Well, I haven't been real active on the forums over the last couple years but I've been quite busy with a few projects. This one in particular I've been slowly piecing together over the last year or so. These next few posts are going to contain 30-40 pictures, so viewers beware(or enjoy).
notice that this was all done in my driveway. so all you guys without a shop, no excuses!
The plan was to build a bug-out-vehicle type rig. No electronics, bare bones, tough, dependable, and without breaking the bank. General breakdown of the build:
- 1988 Ramcharger (originally 318/auto and 2wd)
- W250 rolling chassis w/ 4.10 diffs (shortened to fit the RC wheelbase)
- 91-93 front clip/intercooler
- VE powered 6bt
- tuned pump/fuel pin/3200 spring
- HVLP piston lift pump
- 47rh transmission
- NP205 transfer case
So with all that in mind, parts collecting started. I found the Ramcharger about 10 minutes from home for scrap price with a clean title.
I then found a complete rolling chassis with a518/np205(no motor) in Missouri. So I loaded up the trailer and hopped in the old goat and headed north. Drove most of the way the first day, slept in the truck for 3-4 hours at a truck stop, picked up the load, and made it back to Austin that night. Nothing like a 36 hour road trip in the old 1 gem. Took this old junk cab with me for free.99. had a good steering column and cab harness in it.
the a518 was junk so I sold it as a core and found a good(hopefully) used 47rh w/ maghytec pan. Was told the trans has a fairly fresh rebuild on it, but we know how that goes. had it freight shipped to me from the NE.
came across a good running intercooled motor up in Texarkana. So I hopped in the little thirst gen and did the 600 mile roundtrip one day. Ended up getting a ton of great parts for the truck on this run and this is when I decided to go with the intercooled front clip. got the core support complete with radiator, intercooler, condenser, lower valence, grille, headlights, the works.
The bulk of the parts collecting was done, now came the fun.
notice that this was all done in my driveway. so all you guys without a shop, no excuses!
The plan was to build a bug-out-vehicle type rig. No electronics, bare bones, tough, dependable, and without breaking the bank. General breakdown of the build:
- 1988 Ramcharger (originally 318/auto and 2wd)
- W250 rolling chassis w/ 4.10 diffs (shortened to fit the RC wheelbase)
- 91-93 front clip/intercooler
- VE powered 6bt
- tuned pump/fuel pin/3200 spring
- HVLP piston lift pump
- 47rh transmission
- NP205 transfer case
So with all that in mind, parts collecting started. I found the Ramcharger about 10 minutes from home for scrap price with a clean title.
I then found a complete rolling chassis with a518/np205(no motor) in Missouri. So I loaded up the trailer and hopped in the old goat and headed north. Drove most of the way the first day, slept in the truck for 3-4 hours at a truck stop, picked up the load, and made it back to Austin that night. Nothing like a 36 hour road trip in the old 1 gem. Took this old junk cab with me for free.99. had a good steering column and cab harness in it.
the a518 was junk so I sold it as a core and found a good(hopefully) used 47rh w/ maghytec pan. Was told the trans has a fairly fresh rebuild on it, but we know how that goes. had it freight shipped to me from the NE.
came across a good running intercooled motor up in Texarkana. So I hopped in the little thirst gen and did the 600 mile roundtrip one day. Ended up getting a ton of great parts for the truck on this run and this is when I decided to go with the intercooled front clip. got the core support complete with radiator, intercooler, condenser, lower valence, grille, headlights, the works.
The bulk of the parts collecting was done, now came the fun.