RamCharger.net

Quote from: The War Wagon on March 22, 2014, 07:24:38 PM
I personally LOVE the dash cluster of the pre-80 Ramchargers, with all its analog guages.  WERE you to fab up a dashboard to the same dimensions as the '91-'93 dash though, you should have NO problems getting all your radios in the dash.  Once you eliminate that "info center" (which becomes utterly USELESS once you re-plumb your truck completely.  It's juts a Christmas Tree in MY truck now!  ) above the climate controls, you have PLENTY of room!

Can't remember which transmission you have - might have to move your O/D button.  ANOTHER thought: make ALL your switches, TOGGLE switches!  Climate controls, headlights, EVERYTHING.  Maybe building a custom console between the center seat console and the dash - like these guys build - http://www.classictruckconsoles.com/47-59consolebenchbucketoverhead.htm - MIGHT be the place to put radios (as in cop cars), and perhaps a couple of gauges and/or toggle switches - and free up your dash for other things.  I've LONG thought about the custom console myself, having an automatic.  Would be tough for a FULL consoole with a 4spd/5spd, though... 

I have not seen any of those pre-80s dashboards... But I have already bought all my instruments from Autometer, so I guess a design like that won't work.

From the info center, I will only keep the 4x4 activated light, and might as well place it somewhere else (I have manual hubs in my front axle)... I might as well free up some space by removing the a/c controller, because I removed the a/c compressor an lines...

I am running with a stick tranny: NP435, so o/d button will be deleted....

I like the idea of putting toggle switches for everything, but I still have to figure out how to use toggles for headlamps, interior lights and some other stuff...

Those consoles look great... I have to give them some thoughts

Thanks for the ideas... Keep' em comin'

Quote from: SixGun on March 22, 2014, 06:36:40 PM
You didn't mention a speedometer.

I can't wait to see how it turns out. 

No speedo. I wanted one at first, but I've come to the conclusion I won't need one, because I highly doubt I am able to hit 50+ with this tall rig...

As soon as I start with it, I'll post pics here

I am about to start fabricating my cluster. What I have thought about is to place tach in the center and split the other six, three on each side (volt, water temp, oil press, vacuum, fuel level, and fuel pressure). However, I want to install several toggle switches for the fan, fuel pump, lights, fog lamps, etc... I had thought about using the spot where the indicators from the tbi were (the black square above the a/c controller), but I want to install my cb radio and my VHF/UHF radio as well, so I guess I have no space in the dash, and have no option but making an overhead console...

What do y'all think? Can I put both my radios in the current dashboard? Do you have pics of something similar? If you lean towards the overhead console, how would you build it? Any pics or ideas?

Thanks for the comments

Quote from: The War Wagon on March 19, 2014, 09:06:48 PM
It really WON'T be a problem there, unless you're driving it in ocean surf.  You're too far away from snow & road salt, and your water crossings look like fresh water.  As long as all water can DRAIN, you'll be OK.   

Great news!!! Thanks a lot for your comments, guys... Ok, then it's a go on tje body lift. Now, considerations:
I have an electric fan around, so no problem in that dept.
Bumpers will be re-done, so no problems with the gaps.
Steering column: what is needed there? Do I need to make it longer? How?
Levers: what can I do with my gear box & Tcase levers? They need to be longer, right?
Fuel tank: is there anything I have to do or consider?
Anything else?

This body lift will be done after I finish my custom gauge cluster.

Again,  thanks for the advise, dudes

Quote from: SixGun on March 19, 2014, 05:55:15 PM
Mine hasn't rolled off....

Yet. 

How long have you being using yours? I guess I'll go ahead with the body lift then

Snow? Ha! With temperatures as low as 75F and as high as as 103F I really doubt I can see snow on the roads... So, is it ok if I go ahead with the body lift? Am I not going to have any trouble with the body rolling down a hill because it broke off from the chassis?

Quote from: SixGun on March 19, 2014, 12:07:07 AM
I wouldn't mind using those body mounts.  Mine are full of cracks.  Why are you having second thoughts?

second thoughts  on the body lift... I mean, if I install the mounts then I know the body lift will be definitely out... and I have doubts about the body lift because of the so many terror stories about them, specially the ones that say your body will literally fall off the chassis because body lift make your truck's body to rust, crack and fall off the frame.... though I do not know if THAT is true, because I have never seen anything bad happening to a truck w/body lift...

