[Joe_Cool]

Here are some shots of my 80 Ramcharger SE before the restoration that I am performing now.
I'll add some pics of the truck the way that it is now (although some were posted here before the move and I assume that everyone has seen them).
[flash=200,200]http://members.shaw.ca/ramcharger/ramcharger.swf[/flash]

 

[Joe_Cool]

Here's a Before and After of the engine compartment

Before...

 

[Joe_Cool]

...and After

 

[Joe_Cool]

Here is a picture of what it looked like around this time last year. I had just finished installing the engine and trans after dis-assembling the frame and suspension, grinding off all the junk and repainting with Tremclad paint (a mix of black and aluminum to give it a metallic look). I also installed new stainless steel brake lines and a massive 1/2 inch braided fuel line passing through a Mallory Canister fuel filter.
The suspension is a Skyjacker 4" lift without the rear block.

Joe

Cleandust, the tire carrier was a factory option that came with the truck. I can keep an eye out for you in this area for one if you want.

 

[Joe_Cool]

... And here is a photo of what if looks like now. This picture was taken last December when we fired up the engine for the first time. Since then the progress has been a little slow trying to find replacement parts and solving problems associated with shoving in the 440 SixPack. I had to replace the brake booster and the windshield wiper motor to clear the valve cover and air cleaner repectively. I also had to fabricate mounting brackets so that I could install the new electric fan off-center and get the required clearence.
I don't think you can see it in this picture, but I got the body shop to recess the fuel cap area so I could install a flip-top fuel cap from a '68 Charger (my brother still hasn't noticed that his is missing ).

The project now is trying to install the complete dashboard from a '98 Ram to replace the dull original dash. I am still trying to determine who much modifcation is going to be required to get the newer dash to sit properly in relation to the windshield, the steering column, and the front seats. But it looks promising. I am taking pictures and will post the procedure in the 'How To' section if I am successful.
From what I have seen so far, this project is going to require a good stock of beer to figure out (maybe the How to will be like "why you shouldn't try this") .

Joe

 

[Joe_Cool]

OMG! i think if i saw my RC during this stage of a restoration process i would have crumbled to my knees in tears! wow! it's one thing to have her in the shop, but DON'T SHOW ME what they do to her! joe, please be careful what pics you post-----you could put a girl in therapy!

If you didn't want to see that...then you definitely don't want to see this!!! What I was doing in my garage was nothing compared to the surgery that was required in the Shop!

 

[Joe_Cool]

I am totally jealous man . I just bought an 80 RC and it's blue and just as rotted in the ass end as well . I do plan on fixing the body up eventually . So need ot ask how much was the bill for the body work alone ? I am in Nebraska and just want it fixed really nothing special . Well anyways man good looking rig and goodluck w/ the dash swpa should be pretty cool to see that done .

bt83rc

I don't think that my would be a good reference for you for two reasons;

1. ...and a big reason... I am CANADA!!! which means that everything cost 4x what it does in the US (2x because of the exchange and the 2x because good body shops are hard to find so the good ones charge a small fortune).

2. I went all out and had everything with rust cut out and every single dent flaw removed. And since you can't buy all the required panels, some had to be fabircated (eg. the picture shows the inner rear wheel well that was made from scratch). Plus I had them do the custom work on the gas-cap filler area and spray the underbody and cab area with spray-on box liner.

But if you still want to know.... I paid 12K to have it cut, repaired, and painted. :\'(

Joe

 

[Joe_Cool]

WOW Frame up restoration. Wish I had the time. We'll start calling you Tri-Power. I commend you. I wish I had your attention to detail. ---Jeff.

It is actually easier than it looks! Because I had the body at the shop and worked on the frame myself at home, it was easier to concentrate on individual items rather than the truck as a whole.
when all you have in the garage is a frame, then it is no big deal to take off every bolt, get them Cadmium plated in gold color and then re-assembly the suspension.
Same for the drivetrain. working on each piece seperate keeps you focused on only that one section.

