Dodge Ramcharger the perfect off-road platform?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ต.ค. 2024
- Today we’re going to pick up a dodge ram charger, between Hollie and I we are going to compete in a Offroad build challenge. But for now we need to get it home and we have a bunch of fun on the way!
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In 1984 I had a 1979 Ramcharger, I put a 440 from a 1972 Fury Police car in it, lifted it a total of 14 inches and ran a set of 44 Monster Muddrs under it. It was a beast in the Florida mud and sand.
I had a '79 also
Loved the removable hardtop
Respect….
It’s got a cop motor, a 440 inch plant
Had a 79 ramcharger 7 inches of lift 35s . Do miss her
@Jason Smits COP SHOCKS , hahaha love that movie!!! FIX THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER. !!!!!
Watching Hollie learn the intricacies of sloppy column shifts made me laugh! Good on young Rudy knowing the tricks!
If you want to know what a Ram Charger can do watch Lone Wolf McQuade.
@@emb1101 Favorite movies as a little guy.
@@emb1101 You do realize that in movies and or TV, they tend to edit out the problems right? They make stunt rigs and close up cars and blow up cars. And depending upon their budget, they have more than 1 of each. lol So when the stunt car jumps a ravine and folds in half there is another stunt car ready for the next leg of the stunt. And the stunt vehicles are specially outfitted for the stunt in question. A stock Ram Charger while capable of doing a big jump once, would not drive home afterwards with out major repairing. lol
@@WW-wf8tu WHAT??!! They didn't come factory with a huge twin screw blower? LOL
I was wondering what the plan was for this. Looks like I'll still be wondering😂
So excited for this. The other teams don’t stand a chance! 😊🤘🏻
I have been waiting for this video since I watched yours Hollie!
Excited to see where this is going! Oh ya 🤗😁
Is this going to be another competition where the other teams help each out during the competition Mrs. Hollie 😆😆
@@heathboeddeker5401 the best competition. 😉
Old 360 actually sounds decent!! Not a bad power plant....oh sorry but you NEVER were close to getting 24mpg😂
Had a brand new Ramcharger in 1979. I prefer the earlier ones with removable roof. (Getting very hard to find) I loved the NP203 T case with full time 4WD. Locking center diff was cutting edge at that time. They only moved away from that because of fuel economy.
I know a man that had a whole bunch of cars crushed, including 2 early Ramchargers, one was a 75 and the other was about the same year. The same man kept a 4 door 74 Valliant and several other 4 door beaters.
I've bought and sold a few pop-top Ramchargers and TrailDusters in the past few years. 74-80 are the removable top years and the best IMO. 80s RCs are great too. Put a 5.9 Magnum in it, Rudy and you will love it even more!
We have had a few Ramchargers in the family. The 360 and the 318 both got around 12 MPG. The 440 4-speed got about 7 MPG whether it was towing a trailer full of horses or not.
Rudy like I told Holly before I would only FIX this truck. Do not cut it, do not put 1 tons and 40s on it. Keep her stock, a little lift and 33s maybe 35s but I wouldn't do more than that
A new headliner as well
I drove one of those for a few years when I was a snowboard bum living in Winter Park, CO. It was a BEAST.
High octane helps prevent spark knock. Advance the base timing by a degree or two on the distributor to actually benefit from high octane. Some vehicles like more than one or two degrees, but I believe you’ll do best with that particular engine between 9-10° BTDC. Make sure you disconnect any vacuum or electronic timing advance components before setting the time or it’ll be off. It’s a free mod that’ll help your power output. Also, if you already know that sort of thing, my apologies!
If you get up near Missoula I could use a hand tuning my International 345 V8😆
Seriously.😖
Old school tuning. No OBD ports on something like that.
@@DoctorHayduke if you want some assistance you’re welcome to drop an email or something, I’ll comment and let you know when I’ve got your email address so you can delete it.
@@scottstone4948 the best kind of diagnostic ports are the non existent ones! Lol.
@@thephilosopher13 I appreciate your offer! I tried asking for help through email already and it was an arduous task, to say the least! I'm trying to source someone locally for an in-person consultation. I want to learn what's going on instead of just paying a shop to handle it, and typing my ignorance out just seems to fall short!😆 You are very kind to offer though, and I am grateful for your hospitality🙏
Been wondering what happened to the Ram Charger. Last I saw of it was Holly’s version of this trip like three months ago. Hopefully this means you guys are going to be doing something with it in the near future.👍
It must have been on Hollie's channel, because I really thought I had seen this exact video before
Sorry Rudy, love you and your channel but when you start bringing hollie into it I'm out.
