Ramcharger fans?

[dkmatthews]

There's been an itch I couldn't scratch for a long, long time. That itch is called TRUCK! I've been wanting a truck so bad I could spit!

So, the other day I stumbled on a guy selling a '79 Dodge Ramcharger. It's probably not the brightest thing I've ever done since I don't know the first thing about Dodge trucks or Ramchargers or even 4x4's, but it seems like a good deal. It's gonna come home with me next week. I know it isn't exactly a truck, but the top comes off and makes it a truck (pretty much).

So, anyway... Are there any Dodge Ramcharger fans here? Any helpful hints, tips or tricks you can offer about big ol' trucks (other than buy stock in oil companies)? :D

[JimBianchi]

I had an '87 for a few years when I first got to the states in 1994.

First off, it it has the Rochester Carb, lose it.

Get the Holly and the manifold for it and you will solve 80% of the problems I had with mine.

Mine hated cold weather and high elevation. Mostly because of the substandard carb on that beautiful 360 motor.

I am a big guy, that truck had lots of room for me and the wife and three dogs, with room to spare.

[AJBert]

Best advice I can give? Trade it in and get a K5 Blazer!

Chevy guy here so just joking. Don't know the first thing about Ram Chargers but I do recommend replacing the bumpers with railroad ties. Just looks so cool and pratical on Ram Chargers.

[dkmatthews]

Best advice I can give? Trade it in and get a K5 Blazer!

Chevy guy here so just joking. Don't know the first thing about Ram Chargers but I do recommend replacing the bumpers with railroad ties. Just looks so cool and pratical on Ram Chargers.

Hey, now! I'm not starting any Ford vs Chevy vs MOPAR wars in here!

This photo was taken by the guy selling the truck. I'll add my own once I bring it home...
http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c90/dodge16vrt/IMG071.jpg

[Planedude]

Well, is it the 318 (5.2)or the 360 (5.9) or the 400 (6.6) engine? The 318 was installed the most and the 400 the rarest. Agreed that the the motors of this era are "smogged to death" but be cautious when exchanging parts as some states and counties (like mine) allow no aftermarket parts for emmisions inspections. In any case if you have the automatic it's a Loadflight TF727-A (B?) and those were good trannys in the trucks. All ramchargers were full time four wheel drive thru 79 and this hurt the gas milage alot. The NP-203 transfercase was not considered the toughest but unless it has spent most of its life climbing hills, it should not be a issue. These trucks had Dana 44 front axles and they often had front bearing issues. This would usally manafest itself as a wobble at highway speeds that would feel like an out of balance tire. if water mixed with the grease in the front, the bearings would wear faster. If this is ever an issue in your truck, find good Splicer replacement parts and not the local parts house "made in Bangladesh" cheapies. You don't want to do that job very often.
The 360 and 400 engines really must have duel exhaust with a good set of headers doing it one better. These engines had issues on the exhaust side due to emissons. Carb and a manifoild (without the emmisons humps) will improve gas mileage and throttle response. If your engine is over 80K please R&R the timming chain when you do the intake as the nylon teeth on the big gear will come apart at the worst moment. a tired timming chain/gear will cause "chain slap" (seen as an eratic movement of the timming mark as veiwed with a timming light, the mark bouncing back and forth relitive to the fixed referance point). Can't think of much more at this late hour...
I have had many a Dodge truck in so may configurations. My current truck is a 2002 crew cab with the old 5.9L 360 in it's last incarnation. Been a great truck and it has towed my camper alot of miles.
Good luck a 4X4 Ramcharger can be fun.

[Shark1007]

Spend 100 bucks and have a mechanic look her over. With the jacked suspension and age, money well spent. I've always loved the Ramchargers.

Good luck!

[dkmatthews]

Thanks, folks!

It's a 360 with a big 4 barrel Holley carburetor.

All of this is great; keep it coming!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using Tapatalk 2

[jeepster09]

I had one for many years, it was a good truck and wife loved it.

[rholmes69]

I've got a Brother in law off loading a mid 80's k5... it is meant for offroad though. 35in, 5 in lift, 5pt harness seats... I keep thinking of guns to sell to buy it...

