RamCharger Conversion

[Fred S]

I've had this project hanging around for the better part of a year now, and finally got a chance to start making a dent in it.

I started with a 91.5 IC Reg Cab, 4x4 Auto W250 for my donor and shortly afterwards picked up a very clean 93 RamCharger off of Craigslist, locally.

I didn't document every single step, but I do have a few pictures of progression through the build.

From the beginning, I knew I really didn't want to use the 91 VE 12V donor motor(busted cam), and I happened to have a very nice low mileage 97 12V p-pump motor sitting in my shop, it made the choice easier.

Because the RamCharger is a 93, and to make the project even easier, I didn't want to use the 91.5 engine harness and PCM, so thanks to Mike T, I was able to get a 93 engine harness and PCM. I also had the 97 engine harness, so I could adapt everything over to the newer connections.

That literally allowed me to plug the engine harness into the 50 pin firewall plug, and almost everything worked. I still need to wire in the diesel infomation center, but that doesn't appear to be too difficult, having service manuals and schematics.

I also decided I didn't want the stock 518 transmision, and didn't want to build one either, I decided the 47RH was the route I wanted to go. It kind of helped I had one available, and the DTT parts around to build one right.

The only mods I needed to do to make this all fit was to move the transmission crossmember support back one bolt, and redrill 4 holes, plus the hole in the floor for the tcase shifter, had to be reamed out a little to give room to get into 4HI when needed. And of course the rear driveshaft I had cut down to 30 inches to fit. The front one is fine for now.

Where I am at today. Just got the Rip 4 inch exhaust pieces to put in yesterday, and will hopefully get that done before the weekend. Need the lift for some other work. Still need to pull all the wheels, hubs and replace brakes and drill out and install longer, 9/16ths studs so I can run the 3rd gen wheels I have, or go to something else. Still, having the bigger wheel studs was something I wanted to do regardless of which wheels I run.
The wheels and tires currently on it, are just a set I have around from another donor truck from another project, and are just too skinny for my tastes.

Here's some pics to go along with the writeup.

[Fred S]

[Fred S]

[Fred S]

[dazedandconfused]

Nice project and good job on the install.

[Fred S]

Got the exhaust installed last night, and drove it down the street and back, everything is working great, and it sounds sweet.

This weekend, going to do the timing, GSK and a custom grind fuel plate, I can tell the stock 180HP 12V just isn't going to cut it.

Also, need to pull the vacuum/ps pump, as I have a leak there, I need to fix.

[dazedandconfused]

Very cool, what axles did you use? You use a 70 under the rear?

[Fred S]

Ah, forgot to state that. I used the 60/70 from the 91.5 donor truck. Had to shorten the actuator rod from the cables to the pivot plate for the ebrake setup. The cables for the 70 are longer than the ones from the original 9 1/4 rear that was under it.

One other thing I had to do, now that it comes to mind. I used the brake booster/master from the donor, and included the proportioning valve, which hooked up fine for the front line, but had to have the original RC brake line to the rear changed with the proper fitting and flare to fit the valve where it mounts in the frame. Used the fitting from the donor.

Wasn't a big deal, there's a local place, RMACC, that does any kind of tubing work, for pretty cheap. I also had to have one fuel line made up. I was able to keep the stock RC fuel feed line, and make it my return, then had them make up a new feed line, just had them put barb ends on all lines.

Also for the fuel tank, I used the sending unit assembly from the diesel tank, but had to use the collar and gasket from the original RC to make it all fit and work. The Diesel assembly is just slightly larger than the RC, but it works.

It really helped having a complete donor, so you get all of the little stuff that can add up real fast.

Yet to do: The RamCharger is prewired for power mirrors, yet this one for some reason wasn't ordered with them. I have mirrors, backing plates and the control switch and plate for the dash, so I have everything to switch it over to power mirrors.

[dazedandconfused]

Looking good man, what kinda wheel and tires are you going to run on it?

[Fred S]

I had these 3rd gen wheels, and picked up some decent BFG 35/12.5/17 MT's that I'm still considering. I also like the Eagle 187's I have on my 93, I may go with some 17's in that wheel too.

[dazedandconfused]

Those should look good on there.

[dazedandconfused]

Those should look good on there.

[Fred S]

Haven't been back over here in a while, and several changes to the RCC.
Finally on the road last Nov, took a trip to Texas and back in January.
Rebuilt the rearend with a new LS clutch kit, added 3 inch Alcan springs, found some really nice Moto Metal 16x8s with 35 inch Toyo MTs to throw on there, and converted the rear dshaft to a CV style, which changes the yoke on the 205tcase to a flange. No driveline vibrations at all.
Added a winch bumper with a 8K Warn Winch.
Redid the doors, to get the power mirrors on, installed pillar gauges, and a tach, too.

[oconnellrb]

awesome ram charger I like the wheels and tires.

[peobryant]

That's a really good looking Ramcharger. Nice job.