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1st Gen. Ram - All TopicsDiscussion for all Dodge Rams prior to 1994. This includes engine, drivetrain and non-drivetrain discussions. Anything prior to 1994 should go in here.
Oliver, the last pic of the 2wd donor that has the spice? interior, the center hump looks really flat and boxy or is it just the way the pic turned out?
Vernon,
That is the spice interior and it has the larger "4wd" transmission hump. I only recall seeing the 2wd smaller transmission humps in the early reg cab Cummins trucks. Say '89 and '90 ones
Even my '89 2wd Ramcharger has the bigger 4x4 hump.
Yeah I know the A/C will not be working anymore, but I figure with two working systems I should be able to piece together a good working, leak free system.
I am not much of an A/C expert as I usually don't need it on my trucks. Will I have to change anything in the system, or can I still get the proper stuff to fill the system up with again? That is a ways off so I have not really done much research on that yet.
I got a little time to work on it today. I drilled out the end of the hair line crack on the frame around the front bolt for the steering box mount. I also filed a groove in the rest of the crack and got it all prepped for welding up. I am at a point where I would like a warmish day to do a little welding and some painting to the frame. I like to open up the shop door and air it out for stuff like that.
Since it is 25 and dumping snow right now, tonight was not it.
Still weighting the options for improving the steering box mount set up. I like the look of the Far From Stock steering box braces. They can be bolted and / or welded in.
Pulled the front sway bar in preparation of installing cross over steering. The sway bar would be in the way.
Right now it is looking like I am going with a weld in steering box fix with some of the parts Jungle offers.
Pulled the front sway bar in preparation of installing cross over steering. The sway bar would be in the way.
Right now it is looking like I am going with a weld in steering box fix with some of the parts Jungle offers.
I have never driven a crossover steering rig, but that reverse rotation gear box is a waaayyyyyy better set up than stock 1st gen steering.
Finally made some choices on the steering set up while I was wrenching on the 2wd RC project.
I ordered the 3 inch lift cross over parts from Offroad Design. It will help when straightening the steering wheel with that lifted and relocated front axle. I also like the fact that it should help with clearance from the front tire and the drag link for tighter turns to the right.
That and the added benefit of boxing and beefing up the weak spot on the '92/'93 8 inch frames made me drop a little cash to give it a try.
I am getting a pretty cool looking frame brace and steering box support from FFS [Far From Stock] to try out.
Geno's is also sending out a Gates water pump, a tappet cover gasket and some of their Poly transmission mounts to check out. Most of the rest of the needed parts I have here already.
I ran the poly tranny mounts and did not like them, think I had them in for about 6-9 months then swapped them for the OEM rubber ones.
Where did you get them?
I am worried about how hard their are, but figured I would try them out. The ones Napa got me look crappy, are very hard and they do not come with the bushing or upper rubbers. The Geno's ones are cheap enough.
I have dug through my collection of 30 year old 4x4 OEM transmission mounts and it looks like I used my last really good set on my '89 Ramcharger build.
Subscribed! Oliver i see you mentioned bucket seats a few posts back. Ford bronco bucket seats fit nicely in these cabs if you cant find 1st gen buckets. However, bronco seats are just "ok" in terms of comfort.
You'll be impressed with Jungle's frame boxing parts if you still go that route. Pics to show you what you can look forward to...
Precision cut parts.
Subscribed! Oliver i see you mentioned bucket seats a few posts back. Ford bronco bucket seats fit nicely in these cabs if you cant find 1st gen buckets. However, bronco seats are just "ok" in terms of comfort.
You'll be impressed with Jungle's frame boxing parts if you still go that route. Pics to show you what you can look forward to...
Precision cut parts.
That's awesome, thanks for showing that. Was yours cracked ?
BTW, you have some sexy legs blue there. I had no idea you was a lady.
Funny you should mention the wife's legs in the pic. Shortly after I posted that I literally thought to myself, "Man, I sure hope these dudes dont think i wear skinny jeans now..." It was good for a chuckle.
I cannot remember if my frame was cracked or not. I knew about the potential for cracks but I'm drawing a blank on account that I've slept too many times since then. I might have just been set on getting the front end stiffened up.
02-03-2020, 11:16 AM