[yqtszhj]

I see fun in your future. If it runs OK and the price is good, go for it. Parts are not so expensive and you can work on it yourself. No electronic crap. Oh, and when the EMP hits you can siphon all of the gas out of the cars that won't run anymore and drive where ever you want. too cool. My toyota 4x4 will be sitting on the side of the road when the computer in it dies.

[DubDubU]

Looks like a fun truck, drive it like ya stole it!!!!

[driventoakahr]

Nice truck!! and it looks to have been cared for a bit -most here in Ohio are rust bucket beaters. Good advice on the carb and intake manifold change - Edelbrock makes a manifold, cam and carb matched kit for the 318-360 engines that work great and get better mileage than stock . Good note on the timeing chain go to a double roller type (they have steel geers) and forget it. Auto tranny's in these are great -change the fluid and filter and roll- I allways buy the best parts I can afford on older vehicles avoiding to many rebuilt cheapys if you offroad. (starters, alts brakes and such). above all else DRIVE IT- not to many nice Ramchargers left out there.

[dkmatthews]

I'm going crazy with anticipation waiting to pick it up on Tuesday!

[dkmatthews]

Brought the beast home last night. Like any typical 30+ year old vehicle, she has her quirks, but we made the 120 mile trip without any incidents!

Photos are from this morning...

http://img.tapatalk.com/20a153d9-5b98-7ecb.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/20a153d9-5bbf-6810.jpghttp://img.tapatalk.com/20a153d9-5bd4-c10e.jpg

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[MW surveyor]

Jeez, ya coulda waited till the sun came up! LOL

[dkmatthews]

Jeez, ya coulda waited till the sun came up! LOL

What? You mean moon light ain't good enough? :D

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[dkmatthews]

I got a pair of seat belts installed in the back and my boys approve of the truck!

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3Z7CF48LHSM/UC53IXSdc-I/AAAAAAAAOAo/RCQzsF2M1sQ/s800/2012-08-09%252018.33.25.jpg

[JFootin]

That's great! Hansome boys! It looks like there is a drink holder right next to the shifter to keep your open beer in. LOL!... Not!

[sharpetop]

I once owned a '79 Plymouth Trailduster [same as Ramcharger] with the 318 in it. As much as I liked the vehicle, that 318 was a little short on power for that beast, especially at altitude in Colorado where I lived at the time.

The only advise I can give is to have plenty of gas money when you go for that Sunday ride!!!

[yqtszhj]

I got a pair of seat belts installed in the back and my boys approve of the truck!

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3Z7CF48LHSM/UC53IXSdc-I/AAAAAAAAOAo/RCQzsF2M1sQ/s800/2012-08-09%252018.33.25.jpg

You know now they are going to expect you to keep it until they start driving so that they can impress their friends.

[dkmatthews]

I'm sure you're right about THAT, yqtszhj. Besides, I've never been one to change vehicles very much. I'm looking forward to getting tools in their hands and letting them help me cross a few things off of the "Known Quirks" list. Most everything, so far, is electrical. A list of a few things:


wipers work intermittently, suspect poor ground
high beams work intermittently, suspect short or poor ground
CB radio doesn't work, suspect poor ground or blown fuse
horn doesn't work, suspect relay or poor ground
speedo cable needs to be reconnected
right side reverse light is out, hopefully only a bulb issue
need to install weather seals for doors

[Planedude]

Yep, Dodge trucks of that era often had issues with grounds. I had a half ton that woud just lose it's charge running down the road. On my way to work, in the very AM, the lights would dim and the batt would go into discharge. About the time I would think I needed to pull over it would slam back and charge like crazy. It I checked everything, even unwraped the harness looking for a bad wire. Turns out the previous owner had sanded the galvinzied surface of the voltage regulator's backside off before mounting it flat to the firewall where it's suppose to ground (why???). Rust is a lousy ground...
A good cleaning and some di-electric sealer made me perfect for the rest of the years I owned the old girl. After re-wrapping the harness and changing some gaskets, the engine compartment looked down right detailed.
Watch out for the wires in the aftermarket steering wheel adaptor being part of your horn issue. I have spent many an hour (on every brand of vehichle) chasing that gremlin. At least your wheel looks aftermarket from that angle.
Enjoy, the truck and the time with the boys.
Enjoy.