She gave a bad vibe first time on your dad's channel. She's the kind that mooches off of others to benefit herself. If she's a part of any video not going to give my normal support of watching and liking,sorry but it is your choice and you can do whatever you choose.
I had an 82 sheriff truck Ramcharger for a few years. It was only a project truck, and I'm in a jeep JK daily now, but I miss how giant and effortless than thing was to drive, even with the 318.
Having another one, preferably with all the seals intact and minus all the Michigan rust, with a built 360, is definitely something I want. And they made them relatively unchanged for what 30 years, and they're still pretty much a sleeper truck on the market.
I think my 2014 Ram needs one of those hood ornaments. That’s gotta add like 10-15 hp.
Don’t forget the K&N sticker and “cold air intake”. Another 10HP. Minimum.
More like 30-40 hp
Rudy. Those Dodge Rams are mountain goats. Just saying.
Dodge had really well sorted out trucks , Rod Hall & Walker Evans were dominating Baja , I hada 89 Cummins I ran past 670k miles great trucks !
They really do. Dodge trucks often are over looked. All the highest mileage vehicles I have seen were dodge ram trucks. One was 1991 Cummins with 830k miles original engine. And one was 2001 2500 magnum 360ci with 630k original miles. I have wrenched on all the brands, trucks wise rams are the easiest to wrench on.
Can’t go wrong with them old Dodges, I have an 89 Dodge Ram D100 3.9 v6 2wd and been driving it since 2012
Going to be an interesting build. Can't wait to see what you do with it.
Mighty Thor, I meant Rudy amazing job and awesome content. Longtime supporter.,.. I've been waiting for a collab with mischief / Halley....
My 79 had an old Rancho 3.5” lift on it when I bought it. It fit 33s but soon learned full lock off camber will stuff the turn side tire into the fender.
Now I’m on 35s with a Skyjacker 6” lift. Swapped to 80-84 part time axles. I swapped in a magnum 360, NV4500 and Dana 300. I’ve wheeled it that way the last 12 yrs. Moab 4x, all over NV, CA, AZ and Baja. Just refreshed LSD in the 9.25 and an Aussie locker in the 44.
Rewiring it finally, original owner made a mess of it over the years and I’m tired of fixing it. Got a soft top, needs a cage. They’re never really done.
My first car was a 1964 Dodge dart GT, and it had seat belts! Seat belts were not a new thing in 87.
I guess I have to get mine running now. Thanks for the inspiration! Cant wait to see what yall do with it.
Go full nuts! Cut it up and make it a off road monster! If people are going to get all butt tickled about you doing to YOUR truck what YOU want they don't need to watch! Build a monster!
As I recall per Lone Wolf McQuade all you need to do is pour some of your beer on the dash and it'll go anywhere lol.
Flick the switch and turn on the supercharger.
I swar I have seen this video already. lol. Those old Ram Chargers are pretty bad ass.
Hollie posted it last December.
Love your Channel Rudy, but I watched all of this on Holly's channel months ago...lol
Holly has really grown on me. Now I appreciate all her knowledge of wheeling from seeing her spotting for Matt at the wrecker games. GO Holly!!... you to Rudy. Lol..
Then people why I’m I on the side of the road
Oil filter change
antifreeze flush
New battery
New fuel filter
Cut the muffler off
Why on earth would a reasonably intelligent person fool around with an old dodge------------- sad.
Is this a repeat? I saw the Ramcharger months ago. Maybe Hollie's channel?
In 1980 I bought a 1976 Dodge Ramcharger with a 360 in it despite the 360 and full time 4 wheel drive it still got 18 mpg on the highway, 16 around town, that is until I started modifing it but even then it still got 13-14 mpg. It still got better gas mileage than every full size 4x4 i've owned since. That truck was very capable truck off road and believe me, I was not gentle with it. I loved that truck. I actually bought a second one with a 400 in it that I left stock.
Pretty cool! I miss my 1975 Ramcharger. It only had a 318 but I wheeled the heck out of that thing as it was my first 4x4 back in 1990. I look forward to see what you do with this one.
Excited to see what happens with this. Loved this truck since I watched lone wolf mcquade.
Mopar or No car🤙🏻😎
With the supercharger on a toggle switch!
@@bullittdog4352 Remember when he was buried in the Ram Charger and he hit the supercharger and blasted out of the sand! I must have watched that a hundred times as a kid.