Quote from: The War Wagon on March 18, 2014, 11:36:59 PM
I'm wishing NOW, that I had all my Four Wheeler mags from the late 80's/early '90's again.  Back then, I had a '79 Bronco, but I recall the occasional article on our (then) "NEW Ramchargers," including people doing crazy things, like, taking them on the Moab, and surprising the hell out of Jeepers THEN!  I KNOW we have better aftermarket gear for 'em NOW - I'd just love to see what they were doing then, to see if there are any OLD ideas we might've forgotten/overlooked.

Exactly! That is what I am looking for: being capable of doing what the most modified rubicon is capable of, and even more, so that I can let them know I can be in the major league as well

Quote from: The War Wagon on March 18, 2014, 11:36:59 PM
   That puts you up on me, MOST RC owners, and not a few Jeepers right there!!!

Currently I have D44f/D60r, w/4.56 & 35s, which is pretty common, but I want more... I still feel those 35s look tiny 

Quote from: The War Wagon on March 18, 2014, 11:36:59 PM
A 3" body lift is not unreasonable with 42/44's, but that sounds like a 8" - 9" suspension lift at a minimum, though.  Cam is not a problem, and you know what you want for a front bumper. 

With the body lift I will be near to 10" lift, and I guess that is safe for 42s at least... and yes, I have an idea of what I want for the internals, so I want to beleive I am on the right path.... Bumpers, not so clear though... I have a few ideas and some pics, but I cannot decide yet what to do...

Quote from: The War Wagon on March 18, 2014, 11:36:59 PM
My guy's local, but he's GOOD.  Don't know how much FUTURE RC business it'll drum up for him here in Pittsburgh (I've seen TWO others in my part of town since I began my restoration, and one of them I haven't seen in 4 years now  ), but maybe we can come up with a basic design that will work well for all our trucks.   

That'd be great... I will be visiting your thread and checking what this guy of yours did with the sliders... that'll be some interesting fab...

LOL AH-NULD, hahahahaha....

I wish mine could look like that, or even better, like something Mel Gibson would have driven in "Mad Max", but is way far from that...

What I am looking for is something more like a "mini monster truck" but still capable of going to the trails and make those stupid jeepers look like toys - Man do I hate the jeepers who are always looking my rig over the shoulders and trying to diminish her...

My plans are:
- D60f/D70r - I already have a D70 w/4.88
- 42s or 44s
- mild cam
- fabricate new front bumper
- fabricate new rear bumber w/tire carrier

I have a 3" body lift here and the complete energy suspension body mounts, but I am doubting installing them.

Regarding the sliders, I am very interested in doing the same, so I will follow your thread.

Thanks for the interest, man...

Is that your rig?

It looks mean....

What are the plans for your truck? Sounds like you have everything well thought. Do you have any recent picture?

Quote from: The War Wagon on March 13, 2014, 11:20:57 PM

Who made your bumper Memo, just out of curiosity?  It's sharp!

Thanks!
It's home made... Though I do not like it anymore... Yeah, it looks great, but it's way too heavy (180 pounds+) and it is putting a lot of stress on the front end, especially on the steering. I am planning on building another one, maybe a tubular one. The only think I'll keep is my winch plate

Quote from: SixGun on March 13, 2014, 10:41:35 PM
Well alrighty then.

Glad to see you over here.  It's small but growing. 

Hey, man! Nice seeing you around here as well... Yeah, it's small, but sometimed small is good too, LOL!!

Quote from: The War Wagon on March 13, 2014, 07:28:39 PM
Hey Guillermo - glad to see you followed my advice! 

That RC of yours is gonna get a LOTTA love over here! 

Thanks for prompting me here, dude... Hope I can find the answers I am looking for

Whaddup people?

Just signed in...

I see some known faces around from other forums.

My name is Guillermo (MeMo) and I currently live in Mexico.

I am the proud owner of 1991 RC which I have performed some mods on...

pics:


in action:






Glad I joined the forum