2xw/U4Fr6vZj_yI/AAAAAAAAJp0/NX8CZiIh73o/s512/20140524_230701.jpg)


Don't know if they put down as much salt up there as we do down here, but rust WAS holding MINE together.


Borgeson is your friend!  ;D




(http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc305/The_War_Wagon/Ramcharger/100_9200_zps97456649.jpg)



Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on May 25, 2014, 04:01:35 PM
The put a fair bit of salt down up here. i wish rust was holding mine together but it must not have been. I attached a pic of my pretty used steering Box bolted to my rusty frame

I don't need a borgeson steering shaft. the steering shaft on power steering Box i installed installed was tight but i sprayed some lithium grease in it any ways just to make sure. the old steering couple had a fair bit of slop in it.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: The War Wagon on May 25, 2014, 04:56:13 PM
Quote from: crazzywolfie on May 25, 2014, 04:01:35 PMI don't need a borgeson steering shaft. the steering shaft on power steering Box i installed installed was tight but i sprayed some lithium grease in it any ways just to make sure. the old steering couple had a fair bit of slop in it.


The rag joint was WAAAAY too sloppy for me, in a lifted truck, in which I was going to be hauling my kids.  Dual stabilizer and Borgeson steering helps at low speed, and helps a LOT at highway speed!  I can't imagine crawling in it just yet - between the big tires & imprecise steering (my DD is the Jeep Commander - I'm spoiled, when it comes to steering  :tongue3: ), I can't imagine running someplace like Uhwarrie, like I used to in my Bronco.  Can't wait to try the ORV parks around here, though.  Gotta see what i CAN do with it so far!
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on May 25, 2014, 05:14:28 PM
i have less to worry about since mine is only a 2wd  :laughing7:. i would't mind doing like SixGun did and lift a 2wd to make it look like a 4x4 don't know if i would want to do it to my ramcharger. i would need to find another ramcharger that is in better shape to start out with. my current ramcharger has too much rust to really save
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: SixGun on May 26, 2014, 09:02:14 AM
Bring that D150 on by the house and we'll get started on it Mat.   :headbang:
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on May 26, 2014, 10:48:49 AM
i wish. i need to replace the front cab supports on my 81. i made some replacement cab supports years ago to get it on the road but didn't use strong enough metal so they started collapsing a bit.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on May 27, 2014, 11:39:44 PM
things never seem to end with this thing. so as some might know the ramcharger was having some radiator issue. spent today patching a hole in the rad that was caused by a hose clamp on the transmission cooler that was disconnected. i hopefully got it fixed so that i never have issues again :13:. also cleaned out the trans cooler that was disconnected and hooked it up. should hopefully help things last longer. the cooler looks to be stock. still got to lot of things left to do those. i was backing into the driveway and noticed my 1 backup light was out and i just changed the bulb the other day. also got a bad connection somewhere between the 1 tail light and the other because the marker light on the one side wont come one when i turn the lights on and have changed the bulb already. this thing is just a pain in the @$$. keep running into problem after problem with this ramcharger. also need to change the oil and air filter to and get the thing ready for emissions testing which is coming up soon.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: The War Wagon on May 28, 2014, 07:05:28 AM
DUDE!!!!  Time for a NEW radiator!!!   :confused2:


Yeah, they're cheap-ass Chinese junk, but you can snag a new one through Autozone for $100.  Get a coupon for $20 off, and it'd be worth it, until you can afford a good Summit Racing radiator!   :thumbsup:




Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on May 28, 2014, 09:58:29 AM
with how everything on my 93 keeps on breaking i think i will just leave the rad alone. i have price out a new rad and it is $230 for a cheap rad. stuff up here is a lot more expensive plus the rad is really not in that bad of shape. other than that 1 hole cause by the hose clamp the rad is in fairly good shape over all. the rad in my 81 will most likely need to be replaced first. it is in worse shape.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on May 28, 2014, 04:41:26 PM
ended up fixing the rear light issues. 1 was a broken wire and the other was a bad connection at the relay that i installed behind the tail light assembly. also cleaned out the back of the ramcharger and changed the blueish white led roof light for a white led light that  matched the rest of the lights.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: SixGun on May 28, 2014, 07:28:39 PM
My tail light bulbs and front blinker bulbs would get rusted out pretty quick. I started using the dielectic grease to keep the moisture out. Its only 99c at Auto zone.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on May 28, 2014, 09:49:54 PM
the ramcharger don't have that issue since the area behind my tail light is sealed from the elements. the ramcharger still has the stock light sockets. the bad connection was actually more of a bad crimped on connector. didn't get crimped right. i got a relay hiding behind the one tail light which powers the 1 stock backup light and use to power the 2 auxiliary backup light that i use to have. they got knocked of by backing into a ice bank this winter. they made the lights as bright as they could be and took some load off the stock wiring.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on June 02, 2014, 10:53:29 PM
been an interesting day with the ramcharger like usual. fixed the transmission fluid leak i had. ended up just being a loose hose clamp that got overlooked. took the sway bar off since the clamps that held it to the strut rods broke. came off nice and easy but i ended up getting filthy in the process because of all the undercoating oil that is still on it. i hate all the oil on everything. well that is all i planned on doing today up till the point where i went to give the ramcharger back to my sister. i had just backed into the driveway and put the ramcharger into what i thought was park but it felt a bit funny but i got out anyway. ramcharger didn't go anywhere but i did notice the backup lights were still on:disgust:. got my sister to try shifting through the gears and they seemed to stay on. apparently the c clip that hold the 1 shifter linkage thing in the bracket is gone and and managed to jump out of the bracket. i had to loosen the bracket to get it back in and then since the parts stores were closed i used a close hanger to replace the c clip. seemed to work. shifter works properly once more but will fix it once the parts store opens. i had the same issue with my 81 a while ago and the parts store actually just gave me the c clip for free :great:
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on June 28, 2014, 08:38:58 PM
not too much going on with my ramcharger lately. ended up having to do some sand blasting and welding on it about a week ago and got a mild dose of arc eye from not having my welding helmet set on weld when i should have. luckily for me there is some light tint on the helmet so i didn't quite get a full dose of uv. had to sleep with a moist face cloth on my eyes which was kind of difficult until i was drop dead tired. was a bit of a pain but i hopefully learned my lesson or at least learned how to take care of ark eye if i get it again.

now in other news i found my next upgrade. i found myself some good cup holders that i am pretty sure i should be able to integrate into my seat. my brother in law is scrapping is 98 Plymouth voyager and i took the cup holder from it and i think i should be able to mount them to the bottom of my seat which would beat my current cup holder that always takes up space and is easily filled with junk.
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-GkmzLbUmT2M/U69gau4qptI/AAAAAAAAJ48/DhQyq7bVsVw/s512/20140628_203216.jpg)
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-hezAc6FTEN8/U69gocIAM8I/AAAAAAAAJ5M/jD8M6yvMDQI/s512/20140628_203152.jpg)
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: rjtx667 on June 30, 2014, 03:19:48 PM
dang be careful with that welding!!!

does not sound like fun
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on June 30, 2014, 07:45:53 PM
well usually i am pretty good with it but i was using one of those old flip down helmets and not use to this new auto darkening helmet. it has a weld and grind setting. it was on grind instead of weld and the rest is history. thinking about putting tape on the switch to make sure it stays on weld.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: SixGun on June 30, 2014, 11:33:53 PM
Looks like we have the same color interior.

:hello:
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on June 30, 2014, 11:48:29 PM
not quite. i really need a grey bench seat for my ramcharger but the crimson red one was free because i took it out of my 91.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on July 28, 2014, 08:52:51 PM
bit of a busy day here today. started out trying to patch the rad on my 81 and moved onto doing some fairly major work on the ramcharger while i was waiting to borrow a torch from a friend. started run wires for the new dash cam that arrived today. i got one of those dash cams with 2 camera's so that 1 can be facing forward and 1 can be facing backwards. after i got the wire ran for the rear camera i decided to look at the lack of speakers in the back seat area. apparently there is already holes in the panels that just have to punched out. there was also even speaker wires there but for some reason dodge did some funky wiring behind the stereo. they ran both front and rear + speaker wires to the front speakers which caused some funky sound issue if you messed with the front/rear speaker control. this also meant the rear speakers were not getting any positive signal so i ended up taking apart the speaker connector at the stereo and moving the ground speaker wires for the rear to the positive spots because grounding the speakers would be easy. needless to say the stereo sounds a lot better now with more speakers.  the dash cam is also hooked up but i still need to put things back together and hide all the wires. hiding the wires should be fairly easy. also going to have to see about getting a lot shorter power cable because the one that the camera came with is way too long which is a great thing if you plan on installing it without tearing the interior apart like i am but i don't mind a bit of work to make wires disappear. will see about getting pics of everything when i get it all re-assembled.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-11166IqQMNE/U9b14X_mbiI/AAAAAAAAJ_A/M9XyT9g1PfI/s512/20140728_181433.jpg)
i also had my supervisor inspecting my work to make sure it was getting done right
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-aLnodszmZxI/U9b1_Aw5oxI/AAAAAAAAJ_I/MAJh43jEFEk/s640/20140728_193603.jpg)
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: The War Wagon on July 29, 2014, 07:42:24 AM
Don't know how the various "trim levels" of RC's played out with speaker placement.  I do know MINE came with "premium sound" (the previous owner KEPT the original window sticker/build sheet  ;D ), although that didn't include the optional cd player for 1992, which was TRES expensive at the time.  The 6" round door speakers are easy enough to upgrade (I have 150 watt Alpine 2-ways now), but the factory rear speakers are 5x8 - an oddball size, in any era (BTW... I have the FACTORY speakers and grills out of MINE, if anybody needs them.  They work fine, but they're not my cup of tea in a NON-rotisserie restoration.  I also have the factory premium radio (AM/FM/cassette/equalizer) if anyone's interested - it works, too).