My grandpa had a Ramcharger when I was little and I have great memories of goin down the road ridin in the back cargo area playin board games with my brother. That thing lasted forever, my uncle drove it for years after my grandpa passed, then he sold it to a neighbor who drove it for many years after that. They were tanks lol
You'd better put a bunch of Chevy parts into it if you want it to work. 😅😅
Can't wait to see this project come together. I've owned 3 of these beasts and always wanted to see what a built one could really do.
Hey Rudy that ramcharger needs a stroked 426 hemi swapped into it 😊😊😊
87', back when they still made real trucks. I truly hope you will do her right and NOT turn her into a buggy.
Rudy will do what he usually does with projects. Not finish it.
I loved my '83 Ramcharger Prospector Package. I abused it and overworked it. The only problem I had was the dealer's service dept. They screwed up more than they fixed. I had to let 'er go when I got T-boned by a red light runner.
I had a 83 ram charger and compared to my dad's 79 bronco the ram had a much more comfortable ride,it's perfect for us bigger boys and it was awesome offroad one of my favorite 4x4's I've owned. Can't wait to see what happens with this build.
Give you 3 grand for it! I never should have sold mine.
@14:12 not a flaw,those arm rests are adjustable,you can move them up towards the back..
My Dad had 2 RamChargers he bought new one 76 the other a 85...Truly awesome off road beasts they were tough to beat off road!
The Ramcharger is too nice and hard to get to hack the body up for an off road project
Other than my FJ40 Landcruiser, I have always loved the Ram Chargers. My son had one and my best friend too... Can't wait to see how you build it.
That paved part of that frontage road where you got off at carp elgin, exit 100 is actually part of the original I15.
A little road trip with Holly, Walter and Rudy would be a hoot. Especially with a bit of off roading. 👍
😮ut-oh you forgot Rudy's brother. 🇺🇸
what happened to the comanche was liking the build
Personally I’d like to see this truck restored to factory new. Not many of these left.
I remember back in the day them Ram heads on the hoods were stolen all the time people want them for trinkets but if you had one on your truck or Ram charger you had too watch where you parked it or it would get stolen off the vehicle lol .
Rudy your father taught you better no burnout in the tunnel bad Rudy bad
Ramchargers are awesome, excited to see one built
You should swap out the 360 for a 440.💪😁😁
I wish I knew how to send a message. I have beat on these pretty hard over decades of time. I can tell you every single weak point on the thing. Btw, that's stock height. The rear block is factory.
Super excited for this, my grandfather had one of these when I was a kid and it was my favorite thing ever. We drove that thing everywhere. Hope it come out awesome.
My first vehicle that I purchased was a Plymouth Trail Duster. It's the sister vehicle to the Ram Charger. Stock on 33s it would go anywhere.
I swear Hollie put out her version of this video around 6 months ago!!! LOL What's up with that?
Back in the day when they had cool hood ornaments. My era. The vehicles of that day not only like the higher octane, but ethanol is bad news for them. Back in the day with carburated engines, one would take the car out onto the freeway and "blow out the bugs". Those big V-8's didn't like slow city traffic. Had to get out there and exercise the engine. Remember the instructions Rudy, no sharp turns (meant don't do donuts).. The suspension could roll you over.
I loved the 1986 Dodge Ram Charger I had. Little 318 with a 2 bbl carb. Last year before they came out with Fuel Injection. It got 8 mpg, whether I was driving it on the freeway or around town, but it could climb up the side of a tree. Short wheelbase made it very easy to drive in twisty trails.
I once drove an old RV from Pennsylvania to South Carolina. Although the brakes and tires looked okay, it had not been on a road trip in decades. My biggest concern was losing brakes on the downhill gorge runs. I planned on using brakes sparingly, downshift as needed, and basically driving extra slow for safety.
The one thing I did not factor was that an empty RV driving down the highway acts as a brake much like a Thrust Reverer on a jet.
I actually had to use the gas pedal to keep it at 55. 😂
Finish one vehicle and go to the other one. Rudy’s jeep, the brother’s truck, now this thing.
😂
Hey Rudy & Hollie !!! You gona reduce the gearing & make it more ""OFF ROAD "" Capable ???🤔🙄🙃 Nice ride anyway !!! 🙃😉😛👀👀👀👍👍👍👍👍 Don't forget a ""SKID PLATE "" under the gas tank !!!!
Ramcharger is very capable from factory. my father had a few when i was growing up.
with 42" tires and lockers there pretty unstoppable, but very top heavy.
