77 Dodge Ramcharger 4bt conversion.
 

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?

It took me four years to find a RC that wasn't rusted to bad. But, had I come across a 72 thru 75 Blazer with the full open top, I would have jumped on that too. Love those old Blazers.
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
 

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..

Thanks Buddy. You've got a great build going yourself. It may take me awhile to read through your entire thread. But, I did see that you dropped a bird bath hood on your now W350.

Very nice! Man you are skilled.

Not really. But, I appreciate it. A bit of research and the right tools certainly helped.

Pretty cool Mike.

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.

Talk about just in the nick of time. I read your thread on RCC? back when you started on the ramcharger. Glad to see it is progressing.:thumbsup:

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.

I installed a pair of rebuilt D60s out 78 Dodge W300. Also did the lift the same weekend. I pulled the old 727/np203 combo and installed a 46rh/np241 combo.
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

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.

Newest upgrade
 

Hey Guys, it's been quite awhile since I updated my thread. Since doing the 4bt conversion, my next upgrade was to enhance the dash with new and additional gauges.
I wanted to keep the classic look of the 70s dash panel with the standard Oil pressure, Fuel, Temp, Speedometer, and replace the old Amp gauge with a Voltmeter gauge. And, add Tach (diesel), Boost, and Pyro (EGT).
I found a 70s dash panel for cheap off eBay, Widened the existing gauge holes to accept 2-1/16 gauges, and cut out the additional gauge holes at both ends of the panel, and repainted it.
I installed all Autometer gauges with the exception of the Speedometer. With the Speedo, I went with the SpeedHut GPS Speedometer to get an accurate reading without having to figure out the equation of speedometer gear, axle gear ratio, and tire size. It will work for me.
All gauges were installed, wired in, and all gauges work perfectly. I'm very happy with this upgrade.

Video http://redirect.viglink.com/?format=...%2FxCssDxg9Ofw

Nice work, I did something similar in the '74 CrewCab I am building, I used the Autometer speedo. The 70's trucks are my favorite by far, nice looking RamCharger.

Thanks Brother. I've been following your 74 CC CTD conversion.

New upgrade...
 

I received this turbo upgrade a couple days ago. It's the Holset Super HX30w. I have to do a few minor mods. But, it's going in. The factory H1C is fine for a 4bt powered Doritos Stepvan, But, seriously lacking in performance.
This is the turbo upgrade that I have wanted to do since I did the 4bt CTD conversion. It's finally happening.
For those that are turbo savvy, remove or keep the silencer ring? Any difference in performance? Or, is it just for the whistle?
Thanks, Mike

I never saw any performance change, just a louder whistle........

Did you install it on a 4bt? Which turbo?

Thanks

I agree with Pat.
It just makes it more quiet, I don't think it offers any restriction to the turbos potential.

Got it. Thanks Guys.

Great ride man ! Loved the upgrade of the dash.



If I ever become a divorced, single guy, I hope to have as many toys as you have.:o



Who knows ? with any luck, she'll divorce me and I can "live the dream"..


[laugh]

Thanks, I do appreciate the compliments. I suppose being divorced/single has it's benefits. Yet, I wouldn't recommend divorce to anyone.
Getting back on topic...

Agreed.

But you know the old saying: The reason divorce is expensive?? Because it is worth it.

Keep us posted on the performance with the new turbo. My next project is hopefully a pop top RC, or an old flathead Dodge for TROG. I haven't decided.

No, 6BT but I would say it should behave the same.

Thanks Guys, I appreciate the comments. Now, just waiting for the weather to warm up before I tear into the upgrade.

Super HX30w upgrade.
 

Hey Guys, this is where I'm at now. The Super HX30w is bolted down. Oil inlet and outlet is clocked vertical. Oil outlet silicone hose connected. Compressor housing is clocked so I could connect to the crossover tube. I Know, that's a lot of clamps within 10 inches. But, it's a variety of machined adapter, coupler, silicone reducer and hump hoses. And, at least these are genuine T-clamps as opposed to the radiator hose style clamps that came on the 4bt. It's not pretty. But, will work for now.
Just waiting on steel braided oil hose and already have the down pipe at the muffler shop to remove about 3 inches and re-weld v-band lip to pipe. I should receive those Monday or Tuesday. Almost there...

Well, I got the factory down pipe back from the muffler shop. What a difference. He cut out nearly 3 inches of pipe and re-welded the v-band lip back on. In the pic, both pipes are 89 thru 93 Dodge CTD factory 4x4 down pipes. I wanted to show the difference. And obviously, I wanted to use the pipe with the heat shield. That modified pipe should tuck in nicely between the turbo and firewall with a little room to spare.
The shop didn't charge me a dime. Mainly, because he didn't want to guarantee the pipe angle and fitment. He just said if it works, bring him some Bud Light...LOL. He's also the same guy that installed my new exhaust in the RC 5 years ago after the 4bt swap. So, I've gotten to know him fairly well.
Almost finished with the HX30w turbo upgrade.

More pics...

Again, more pics...

Pic modified down pipe.. And, still not finished with the upgrade.

Watching along here...
What sort of gearing are you running with those 35 inch tires?

Running 4.10s. Thanks.

Almost finished. Just need to clamp down the down pipe and modify exhaust.

All done. I guess I better get the good beer for the exhaust guy. Because, that weld job he did on the down pipe was right on the money. It mated up with the rest of the exhaust system perfectly. I can't ask for a better fit. And, even with the heat shield, I have just more than an inch of clearance from the firewall.
I haven't driven it yet. Got a family function to go to tonight and have to get cleaned up. Will take it out for a spin tomorrow.

Nice!
I like the cut down 6 BT exhaust manifold you have been running as well. If I was to do a 4 BT swap I would do the same trick on the manifold.
Another vote for the good beer for the exhaust guy.

Yep, that guy is getting some good beer.

Drive test completed and it appears the turbo upgrade was successful. It does seem to have more pep. Boost level went from max 12 psi (H1C) to 22 psi (Super HX30w). I'll push it again to see if boost will go higher.
And, here's the interesting thing. EGTs went from 1100 * at 70 MPH (H1C) to between 1000* & 1050* at 70 MPH (Super HX30w). It didn't hit 1100* until I got up to 75 MPH. Before and after tests were on the same stretch of level highway.
And yes, I did remove the silencer ring. So, it's a whistlin'
I'm a happy guy on Father's Day.

Well, after checking out all kinds of intercoolers online, I stumbled upon what I was looking for. A 1st gen Dodge CTD intercooler. When I bought the down pipe from a local guy a few months back, his parting words were, "give me a call if you need any other parts".
So, I sent him a text Friday morning. He had a good 1st gen intercooler and all the piping laying around for a very reasonable price. I didn't hesitate...I picked it up Saturday.

So, now I'm curious to know if anybody here has modified their 70s Dodge truck core support to fit a Dodge 1st gen intercooler?

Mike