[Albuchler]

I start this thread to show what I have done at my Ramcharger. It would be great to get some feedback from you, doesn't matter if good or bad. I'm not a pro, my standard tool at work is Excel 😉 I hope to learn something, get some ideas and some motivation to keep on fixing the Dodge 😊

After removing the tailgate lock to let make a key the first real project wax fixing the steps. At this point I thought the steps at my RAM are original because I saw them at several cars at youtube. But they are not. The upper screws were lost and so the step were loose. I cut a new, bigger M8 thread into the old one and used new screws. Even it is not a good work at all ist is better now (videos).

I don't use the steps but my wife needs them to enter the car. Any other psaanger will also always step on. Is there any solution in the aftermarket that goes directly to the frame? I look for a stable solution.

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Best Eike

 

[Canadian country boy]

I would suggest that you use a single piece of heavy plate steel on both sides of that sil if you can to reinforce the metal as I can see it cracking over time the way it is with regular use. Single wall and even dual wall sheet metal is not strong enough to support much weight. Going to the frame rail would be ideal with grade 8 bolts. Either way, make sure you use strong fasteners.

 

[KurtfromLaQuinta]

I would suggest that you use a single piece of heavy plate steel on both sides of that sil if you can to reinforce the metal as I can see it cracking over time the way it is with regular use. Single wall and even dual wall sheet metal is not strong enough to support much weight. Going to the frame rail would be ideal with grade 8 bolts. Either way, make sure you use strong fasteners.

I agree.

 

[Albuchler]

Do you mean you weld a steel plate to where the step is now screwed? That sound reasonable and easier that a construction that goes directly to the frame.

 

[Canadian country boy]

You could weld it (would be best) or just "sandwich" the 1/4" thick plate on the inside between the step and the sill and then install the bolts. I would also install the bolts from outside and tighten the nuts with heavy duty washers to spread the load from the inside of the sill.

 

[Albuchler]

Thanks. Will discuss this with somebody who is able to weld.

Meanwhile I refurbished and reinstalled the trailer hitch. It now has a European socket. I have cleaned the electric a bit. Best had been to renew the complete harness from the front to the end. Maybe next time.

 

[Albuchler]

Last week I changed the seal of the roof hatch. Yesterday the car was four hours in the rain including some driving and everything was fine. The seal was 11$ only at ebay. Unfortunately the hatch was glued in, so I had to do all the work on the roof 

 

[Albuchler]

Here some pictures from the new seal build in.

 

[KurtfromLaQuinta]

Nice and clean.

 

[Albuchler]

Thanks. The only think I don't like that there will go water especially in the corners and stay there. But I think it will be more or less the same with the original seal. The construction of the hatch is a bit strange, for my opinion the lid is too small. I could do some silicone into gap but because the RC stand usually in a garage I problably won't try it out.

 

[Albuchler]

The Hood of the Rammy is not good adjusted. It works properly, but looks bad. I would like to move it a half inch to the front but I see only the possibility to madjust it up an down. Has anybody done this before?

 

[SuperBurban]

Where the hinge meets the hood, those bolts are the adjustment for front to back adjustment,

 

[KurtfromLaQuinta]

Where the hinge meets the hood, those bolts are the adjustment for front to back adjustment,

Yep. Pretty easy to do.
Mark with tape/ pencil where your sitting originally: A tape line matching the bottom of the hinge bracket. And a tape line marking the rear of the bracket. Barely loosen both bolts one side at a time so they are loose enough to move without a lot of slop. And move it the direction you want to go.
I've done it by myself many times. If you have help... it does make it easier.

 

[Albuchler]

Thanks, I have seen it now. I swear it was invisible before Will try it out on Sunday.

Another thing: The tailgate has some play. I think it misses a rubber band to fix it. What can I use instead of the original rubber?

 

[KurtfromLaQuinta]

Thanks, I have seen it now. I swear it was invisible before Will try it out on Sunday.

Another thing: The tailgate has some play. I think it misses a rubber band to fix it. What can I use instead of the original rubber?

I'm no Ramcharger expert, but looks like a typical Mopar door striker to me.
https://dantesparts.com/i-30499829-mopar-door-striker-1970-1974-plymouth-barracuda-dodge-challenger-1967-1974-a-body-1971-1974-b-body.html?ref=category:1389493
Look at your front doors. They should have the same thing.

 

[Albuchler]

The striker itself is OK. I think the missing rubber around the metal causes the play of the tailgate. Maybe i'll find something else that fits.

 

[Albuchler]

The striker at the tailgate are ~10mm, the claw at the gate are ~13mm. That can't fit withput something between. The striker at the front doors are ~17mm.

 

[Albuchler]

Adjusting the hood was easy. Looks better now.

 

[KurtfromLaQuinta]

Adjusting the hood, was easy. Looks better now.

Way better.

 

[Albuchler]

Found a solution for the tailgate. The rubber / textil around the striker was gone so the tailgate had some play. I put some rubber rings around the striker. Not very nice but works - at least for the moment.

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