2000 Mexico RamCharger

[ProjectM880]

Check out this Trail Charger

http://houston.craigslist.org/cto/4395627010.html

[rjtx667]

So while I have been busy at work and trying to bring them into the 21st century, I have found time to do a little to the truck. It has to get ready for the Easter outing.

I bought new tie rod ends a while back knowing those needed replacing. So while doing that I look and realize that the ball joints are shot 

The uppers had been replaced before so that helped, but the lowers were factory and still riveted in. The driver side was going ok, then I broke a drill bit off.  Hours later, and after removing the lower control arm I finally got it off.

Once that was done it was pretty smooth sailing.

[rjtx667]

While I was in there doing the ball joints I figured this would be a perfect time to start on the Air suspension add on I bought from Air Lift! 

The front was a breeze, since the springs were out I just slid them right in. With the springs not under pressure the bags looked way small, but once they were back in it was a perfect fit.

I had them aired up to 30 psi  to test for leaks and left them that way to go drop it off for the front end alignment, I think I need to lower that a bit for normal every day driving.

[rjtx667]

The Rear bags I thought would be a walk in the park, boy was I wrong.

Someone down in Mexico thought the perfect location for a body mount was almost exactly above the rear axle. 

As you can see, that makes this not work so well. After a little head scratching and some thinking I decided to remove the body mount bracket and see what I could figure out. Turns out I can modify the body mount and get a shorter bolt and make it work.

The rear air bags are some serious bags, I was impressed. They did miss a part when shipped (but a quick call and they are 2 day shipping the parts out for free... great service  ).

Once the parts get in I can connect the air lines and test them out. Normally you cannot drive on the bags if there is no pressure, but these are the new ones that have built in baffles to allow you to drive without air. I don't plan to do that much but did it to get the alignment.


I also bought the onboard HD air compressor and remote control module, but I don't think I will have time to install those before the Easter trip. I will just put valves on front and rear and control that way.

I am excited to get this going back on the road its taken a few weeks of work to get it all back together. Not that it took that long, but it took that long to find time to work on it.

[rjtx667]

So I just realized I never told anyone that my tuner (Flying Ryan) found me a used 58mm throttle body. took a bit to get it all worked out and installed, but its on and we are about done tweaking the tune.

I was shocked at how big that sucker is compared to the 53mm I had on.

After working on the front end and messing with the wheels and tires, its been decided that is the next project.. those things are heavy!!!! its a lot of energy to spin them... no wonder I can't do burn outs easily lol.

So between this and the air bags/ front end work we are all set for the trip and will be able to tow the trailer no problem. I also got new tires on the trailer... went from load C (6 ply) to load e (10 ply) so I think that will solve my other issue I had.

[SixGun]

Air bags??  You must have been watching Fast and Loud.   

[rjtx667]

I do... but not those type of bags... their bags raise and lower the car height... these bags make it so when you have a load the truck does not squat and it also smooths out the ride 

I am all for both of those.

[ProjectPW]

So I just realized I never told anyone that my tuner (Flying Ryan) found me a used 58mm throttle body. took a bit to get it all worked out and installed, but its on and we are about done tweaking the tune.

I was shocked at how big that sucker is compared to the 53mm I had on.

After working on the front end and messing with the wheels and tires, its been decided that is the next project.. those things are heavy!!!! its a lot of energy to spin them... no wonder I can't do burn outs easily lol.

So between this and the air bags/ front end work we are all set for the trip and will be able to tow the trailer no problem. I also got new tires on the trailer... went from load C (6 ply) to load e (10 ply) so I think that will solve my other issue I had.

What are y'all using to program the ecm? Glad to hear progress is being made...should be a fun easter trip....see you there

[rjtx667]

we are using sct. does a good job but you have to use an external monitor and data logger. their new version has some of that intergrated. I will buy it when they can tune the R/T Durango 

[crazzywolfie]

man that 58mm TB looks big and custom made. so has it made any difference?

[rjtx667]

It has, but not sure how noticeable just yet.

We are working with SCT to get a torque management table added to my type of computer. Once that is added we believe we will see more significant gains.

As it is I am still doing 0-60 just over 6 secs... which I have to say for a 5300 lb truck is pretty damn impressive. My 2013 R/T durnago with the 5.7 hemi can't get below 9. I figure a lot of that is torque management, but even so 3 seconds different for 2 trucks that weight about the same.

[rjtx667]

WOW !!!!!!!

I LOVE air bags lol

the current "stock" height from top of rear tire to bottom of wheel well is apx 6.6" If I put 30 psi of air in there it goes to 7.8"

Its cool to watch it slowly go up as the psi increases lol. So yeah I guess its like fast n loud except it does not go that low, it just goes high. And yeah I can see it being a great improvement on hauling trailers weighed down with ram chargers 

The tags and inspection ran out on me     

Going to get the tags tomorrow, I can't get the inspection until the tune is put back in closed loop...but I will risk it with a out of date inspection pretty sure I can explain hat with the battery reset and all... both out, its just asking... begging for a ticket lol

[murfman]

Do you have a source for any Ramcharger specific parts?  I would like to get a set of roof rails for mine. Mine have a couple broken mounting studs. I can make them work but would rather get new or better ones.

[rjtx667]

Do you have a source for any Ramcharger specific parts?  I would like to get a set of roof rails for mine. Mine have a couple broken mounting studs. I can make them work but would rather get new or better ones.

At least you have some.... I don't have any and they are no longer made. Just have to hunt and find what you can.

[Dracen]

depending on how hard these might be to make I have a lathe and a mill so I might be able to at least make something close but I would need pics and measurements. There not much I can't make... That is when I have time...LOL