You CAN wedge a 6x9 in there if you like - on the cheap - thanks to these little doohickies!


http://www.sonicelectronix.com/item_7149_Metra-82-6900.html


In fact, they're STACKABLE, like Legos, in case you need to build up some space for the magnet to fit.  I bought 2 pairs off fleabay (just in case) although you CAN mount 6x9's over the 5x8 opening with JUST one spacer each.  I have an extra set, in case anyone needs them.


I think I posted this in my RC thread, but here's two videos on my recent stereo upgrade!


http://vid212.photobucket.com/albums/cc305/The_War_Wagon/Ramcharger/Stereo_zpsf7e28b01.mp4


http://vid212.photobucket.com/albums/cc305/The_War_Wagon/Ramcharger/Stereo1_zps87a7bcd8.mp4  (Surprised by a church lady at the end!  :tongue3: )




Thing is, I bought these speakers and a Pioneer head unit (I sold the latter a couple of years ago - gotta Kenwood to replace it) back in late '06... and I finally got it ALL installed, THIS month.


Listened to it twice... decided it needs more bass.  :tongue3:   I've been spoiled the last 3 years with my Jeep Commander, which came with the Boston Acoustic premium sound package; tweeters in the dash, 7" subs in the front doors, & mid-range in the rear doors.


Homey's a little long in the tooth for thumpa-bumpa (c)rap music  ::)  - the CLOSEST I'd get to THAT, might be the Beastie Boy's "Sabotage."  But when I listen to AC/DC's "Thunderstruck," I think I'd like to hear a little thunder WITH it (that's on my first, special-purpose CD of "Ramcharger Music, Vol. I," that I burned exclusively, for when the RC finally had a stereo system.  MOSTLY, it's tornado-chasing music  :tongue3: ).


That said, I have a spare amp, that is technically not bridgeable... but I'll FIX that.  ;)   And I have a stereo pre-out specific FOR subwoofers with the Kenwood, and I've already run the wire.


So I'm torn between these...  http://www.adorama.com/PYLPLQB8.html?scpid=37&scid=scsho6143593&utm_term=Other&utm_medium=Shopping%20Site&utm_campaign=Other&utm_source=dealtime


And these... http://www.pyleaudio.com/sku/PLTAB8


I like the former, because I think they'll better provide the sound I like.  I like the latter, because I think they'll mount more easily - forward facing - above the rear wheel well - and compromise less storage space in the back.  That, and they're already amplified, which is one LESS set of holes I hafta drill, in order to mount another amp.  Oh, these first world decisions...  :tongue3:


At any rate, either set should give me enough bass to make for a nice, well-rounded sound in the truck - whether I'm listening to Metallica, the Kruger Bros., or the soundtrack to Sherlock - seasons 1, 2, or 3...  8)
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on July 29, 2014, 09:30:34 AM
i think my ramcharger had 5x8 speakers in the door from the factory because it currently has 6x9 in them. they fit inside the doors nicely. the holes in the back are round so i would guess those are for 6" speakers because i think the speakers i tried installing were 5.25" and i was having a hard time getting the template to line up with panel material to drill holes to mount the speakers. now i know you will probably be saying i should buy some better fitting speakers but i already had these sitting around  from a stereo kit that i got a year ago. the 81 got the stereo and the ramcharger got the speakers from the kit. the 81 got the better end of this deal. my 81 now has a sub and amp hooked up to the stereo which makes things sounds a lot nicer which is why i prefer to drive the 81 usually when i can.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-k1YrJVxqqQ0/UdTikFkpqII/AAAAAAAAFZk/S3tbf2mpnyQ/s576/IMAG0952.jpg)
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on July 29, 2014, 08:32:43 PM
did i ever mention how much i hate this ramcharger? went to run my brother in law to an appointment and my ramcharger just quit running in the pizza store parking. it just lost power all of a sudden. blew a fusible link. ended up running a power wire from the battery to my cigarette lighter and then jump the starter to get it running and drop my BIL off at his appointment. i tried replacing the fusible link but ended up running into the wire that the fusible link is hooked up to is wrapped in the harness at a spot that will be extremely hard to get at so i just striped a bit of the fusible link wire that was still good and hooked to it. the thing runs so i will revisit this issue at a later date. i think since i fixed it the ramcharger seems to be running better but i also discovered that my ramcharger seems to have a fuel leak. can't seem to win with it.

anyway i pretty much got the interior back together and the dash cam setup for the most part. seems to work fairly good and since i pretty much hid all the wires it looks fairly good. will hopefully post some video footage from it eventually but i got to figure out the setting. some of the video clips seem to be very short and some are a lot longer.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-dAoEp6hJfC0/U9gy204uoAI/AAAAAAAAKAo/pNV1wFB7O-g/s640/20140729_193854.jpg)
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-SnWdLskxAn8/U9g4nWDeigI/AAAAAAAAKA4/89msDR-jCTI/s640/20140729_201047.jpg)
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: SixGun on July 29, 2014, 09:02:20 PM
Hey Mat, what's that on the hood of the truck?
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on July 29, 2014, 09:23:29 PM
you mean the cool rustic looking paint job? lol. i don't know exactly what happened with the hood on my 81. it got a bad paint job and something funky happened to the hood. i used a gas powered pressure washer to clean it and that is how it has looked since. a bit of rust, 2 types of primer and bit of green paint. i think it i ever re-paint the truck i will probably just clear coat the hood.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: The War Wagon on July 29, 2014, 09:29:19 PM
Quote from: crazzywolfie on July 29, 2014, 08:32:43 PM... i also discovered that my ramcharger seems to have a fuel leak. can't seem to win with it.


We replaced the fuel pump, and EVERY inch of fuel line in the entire truck - much of it now STAINLESS tubing.  My 4wd mechanic even fixed a couple of leaky spots, that my Monro Muffler man overlooked... and yet I still get whiffs of gasoline as I work on it and drive it.  NOT even so much as a drop on the pavement... but you can SMELL it... SOMEWHERE...  :icon_scratch:


Not sure if it's a factory problem, or a dealer add-on...  :dontknow: ::)
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on July 29, 2014, 09:35:12 PM
i replaced as much of the fuel line as i could when i replaced the fuel pump but there was some line that i had to leave because there was special fitting on them. i haven't had a chance to inspect anything yet so i don't know the issue. i just know in the last week i have used a lot more fuel than i should have and the ramcharger has been a bit harder to start.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: rjtx667 on July 30, 2014, 08:10:04 AM
My 91 had a crack in the tank, so if you filled it up more than 1/2 way it just poured out.

it could also be a leak or issue with your fuel filter? those rubber hoses around them get in bad shape too.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: SixGun on July 30, 2014, 08:27:20 AM
Using an ungodly amount of fuel was an O2 sensor problem for me about a year ago.

Oh and about the hood, looking at a glance it kinda looked like a flaming steer head.  After looking at it blown up, I see that its a backwards Ram's head over the "bald" patch.  I thought you had painted some mural for it on the hood.   :laughing7:
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: The War Wagon on July 30, 2014, 11:46:02 AM
Quote from: SixGun on July 30, 2014, 08:27:20 AM
Using an ungodly amount of fuel was an O2 sensor problem for me about a year ago.

Hmmmm... I HAVE a new O2 sensor for mine... but it hasn't been installed.  MIGHT explain that 6 1/2 mpg city mileage...  :icon_scratch:
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on July 30, 2014, 04:10:12 PM
the leak is not at the back so i know it is not the fuel tank that is leaking. it is leaking from approximately were the fuel filter is so it could be the issue. i don't think the rubber lines will be the issue since i am pretty sure i replaced most of it when i did the fuel lines.

the ramcharger has a brand new o2 sensor. replaced it about a year ago. the old one stilled looked pretty good when i replaced it but since i had it out there was no point not replacing it. the wire on my new o2 sensor was more than long enough to connect to the connector on my ramcharger.

the ram head is actually on the ramcharger. i just park so close to my truck that it looks like it is on the truck backwards lol. i park nose to nose so that if i ever need a boost it is usually easy
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: rjtx667 on July 30, 2014, 06:21:38 PM
what brand o2 sensor?

I believe Richard had to go through a few to get it fixed.

