77 Dodge Ramcharger 4bt conversion.
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Hey Guys,
I'm new to the forum. But, not new to Dodge trucks, Jeeps, and the CTD. I have recently completed the 4bt conversion on my 77 Ramcharger. I have been building the RC for the last six years. I started off by lifting it 5 inches and swapping in rebuilt D60s out of a 78 Dodge W300. While rebuilding the axles, I installed a Detroit Truetrac in the front D60 and a Detroit Locker in the rear HD60. After the lift and axle swap, I discovered by running the VIN that my RC was originally a BB 440 truck. A previous owner had yanked the 440 and installed a 360. By the time I bought the RC, the 360 had become noisy and tired. That's when I got the idea of a 4bt swap into the RC and started researching and buying parts one or two at a time. By June of this year, I had collected most everything I needed to start the conversion and completed it by the end of September. Here's what I ended up with...4bt, rebuilt 46rh, NP241, hybrid 205/241 shifter, and Dodge Intrepid electric radiator fans. A host of other mods and nickels and dimes as well. I've discovered that the 4bt in stock configuration is a bit under powered. I'll be installing the 366 (3200 governor) spring in the VE pump and turning up the pump shortly. Anyway, here's a pic and video. Mike |
Way cool! If I could have found a decent pop top Ramcharger, I would probably have mine done by now as well.
As it was, like you say, going topless is a MAJOR hoot, so when I finally found a 72 Blazer in my price range that wasn't slap rusted away, I changed directions. The 4Bt would be just about right without the oversized tires, but yours looks so good, I would have done the same thing ( My Blazer is only running 33's ), and bumped up the power. Just for grins, have you driven it enough yet to get some mileage figures? |
Originally Posted by patdaly
(Post 3210043)
Way cool! If I could have found a decent pop top Ramcharger, I would probably have mine done by now as well.
As it was, like you say, going topless is a MAJOR hoot, so when I finally found a 72 Blazer in my price range that wasn't slap rusted away, I changed directions. The 4Bt would be just about right without the oversized tires, but yours looks so good, I would have done the same thing ( My Blazer is only running 33's ), and bumped up the power. Just for grins, have you driven it enough yet to get some mileage figures? I haven't done enough driving to calculate MPGs yet. I will eventually. But, even with 4.10s and the 35s, the rpms are high on the highway even in overdrive. I don't have a working tach yet. But, I could hear it at 65 and 70 MPH. I could probably run 37s to keep the rpms down. But, 35s are my limit. Link removed rules violation |
Emblems
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Since I have owned the RC, I have wanted to put the 'Power Wagon" emblems on the bevels of the bird bath hood. But, the RC is not a Power Wagon. And, I finally came to the conclusion that it would be inappropriate.
However, I did find some emblems that I thought would be appropriate. What do you guys think? I've had them for while. I snagged them off a wrecked 94 thru 98 CTD while at a salvage yard looking for plugs/pigtails for the Intrepid electric radiator fans. Almost forgot I had them. I originally thought about placing them below the Ramcharger emblem on the fenders. But, later thought they would be perfect on the bird bath hood. Works for me. |
Great looking project. And I would have done the same thing with the emblems on the bird bath hood..
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Originally Posted by thrashingcows
(Post 3238268)
Great looking project. And I would have done the same thing with the emblems on the bird bath hood..
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Very nice! Man you are skilled.
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Originally Posted by justen920
(Post 3238365)
Very nice! Man you are skilled.
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Pretty cool Mike.
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Originally Posted by mknittle
(Post 3248158)
Pretty cool Mike.
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Originally Posted by J10Mike
(Post 3248184)
Thanks Mark. I've been out of work for awhile and was just getting ready to put it on Ebay when I landed a new job last week. Got a nice raise as well. So, I'll be continuing with further upgrades.
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J10Mike, I'm looking at making a RC my next project. Did you just do a swap the engine and not upgrade the axles and drivetrain? The truck I'm looking at now has a 318 in it and is a 4x4, wondering what would need to be done to swap in a 6bt or even the 4bt. I was able to get 32mpg out of the 4bt I sold not to long ago. Wishing I still had it now that my wife wants a more family fledge vehicle. If you have a thread, post it up, curious to see what the project intails.
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Originally Posted by bannerd
(Post 3264384)
J10Mike, I'm looking at making a RC my next project. Did you just do a swap the engine and not upgrade the axles and drivetrain? The truck I'm looking at now has a 318 in it and is a 4x4, wondering what would need to be done to swap in a 6bt or even the 4bt. I was able to get 32mpg out of the 4bt I sold not to long ago. Wishing I still had it now that my wife wants a more family fledge vehicle. If you have a thread, post it up, curious to see what the project intails.
If I had to do it all over again, I would have bought a beater Dodge CTD donor and installed the 6bt. It would have been a better bolt in conversion. Anyway, check my website www.j10mike.com. I also have a build thread on ramchargercentral.com in the picture section. If you have any questions, feel free to pm me. Mike |
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Dam, I love my toys. For a divorced single guy, I can't ask for much better.
One of these days, I'm gonna meet a nice Dodge girl...LOL. |
Im jealous. I often wish I had built a 1st gen RC. Going topless would be cool. Nice build.
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