But thanks for the compliment!

Joe

 

[Joe_Cool]

i also want to do a frame-up restore. maybe you could do a how-to as far as the order you should do things. just my $.02

jeff

Let me see how this dashboard project turns out first! then I can to a how-to on the order that I did my frame off (which has been a completely different order than I had figured on).

Joe

 

[Joe_Cool]

they just don't seam to undertstand that that much surgery is required on the cleanest project vehicle up here eh!!! you wanna do the frame off resto on blue next hope you have better luck out in winnipeg getting parks than out here in ontario. be sure and let me kno when you come to town next and you ,kyle, corey and myself can all hook up

Getting parts out here SUCKS! but I have been lucky that the truck was complete with every option (except power windows) so I don't need too much. And what I have had to look for have been items that are available on any Dodge truck from 74-80.
Plus the fact that with all the mods that I have been doing I have required aftermarket parts more than stock parts. So haven't had to go looking too much.

No offence, but I think I'll pass on restoring blue. As you can see I have a tendency to go too far and I don't know if I can handle it twice! ...But it could be fun to spend someone elses money!

I'll fire you off and email when I know when my next trip out your way is (which I am trying to put off until the fall if possible). I'll bring photos! It'll be like showing baby pictures!

Joe

 

[Joe_Cool]

Joe, it is RC's like yours that inspire the rest of us, Awesome!
I'm hoping my 80 RC will be finished before the end of year. But ya know most of us are never quite finished! Gotta love it.

I know what you mean... I thought that I would have been driving mine this summer, but made absolutely no progress on it since December. :\'(

I got the braking system installed and working last week, so I can know do burnouts down my driveway... and that has inspired me to get busy on it again. the stumper is still the interior though.

 

[Joe_Cool]

Good News, Bad News.

Bad News: After over a year of head scratching, I have given up on installing a '98 Ram Dashboard in my '80 Ramcharger. :\'(

Good News: I took it to the shop that did my body work and THEY got it in!!!!

I will post some pics in the next couple of days. I think it looks great so far (don't mean to brag).

Joe

 

[Joe_Cool]

I think that these pictures confirm my level of insanity.

As you can see there is still plenty of work that needs to be done, but I think that it is starting to take shape.
The completion date is now almost totally dependant on the 'ol wallet... but expect to have everything completed in time for Ram Jam next '04.

Joe

 

[Joe_Cool]

no you didnt,..... AHAHAH SICK MAN,

Is that "Sick Good' or 'Sick Bad'?

 

[Joe_Cool]

He means....you should've had them take pics and do a how to I've only seen one other one like that, and it was sort of a bang up job, but it still looked cool. Glad to see you're still at it Keep it up

Randall

the 'How-To' was the original plan, but as is evident through the complications in heater and air conditioning ducting which still need to be figured out, this is not a weekend bolt-in project and should be left to professionals.

Thanks, I am glad to be back at it.

Joe

 

[Joe_Cool]

Got some tires and the trim put on. Slow progress, but progess.

 

[Joe_Cool]

Oh, and I got some new seats...Donated from a 2003 Durango that got too friendly with a large tree!
Rear passengers will now have cup holders for their Slurpees!

 

[Joe_Cool]

looks good man! when is it gunna be done?

Haven't really got a target date. I don't have a reference for how long it should take to install and customize at Ram dash and a Durango steering column into a Ramcharger.
But I am hopefull that it will be on the road next summer.

Joe

 

[Joe_Cool]

you should feel proud man! i just put yur rc as my wallpapaer on my desktop!

I do. I haven't got it as my wallpaper!

 

[Joe_Cool]

although im usually against fancy..... you did an amazing job getting that late model interior to look factory in that old dodge....

That is the goal. The challenge has been to make it look like it all belongs and that is could have possible come from the factory this way.

Joe