Also have you done the key switch dance to check for codes?
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on July 30, 2014, 06:46:47 PM
it was a NTK brand o2 sensor. i was not having any issues when i replaced it. i just had a new one sitting around.

i have not done the key dance but i doubt it will do much.

i got under it today and the steel line that that goes up to the engine bay rusted out inside the rubber line that connects to the fuel filter so i just cut some steel line off and shoved it back in the rubber line and so far it has stopped leaking. i really just need to top up the tank and drive to see what it is getting.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: The War Wagon on July 30, 2014, 11:37:46 PM
Mine's also an NTK - lemmee know how it works, since you got to it first!
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on July 30, 2014, 11:44:24 PM
mine has been in for over a year and many many miles and has been fairly good. i get about 500-600km's/tank(310-370miles/tank). it usually averages about 14mpg but obviously gets a lot worse mileage when you are dripping gas on the ground :tard:
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: SixGun on September 01, 2014, 03:32:41 PM
So when are you thinking about tearing into the upper control arm?
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on September 01, 2014, 06:50:17 PM
next week sometime is when i plan on tearing into the upper control arm. ordered the parts and got most of the tools just waiting on the parts from Rockauto. doubt they will be shipped out until tomorrow or Wednesday because of the holiday. also need to get a couple bolts and some long nuts to push the upper ball joint out of the knuckle without damaging it. will see about taking lots of pics. going to see about sand blasting and painting them while i have them off. really got a crap load of stuff i should be doing on it this week but don't know what to do first. the crack in the drivers side door by the bottom hing is starting to get bad and the squeaking drivers side fender is getting real annoying. the rear bumper is also loose and rattles. it just so much stuff to do. i also got to take the windshield out of the 81 soon and cut the drip rail off because it is starting to get to rusty and the gasket on my windshield is pretty much shot. i know if rains in my truck more than it should last time i drove in the rain.

at least it looks like the 93 is getting about 19mpgs. that might be saving me a bit of money.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on September 02, 2014, 06:22:06 PM
i think the parts got shipped out today :13:. got emailed a tracking number at 7:30 this morning and there was a updates at 3:30 afternoon so i think they have been picked up. the parts are only coming from Warrensville Heights, OH so they only have to travel about 400 or so mile so hopefully they will be here on Friday or Monday at the latest. since i have to wait i have been setting up tools and prepping thing. installed new fitting on the new tools and setup the new air line. now i just have to go back to the store on sunday and get me 2 more couplers. the one on my other airline is one of those sloppy leaking universal couplers and i still got another brand new line without a coupler for it. when all is said and done i will have 150 feet of air line which is enough to go anywhere around the house or neighbor hood that i need :laughing7:
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on September 05, 2014, 08:30:43 PM
it took all day today but the parts finally showed up and i was pretty happy with what i got. you should see the new motor mounts for the 81. there is a huge difference and for $10 each can't really go wrong. they go for $51 each at the local parts store. if i blow one of these motor mounts i had better just chain the engine down  :laughing7:
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: SixGun on September 05, 2014, 09:42:52 PM
So were those the Cummins mounts?  Have you checked the fit on both sides yet? 
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on September 06, 2014, 08:47:11 AM
ya both sides look identical except the diesel ones are bigger and look way stronger
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on September 15, 2014, 09:31:01 PM
the led lights i ordered finally showed up today and straight to installing i went. i got to say so far i like them. not too big of a fan of the white color but i like how small they are. i also mounted them on brackets so that if they do get hit by ice or something they will just fold up behind the bumper out of harms way. the bracket also lifts them up nice and tight to the bumper which looks a bit better. if i had made these brackets last year my last set of lights would not have got smashed of in an ice bank.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on October 09, 2014, 06:18:05 PM
it only took a month but the ball joint presses finally went on sale at princess auto and i picked one up. it was 50% off so i got it for $50. should come in handy when i replace the drivers side control arm bushings but hopefully i won't be doing it too soon. the camber on the drivers side is a lot better than the passenger side was.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: SixGun on October 09, 2014, 11:10:55 PM
Sweet ... That thing comes in handy.  :13:
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on October 22, 2014, 06:08:56 PM
been kind of busy working on this thing today. i have always had a bit of a braking issue with my RC when it was wet out in the morning so i finally decided to look into it. things ended up being a bit worse than i thought it would be but should be a lot better now. there is still a bit of a low spot were the inner pad sits but should be way better than it was. i think i might try filing a bit more on another day but not too worried about it. i also removed what was left of the dust shields and tossed some paint on things after i cleaned it up pretty good. that needle scaler i bought has come in very handy removing all the loose flaking rust. looks a lot better now.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on February 17, 2015, 11:29:57 PM
not been doing too much to my RC lately. just trying to avoid having to do too much work to it. i was bored the other night and decided to email dodge to get a build sheet for this beast since i have been having strange issue with the charging system. i was wondering if the alternator had possibly been replaced sometime in the past since the fusible link looks like a 8 gauge fusible link which seems a bit big for the 90amp alternator. any how, i inspected the 120amp denso alternator i had sitting around and the brushes/copper contacts seem almost new so i plan on putting that on my RC soon. the extra 30 amps probably would have helped a bit when i was boosting that diesel on sunday twice :laughing7:.
also if anyone is interested in getting a build sheet on there 87 or newer truck apparently you don't even need to email dodge. you just have to enter your vin in the box labled vin on this webpage
http://dodge.custhelp.com/app/dodge/eqlisting_detail/session/L2F2LzEvdGltZS8xNDI0MjM0NjkxL3NpZC9XTW1lcGhmbQ%3D%3D

here my RC's build specs
*H5 Cloth High-Back Bucket Seats
APAS Monotone Paint
BARS 90 Amp Alternator
BCES 600 Amp Maintenance Free Battery
BGJS Pwr Disc/Drum Rr Anti-Lock Brakes
BKGS 11x2.5 Rear Drum Brakes
CADP High Back Bucket Seats
CDEP 6-Way Power Passenger Seat
CFMS Rear Folding Seat
CHES Deluxe Headliner
CKJS Black Vinyl Floor Covering
CKLS Cargo Compartment Floor Mat
DGB All 4-Speed Automatic Transmissions
DGRS 4-Spd. Automatic 46RH Transmission
DHAS Lock-Up Torque Converter
DJAS 200MM Front Axle
DMDS 3.55 Rear Axle Ratio
DRBS Corporate 9.25 LD Rear Axle
DSA Anti-Spin Differential Rear Axle
ELF 5.2L V8 MPI Engine
GAE Sunscreen Glass
GBBS Tinted Windshield Glass
GCBS Front Door Tinted Glass
GFA Rear Window Defroster
GNAS Rear View Day/Night Mirror
GPBS Pwr Fldg Htd Drvr Memory Mirrors
GVAC All Vehicles W/O Power Mirrors
HAA Air Conditioning
HGAS Hood Insulation
JDBS 180 KPH Primary Speedometer
JHA Var Intermittent Windshield Wipers
JJAS Cigar Lighter
JJB Dual Note Electric Horns
LAFS Key in Ign/Seat Belt Warning Buzzer
LAJS Headlamps On Warning Chimes
LMKS Daytime Running Headlamps, High Beam
MBBS Bright Front Bumper
MBES Bright Rear Bumper
MFDS Bright Grille
MHAS Black Windshield Moldings
NAAS Federal Emissions
NBKS EVAP Control System
NFUS 34 Gallon Fuel Tank
NHB Auxiliary Transmission Oil Cooler
NHKS Engine Block Heater
NMC Heavy Duty Engine Cooling
PW7 Bright White Clear Coat
QW7S Bright White Clear Coat
RAAC All Radio Equipped Vehicles
RALS AM/FM Radio
RCBP 2 Speakers
SBAS Power Rack and Pinion Steering
SCBS Perforated Steering Whl w/Red Stitch
SFB Front Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers
SGB Rear Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers
SHA Front Stabilizer Bar   
TBBS Full Size Spare Tire
TBLS Inside Mounted Spare Tire
TSCS P235/75R15 BSW All Season Tires
TZHP Michelin Brand Tires
WCBS 15x5.0 Aluminum Wheels
WLBS Steel Spare Wheel
WLYC All Steel Wheels
WMAS Black Hub Caps
XPFS Protective Coating and Remover
YACS Build To Canada Mkt. Specifications
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: ProjectPW on February 18, 2015, 07:15:59 AM
Wow that RC had all the options...cool  :great:
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: SixGun on February 18, 2015, 07:31:57 AM
The only one I would worry about is that last one.   :tongue3:
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: rjtx667 on February 18, 2015, 08:39:14 AM
thats really cool, but does not work for ALL Dodge's... the mexico ramcharger said it could not be found  :dontknow:

was worth a try
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on February 18, 2015, 09:40:10 AM
Quote from: ProjectPW on February 18, 2015, 07:15:59 AM
Wow that RC had all the options...cool  :great:
i don't have too many fancy option tho. the only nice ones i got is the a/c for the summer time
Quote from: SixGun on February 18, 2015, 07:31:57 AM
The only one I would worry about is that last one.   :tongue3:
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-otSh74XsjhM/TokJeBk1bjI/AAAAAAAAHqs/R2F_v_hcpDs/s41/canada.gif) lol
Quote from: rjtx667 on February 18, 2015, 08:39:14 AM
thats really cool, but does not work for ALL Dodge's... the mexico ramcharger said it could not be found  :dontknow:

was worth a try
ya it probably would not work with a Mexican ramcharger but it was at least worth a shot. i even tried getting one for my 81 but it didn't have one.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on February 18, 2015, 11:29:39 PM
well the 120amp alternator is on and seems to be working but still have a bit of and electrical issue. i think i might be having a fusible link related issue but not sure yet. i just know when i was poking around with my multi meter and the alternator is putting out 15.06v but the field wire is only seeing 14.28v. there has to be a voltage drop somewhere between the battery, asd relays and everything that the asd relay powers. i made a jumper wire to go between the the field terminal and alternator output and managed to get the voltage to drop down to a steady 14.56v. i really hope i can find the weak spot that is causing the voltage drop so that i don't have to hack up the wiring
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: rjtx667 on February 19, 2015, 08:29:11 AM
Check your Grounds. my 93 had a bad ground from battery to chassis and that messed with stuff. Just a short little wire right at the battery.

