'Red' - '89 RC, 6BT/518 - (...at home in Virginia...)

[KThaxton]

Ahhh, I see. 

[Mad Max]

Maybe a dumb question, but are you sure it's not just the torque converter locking and unlocking? It feels almost like another gear.

...I did wonder if DTT had done some real serious voodoo in their non-lockup converters, but yah after some diagnosis it's just the od unit.

[Mad Max]

.....well this just gets better.  So I'm using Red to move some stuff around on the property yesterday and in the process of rowing the shifter...something 'lets go'.  Shifting went from feeling old and stiff to just about no resistance at all.  All the detents that told my arm which gear I was in were gone.  Now, I thought it was the steering column, and since I wanted to upgrade to a column with tilt, cruise, and intermittent wipers...and since I had such a column, I figured this'd be the perfect time to swap.  The swap was easy, but, in the process I discovered that the column wasn't the problem - it's in the tranny, and that means whatever controls the shifting (a set of detents and ball bearings I believe) has either broken off or broken loose inside the valve body.  Yeah we're having fun now .

As a result, the truck is going to make one last trip - straight to the tranny shop, where I'm hoping it'll get rebuilt correctly by folks who know what they're looking at and can detect/address/correct issues so this never happens again.

.....as well....because Red is down, I'm driving Mack to work, and while driving Mack I'm continually reminded of how perfect a combo a set of 35" tires and 3.54 gears are behind a Cummins.  So of course, and as usual, visions of different chassis' configurations go dancing through my head.....and I again drift towards a 'suburban' style RC.....and I'm wondering as I usually do about just how sweet a 4-door RC would be with the standard '93 Cummins chassis under it, with 35" tires and 3.54 gears.  Essentially I'm pondering how a 4-door 4wd version of Mack would be as a daily-driver, as compared to a standard RC.....and I gotta say it don't sound too bad.  

If it comes down to fuel economy I'm nearly certain a 3.54-geared 4-door RC with 35 tires would net between 18-20 mpg, whereas my other idea of a 4bt-powered standard RC would likely net 23-25 mpg.  So, that's not a huge difference really.  

So I have some options, and I have plenty of time, so who knows, but these thoughts are fun to ponder .  Meanwhile, time to get this 518 un-jacked....

...here's a photo-hack of what Red may...may turn into -



...and if not, maybe something more like this -



....decisions....decisions.........mmmmwwwuuooaHHAAHAHHAHAHhhaaahaaa......

[jungle]

Either one is sweet!! I do love the 4 door RCs tho. So Sam your thinking 6" lift, 3.55 gears & 35" tires with a mildly built 6BT is the ultimate truck.
Jim

[Mad Max]

well no not 'the' ultimate truck , but for what I need a truck for on a daily/weekend basis, and for what I think I will need in the future, and all things considered, then I'd have to say I'm leaning that way, ja. 

In basic order of priority, the list of requirements for my daily-driver include, but is not limited to -

- Dodge
- Full-size
- No monthly payment
- 4-wheel drive
- All-weather/all-year capable
- Cummins-powered
- Reliable/easy to maintain
- Good fuel economy (20+ hwy ideally)
- Hold 4 full-size adults minimum
- Cruise, delay wipers, tilt

A 3/4-ton 4x4 Cummins RC does all of that easily.  Now the 'nice-to-haves' include:

- 4-doors (ideally)
- Tailgate

And I think I could achieve all of that if I carefully built a.....what would a 4-door Ramcharger be called?.....I guess it'd still be a Ramcharger, just with the 'rare 4-door option' .

Well first things first, tranny.  Then some miles.  Then we'll see

 

[RVA RC]

Ramburban?

[squads51]

well no not 'the' ultimate truck , but for what I need a truck for on a daily/weekend basis, and for what I think I will need in the future, and all things considered, then I'd have to say I'm leaning that way, ja. 

In basic order of priority, the list of requirements for my daily-driver include, but is not limited to -

- Dodge
- Full-size
- No monthly payment
- 4-wheel drive
- All-weather/all-year capable
- Cummins-powered
- Reliable/easy to maintain
- Good fuel economy (20+ hwy ideally)
- Hold 4 full-size adults minimum
- Cruise, delay wipers, tilt

A 3/4-ton 4x4 Cummins RC does all of that easily.  Now the 'nice-to-haves' include:

- 4-doors (ideally)
- Tailgate

And I think I could achieve all of that if I carefully built a.....what would a 4-door Ramcharger be called?.....I guess it'd still be a Ramcharger, just with the 'rare 4-door option' .

