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Post by slick1100 on Aug 19, 2006 23:13:17 GMT -5
Ok, drove home the '84 Ramcharger today, and have come to the conclusion that it is an ideal parts donor for my friend's '93. The suspension is shot and the engine consumes wate, gets horrible mileage, and can't take the heat. On long uphills the temps steadily rise, and she used 3 gallons of water in 400 miles. My buddies truck needs front and rear diffs, and the Dana 60s under the '84 should be a direct swap. Add in that the '93 is already lifted and has a winch bumper thanks to the Sheriff's department.
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Post by K5 on Aug 19, 2006 23:15:28 GMT -5
Does this mean your back to 2wd (or the vespa ;D)?
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Post by zjeep on Aug 20, 2006 3:27:36 GMT -5
Does this mean your back to 2wd (or the vespa ;D)? Lol, that sux Slick, hopefully you get another vehicle, maybe you can find a lincoln with 4wheel drive
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Post by slick1100 on Aug 20, 2006 7:16:58 GMT -5
I'll run the Passport until I get the axle swap done. I'm going to talk with my friend this morning and see what we can work out. His Dodge is sitting on his concrete pad which he wants to park his Vette on. I tried to buy his old Scout with a 327 for power, but he won't budge on it!
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Post by slick1100 on Aug 21, 2006 22:41:02 GMT -5
So far it's looking like a go for the axle swap. Gotta do a bit more research into this and figure out the where/when/how's of it. Doesn't look like it will happen in time for the Mt. Lemmon run though, as I'm already terribly far behind in my studies and need to pass an exam at the end of the month. Darn priorities!
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Post by slick1100 on Aug 23, 2006 17:19:46 GMT -5
Here's a photo of my axle donor. I'm gonna go over and look at the '93 tomorrow to see what else it needs. It's already lifted and has a winch bumper, plus whatever other goodies the Sheriff trucks got.
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Post by 2000taco on Aug 23, 2006 19:35:51 GMT -5
Looking like you have a fun project in the works. Keep us posted with progress pics.
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Post by K5 on Aug 24, 2006 14:45:20 GMT -5
I'm confused. Are you swapping the axle from the 84 to the 93 or the 93 to the 84? What truck will you end up with?
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Post by slick1100 on Aug 24, 2006 15:40:08 GMT -5
I hope to swap axles from the '84 to '93. Went to check out the '93 today and ascertain its condition and it wouldn't crank over. The battery in it is a really old Optima, and it didn't seem to be able to take a charge or be jump started. Hopefully it's just a battery, as it used to run like a champ.
On the plus side, my friend offered to let me put the '84 on the concrete pad next to the '93 for doing the axle swaps, so that problem is sorted out. Just have to figure out when to do it. Assuming the engine is ok afterall.
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Post by slick1100 on Aug 25, 2006 14:58:38 GMT -5
Ok, got the '93 started today!! Turns out one of the grounds for the dual-battery setup was bad. Hooked up to the other ground and she started right up! The A/C even works! Ok, so now the tentative plan is to do the axle swap next Friday or Saturday. I'm going to pick up the necessary hardware (u-bolts, brake fluid and what not) beforehand. Any other recommendations on what should be changed?
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Post by slick1100 on Aug 31, 2006 12:12:25 GMT -5
Well my assistant backed out this morning, and he's busy the rest of the weekend, so no go on the axle swap this week. I don't dare try moving axles around on my own, so it looks like next week is my next window. Not entirely a bad thing, as I've got Wed thru Sat off next week. Just kinda pissed 'cause I hate delaying this project.
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Post by slick1100 on Sept 4, 2006 23:31:30 GMT -5
Jeez, I was so pissed during that last post I could barely spell! ;D
As luck would have it, I scored today and tomorrow off from work, giving me the next 5 days to accomplish things. My friend has to work tomorrow night, so I can't go over tomorrow. Wednesday though I'm going to start staging for the swap. To be sure it doesn't need to be swapped as well, I'm going to drop the front driveshaft Wednesday and check the transfer case. I fear the chain may have popped on the NP241. The NP208 in the '84 is a bolt-on replacement if needed. I'll probably do some minor engine parts swaps to get the emissions stuff working again on the '92. The fun will start Friday, and hopefully wrap it up Saturday to get it home. Anyone bored enough is welcome to join in the fun! Can't really call it a tech day, as there's no garage or anything to work out of. Just putting the trucks on concrete pads next to each other to simplify the swap and make sure they're solid on the ground!
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Post by slick1100 on Sept 7, 2006 12:19:00 GMT -5
Ugh, just when the plan seems to be coming together, along comes the rain. I checked over the '84 yesterday to make sure she's ready for the trip down to my friend's place to do the axle swap. Found that I drove from Dolan Springs to Tucson with no air filter!!! Ugh... But, the fluids look good, and are at appropriate levels. Slap in a new air filter today and I'll get the '92 and '84 at least side by side. With the call for more rain possible tomorrow it looks like I may break out a canopy and try to have a little cover for one of the trucks.