Kind of my fault since I was hacking around to install dual batteries lol
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on February 19, 2015, 10:15:23 AM
i don't think my issue is with the ground. i was using negative battery terminal as a ground when testing. i was possibly thinking all the loads on the asd relays could possibly be causing the voltage drop but then again i am not sure. there is 8 injectors, 1 oxygen sensor, 1 coil and the alternator field powered by the asd relay. i had to replace the orange fusible link that connects to the white fusible link but didn't think about replacing the white fusible link since it looked good even when i spliced to it.

i guess a good thing about the new alternator is it does have a bit smaller pulley which should help the charging system.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: SixGun on May 01, 2015, 08:57:11 PM
I saw you bought another Dodge. When are you gonna tell us about it? Are you gonna combine them into one truck?
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on May 02, 2015, 04:35:27 PM
well i wasn't really going to say too much about it since it is not really mine even tho i would love to keep it and fix it. it is Collin's(4x4Klown) truck. i am just storing it for him. he bought it for the cab. it is going to be a bit hard to part out since the thing is so clean but he does need a better cab for his truck and finding a good cab is not really getting easier especially since he is only into the truck about $1300 by the time it got to my driveway. plus it would still need work. it was in an accident so it would need a new fender/rad support/grille plus it would need all new brake lines/park brake cables/and maybe other brake parts. it would be worth fixing because of how clean it is but it would take some money. i guess that is the way it always is. i am going to be getting some parts off it tho that may save the ramcharger for a bit longer. that is the advantage of storing it at my place. if Collin had to store it at his place he would have to strip it quick and scrap the rest where at my place we can take our time a bit. i know most of the parts i would be needing would be heading to scrap if he had to store it. i could use some of the parts that can be a bit stupid but expensive like the rear shackle mounts. i am  just going to swap leaf springs and mounts since that would be easier than trying to take it all apart. i may also get a good strut rod bushing off  it. they are about $40/side so i am hoping i can just swap one onto my truck. i will also be taking the motor mount extension plate off it also since it has it. i will take as much as i can store that i think i will need. i doubt Collin will mind especially if we can get most of his money back from selling the box and engine/trans. the thing runs/drives. it idles great once it is running but i think there is a sensor that is going bad. it will sometimes stall when you put it in gear or will stall when you try to rev it sometimes when in park.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on May 26, 2015, 12:36:04 AM
well the time has come. i have got to the point where i need to replace the shackle mounts on my ramcharger. the only thing i am having issue with at this point is figuring out which route to go. i currently got the the shackle mounts/leaf/axle off the 89 d150 parts truck that is sitting in my driveway. i was possibly thinking about just swapping leaf spring mounts and all to keep things simple but i am not sure the best way to get the factory rivets off the front leaf spring hanger. after cutting the rivets off the spring mounts on the 89 d150 i realized the rivets are not that easy to cut or get out especially on the ramcharger with where the cross member is. i was thinking about replacing just the shackle mount but then i would have to replace the bushing which i have never had to do. i am just not sure which route would be better to go. i really want to go the easier route but when it comes to this ramcharger nothing ever seems to be easy. any advise would be appreciated.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: SixGun on May 26, 2015, 09:47:05 AM
If the riveted spring mounts are in good shape, leave them alone. They are a major pita to remove. To remove those rivets, I used a cutoff wheel, air chisel, drill and a die grinder with a carbide bit. You would think that after cutting the heads off it would just push out. Not so, since it is swollen into the frame hole. Drill it out all the way up to the lip of the hole and air hammer it. That's with both sides of the rivet's heads cut off. Moral of this story, avoid it if you can.

Replacing leaf bushings is very easy. Just burn them with a torch and with them nice and hot, drive them out with a big screw driver and hammer. Rear leaf shackle can be purchased complete with bushing for cheap at Stengelbros. 
http://www.stengelbros.com/

I would remove the whole leaf pack to do this. Good time for new ubolts. Another source for good suspension parts is ATS.
http://www.autoandtrucksprings.com/
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on May 26, 2015, 11:50:32 AM
Thanks Richard. the spring mounts look in great shape. its just the shackle mounts in the back that are toast. all 4 shackles between my RC and the parts truck look to be in great shape also. all the bushing don't look great but i think they should be able to last as long as i will keep the RC on the road maybe another 1 or 2 years if nothing serious breaks. i was thinking thinking that replacing the bushing might be easier but not 100% sure. after looking at it a bit more tho it looks like you you have to take the shackles out of the mount to replace the bushing which will also most likely be a fight and i guess that is why you suggest replacing them? i was also looking at the shackle bolts on the RC and it looks like they are 5/8" and the ones on the parts truck is 1/2". not sure what would be the best route to go. this has been one of the biggest things kind of driving me to look at brand new vehicles.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: SixGun on May 26, 2015, 12:25:37 PM
Stengelbros has replacement bolts for relatively cheap. If you were keeping the Ramcharger, I would consider it as preventative maintenance.  One or two years, I dunno. Thats a lot of work. Do you have a pic of what your concern is?  Dropping the tank makes it a lot easier for access and avoid hot sparks on the tank..
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on May 26, 2015, 02:10:57 PM
i saw that they sell bolts. i am just not sure which sizes to go with. the old shackle uses a 5/8" bolt but the ones of the parts truck use 1/2" bolt. would the leaf springs be the same and i would just have to change the bushing to the 1 for 1/2" bolt? the shackle mount that is currently on my RC has a bad crack in it. the other side is also not much better. when i got it the rear shackle mounts were full of sand and undercoat which caused them to rust out. i just didn't realize they were as thin as they were.
i know it is a lot of work but i don't know if the ramcharger wouldn't have much more than 1-2 years left in especially with the way the rust is on some of the parts. i already patched up the floors and structure under the floor board but there is now other rust repair to do and it is like how far do you go before you got to call it quits? ideally i would love to stick the engine/trans out of it into my 81 eventually. the fuel tank is already dropped. sucks dropping a tank that is 3/4 full but it is done now. pumped most of the gas into my 81
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: bullboy0852 on May 26, 2015, 02:27:53 PM
Welding machine
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: SixGun on May 26, 2015, 02:32:49 PM
Dodge really should have put drain holes in those shackle mounts.  The leaf spring mounting pads under the axle should have one too.  They are literally cups that hold crud that will rust it out.  In your case, it is salt.

Do you own an air hammer to drive those rivets out. As for the bolts, go 5/8" and enlarge the bolt hole in the mount.  May need a carbide bit.  The leaf spring eyes, if I'm not mistaken, are the same size and the bushing/sleeve is thinner for 5/8".  Bushings are fairly cheap as well. Nickels and dimes add up though on a job like this unfortunately. 
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on May 26, 2015, 02:53:04 PM
Quote from: SixGun on May 26, 2015, 02:32:49 PM
Dodge really should have put drain holes in those shackle mounts.  The leaf spring mounting pads under the axle should have one too.  They are literally cups that hold crud that will rust it out.  In your case, it is salt.