Well first things first, tranny.  Then some miles.  Then we'll see

 

"Introducing the new Dodge RAMCHARGER "MOD4"....the "MOD4" features all of the above items on your wish list and then some....it also comes in your personal choice of colors, be it factory standard shades or your own special pigment blend....this is a limited run, heavy duty spec'd and specially hand crafted vehicle....so place your order soon, as this offer will expire without notice...." ....

[blueduster]

sounds like my day. at least it was going to be done anyway.

.....well this just gets better.  So I'm using Red to move some stuff around on the property yesterday and in the process of rowing the shifter...something 'lets go'.  Shifting went from feeling old and stiff to just about no resistance at all.  All the detents that told my arm which gear I was in were gone.  Now, I thought it was the steering column, and since I wanted to upgrade to a column with tilt, cruise, and intermittent wipers...and since I had such a column, I figured this'd be the perfect time to swap.  The swap was easy, but, in the process I discovered that the column wasn't the problem - it's in the tranny, and that means whatever controls the shifting (a set of detents and ball bearings I believe) has either broken off or broken loose inside the valve body.  Yeah we're having fun now .

As a result, the truck is going to make one last trip - straight to the tranny shop, where I'm hoping it'll get rebuilt correctly by folks who know what they're looking at and can detect/address/correct issues so this never happens again.

.....as well....because Red is down, I'm driving Mack to work, and while driving Mack I'm continually reminded of how perfect a combo a set of 35" tires and 3.54 gears are behind a Cummins.  So of course, and as usual, visions of different chassis' configurations go dancing through my head.....and I again drift towards a 'suburban' style RC.....and I'm wondering as I usually do about just how sweet a 4-door RC would be with the standard '93 Cummins chassis under it, with 35" tires and 3.54 gears.  Essentially I'm pondering how a 4-door 4wd version of Mack would be as a daily-driver, as compared to a standard RC.....and I gotta say it don't sound too bad.  

If it comes down to fuel economy I'm nearly certain a 3.54-geared 4-door RC with 35 tires would net between 18-20 mpg, whereas my other idea of a 4bt-powered standard RC would likely net 23-25 mpg.  So, that's not a huge difference really.  

So I have some options, and I have plenty of time, so who knows, but these thoughts are fun to ponder .  Meanwhile, time to get this 518 un-jacked....

...here's a photo-hack of what Red may...may turn into -



...and if not, maybe something more like this -



....decisions....decisions.........mmmmwwwuuooaHHAAHAHHAHAHhhaaahaaa......

[Mad Max]

"Introducing the new Dodge RAMCHARGER "MOD4"....the "MOD4" features all of the above items on your wish list and then some....it also comes in your personal choice of colors, be it factory standard shades or your own special pigment blend....this is a limited run, heavy duty spec'd and specially hand crafted vehicle....so place your order soon, as this offer will expire without notice...." ....

That's some funny stuff right there !  I was thinking about the 'Dodge Carryall' of yesteryear...  

http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&source=hp&q=dodge+carryall&oq=&gs_rfai=&um=1&ie=UTF-8&ei=adqoS-P6JIrisQO01f2XAw&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=4&ved=0CB0QsAQwAw


Maybe we official RCCers can generate a proper name for a 4-door RC.  Hmm, lesse here:  Carryall, Suburban, RamWagon, Ramanon, CrewRam, Crewcharger, MOD4, MegaWagon, Panel Van, Panel Wagon, WC-350 (1-ton 4xcrew), DC-250 (3/4-ton 2xcrew)..... what other names have y'all pondered for a 4-door RC??....

[jungle]

My vote would be for the

AW350 Crewcharger
 Intercooled CTD

[rvas]

I like Crewcharger.

[DevilzTower]

I'm definitely on board with the daily driver requirements - I would love to have tailgate on this truck when I'm all done with the conversion.

Ran the numbers and the 35-36" tires would be perfect for highway cruising with 3.55 gears, 70mph = 18-1900 rpms - 20+ mph highway no doubt

[Mad Max]

I am definitely 'leaning' towards a 4-door.  I think the benefits of the second set of doors and extra internal room far outweigh the drawbacks.  My wife came up with another good name, QuadCharger.

So, meantime, I'll drive the RC as-is and as always search for the hardware, mostly another crewcab.  There out there - just gotta be patient.  I'll likely intercool the truck since we'll certainly be towing stuff with it, and I'll grab another early 90's extended cab frame like I'm grafting under Bud.  I very much like the idea of tossing me, the missus, our Husky and Shepard, Lord-willing two kids, and all our gear in the truck and going fishin', there and back on one tank, not worrying about scratches, and plenty of room and storage.  Yeppers, me likey that idea right there.  And in the end I'll just sell the D61/D71 axles complete...probably with the wheels and tires.  Long ways off but fun to think about

[jungle]

 

Sounds like a plan!!
Jim

[78bUckEt]

it sounds like your "K.I.S.S" motto went out the window.......theres no keeping anything simple with you,but i like the idea...

