Ramcharger Body Needed

[CumminsAholic]

Hello All,

I want to do a ramcharger conversion this summer. I already have a 93 donor, but I need a solid ramcharger shell/body. It doesn't need anything else. I'd prefer an older convertiable, but I guess newer would be alright. Could be a trailduster too. Anybody know where there's a rust free body? I'm in Minnesota aka salt city in the winter so most of the stuff around here is rusty. I may have a lead on one closeby, but we'll see. I figure if I'm going to do all the work I may as well start with something solid. I have a 78 and a 92, but they're both rust buckets. If it's a covnert it doesn't even need a top, I have one.

TIA

Corey

 

[EBung]

I have an 83 that is straight with a little rust.

 

[TKingsbury]

Possible lead

PM'd ya.

Travis. .

 

[DKarvwnaris]

Hello All,

I want to do a ramcharger conversion this summer. I already have a 93 donor, but I need a solid ramcharger shell/body. It doesn't need anything else. I'd prefer an older convertiable, but I guess newer would be alright. Could be a trailduster too. Anybody know where there's a rust free body? I'm in Minnesota aka salt city in the winter so most of the stuff around here is rusty. I may have a lead on one closeby, but we'll see. I figure if I'm going to do all the work I may as well start with something solid. I have a 78 and a 92, but they're both rust buckets. If it's a covnert it doesn't even need a top, I have one.

TIA

Corey

How far are you willing to go to get one? I remember several back in Montana. Montana does not use salt, few rigs are rusted out at all. I don't remember many being old enough to have convertible tops, but there are alot of the mid 80's and last few years of production. THe trick in MT is look for them right after hunting season when all the "manly men" are trading their spurt of the moment rigs back for their regular cars again.

I used to see alot of these for sale whole and as parts rigs in the Mopar fan websites and Ebay.

If I could find a crew cab dodge cab and a ram charger body, I would build a "factory" CTD suburban/excursion version. Something Dodge still can't seem to manage to do.

 

[CumminsAholic]

I have a buddy out in montana looking for me. The closer the better, but that isn't too bad of a trip.

On the factory "ramscursion" I e-mailed bayer auto, waiting to hear back from them... I may have mine converted.

The ramcharger would be a plow truck and someting the wife could drive to work if the roads were bad. So it's not going to be 100% perfect, but very nice (I'm picky) I just don't want to start with something rusty, even a little, and 2 years down the road have the fenderwells gone.

Corey

 

[DKarvwnaris]

I just don't want to start with something rusty, even a little, and 2 years down the road have the fenderwells gone.

Corey

That's easy, move away from missouri Not matter what you do, the rust belt will claim its mark on anything on the road there.

How about a fiberglass tub from a kit car company, there isn't much left they haven't copied for hot rods and truck restorations.

 

[Idually]

Corey. Here is a link for you.



http://ramchargercentral.com/boards/index.php?topic=63591.0



Almost there...



Andrew

 

[CumminsAholic]

Thanks for the link... Quite a process. Very interesting thread. I'll be visiting it when I do my conversion. So you had to rotate the transfer case a bit? That's the way I understand it.



I had the same idea as you, cut out part of the 93 frame. Would you try that again, or just use the RC frame? I know it'll bolt in a RC frame but isn't the CTD frame heavier? I'm going to hang a v-plow from mine and use it for plowing. The wife will probably drive it to work in the winter, maybe I'll drive it to work sometimes in the summer. It's not going to be prefect. . like you said perfect takes a lot of $$. I figure if I sell my 98 grand cherokee limited it should cover the costs and have $$ left over, I already have the donor truck. I'm going to wait til it's warmer to start, just wanted to get a jump on the parts needed... I may have found an 89 here. It's in really nice condition, but it's complete... with a FI 360 bored to a 409... Ebay link http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...d=1,1&item=4610123289&sspagename=STRK:MEWA:IT

More than I need, but I'm trying to see if he'll keep the motor and "good stuff" and sell me the rest.

Thanks for all the info thus far guys.

Corey

 

[Idually]

Corey. Long process, but as you can see, things changed half way through. I will be doning another '78 on day though. I would use the CTD frame again, but have it cut/welded by a shop, to make it as accurate as possible. It is heavier guage steel, but very close to the same profile. If you can, I would. Just me. The one I did would have been fine, I'm sure, but... The frame on the newer RC's is different. Cutting 25" out of the '91 CTD frame, fit the 78 body pefectly, but a newer RC won't fit the shortened, without some floor mods. '78 floor, behind the, is higher that the '89.



I did not need to rotate the t-case. That area takes some explaining and I didn't explain it very well. Haven't quite figured out how to explain it without showing it. I can help you with it though. When you get there, we'll chat about it. I can get some good pics, but I've found they don't help too much.



Nice RC, on e-bay. I'd bet you could find a better deal on one though. Depends on what you want. I paid $700. 00 for the Red '89. Drove it home. 99. 99% rust free. Has some bumps/bruises, but nothiing a couple of door's/fenders and paint can't cure.



Let me know if you need anything.

Andrew

 

[MTownsend]

yeah there are lots of nice old ramchargers here in montana. I seen one not to long ago in a field, it was a complete body sitting on boards off the frame. I think it was a 76-77. there is anouther one that looks to be complete sitting just off I-15 about 15 miles north of great falls it has the 4 head light grill. If you don't find anything locally let me know and I'll see what i can find out



mike

 

[CumminsAholic]

Thanks, I'll let you know if I can't find anything.

Corey