SRobertson

Good day,

I was a 2nd genner for a while with a 96. I rolled it memorial day and totaled the cab. Was going to buy a new cab and put in on, but now have a better idea.

I bought an 87 ramcharger and I am going to put the 96 12v + NV4500 + axles in it. Sounds like there could be a few hiccups, but we'll see.

Main issues that I am facing right now are the pedal assembly to add the clutch pedal and the knuckles on the front dana 60. Being that my donor truck is newer it had coils, I can weld on new leaf spring perches, but the steering setup may take some work.

My solution seems to be the pedal assembly out of a 1st Gen and possibly the whole axle or at least the outer knuckles. Do you folks have any leads on a pedal assembly and what types of issues there maybe with the 1st Gen steering setups? My 96 I did a custom "T" with all of the brackets to make it better, not sure if the 1st gen's had similar issues.

Thank you gentlemen. Should be fun once it is finished, 2000 lbs lighter than my 96, should run like a raped ape. I did go to the dark side and bought a 2004, but I miss the sound of my 12v so I couldn't let it go.

ofcmarc

Pedal assembly out of a donor would be the easiest setup. I'm pretty sure that a gasser rig will work. Also I think (?) that there is a bracket on the firewall for the master cyl. that you will need as well. Poke around in the conversion section and see what they think in there. There are a few R/C conversions in there. Good luck and kep us informed on the progress.

Alwaysworking

why not use the 96 front suspention on the 87?
just make some mounts, it would be like converting a 2wd to 4x4

SRobertson

Interesting idea, I thought about it and than decided other wise. I would have to cut the coil perches off of the 96+ the trailing arm brackets or make new ones. Didn't think it would be the fastest or cheapest but I'll look into it.

Pretty happy with the ramcharger, drove it straight from Portland, flew out at 4:30am got back at 5:00am, a bit wiped out. Runs good, shifts good, some wind noise and I'll need more insulation / sound dampening in the floors and sides. Other than that I think I did alright. How to take care of the wind noise from the wing windows. I jammed some paper in there, but I don't want that to be full time.

Thanks,

89f150

what if you cut the frame after the trans and put it on the ramcharger?

wannadiesel

Sounds like when I bought my truck out of San Antonio. Left there at 4:30 Friday afternoon and got home at 11:30 AM on Sunday. Drove 'till I was sleepy and slept 'till I was "drivey."

At least in a Ramcharger you have room to stretch out.

Alwaysworking

portland, Oregon or portland maine?

SRobertson

Bought it in Portland Oregon and drove back to Layton Ut., north of Salt Lake. I did however buy my 04 out of New Hampshire and drove that one back from the east coast.

Portland main would be brutal, especially non-stop.

Alwaysworking

what does your ramcharger look like?

RAMMAN4

Wow, ya'll guys are dedicated to be driving ya'lls trucks so far home after purchase. I thought 2 or 3 hours was a long haul for a project vehicle. Are there really no rust free trucks up north?

Alwaysworking

yes there are

SRobertson

Here is the Ramcharger, along with the other two. It has a few dents and dings, but ran well getting me home and anything you can drive for 12 hours can't be too bad. Cruise worked well, passenger window needs some help but the drivers worked fine. No rust which was my main concern and the undercarriage is surprisingly clean. The gas shocks will even hold up the rear hatch.

I can't wait to get the 12v in as the fuel mileage is horrible with the 3 sp auto and carbed 360, glad fuel came down.

Couple questions as I need to figure out how to use my front end out of the 96. Not having a 1st gen truck I am not 100% sure how the Dana 60 look out of them. Mine has a Drivers side drop which is fine because I am going to use my transfer case and NV4500, but... I can cut the coil buckets off and add some spring perches, just not sure how to get the steering done as I don't have kingpins and can't add the "arm" for the ramcharger steering linkage. My linkages would hit the springs.

Should be fun, right now I am getting everything I need so I can't tear them both down and get it back on the road mechanically sound and than start on the body etc. I am going to need new springs in the front to hold the extra weight along with 4" more lift. Next to my 04 it actually sits pretty low.

Thanks,

Ace

I think your best option is to get a 1st gen front axle and transfer case. The NP205 is a stronger unit anyway.

apwatson50

Or if you could find yourself a ford dana 60 which has drivers side diff. then you could use your 96 t-case.

Also depending on your fab skills you could put any axle up front you want. But personally I wouldn't want the 96 front axle. unit bearings(bad), CAD(bad), ball joints(bad), no manual lockout hubs(bad).

ford or early dodge dana 60: king pins(good), manual locking hubs(good), serviceable bearings(good).

I just don't see any good things about the 96 front axle. NOTHING.