[jungle]

DITTO!!!!!

 

[Mad Max]

it sounds like your "K.I.S.S" motto went out the window.......theres no keeping anything simple with you...

.....I think I'm finally accepting the fact that I cannot leave anything alone

Honestly I just really like 4-door vehicles, and if I can build a 4-door RC that runs as good as my '93 extended cab long bed Ram then that'd be a'right with me.  Besides, doesn't everyone need a big hauler megacab pickup, a big crewcab daily driver Suburban, and a bigger crewcab off-road bruiser???...all three of which need to be built from scratch??.........

           .................I have my appointment with the shrink later this month.......

[jungle]

Can you make a appointment for 2 

[jungle]

Sam,
Are you getting snow today?
Jim

[Mad Max]

Can you make a appointment for 2 

   -  absolutely.  I normally use two time slots - you can have the second Jim

Yeah we got slammed last night.  Real bad ice and snow, but it's not bad now.  Had a 2-hour delay tho

[jungle]

I think I need the 2nd,3rd 4th & 5th time slot . We heard on the news you guys got slammed with a storm. Did you loose power at all?
Jim

[Mad Max]

it did flicker once but no losses, thankfully.  Of course had to get to work, an hour long drive.  And of course the RC is down, so in the wife's AWD Saturn Outlook I go, and I must say the thing is fantastic in the white stuff, again, thankfully.

I'm thinking really seriously about using the super nice '85 crewcab I have (got it for Mack looooong ago) and building the 'burban sooner verse later. 

[Donk]

I very much like the idea of tossing me, the missus, our Husky and Shepard, Lord-willing two kids, and all our gear in the truck and going fishin',

well, you'll have enough room to work on the kids in there too.
Bud Jr. and little Mack (the future twins) will have Dodges in their blood.

[78bUckEt]

I can't wait!!!!!! U 2 have the skills to do it.

[Mad Max]

well good - the RC is at the tranny shop, again - what a pain in the ass.  I'm very curious to hear what this guy discovers when he opens it up.

I really liked how the 727 that was under this truck before performed, to include the converter, and I'm putting that converter back in this time around.  Juuust a bit more stall speed and I think it'll be just dandy.  I'll know in about a week...

[jungle]

Sam are you putting any performance goodies in it on this rebuild?
Jim

[Mad Max]

that's just it - the goodies are already supposed to be in there - guess we'll find out.  And really, the only things I need in a tranny are a good converter and a shift kit.  A deep(er) pan and a temp gauge are always a good idea. 

[blueduster]

hey sam, you know there is no cure for what we have, right?     cool ideas for sure.  still trying to get started on mine. damn job thing keeps getting in the way. 

[Mad Max]

...yeah...I know I'm cursed same as the rest of us - but admitting it somehow keeps me sane.  I gotta admit tho, if I keep watching TTC video's...and if the curse gets much worse...Bud's gonna end up a BIG fat juicy rig

[squads51]

...yeah...I know I'm cursed same as the rest of us - but admitting it somehow keeps me sane.  I gotta admit tho, if I keep watching TTC video's...and if the curse gets much worse...Bud's gonna end up a BIG fat juicy rig

Stay focused, stay focused....watch the Pentastar pendulum swing back and forth, back and forth....repeat after me, "B.U.D. has a purpose, B.U.D. has a purpose"....now go to the shop, turn on the lights....when you open your eyes, you'll know what to do....










who am I kidding?....Red was only supposed to be a DD....KISS is what you said....and we are seeing how that is turning out....

[BenDiesel]

Stay focused, stay focused....watch the Pentastar pendulum swing back and forth, back and forth....repeat after me, "B.U.D. has a purpose, B.U.D. has a purpose"....now go to the shop, turn on the lights....when you open your eyes, you'll know what to do....

dont forget to click your heels......and do a doce do

[Mad Max]

             .......there's no place like the shop......

                                     

                     ........there's no place like the shop......

[Mad Max]

...I'm pretty sure for the foreseeable future Red will stay a good ole regular RC .

[Mad Max]

...so does everyone else just really hate it when yer rig in having surgery done to it that you have no control over?  I trust the guy doing the work, I really do, but I'm usually the one doing the work...and when someone else works on my stuff......man I just sort of wig out - never liked it.  But since I'm not a tranny or diff expert, nor do I have the proper tools, I gotta take it in.  Paying for it is bad enough, but having it 'right' is the price ya pay. 
The guy is doing 'exploratative surgery' - finding out what's wrong, fixing it, replacing what needs replacing, and buttoning it all back together.  Then he'll hook up his diagnostic tools and test both the tranny pressure and also the flow rates for the whole system, to include in and out of the cooler to make sure it's up to spec.
Hopefully all will be well, won't have too much broken, and will be within the quoted price.  I just want a good driver so it shouldn't be too bad.  AHHHH I hate this part

[RVA RC]

I know what you mean... My dd is at the dealer with a bad tranny at 16,700!

