thrashingcows

NOTE....Adding this link to the archive of this thread, if the pics ever stop working just go to the following link and it will all be saved there....

https://web.archive.org/web/20171026...harger-325284/



Here is a little back story on me getting the RC for those who don't know. My family and I have decided to move about 500 miles north, and I was looking for something the wife could use to clear the driveway and yard of snow...since we will actually be getting major accumulations of snow.

So was cruising CL one night and using a broad search engine and a listing for a Ford crewcab came up. So clicked on the link and it showed the Ford for sale, and then a Ramcharger. But what caught my eye was the fact that the RC had a front plow attachment. Thought this would be a great idea for the wife....I can leave it plugged in and warm, and then all she has to do is hop in, fire it up and then go clear the driveway.

So many e-mails, pics and info were swapped, then trying to co-ordinate schedules so we could meet up. So yesterday was the big day....I traveled over 500 miles round trip to get it, up over two 4000+ ft mountain passes through WA state, with long grades of 5-8%, and all in about 15hours.

So without further delay here is my RC....who I am tentatively calling Sno Ball. Since it's a factory "Sno Commander" optioned vehicle.

Couple Pics from the sellers...





Couple nice pics at the top of one of the passes on the way there....about 4*C (40*F)...





And loaded up behind Ol' Patches....

oliver foster

Sweet new project for you Thrashing!
The RC looks clean and the road trip looked like beautiful country.

thrashingcows

Ol' Patches did great pulling as usual...but the turning in of the fuel screw one full turn a few weeks ago sure made a noticeable difference in the power the cummins was making.

Some pis of scenery while driving...







Don't think I saw EGT's over 750*....and that was only because i lugged it a bit and then started to power up again. Most of the pulling my EGT's were in the 600-700* range!

kensmachine

what was your mileage on the trip. I just went to lewiston Id from Portland OR trip over truck and trailer 2500 lbs with a 2500 lbs lathe tail wind 17mpg. trip back with a 6000 Lbs lathe very strong head wind 14 mpg. ken

thrashingcows

Couple pics at the same summit....







Learned some valuable lessons though on this trip through the mountains. NEVER use a rental trailer with surge brakes! I went down most of the long steep grades in 3rd gear, ding about 30 mph, and the RPM's up around 2500rpm. Even then I still had to ride the brakes a fair amount, and could smell my rear drums heating up more then a few times. I know my drums are glazed now so will have to pull them and sand the surfaces to break through the glazing.

If I had an Exhaust brake it probably would have been a lot better, but having electric brakes on the trailer would have made a huge difference....oh well made it through without incident, so lessons learned.

thrashingcows

Few more scenic pics...

thrashingcows

And a couple pics of the Sno Commander option and plow....







The Ram Charger is a full load too....A/C, Cruise, 360/auto, 4wd, power windows and locks, and obviously the plow option. Interior is a bit beat, but buckets and console, the driver seat back broken and laying flat...but hit a couple wreckers today and found a seat matching seat from a ram van in the same basic color....and in decent shape! So that will get swapped ASAP.





Drivers PW needs some lovin, and there is a few engine leaks that will need to be addressed. And the biggest issue is the tranny is about toast, which they told me about. It will "just" move itself around on the flat, but try and go up the ramps on the trailer and it powers out. Fluid is dark and smells like an old camp fire. So a new torque convert will need to be sourced, and a full rebuild kit. So will have to get on that quickly as well.

But it has brand new winter tires which was nice to see....

thrashingcows

I had to leave it at a friends business across the border, so Now I have to clear all the paper work at the Canada/USA border...should have that finished next week some time, then I can get it home and start working on it. need to get it safety inspected before I can register it in BC....so would like to get that done before I move up north.

Will be digging into my Dodge ram parts hoarding to help get Sno Ball back in shape.

thrashingcows

Did 21mpg on the way there, with empty car trailer. And did 16 mpg on the way back loaded with the RC.

mknittle

Super cool!

gyman98

I like it! I'm in for updates! At least it's over 15yrs old and exempt from riv, super easy to import. Take a new non-ac climate control panel down and save a few bucks 😉

thrashingcows

You know I never thought of that.....wish I had one.

crazy clem

Didnt I see another cummins motor in your stash wink wink nudge nudge say no more [In a pythonesque accent]

NJTman

Sweet, TC....love it

That old Meyer is a reliable unit, from what I recall. Make sure you check t all, fluid change, clean all the connections, and replace any worn parts before winter rolls in.

Nice score. Any rot? U joints in good shape?

Always wanted a RC, but oliver took mine...
Lol

NJTman

Sweet mountain pics. Again. I'm jealous