Do you own an air hammer to drive those rivets out. As for the bolts, go 5/8" and enlarge the bolt hole in the mount.  May need a carbide bit.  The leaf spring eyes, if I'm not mistaken, are the same size and the bushing/sleeve is thinner for 5/8".  Bushings are fairly cheap as well. Nickels and dimes add up though on a job like this unfortunately. 
i don't know if drain holes would have help in my RC's case. according to the PO he had the thing undercoated twice a year and from the looks of it ya he did but he also never washed any of it off which trapped in all the garbage.

would it be ok to just go with the 1/2" bolt one tho? i was more so just thinking to keep it easy and not have to drill out the holes. i don't understand why a d150 would have the 1/2" shackle bolt but the RC has the 5/8" bolt even tho you would probably haul more weight in the d150. i think as of right now if i get it all through stengelbros it should come in at under $100 unless i am missing something
Quote from: bullboy0852 on May 26, 2015, 02:27:53 PM
Welding machine
did that already and it didn't last long. not enough metal left to the mounts
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: SixGun on May 26, 2015, 03:26:05 PM
1/2" should be fine. Check the spring eyes to be sure. A call to Stengelsbros or email might confirm that all spring eyes are the same size with bushing/bolt being the variable.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on May 26, 2015, 04:20:22 PM
crap. i was was out measuring it it seems like i might have no choice but to drill out the shackle mounts to 5/8". the bushings on the RC are 1.5" diameter an the parts truck is 1" and i don't see any bushings available that would work with the 1/2" bolt and are 1/5" diameter. i guess it is no big deal but just another time consuming project. hopefully the 81 can go a month or so without any issues popping up. might need the time to fix the RC
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: SixGun on May 26, 2015, 04:28:55 PM
I don't know how tough the factory steel is but when I did the shackle flip on the 76, the new steel brackets wouldn't drill out.  I had to use a my die grinder with carbide bit. Die grinder was fairly cheap and comes in handy on many projects.  The bit I picked up from http://drillsandcutters.com/carbide-burrs/ . I picked up one bit and use it for everything lol. They make short work of metal of any strength.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on May 26, 2015, 04:42:19 PM
well i might try drilling them out with my step drill bit first and if that don't do the job i might try using the die grinder on them. i don't think the metal is that hard but i guess i will find out. thanks again Richard. i appreciate the help. hopefully things will start going smooth with the RC for once
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: bullboy0852 on May 27, 2015, 06:40:52 AM
You might haul more on the 150 but the rc is prolly a good 1000lbs heavier just factory
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on May 27, 2015, 09:06:27 AM
i still would not see why 1 would be different than the other. i would think both should be the same since both would haul about the same amount of weight. i know i will haul about 2000-3000lbs in my truck fairly often.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: rjtx667 on May 27, 2015, 10:34:11 AM
I would guess its probably more to do with the year models than anything.

Always changing and improving things as they go on.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on May 27, 2015, 02:11:38 PM
maybe. it just gets annoying sometimes. a simple difference is going to cause more headache. the ramcharger might be sitting for a while until i can fix this properly. i really almost need more space to do it and had i thought of it the other day we could have just moved the truck box ahead and cut about 4-6 feet off the 89's frame to get some driveway space back but didn't.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: rjtx667 on May 27, 2015, 09:04:11 PM
I will have some shackles that will be coming off (hopefully) in the near future if you need some.

I bought the jungle upgrades.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on May 28, 2015, 08:16:14 AM
thanks for the offer but they seem cheap enough new through the link Richard provided. i am just hoping they will turn out to be decent like they pictures they have posted
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on July 22, 2015, 09:21:53 PM
well it has taken me a while to make up my mind but i finally decided to try fixing the RC. ground the rivets flush and pounded them out of the out of the shackle mounts. had to hammer on them a bit harder than i liked but they all came out. now i just have to order the new shackles, bolts and bushings and i should be on my way to putting this thing back on the road. i renewed the plate a couple weeks ago so it would be a bit of a waste it i spent the $100 for nothing. i am just hoping nothing big breaks anytime too soon after i fix it. my credit card is already getting a good workout this month without even adding in the parts needed to fix the RC.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: SixGun on July 22, 2015, 10:35:30 PM
Nothing like diving head first into a project and your wallet.  :sign0081:
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on July 22, 2015, 11:13:31 PM
ya. i am hoping since i got the parts truck sitting in the driveway i can keep the cost of repairing my RC fairly cheap. now that i think of it i remember that my RC also needs new strut rod bushing. i am hoping to start tearing apart what is left of the front end on the parts truck and start swapping the parts over as i need them. i also need to get the toe and possibly camber on my RC fixed. i really almost need to start a list. it has been so long since i use it that i am forgetting exactly what it needs. it also looks like it has started leaking power steering fluid since i parked it. i guess i will see when i start driving it again.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on July 23, 2015, 09:08:20 PM
so i need grade 8 bolts for everything right? going to see about getting the bolts locally before i order the shackles and bushings. $3.09/bolt will get expensive quick. that is about $40 for the 12 bolts need for the job. i am pretty sure i should be able to get what i need locally for cheaper than that.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on July 24, 2015, 02:43:02 PM
after checking out a few places there is no way the bolts they are selling are grade 8 is there? the 1 place i looked it was just $5 for 1 bolt. no nut or washers. do you think it would be ok to run grade 5 bolts for the shackles and leaf springs?
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: SixGun on July 24, 2015, 03:39:24 PM
According to Stengelbros, they are grade 8.

I found this place in Michigan that ships internationally.
http://www.truckspring.com/trailer-parts/trailer-suspension/shackle-bolts.aspx

Are you trying to bolt on the shackle mount? Do you have a tractor supply or trailer store nearby? They would have what you need. When I watched Noah and Ryan, they welded them on.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: SixGun on July 24, 2015, 03:44:58 PM
Even better, kit for 2 shackle mounts for $20. Grade 8

http://www.autoandtrucksprings.com/catalog/Leaf_Spring_Hanger_Mounting_Bolt_Kits_Grade_8-176-1.html

Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on July 24, 2015, 06:16:10 PM
thanks Richard. i am completely blind lol. it says right there at the top of the list that they are grade 8. ya i am planning on bolting them to the frame. this has to be a street legal vehicle plus i really don't know if i would trust welding to this frame or not. the bolts that were $5 each were the 5/8" ones that hold the shackle on each side.  the ones that hold the shackles mount to the frame seem a bit more reasonable at $1/bolt. i can get all 8 at the store for $26 which i don't mind. so far it looks like the cheapest option. my friend also said he was going to see what they have at work. if he can get some he might grab me a few.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on July 28, 2015, 01:12:05 PM
well i ordered all the parts i think i needed to fix this thing. hopefully i don't end up needing more. ordered the bolts to go with it just to be safe. just waiting on shipping information now. hopefully in a couple weeks time it will be up and cruising around town again. till then i am going to focus most of my efforts on my 81 when it is not too crazy hot out. spent an hour or 2 out by the pool yesterday and the back side of me that was not cover my my shorts got burnt.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: rjtx667 on July 30, 2015, 07:40:42 PM
See Richard... they have red legs up north too!!!!

:laughing4:
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on July 30, 2015, 08:27:34 PM
lol ya the back of my legs were pretty red and burnt good. i smartened up and found the sun bock the next day. the stuff had an expiry date in 2001 but still seemed to do the job.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: SixGun on July 30, 2015, 08:35:05 PM
As long as you don't eat it, you should be okay
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on July 30, 2015, 08:38:44 PM
 :laughing4: ya i don't plan on eat it. heck i don't even like using it but apparently i might need it if i decide to spend more time pool side instead of under my vehicles :laughing7:
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: SixGun on July 30, 2015, 08:43:41 PM
I'm not much of a shorts person but decided on one of the hottest days to wear them and paid the price. Loll
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on July 30, 2015, 08:55:31 PM
normally i was not much of a shorts person but i could get use to them. one of many new changes i am making in my life. i am still having a hard time finding good shorts  that are similar to the pants i like wearing with the pocket by my side in the right spot so that i can keep my phone in it without sitting on it.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on August 06, 2015, 07:50:16 PM
well hopefully if all goes good i should have some parts tomorrow. would have possibly had them a bit sooner if i didn't have to deal with the idiots at UPS but things sound like thing are all straightened out now. the only thing that suck is i won't be able to start doing any work on it till Monday. by the time i get the parts it will most likely be too late to start working on it and i really don't like starting a project the day before i work. harder to keep organized especially when you are working in a driveway. plus i think i need a couple more tools so i can swing by princess auto after work and see about grabbing what i think i need. can never have too many tools
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: rjtx667 on August 07, 2015, 08:50:35 AM
good luck on it all.. I know what I did at Noah's was a PITA. I can just imagine having to do it in a driveway.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on August 07, 2015, 09:44:41 AM
well hopefully it goes smooth. i really don't see why it shouldn't but i guess i will see. i plan on just cutting/grind/burning what i need to to get it apart. i think the most time consuming thing i will most likely end up doing is cleaning the frame and applying fresh paint before re-assembling it.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: SixGun on August 07, 2015, 05:06:34 PM
Over here drive way is HOT!