But if the guy knows what he's doing and stands by his work, then I wouldn't worry too much. At least you have your other rigs to drive... I'm bumming rides. 

[88_mopar]

Damn Sam! You sound like a worried father, pacing in the waiting room of the er after your kid fell off the jungle gym. Dont worry, everything will be alright!

[jungle]

I can relate to how you feel also.

[78bUckEt]

and most places make it worse by them having windows from the service desk to the service area..you can see'em monkeying with it but you can go out there....that sux.......

[Mad Max]

well the whole reason I went with this new guy is mainly because he listens to me.  He let me tell him what I think the problems are and what I want done, and he takes the time to talk about the whole thing instead of just telling me that everything will be fine.
They've actually already got it apart, diagnosed, and going back together.  Found some interesting things wrong inside - three major issues, and it looks like each are taken care of.  I've a good feeling that this tranny will...finally...be good to go.  Additionally, he has held to his original price estimate even though it took a lot of extra time to figure out.  
So even though I still don't have it back yet (should be tomorrow) I do believe I've got a new tranny guy.  Yayyyeee . 

[jungle]

Sounds like a good guy!!!
Let us know how it works out.
Jim

[ChrisLib]

What was wrong with the innards? Inquiring minds need to know.

[Mad Max]

cool - truck is back and the tranny performs "all kinds of better!" - that's what I told the shop owner after I got home.
There were several small things wrong, to include a very worn out valve body, a worn out detent lever, a worn out 2nd gear band, smoked overdrive clutches (again), and an 'improperly assembled governor' - in other words a ticking bomb.  So be it.  It shifts a lot better, up and down, the 'new' converter was the right choice - it feels much better - juuuust a bit more stall, and the overdrive definitely shifts better, in and out.  And the od will not 'ooze' into gear whenever it wants.  

One thing we confirmed is there are two versions of overdrive gear sets - one with helical gears and one with straight-cut gears.  The straight-cut gears were apparantly the stronger (and louder) version and were offered only in the 1-ton rigs (how they got into my 3/4 ton donor truck I do not know, but they may have been installed from one of the previous shops' rebuilds - I really don't know or care now).  This one had straight-cut, and that was what was 'singing' when in overdrive.  I was pretty certain there were straight-cut gears in there, but I wanted the tranny quiet.  Fortunately the shop had a set of the helical cut gears and swapped them over, and now the tranny is completely silent .  Lots of good, and I haven't yet found any bad...and I'm pretty picky.  So yes, I have found a tranny guy.

Funny thing too, everyone at the shop really likes the truck, they really dig the diesel conversion and all.  And one of the techs has a 78 dually 1-ton that he wants to do a Cummins conversion on......and he asked me 'how tuff is the conversion'..... .  Well you can imagine the conversation from there , and I'm hoping he'll take my advice and migrate onto the best website on the net, right here on RCC.
So yes, if anyone in the local area is looking for a decent tranny shop, I'd recommend the Transmission Clinic here in the 'Springs.  Don and his team have earned my business.  I can't wait to take Bud there

[88_mopar]

Thats awesome Sam. Sounds like they're one of those companies thats more interested in gaining return customers than earning a quick buck, which honestly, we could use alot more shops with that kinda mentality. Glad to hear everything worked out.

[jungle]

That sounds Awesome!! How many miles did the 518 have on it from new? I'm wondering if I should get a new valve body for mine when I do mine. Did you guys open up the oiling for the OD??
Jim

[rob904x4]

if you dont mind me asking how much for the rebuild?

[Mad Max]

It was an even $1000.  We didn't know how extensive the repairs were going to be, and there wasn't a rebuild kit involved (with the exception of a couple of hard parts) so it was nearly 100% labor, which included pulling and reinstalling the whole tranny/t-case, etc.  I was 'done' with that part . 

[blueduster]

good to hear, now..... road trip!   

[Mad Max]

copy - 'road trip' 

[jungle]

How's Red driving?
Jim

[Mad Max]

so far so good.  I had to readjust the pressure switch that controls the on-off for the overdrive but other than that it works great .  I'll do another fuel mileage test once I fill it up.  I'm hoping a correct trans and higher stall net a bit better fuel mileage.  Then I'm planning to finally bolt up the newer turbo and collar to get both a bit more boost and a bit less turbo lag.

I'm still trying to figure out what the deal is with the steering column wiring.  Wiring, my least favorite part of any project.