Pulled the trigger, 90 Ramcharger for 4BT conversion
 

Ok, so I have been procrastinating on putting my 4BT into the 99 F250. I say I am too busy, but the truth is if I had 2 trucks, one would have to go eventually, and Greenie isn't for sale. I had looked at 92 up Blazers, but didn't like the IFS and rust issues, and around here, finding a K5 Blazer that isn't completely or soon to be completely rotted is impossible for under 7-8 K. So I waited, hoping. Sundays are cruise the car lot time, and really hasn't been much to excite me, but yesterday at he GM dealer.............. Hmm, is that a 4X4 Ramcharger? Gotta be rotted...... NOPE! Gotta be beat to death, NOPE! Better give him a call in the AM. Noted while I was under there admiring the perfectly rust free underside, someone had done a bunch of work, newer shocks, etc...... New DUAL exhaust! Hmmm... Wonder if the dealer knows this thing doesn't have a Cat?

Fast forward to Monday AM, sure as I am setting here, he hits me at 4995 for the "Gem" After I quit laughing, I pointed out to him that KBB doesn't even go back to 1990, and that a 92 in excellent shape retails for 2400 bucks. "Oh yea, did you happen to notice the Catalytic had been removed"?

Long story short, I got her for 2,400, which I probably could have beat down some more, but it is a number I am happy with. As soon as I get her home tomorrow I will take some pics, this thing is clean as a whistle underneath.....

So now the dilemma, I like 5 speeds for virtually everything, but is it really worth changing this one over? The 4BT won't hurt a stock 47RH, and it sure would be nice to just mash the pedal and go........ Decisions, Decisions. I am assuming this thing has the A518? It is a 318 and was originally a Border Patrol unit, has overdrive and lockup, so what parts would I really need from a 47RH to connect the TV and Kickdown?

Oh yea, and since things rain around here, the Furd dealer had a doggone nice 97 Olds LSS that I had to buy to keep Momma happy....... but that is another story.

Ok, going through the first gen sticky, looks like I might try and keep it an Auto. 47RH can be done easily enough, next is since this has a 23 spline NV241 already, can I just keep it? I am pretty much sure I am keeping the D44 and 9-1/4 since they have 3.54 gears, and the 4BT only weighs in at 750 or so. Could it be fairly easy that way?

Congrats on a cool acquisition...sounds like a gem!! Pics please!!

Sounds like a cool project...I'll be following along.

Thanks, I took some with my cell phone today while I was working on mommas car. Having a tough time finding a 47RH close by, but I will be patient. The RC runs so doggone good I don't really want to change it, except for filling that 35 Gallon tank. :o

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Ahh but it will run so much better with a cummins up front...;) And you won't be filling that 35 gallon tank as often either.[laugh]

Looks like a great unit! I'll be following along too

You say it used to be a border patrol vehicle???

HMMMMM.

Make sure some illegal didn't steal it, drive it to chicago and sell it!!!!

Seriously, I have some 4 bt parts that may be of some help and I am interested in your project.
I would definitley go with a clutch set-up.
I've driven the 4 bt in both 3 speed auto and 4 speed manual.
The manual works a lot better!

LOL, Well, if they did steal it, they got one by the local Chebby dealer........

My original intent was to use my spare NV4500 and just change the input shaft on the NP241 in the Ramcharger. The more I thought about it, the more I think I like the idea of keeping it an Auto. I drove my 4BT all over the place in the heavy 3/4ton GMC 4X4 with no issues, I could start out in 4th gear. I can't imagine if I don't get too stupid with a low stall converter it not hauling the RC easily. At least I will still have all the stuff to change it to a 5 speed if I find myself wanting one.

You used to be a Chrysler tech, do you remember what all sensors would be required to keep the gasser circuitry and keep it happy? Obviously I will need to find a new source for the flywheel sensor, but what else did the PCM require?

Also, did the PCM expect 1 pulse per revolution or 1 pulse per cylinder?

The crank signal is 4 per revolution I think. i can check , It might be 8.
You will need TPS for sifting the auto. O2 sensors need tricked too. Ground speed.

I am not a chrysler tech but have dabbled in this stuff for 40 years.

Cool, that would be an immense help, I have the FSM coming, perhaps it tells that as well. The TPS I figure to use a 6BT VE setup, and it already has the O2 sensors deleted somehow, perhaps programming? The PO had put true duals and headers, looks like they spent some money on the whole thing, quality parts like coated headers, nice duals, actual Warn lockouts, etc.... Anyway, she doesn't have the check engine light disabled, and it doesn't come on going down the road, so I figure they had some workaround.

If you decide to toss that spot light please let me know!