:sunny:

Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on August 07, 2015, 06:39:48 PM
well to tell the truth i don't think i have ever had an issue with the driveway being too hot but then again my neighbors house/tree shades most of my driveway in the afternoon. also lately it has been fairly cool. none of that crazy heat you would expect to get all summer long.

well the new shackles/bushings finally showed up. so far they look pretty good. just hope everything goes smoothly. i was pretty tempted to start working on it today since i got the parts early but decided against it. i did start prepping the ramcharger tho. got it turned around and back end up. also got the shackle mounts holes drilled out to 5/8". surprisingly enough drilling them out to 5/8" was super easy with the stepper drill bit. i thought i would have burnt out the stepper drill bit out with the heavy metal but i guess i lucked out.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: SixGun on August 07, 2015, 06:45:45 PM
Nice.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on August 07, 2015, 06:54:52 PM
ya it is progress. it did feel a bit strange moving the RC around tho. i don't remember the steering feeling as stiff as it is but maybe that is the way it was and i am just getting too use to driving the truck again. it has been about 2-3 months since i have really driven it.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: SixGun on August 07, 2015, 07:24:57 PM
Oh wow...time flies :iagree:
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on August 07, 2015, 08:04:10 PM
ya time definitely does fly. i just wish it didn't take me so long to decide i wanted to fix it and order parts but i have come to the conclusion i need a 2nd moving vehicle and it is hard to find exactly what i want so i am just fixing what i got for now and praying it lasts until i find my next vehicle.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on August 09, 2015, 06:31:15 PM
well started working on this thing today after work and things have been coming along fairly ok. arms are pretty burnt from grinding rivet heads under the RC. just have to grind the passenger side shackle mount rivets and then i can start cleaning/painting and re-assembling it. i was also able to get the bolts out of the leaf spring bushings without doing any damage so i am just going to leave those alone. i really don't even want to touch them if i don't have to. things should hopefully move fairly smooth tomorrow.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: SixGun on August 09, 2015, 09:58:57 PM
Wow, that's really corroded. Good call changing them out.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on August 10, 2015, 08:33:47 AM
well it is not like i really had a choice on changing them out. my options were to change them or have the RC just sit in the driveway. just suck that i have to do it. now i can tell you why it happened. the PO oiled it twice a year but never washed off any of the old oil so crap would build up in them and cause them to rust out. the oil may have saved some things but completely destroyed other things.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on August 10, 2015, 12:03:41 PM
so close yet so far. currently on hold due to the rain. pretty much just need to paint everything and throw it back together. glad i didn't order bolts to hold it to the frame with the shackles because they would have been the wrong ones. 7/16" is too small and was really loose. ended up stepping up to 1/2" bolts most of the holes were already nearly 1/2" anyway. i just ran my drill through all hole with the drill to make sure they were 1/2" dead on. if the rain lets up i should be done before the day is over.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: rjtx667 on August 10, 2015, 09:49:57 PM
it could be worse.. you could but a Jungle flip kit that comes with a ton of bolts... yeah you don't use most of them... easier to weld than to re-drill all new holes.  :evil6:
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on August 10, 2015, 10:07:50 PM
well like i said before i don't think i would trust welding to this frame. plus for me the bolts holes are all there and usable so that is what i am going to use. i am just hoping nothing too serious breaks after i get this done. next up on the list will be the strut rod bushings and possibly a bit more front end work to fix the toe.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on August 11, 2015, 02:17:49 PM
it all bolted back together and driving. so far it has been pretty good. i think i might need to check the rear end fluid level. i think i might have too much fluid in it which is causing it to leak and burn somewhere when i take left corners hard.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on August 11, 2015, 08:49:59 PM
got some pics of the new shackle mount installed. hopefully i don't have any issue in the future. there is really not a whole lot of space between the shackle mount bolt and the 1 shackle bolt. i think eventually they will come contact. i am just hoping it won't do any damage if it does.

i did do a bit of driving and driving the ramcharger definitely feels a bit strange. it definitely don't drive or stop anywhere nears as good as the 81 or maybe i have just got too use to driving the truck. i swear the 81 feels like it steers and stops way better than the 93. i guess i will get use to it again. i did go to the gas station and get gas for this pig. had just enough in the tank to get me there under its own power. i do got to say the gas tank on this thing is huge. spent $130 on gas and only bought 32.5 gallons of fuel to top up the tank from nearly empty.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: rjtx667 on August 11, 2015, 10:29:38 PM
I have had my share of bolt rub, just not at that exact location.

looks pretty good.


Only think I can think on steering and braking is the quality/ age of parts and tires and wheels. Different / bigger wheels and tires will effect how it feels. Also the ram charger probably is a bit heavier so harder to stop.

You could also possibly need new calipers or at least rebuild the ones you have. They are pretty cheap down here in the states.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on August 11, 2015, 10:42:53 PM
thanks. i figure i was only doing it once so i should at least try to make it look decent.

i think both have fairly new brakes/calipers and both are running the same size tire. maybe it is just me. i just feel like i am going to have to nearly lock up the brakes to slow the thing down as quick as i would slow down in my truck with about the same amount of pressure on the brake.

i would never mess with rebuilding calipers. they are usually only about $20 each after you return the core. i might take the wheels off eventually to give it all a checkout. it has been sitting enough so it might need it.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: ProjectPW on August 12, 2015, 01:07:58 PM
Quote from: crazzywolfie on August 11, 2015, 02:17:49 PM
it all bolted back together and driving. so far it has been pretty good. i think i might need to check the rear end fluid level. i think i might have too much fluid in it which is causing it to leak and burn somewhere when i take left corners hard.

IMO there is no such thing as an over full differential... if it is even with the fill plug that is good... if it is leaking when taking turns you need axle shaft seals.... dont mess around with it too long as low oil in the differential will kill the axle shaft bearings at the wheel  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on August 12, 2015, 03:44:01 PM
well the only reason i think it might be over filled is that my driveway has a decent slope to it and when i have checked the fluid on level ground fluid is always coming out. also i think the input shaft might be where any issues might be if there is one. i know that is approximately where i see the leak marks on the ground when i park with the nose down the hill. if i park with the nose up i never see a drop drip from it.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on August 14, 2015, 12:22:57 PM
hoping to see about getting the strut rod bushings on this thing replaced if the weather co-operates with me. pull the used ones off the parts truck and they are in really good shape. just need to hit the parts store to get some cotter pins since i don't think i am going to get the roll pins out. i ended up having to cut them on the parts truck. at least is seems like a easy enough job or it was on the parts truck since there was nothing in the way.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on August 14, 2015, 07:00:55 PM
ended up only replacing the drivers side one which is the one i was really worried about. most of the bushing was gone and you could move the strut rod around by hand. it was a bit difficult getting the bolts back in with the new bushing but i got it done. i do need to replace the other side since it is badly cracked but it is still at least still in tact. it will most likely survive until i can get around to it. i do got to say it has got a bit quieter since fixing it tho.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on September 06, 2015, 01:21:33 PM
got around to pulling the drums today and the only issue i could see was the broken adjustment lever cables on both sides. i don't know what cause them both to break but they did. replaced them with spares that i had. axle seals seem to be fine. there is no oil leaking or seeping into the drum. i still have a feeling my issue is with the input shaft seal not really too sure what to do about it so i might end up just driving it till it blows. i don't know if i would be up to trying to replace that seal in the driveway under this thing.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: SixGun on September 06, 2015, 03:19:19 PM
What's your concern with changing the pinion seal?
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on September 06, 2015, 04:12:04 PM
my main concern would be the crush sleeve and possibly having it over crush when i go to put it all back together. i figure replacing the seal itself would not be too bad of job if i didn't have to worry about that. i really don't want to be spending too much money on this thing. it is bad enough i am going to have to put a muffler on it very soon. i was thinking about making a straight pipe out in front of the rear tires and putting a box on the pipe to make it look like i got a muffler or maybe even buying a muffler and modifying it to make it work how i need. just with how short the wheel base is it makes i a lot harder to get a tailpipe out in front of the rear tires without major modification
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on September 07, 2015, 12:50:59 PM
well i decided to tackle the exhaust on this thing today. ended up just taking the muffler off and modifying the old tailpipe to work. it looks ok. need to shorten the pipe a little but i was going to wait till i had it all clamp tight and secured first before possibly chopping too much off. sounds a lot better with the dying muffler gone. the engine even seems like it is a bit quieter at idle but has a lot more of an aggressive sound when you rev it.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on November 18, 2015, 10:29:38 PM
not been doing too much to the RC other than driving it lately. miles seem to be adding up so quickly lately. putting at least 200 miles on it a week and a lot of it is just to work and back. i did finally get around to installing that remote starter i picked up in the summer for $30 today. it was a lot easier to install than you would think it would be. i was a bit worried about needing to splice into the coil harness but after reading the instructions it seems you don't really need a tach signal. i guess it uses voltage to sense if the engine is running which is pretty cool. so far it seems like it has worked perfectly and never over run the starter. this is definitely going to make this winter a bit more tolerable.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: SixGun on November 19, 2015, 03:46:42 AM
Now just have to leave the heater on so the cab is warm before stepping outside.
Hmm...wonder if they have a remote snow shoveler out there for you?   :laughing7:
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on November 19, 2015, 11:14:05 AM
actually there is a wire that you are supposed to hook up to make the heater run. i haven't hooked up yet because i didn't know which wire was best to hook it to but i figure having the engine start itself is half the battle. i will be getting it hooked up once i go through the wiring diagrams and find the best spot to hook it up.

anything is possible with enough time
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jqsPzBbqro
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: SixGun on November 19, 2015, 11:27:46 AM
 :laughing4:  There ya go!
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on November 19, 2015, 11:58:41 AM
maybe next year i might be able to make one of those but this year i will just have to run what i got. at least i don't have to shovel it by hand. that sucks.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on November 21, 2015, 09:20:00 PM
today was the first day using the remote starter and i am liking it so far. by the time i was ready to head to work the engine was nearly up to operating temp :thumbsup:. it also gave me a bit more time to get ready to work since i didn't need to go out and start it. i got to say i wish i had found one earlier. this has got to be the best $30 i ever spent on the RC lately
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on December 08, 2015, 06:55:45 PM
been putting a lot of miles on this thing in the last month. on October 30th i was at 250k km's and as of this Saturday that just past i was at 252k km's. i finally got the heater wired to come on when using the remote start but i didn't really have too much of a choice. the heater control is messed up so i had to bypass it. now every time i turn the key on the fan comes on. i was thinking about adding a toggle switch but oh well. maybe another day. i got it all working and i won't freeze this winter so all is good :13:
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on December 21, 2015, 11:44:24 PM
well i think am nearly ready to start my next project on the RC. since i got the remote start and it has buttons to control power door locks and i have been having issues unlocking the drivers side door i have decided to add power door locks. i was a bit hesitant to order the actuators on eBay since it is hard to say what you might end up with but after receiving them i am pretty happy so far. they look like they would be pretty easy to hook up to the stock location on the latch if i found a piece of rod the right diameter to use with it. i guess we will see. definitely need to get it done soon before it gets too cold out to be wrenching outside
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: SixGun on December 23, 2015, 03:15:51 PM
I bought a pair of those also for Carter but I only needed one. Fabbed it up but never installed because I found one at jy. Was working but after sitting awhile it no workie. Maybe my window seals let it leak on it or just non-use.  If you run into any issues or have any helpful hints, be sure to post them. It looks like I may be doing this in the near future.