Oh, and some minor corrections... I said before I had Dana 60s. I was wrong. Dana 44 up front and Chrysler 9.25" out back. Nothing wrong with those IMHO, but not the same as a 60.
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Post by rstep on Sept 7, 2006 14:45:12 GMT -5
Slick I have a diff guard for the 44 hanging on the wall in the garage if you want it come get it. 1/2 rod welded to a 3/8 mounting plate.
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Post by slick1100 on Sept 7, 2006 15:26:50 GMT -5
Sure!! PM an address and I'll swing by and get it. Let me know how much you want for it!
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Post by slick1100 on Sept 8, 2006 18:52:37 GMT -5
Ok, things are finally starting to get moving! I got a late start this morning, and only got in about 3 hours of work. Dropped the front driveshaft on the '92 and ran it in 4H and 4L to confirm that the chain was not busted. So far so good, but the true test will be once the axles are on and a load can be put on it to make sure it hasn't stretched. Got both trucks on rear jackstands only, and began stripping the '84 rear. I kinda screwed myself, as I should have knocked out the shackles bolts rather than try to loosen up the U-bolts. It won't take too much to backtrack, so that's where I'll be tomorrow. I loosened up the shocks and the massive sway bar, removed the rear driveshaft, and drained the brake fluid. Fortunately Amy will be working with me tomorrow, and I may drag over my friend Steve if he can get a hall pass from his wife. I REALLY want to have this thing done for next week, but we'll see. Sunday it's back to work and I won't be able to touch it for 4 days.
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Post by slick1100 on Sept 8, 2006 18:56:03 GMT -5
Slick I have a diff guard for the 44 hanging on the wall in the garage if you want it come get it. 1/2 rod welded to a 3/8 mounting plate. On a different note, big thanks to rstep for the diff guard! I really like the hockey mask look, and have been toying with the idea of painting it white. ;D Crawling around the truck today I've been getting a much better idea about the bumper and tire carrier I want for it. Especially in light of the fact that the tailgate is not wholly metal!
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Post by rstep on Sept 9, 2006 8:13:28 GMT -5
Glad the diff guard went to a good home.
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Post by slick1100 on Sept 9, 2006 18:40:17 GMT -5
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Post by 2000taco on Sept 9, 2006 20:20:22 GMT -5
Looking good slick, I bet you are itchin to get it out on the trail.
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Post by zjeep on Sept 9, 2006 20:43:29 GMT -5
Nice job slick, it will be cool to see that rig out on the trail sometime here soon.
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Post by slick1100 on Sept 9, 2006 21:16:47 GMT -5
I'm itching to get it going, no doubt! I can't wait to wheel it and see what she'll do. Driving the '84 was great, and the '92 with its fuel-injection and overdrive tranny should be awesome! Not to mention that whole 4wd thing.
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Post by zjeep on Sept 9, 2006 21:58:10 GMT -5
ya that 4wd is always nice lol
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Post by 7Lbar on Sept 10, 2006 1:35:55 GMT -5
That is going to be sweet when you get it out on the trail.
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Post by slick1100 on Sept 10, 2006 7:19:13 GMT -5
It will take a little getting used to as far as choosing lines. The RamCharger is easily a foot wider than the Passport, but the wheelbase is shorter. Plus it's got much more ground clearance than the Passport. Only real downside, in my opinion, is the open diffs. I'll have to track down a Chrysler 9.25" Trac Loc. I've seen a few on ebay and can pick them up for between $100 and $300. Then there's tires, and a winch, and...
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Post by rstep on Sept 10, 2006 8:55:31 GMT -5
Productive day for you Slick glad to see the swap under way.
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Post by slick1100 on Sept 10, 2006 22:59:37 GMT -5
The trick is that I need to get the trucks out of my friend's place, as his space is sorely scarce. He's got a new building going up before long, and has yet more cars to be brought in. I'm not exactly complaing, as the working conditions are primitive, save the concrete pads. Thursday I plan to finish hooking up the rear axle and drive the '92 out, and somehow figure a way to get the '84, and then I'll start worrying about where to complete the job. Fun fun fun! But enough whining for tonight, and tomorrow a day of silence on the board. Til Tuesday.
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Post by rstep on Sept 14, 2006 7:44:33 GMT -5
Slick how's it going with the Ram any updates for us.
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Post by slick1100 on Sept 14, 2006 11:35:30 GMT -5
None yet, though I was planning on going over there later today and hooking up the rear driveshaft and parking brake cables, and then bleeding the brakes. If I can get that done I'll take the '92 for a test spin, and if all is well tomorrow will be emissions testing and registration.
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Post by slick1100 on Sept 14, 2006 17:52:58 GMT -5
Ok, I finally hit the stumbling block I was concerned about. The rear driveshaft from the '92 won't fit onto the '84 rear axle. The yoke on the axle is just a little too small. Can't just swap driveshafts either, as they are different lengths due to the different transfer cases. And, of course, the u-bolt bearing caps can't be swapped either. Looks like I'll have to swap flanges on the differentials. Not a BIG deal, but I've got to get a socket large enough to do it, and hope that they are interchangeable! I did manage to get the parking brake hooked up though.
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