Update time. I got back from Moab on Easter Sunday. It turns out that the steering pump gave out while really flogging the truck on Friday. I ran Poison Spider, Gold Bar Rim, and Golden Spike in 5.5 hours. Which is pretty fast and the suspension handled everything I threw at it very well. I did have a passenger rear tire go flat a few miles into the trail. No problem, that is why I carry a full sized spare. I had it changed in short order and we continued. The tranny is on its last legs again. This has been a source of a sore spot for me for some time now. I am now needing the tranny rebuilt again and I am done with this truck. I may keep it together for this year but, I have been collecting parts for another build.
I think I have a TH-400 and a NP-203 lined up already and I have the motor about 60% built now. I am actually considering changing the motor up again. I think the motor I am building maybe too much. Perhaps a more stock build on a 454 ci. Chevy would be better. Tranny would last longer, more reliable, easier to tune, and the like. I will reuse the axles, suspension, T-cases, wheels, tires, and maybe a few other parts like the seats, at least for now. I even think I have settled on a chassis. Wheel base should be exactly the same as what I have now, 118". The wheel base worked well and I know that there is no such thing as a perfect wheel base but, it worked pretty well for me this last time out. I even think I have found someone to help me out for all the finish work that I lack the ability to handle. Things like, pedals, steering, floor boards, seating, gauges, and maybe even some other fab work I am not any good at.
Okay, so now for some lasting thoughts about the Ramcharger overall. First, if I ever go with another factory frame I would not go with a Dodge. The frames are really wide and this makes everything difficult to deal with. The only good thing about a wide frame is it is easy to run the exhaust with all the drive train already in the rig. Second, the poor carbon content has also been difficult to deal with. The frame tears really easily and is very frustrating to deal with as well. Third, if I was to do it again I would have kept the stock suspension design intact and just changed the leaf spring up to gather more flex. Forth, the truck has been a lot of fun and frustrating all at the same time. I did do a lot of learning with it and I would not have traded the learning experience for anything.
So, Cheston, are you sure you want to do this?
LT.
Sorry to hear man.