Of course, it never happened to me. Just the guys at the shop. Carter prolly doesn't like joy-riders.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: SixGun on December 23, 2015, 04:24:01 PM
Pics
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on December 23, 2015, 06:52:05 PM
i remember you getting some for Carter but i never remember you posting any updates on how they work. with what i have read about the stock actuators commonly going bad i would rather go with aftermarket ones. it is not like you see them so as long as they work they will keep me happy. also i think i might have found a way to make my door lock and unlock a bit better. if i lock it with the key it seems to unlock a lot better. i don't 100% get it but i think i really need to see about pulling some parts out of storage and fixing it.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on December 24, 2015, 08:21:33 PM
well power door locks have been put on hold. been having the RC shut off lately and now it won't run at all. i ended up having to get it towed home from work today. lucky i spent the $50 on tow coverage. it just paid for itself. i don't know what is going on. i am pretty sure i am getting fuel since you can smell it and there is also some spark but it seems a bit weak. going to wait till tomorrow to check again. if i got fuel and spark i should have fire but that don't seem to be the case.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: SixGun on December 24, 2015, 08:41:11 PM
Well that sucks! On Christmas eve of all days. Hope you get it figured out.
Don't let it ruin your Christmas.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on December 25, 2015, 03:47:44 AM
yup. not exactly great timing but way better timing than last weekend when i was at my grandparents place for the family Christmas party. that would have sucked more. this won't ruin Christmas for me since i still got the truck. can't go too wrong with the truck.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: SixGun on December 25, 2015, 08:10:20 AM
Shhhhhh....don't jinx it.  :laughing7:
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on December 25, 2015, 09:59:15 AM
lol. i don't need to go anywhere today anyways. everyone is coming to me. plus my truck is almost like a tank. pretty reliable and i got way more spare parts than i need for it. just most of those parts are no good for the 93
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: rjtx667 on December 25, 2015, 12:29:46 PM
good luck getting it going
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on December 25, 2015, 03:04:09 PM
thanks. got it going :thumbsup:. spent some time MacGyvering a older style coil onto the RC and managed to get it to fire up. i might make a bit more of a temp solution to get by for a few days tomorrow.  currently running the coil without a ballast resister but see about changing that tomorrow. the wire between the coil and distributor is also pretty shoddy but it did what i wanted it to. just need to decide what coil i want. i almost want order a MSD coil but don't know if it would be worth the extra money or not. really just want something that would be reliable.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: SixGun on December 25, 2015, 05:28:25 PM
MSD= :thumbsup:
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on December 26, 2015, 08:38:17 AM
that is what i am thinking. they got nothing but good reviews. now i am just trying to make up a list of other parts i want to got with it. i know if i order by sunday there is a good chance it would be here on Tuesday which would work good since i am suppose to work on Wednesday. i don't mind taking the truck to work but i would rather take the RC, i got the truck ready for winter which means it has premium fuel in it. makes the drive to work and back about twice the cost of the RC especially this time of year
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: rjtx667 on December 26, 2015, 09:30:15 AM
just know if your talking about a magnum engine the coil wire is different than LA engine.

which means you need one of these

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/acc-140021ah

I have one, I use the MSD coil on the mexico ramcharger and it works great for me. I have an accel one too but never used it yet.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on December 26, 2015, 10:24:04 AM
actually you only need that adapter for the 98 and newer rams or in your case ramchargers. all the LA engines use the cylinder type coils.

thanks. definitely makes choosing the MSD coil easier with some reviews from someone that has one. as far as the accel coil goes. if you ever use it on one of your vehicles you may want to make sure to keep the stock one in the vehicle. they have got multiple bad reviews. some fail at really bad times. there was one on my 81 when i bought it and it would only run right about half the time. mine never completely failed but but i was glad i swapped it out before it did.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on December 27, 2015, 01:27:57 PM
well it is not super pretty but it is functional. you know the best part? i found a coil with an internal resister after it was all hooked up when i was looking for a spare coil. oh well. it is done now. i still also got to pull the starter and clean/inspect the solenoid. it is not working all the time especially when colder. you can hear it click but no start.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on January 04, 2016, 07:01:47 PM
wasn't the greatest day to work on the RC but i felt in the mood to wrench so it happened. it was 1*F out but felt like -15*F with the wind. got the starter out and was able to inspect the solenoid. i didn't see anything wrong with it but the bolts holding it in came out super easy so i think it might have be getting a weak ground along with some crusty connections on the starter. since i have thrown it back in it seem to be working properly again. i also gave my spare starter a once over just in case this starter craps out on me. it has a worn out contact in the solenoid but nothing that couldn't be fixed with a little redneck engineering. drilled out a rubber washers to shim the contact over a bit. should be good for many starts if it is needed.

i also finally got the quick connect battery charger connection hooked up on my 81. i have had them for nearly 5 years and been meaning to hook them up but never got around to it. at least now i should be able to charge the trucks battery when needed without popping the hood which will come in very handy since winter is here.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on January 27, 2016, 08:01:30 PM
the weather has been unusually warm lately for winter :sunny:. spent this morning making sure my driveways had no snow on it and spent this afternoon fixing the tail light wiring on this thing. it started out as fixing the short between the drivers side brake light and marker lights. the 1 wire in the connector in the panel behind the tail light was really corroded. i was trying to clean it and it started smoking puffs of smoke every tire the turn signal tried to flash. definitely needed to get it fixed. i also fixed all the wires on the other side and just cut the connector out all together since the connector is so exposed to the weather and only had 2 wires left going through it. it is now all weather proof and should be good to last the winter :13:. i also finally switched out my MacGyver coil setup for the MSD coil. i could possibly be imagining it but i think the engine might be running a bit better with it. i also installed a tach at the same time as installing the coil since i bought the msd coil harness that would allow me to install the tach without cutting any wires. it will be nice to see what the engine is doing all the time.

also i though i would share this since SuperBurban shared it with me. here is the factory service manual for a 93 ramcharger or truck.
http://www.biodsl.com/fsm/DodgeTruckSM1993RWD.pdf
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: SixGun on January 27, 2016, 09:01:37 PM
Should probably post the fsm in the documentation board of the help section.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on February 03, 2016, 04:01:42 PM
it was such a nice day out today i decided to try installing cruise on the RC. i only got about half way done. i am using the cruise control servo and cable off a 96 jeep grand Cherokee. the cable is a bit on the shorter side but the servo plug is the same and i think it should work. just have to hook up the vacuum lines/reservoir and hook up a cruise control switch. i am hoping one of the 80's van cruise control switches that i have will work. i just have to remember where i put it.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on February 09, 2016, 02:44:56 PM
it has taken a lot longer than i though it would but the ramcharger now officially has working cruise control :13:. now just need to wait for the weather to get a bit nicer so that i can actually use it. the servo from the jeep works perfect plug and play but the cruise control cable from the jeep is too short to the point it held the throttle open a tiny bit. i ended up using the cruise control cable from the an 03 caravan since i could get it for free. needed a bit of modification to work and is a bit on the shorter side but it works. does not hold the throttle open at all.

since this was the biggest issue i fought with i figure i would share. the switch and wiring was the biggest thing i fought with which ended up being super simple after finding a thread on DTR. it was a bit difficult understanding what they were posting at first because the colors of the wires in the steering wheel that hooked to the switches were different than the ones on the wiring diagram but once you look at some of the pictures and diagrams it starts making sense. they also post how you can get away with using cruise control with a couple cheaper switches if can't find a working cruise control switch or don't want to pay the expensive price that goes with hard to find parts sometimes. it would also make installing cruise on something without cruise a bit easier and cheaper since you could install the switches else ware and not have to get a clock spring which is expensive.
http://www.dieseltruckresource.com/forums/1st-gen-ram-all-topics-93/cruise-control-switches-296465/#post3099200
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on February 20, 2016, 05:35:34 PM
what a great day for working outside :sunny:. almost starting to feel like summer around here. got around to doing some work on the RC but there is so much left to do. changed the distributor cap since it was looking crusty last time i was in there. also go a new mechanical oil pressure gauge hooked up. my old one crapped out on me a while back. sometime this week i got to see about tackling the leaking high pressure line on this thing. it was leaking pretty good on Wednesday up until i topped it up with some real power steering fluid. leak seemed to slow down after that but i was able to see where it was leaking from. got to fix it since it is a pretty good leak when it wants to plus i already got another hose. i ordered it for my 81 and i know it is a bit different but i know the same fittings are used on both ends and it is longer than the stock one so it should do the job.



