Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) making a 24v pit crawler

[cahammer]

i have a 24v 1998. 5 engine auto trany 4x4 everything but the body due to a roll over and i am makeing a pit crawler out of it we only want the engine computer and be able to start it if possible this will be a totaly off road vehical with no accessories like radio heater ect. has any one built somthing like this it will be just a frame roll cage and flatbed but we were wondering what all else do we need just to run the engine like pcm power leads and things like that we are gonna use after market guages like oil and water temp and rpm just very simple and straight forward any help and ideas would be greatly appricated thanks cahammer :-{}

 

[btanner]

I don't understand what you are trying to do. Are you trying to build a rock crawling truck? With the 24v you'll have some more electronics that the 12v but realistically you'll just need the lift pump powered, the ecm, the pcm (for the alternator) grid heaters, fuel heater, and any guages and stuff you want to run. I guess give me a better idea of what you are trying to build and maybe I can help some more



-ben

 

[cahammer]

24v pit crawler

What we are doing is taking an old dodge frame with the 24v engine and turning it into a rock crawler type outfit. All the wiring for the engine compartment is there and in good shape. The main question is how is the best way to power the lift pump, pcm, and ecm so that the engine will run. I have some ideas of what is needed and according to wiring diagrams that I have looked at, both the ecm and the pcm receive thier power from the power distribution center which is in the engine compartment. I am just wondering if we are a little bit off on the interpretation of the diagrams and how do I get power to the lift pump and the injection pump so as to keep it running.

 

[Forrest Nearing]

just ditch the fenders, bed, and doors, and run a sawzall around all the pillars leaving you just the tub of the cab... then you'll have seats, seatbelts, floor, dash, etc. and the wiring will be intact.



cheapest/easiest/quickest way to go IMHO

 

[cahammer]

Just one small problem with the cut the cab off and leave the rest in tact bit. There is no cab. The cab off of this outfit was taken and put on another pickup that is used for some hard work(1997 12valve, 5"exhaust and hp injectors). The cab that was on the 97 was munched hard and was taken to a crushing yard about a couple of weeks after the cab switch. I agree that Forrest's idea would be the best and easiest if we still had the cab but since we don't, we need to find a different path.

 

[btanner]

if you are turning it into a rockcrawling vehicle there are several considerations that you'll need to make. First off it has way too much sheetmetal, second it's a heavy pig in the front and the front axle is probably going to need some upgrades. Thrid you are going to need a pretty big tire to offset the length of the truck due to the breakover angle. You'll also probably want to push the front axle forward a little and hack off the rear of the frame. You really don't need to run a lift but you will need to cut up the fenders so you can fit a larger tire in there. Also what transmission are you running? For the cab area just run some tubing over it and call it good. If you're just using it for off roading it doesn't need anything to make it legal (lights, signals, horn, ect) so just put a floor pan on it bolt in some seats build a cage and call it good. There's a lot more I could suggest if you give me some more info. Where are you going to be wheeling it what terrian are you going to be in mostly. Do you need to lock the front and rear or just the rear. There's lots of stuff just need some more info on how extreme you want the truck to be and what you are going to use it for.



-ben