I have a 91 ram truck with tools box with air compressor, power plant, work lights, and many gabinetes... 4k dlls.... I could drive it near Calexico, CA. I live in MX have clean title. V8 318 I guess..... It used to be a work truck at SAN FRANCISCO
RUDY, let me bring you up to par...
See you left out something, not just the rain and whatever else you said, BUT you forgot the worst Hazzard, especially for a Motorcycle; THE WIND, let me tell you what, it blows like a hurricane thru that Gorge! WOW does it blow... WARNING FOR MOTORCYCLES
I had an all white Ram Charger when I was younger. I buried it up to the body in red clay the day I bought it. Like, couldn’t open the doors. A friend tore his rear bumper off trying to pull me out. Those things are boats!
No Rudy 1987 was NOT the Stone Age😂 ..seat belts had been around for a couple of decades,but , lawyers HAVE been around for a lot longer😢
By the way …thanks for the views of the mountains,from this ol’ guy from Florida (highest elevation 365sh feet above sea level ..my neighborhood about 20)
Great video and we love the new truck!
We bought a ‘75 pop top Trailduster with a 440 in Visalia CA, drove back to LA for a few days then Vegas via Lucerne Valley, cruised the L.V. Strip on 33” muds & 6” lift then on to the Hoover dam & Albuquerque via Route 66. Next destination was Denver then Kansas City before heading northeast almost to Detroit, Columbus, Cleveland and Pittsburgh before driving down to Baltimore where we put the Trailduster on a boat to New Zealand where we live. I hope you have as many cool adventures in your new truck as we have, keep the videos coming, Kev & Karen
That's an actual stock Ramcharger. 4×4 Dodge trucks from 1972 to 1993 all has rear spring lift blocks. Either 2" or 3" . The 2" blocks were actually used in 3/4 or 1 ton trucks because they have thicker springs and didn't need taller blocks to level up the chassis. Since Ramchargers were all originally built with 1/2 ton components they would have 3" blocks.
I’m a proud owner of a 92 RamCharger canyon sport black and gold auto 4x4 with a mpfi 318
I have totally been wondering where this rig went! I'm stoked to see where you take it.
Just the other day I remember thinking "What happened to that Dodge? Wait, was it called a Ram Charger? Does that make sense? They have Rams and Chargers, so maybe I have it wrong? Did they bail on it?"
No lie. Just like that.😆
I disagree, Rudy. I would have driven to Hurricane, and THEN did the off-road testing. That way, if something broke, you'd be closer to your Dad's recovery vehicles, not clear down in Nevada. Thanks for sharing.
Nice truck! That hill climb was actually impressive.👍
Well put a blower through the hood! Like Chuck Norris!!!! It’s drive out of being buried 10’ deep. 😂
For real though, those things can really be bad ass!!!
This thing deserves the treatment of the eBay motors Bronco please !!!
Put a 4 cylinder cummins in it to keep things light, and a G5600 out of a 3rd Gen Ram… come on Rudy you know you wanna😂
Cheers from Ontario
My Father in Law had a Ramcharger that we spent so much time getting back in shape and put back together. Thing was a wreck, but complete. It did run but needed so much help. We pulled the motor and stripped it down. It was so worn that the pistons all but fell out of the bores. You could push them out with one finger! While the machine shop bored it and freshened everything up, we spent an entire weekend ripping out all the interior panels, cleaning them, scuffing them and painting them. A couple donor body panels for the exterior and we had it ready for paint.
Then he traded it to a guy he worked with for some cash and labor. Dude just took off with the truck and because my FIL was a nice guy, gave him the title before he ever finished paying for it.
I kinda wonder what happened to it. If you see a 4wd Ramcharger kicking around southern florida with a gold and white two-tone paint job, that's probably it.
I am JEALOUS> I had that same color/body style while stationed in Iceland, 6" lift and 40" tires. Went offroading everywhere with it in all weather.
"Today we’re going to pick up a dodge ram charger" ... Yeah Right! ... We saw this before Christmas ...
Miss Hollie: You're learning the rops on the Ramcharger. Good driving.
There's a reason why you don't see many of these getting off road applications.... They are turds... Good luck Rudy lmao
I had one and it was a good vehicle
Hey Rudy, please consider the Walker/ Evans fiberglass fender kit.
If you are not familiar with these off road race parts just Google Walker Evans off road racing.
Love these trucks. My mom had an 86 RC fully loaded Royal SE with the 360 V8 and factory rollbar. Sadly after owning it for over 30 years she had to let it go for financial reasons...wish she still had it.