also i don't know if anyone else needs any but Rock Auto has Trico 16180 wipers on closeout. the set on my RC are just starting to not do so good and it has been about 2 years since the last time i replaced them. even after shipping, taxes and US to Canadian conversion they came out to less than $5/wiper with all that i ordered. if i was to go into any place that sells wipers it would probably cost me at least $20/wiper for something similar locally. the parts i ordered also came from Texas so i would guess that is where they are keeping all the closeout parts. some of you guys might be able to save some more on shipping since the parts don't have to come quite as far. they also got some other part on closeout.
http://www.rockauto.com/RSS/vehiclefeeds.php?carcode=1097210&m=wc&l=en&html=true
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: SixGun on February 20, 2016, 09:28:54 PM
Some nice deals in there.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on February 21, 2016, 04:28:49 PM
yes there is. i ordered as much as i could without having the shipping/duty jump a huge amount. even got a set of brake pads and brake shoes along with a couple other brake related parts. i have almost been thinking i need to setup some shelves to organize and display all the parts i got so that it is easier to find what i need,
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on February 22, 2016, 07:19:04 PM
have i ever said how much i hate this ramcharger some days? nothing is as it should be on this thing. i went to replace the high pressure power steering line and the line i have does not have the right fittings on the 1 end. i look at the 2 power steering pumps that i have around and 1 has the 16mm fitting like it should and the other has the 18mm fitting like the RC. i don't get it. i was thinking about trying to swap adapters in the back of the pump with the pump that had the 16mm fitting but can't get it separated from power steering line. i ended up just cleaning up around where the steel line was leaking and sealing it up with some 2 parts epoxy and hope it holds. now this it not the worst of it. that power steering leak has cause the brake pads to wear out prematurely. on top of that with the 1 side lifted up it was impossible to miss the very worn out tie rod. i am just swapping out the tie rod with and adjustment sleeve all together with a spare from the parts truck that i had. it is just such a pain in the @ss. i am going to have to get out there early tomorrow morning to finish up. it started getting too chilly to really finish anything else.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: rjtx667 on February 23, 2016, 08:45:59 AM
when it rains it pours.

sadly parts wear out and these trucks are getting on up there in age. And a lot of parts will wear out from age before use too.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: SixGun on February 23, 2016, 09:45:54 AM
Yep, it never fails. You go to fix one problem and find a couple more.  Feels like a never ending cycle.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on February 23, 2016, 07:29:31 PM
i almost wanted to just light this thing on fire and walk away today. for me this ramcharger has just been one huge pain. it has required so much more work to keep it moving than a normal vehicle. thankfully my 1 neighbors came home at a good time and helped me get the fitting out of my spare power steering pump. i ended up swapping fitting from the spare pump into the ramchargers pump and i am now running that brand new power steering line that i had. i am also not sure how it happened but the front drivers side tire got messed up to the point it was scary to drive even at super slow speed. definitely made the steering feel extremely strange. at least it is all fixed now. with the new-used tie rod i have been able to get the toe close to where it needs to be. still has a slight pull to the right but nothing like it was. i think with a bit more fine tuning of the toe i will get it driving perfectly straight. i was just in such a rush to just get it done before we get that snow. suppose to end up with 30cm's of snow eventually.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on February 24, 2016, 02:52:43 PM
here's some photo's of that bad tire and my spare :great:. beauty rings make the stock steel rims look way better. that bad tire is still making me wonder how the heck it got so bad just sitting in my driveway.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: SixGun on February 24, 2016, 06:01:43 PM
I haven't had very good luck with Goodyear myself.  I've had 2 new vehicles with them on and I couldn't wait to swap them out.  One was a low profile design and had several blowouts with them.  The other set was way too slippery in wet weather.  Aren't Wranglers the Walmart line.  Probably lower quality. 

BTW, uhhh, what's that white stuff ??   :017:  Its been in the 70's here.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on February 24, 2016, 07:07:42 PM
well i have never really had any bad luck with any tire brand yet. all have worked good for me but then again the only tires that i have bought new are the ones on my 81. i have usually liked good year tires. the last set i picked up got great traction even when wet out. i ended up selling the last set because my neighbor gave me the tires that had matching rims and good tires. 2 were cooper discover at3's and the other 2 were good year wranglers 1 of which went bad. at least i got them for free. i have put about 20,000km(12,427miles) on them since i got them about 1.5 years ago and the good years were getting closer to end of there usable tread life. them cooper tires still look in great shape with lots of life left in them.

that white stuff is snow. i wish it was 70 out. i think it was 53 out yesterday and felt pretty decent. this winter has been so weird. the temp has been jumping around. 1 day is is -13 and the next day it is about 32 out.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on May 06, 2016, 07:06:54 AM
i got to really test the cruise control out the other day and it works real good. did about 60 miles of straight driving on a highway at 75mph and only kicked out of overdrive once but it was on a pretty big hill. i was a bit disappoint with the fuel mileage on the trip but i think it might have been effect by winter fuel or possibly my lead foot. it got 15mpg over a 280mile trip. it was a pretty un-eventful trip other than the 1 exhaust flange clamp breaking and making the RC extremely loud.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: SixGun on May 06, 2016, 11:27:52 AM
Probably the 75 mph that killed your mpg's. Our trucks were built for the 55 mph speed limit and geared accordingly.  At least you have OD.

When I travel in mine, I keep it about 65 and it does decent for what it is. I generally just use the tach and try not to go over 3,000 rpm.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on May 06, 2016, 02:26:59 PM
ya it was probably not helping things. maybe next time i will try the trip at 65mph and see if it helps. i know the older trucks were built to do 55 but overdrive makes a huge difference. staying under 3000rpm is easy with an overdrive transmission. i think i actually stay under 2200rpm with it at 75mph. i am just wondering how it will do on the hills at a slower speed. at lower speeds i think i might see it kicking in and out of overdrive more often on the hills.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: SixGun on May 06, 2016, 05:45:00 PM
Hills.....now in my newer vehicles with cruise control, hills kill mpg dramatically.  I only use it on flat land.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: rjtx667 on May 07, 2016, 12:17:47 AM
if you have 3.55 gears and something around stock tires and a stock engine.... it will kick down out of over drive period.

now add a mild cam and 3.73 gears... and it makes a difference!!   :13:
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on May 07, 2016, 06:57:43 PM
Quote from: SixGun on May 06, 2016, 05:45:00 PM
Hills.....now in my newer vehicles with cruise control, hills kill mpg dramatically.  I only use it on flat land.
i usually only use it on fairly flat land but it did a great 

Quote from: rjtx667 on May 07, 2016, 12:17:47 AM
if you have 3.55 gears and something around stock tires and a stock engine.... it will kick down out of over drive period.

now add a mild cam and 3.73 gears... and it makes a difference!!   :13:
ya i got 3.55 gears, stock tires and engine. at 75mph it actually only kicked out of overdrive once on the 60 miles of highway driving but it was a really big hill that got it to kick out of overdrive. i guess i just got to play with it and see. i am just glad the cruise control works.

i wish. as much as i wouldn't mind modding the engine and everything i wouldn't mind finding a more solid base to start with. there are a couple i am thinking about looking at but i really need to see about getting back to work before buying another vehicle. i really almost need another daily driver but everything i am finding are pretty much toys and could only be driven in the summer
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on November 03, 2017, 11:00:01 PM
well i have been avoiding this thing like the plag lately. been fighting with it so much this year that i just don't know what to do with it. i think i might have been having the pcm on it fail but really no way to test it. i have just been driving my 81 and elcamino instead. sitting on the fence about  replacing the pcm just so i will have a winter beater if it is the issue. i tried swapping out the crank position sensor and think i received a dud. ran crappier with the new sensor than with the old one. i also got a crap load of welding left that i should do to it but no point welding it up if i can't keep it running. got to love dilemmas like this. where do you call it quits?
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: SixGun on November 05, 2017, 12:30:17 AM
I've had those moments but stuck it out.

Guess I enjoy kicking dead horses Lol. Time changes things. Try using a buddy's pcm and see if it runs better. $75-100 even to solve a problem may be worth all your hard work. Junk yards here still have them. Not about your neck of the woods.
Title: Re: crazzywolfie's 93 RC
Post by: crazzywolfie on November 05, 2017, 07:28:12 AM
that is part of the problem. i don't know anyone who has a 92-93 truck that i could even borrow a pcm from. there is none left at the junk yards either. they rust out and are crushed.