Had a 74 Plymouth Trail Duster with a rebuilt 440 and that was a beast and you could remove the top on the older ones. I also built an 83 Ramcharger SE Royal with a built 360. It would pull the front tires. I'm sure it's still running around.
HOLD the phone... you guys already did a video on a ramcharger... yes yes you did... on holly's channel 3 mos ago. PLZ dont fail us rudy.. I like your original content.
The ol’ door sound the dodges made
1987 the State of Indiana Department of Correction issued me a Dark Green Ram charger as my take home response vehicle , I was Ast, fire Chief at a prison and the surrounding 4 square miles of state property. the stock 360 would get down the road quite well when I needed it to, One day I was responding from nearly 130 miles away ( there was a riot going on) a state patrol unit could barely catch me but could not pass me. responders do not have to respond if they are over 100 miles away. The warden requested I respond even 130 miles away. I was the only one authorized that was anywhere close to our facility. To bring in the fire Truck to put out fires and hose down rioters . I made record time. I hated giving that Ram Charger back when I left the DOC.
Back in 2001I had a 1984 Ramcharger and took it on an off road tour in Lake Havasu AZ with a whole bunch of other people. During the tour we stopped at a steep hill off the trail for a challenge to see who could climb iit for bragging rights. My vehicle was stock and there were a lot of modified Jeep Wranglers in the group. They were hitting the hill at speed to climb iit. When I got in line for my try they all laughed saying I wouldn't make it half way up because it is so heavy. When it was my turn I put it in 4 low and just let it creep up the hill without having to give it any throttle at all it didn't even spin a wheel. Everyone cheered when I got back down and were totally impressed. Ramchargers are a beast even stock. I love the ram's head hood ornament, mine didn't have one. I eventually modified it putting locker, a lift and larger tires. Unfortunately my ex-wife got it in the divorce in 2004. That's a great find for what you paid for it. I can't wait to see what you're going to do with it.
Dude, this totally reminds me of my 400 miles driving an old bronco. n_n nothing compares to the adrenaline of driving an old chunk of metal that hasn't moved in a decade and that rattles and shakes once you hit 65 miles on the highway, crossing all fingers so nothing breaks before you are 100 miles so at least AAA would tow you the last stretch.
Almost rammed the Utah sign with a Ram..
Lovely car! Me as a European would sell a kidney for this.
360 Thermoquad 4barrel on a 518 . Just putting a big Holley and a test pipe makes it fly !
People on the road were watching y'all and wonderin was a smuggling operation goin on like in scene from Breaking Bad😂🤣🤣😂. Amd Rudy seatbelts were around in the late 60's ass lap belts then shoulder and the three point seat belt which were invented in 1959 but became mandatory was in the late 70's
Had a ‘79 and an ‘86! Great truck
They always made a great off-road rig I always wanted one but most of them near me were either totaled or priced so high you couldn't even smell the dirt they sat on.
Seat belts were optional equipment until the mid 60's. Shoulder harnesses were mandatoried about the late 60's but inertia reels were only in Volvos. 74 cars had seatbelt interlocks which were ruled unconstitutional and removed. By the 80's all cars had seatbelts and shoulder harnesses in the front driver and passenger seats but only belts in the back. I had an 89 Ranger that had a seat belt only in the middle front seat position (bench seat truck) with no headrestraint. My 89 Mustang LX had seat belts only in the back (No shoulder restraint).
the higher octane fuels in Canada has no Ethanol… mid and low grade have up to 10% or 15%. Might explain what you’re seeing Rudy
Cheers from Ontario
The only Ramcharger I can find are stupidly priced. $2500 gets me one that’s been completely totaled rolled and crushed or completely rusted out. Makes me sad
So basically in like new condition.
Y'all are brave, no tests drive no nothing just cash out and roll out... 😂 I'd never have that good a luck
I had a 1984 ram charger. I miss that thing so much. Had swapped axles from a jeep under it. Nothing could go anywhere.
"Walter is a pretty um tall Gentleman" Now there's an understatement! I remember FULL size Tam Chargers, Rudy's arm disappeared in the center console. People live in tiny homes that would fit inside that vehicle. Walter looked cramped, the man's a giant. But please please please keep that vehicle as close to stock as is practical. There are so few left .
Cousin had 1 of those. (much better condition) I don't recall him getting 24MPG tho. LOL Might want to do the whole fill it up, drive 60 miles and fill it up again math check. Hard to believe that # even on the highway with that old rig with a 360 engine. Lot of weight there and those tires are not exactly patterned for efficiency. lol