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RAMCHARGER PICKUP ITS CHOP CHOP TIME

12K views 26 replies 15 participants last post by  madd_hatter_rc1979 
#1 ·
I am in the process of constructing a ramcharger and ram pickup .My objective is to connect the pickup bed and fram to the rear of the ramcharger.Any ideas and how to info will be helpful THANKS RF . THE YEARS OF THESE ARE RAMCHARGER 89 AND PICKUP 85
 
#2 ·
First off welcome to the site!

First we need to know what year rc you're talking about.  If you got a pop top model, you're pretty much already there!
 
#5 ·
I hope you're good at welding...

The '74-80 trucks used to have a half cab available, but they are few and far between now.
 
#6 ·
So wait a second... you want to extend the RC frame, using the Ram frame, and install a box...

Sounds like you want a Crew Cab ;)

 
#8 ·
nosights said:
You may want to put a tape measure on this first. I believe that the Ramcharger is a good bit wider in the rear than a truck box. It would look pretty silly if the lines completely missed each other.

Sounds like an interesting idea...I would love to see it work!
i have had my pop top on a truck bed & fits good... just kinda shorter than the pickup bed.
 
#9 ·
Yeah, the tailgates fit so I think the basic dimensions are the same.  I'm just wondering it this odd vehicle is going to have three axles or just two and the Ramcharger's wheel wells will be filled in.
 
#10 ·
sounds interesting cant wait to see paint shop pics before the hack and slash....
 
#11 ·
WITH THE LAST DAYS SPENT REMOVING TANKS,DRIVE LINE,WIRING, AND CABLES  I AM NOW READY TO CUT INHALF THE D150 DONNER PICKUP . IAM GOING TO CUT THE FRAME 10" FOWARD OF THE PICKUP BED. THIS SHOULD BE ENOUGH FRAME TO ATTACH TO THE REAR OF THE RAMCHARGER FRAME. BOTH RC AND PICKUP FRAMES ARE THE SAME WITH  AND SIZE . I AM CROSSING MY FINGERS THAT THIS GOING TO WORK .I WILL MAKE ANOTHER ENTRY SOON ,CAN SOMEBOBY INSTRUCT ME ON HOW TO POST PICTURES THANKS RF
 
#12 ·
I'm still not following what you are trying to do?  Make a 1/2 ton crew cab?
 
#13 ·
hey RF440, welcome to the site,
using the Reply button (not the quick reply),
look for Additional Options, click it, then
use Attach to add pictures to your reply.
But, I think this may be only available if you're a site contributor of sorts
(Gold Member, etc)

if that isn't available, I think you need a remote hosting site.
I don't know how those work.
browse the FAQ site board and see if it has the info (or mabey other useful information)

would something like this be what you're thinking of doing?
 

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#14 ·
Wow, that's LOOOOONG, lol.  I don't think I would have gone with horizontal stripes as that just makes it look that much longer.  I do note the large field in the background to turn it around in though, lol.
 
#15 ·
So I'm guessing the pic that Donk posted is the basic idea of what rf440 is wanting to do????  Well it certainly does have the new mega cabs beat :eek:

I would suggest boxing the frame with all that length so it doesn't fold in half like a taco
 
#18 ·
I suggest you seriously research frame lengthening and the associated welding, fish-plating, bolting, boxing, etc.  It's very critical or you are going to end up with something that cracks frames on a weekly basis and will be a useless project that can't be used.  Also, I wouldn't use anything less than a D70 rear and D60 front for something like this.  That's a lot of weight for only two axles if you plan on towing or hauling anything in it.

Also, what year truck and Ramcharger are you working with?  How do you plan on accessing the rear of the Ramcharger body if the bed is behind it?  Inside only?

One more thing, please lower the caps.  It's considered yelling on the forum and is rather rude.  Thanks!
 
#19 ·
Elwenil said:
I suggest you seriously research frame lengthening and the associated welding, fish-plating, bolting, boxing, etc. It's very critical or you are going to end up with something that cracks frames on a weekly basis and will be a useless project that can't be used. Also, I wouldn't use anything less than a D70 rear and D60 front for something like this. That's a lot of weight for only two axles if you plan on towing or hauling anything in it.

Also, what year truck and Ramcharger are you working with? How do you plan on accessing the rear of the Ramcharger body if the bed is behind it? Inside only?

One more thing, please lower the caps. It's considered yelling on the forum and is rather rude. Thanks!
He would be better off buying a 70's Dodge Motorhome to use for the Frame, Find one close to the length of the Project (slightly longer obviously) and cut the remaining amount off. That way the Frame is one piece and rated for that kind of weight/length combo.

The upside is Most if not All Dodge Motorhomes from the 70's come with a Dana 70 at the very least, and for larger motorhomes, a Dana 80 Rear. So all he'd need to add would be a Dana 60 Front, and he'd also get a Big Block with the Motorhome (in most cases, some far and few motorhomes had Small Blocks in em.. most had 400's, 413's and 440's) to move that beast along.
 
#20 ·
I have a friend with a 72 dodge motorhome he is trying to sell me for $250.  about 22' in length. 440 / 727 . No title on it... He is about to cut it & i'll buy thr engine / tranny...  The frame is really what this kind of homemede truck needs....
 
#21 ·
rf440 said:
THANKS DONK THE HOW TO POST PIC AND THE RC PICKUP PICTURE , THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I AM TRY TO ACCOMPLISH . ANY IDEA WHO BUILT THE TRUCK IN THE PICTURE. PSYCOTICREDNECK ANY OTHER IDEAS ABOUT THE FRAME CONNECTIONS THANKS TO ALL RF
I've sectioned a few frames over the years at work stretching straight truck frames to fit longer bed/boxes on them. On those we usually butt the rails together and then cap a piece of slightly larger c-channel over the rails that hug against the existing. this splice connector usually spans 2-3 feet on either side of the splice and is welded solid to both sets of rails. However you're not dealing with 10-12" high c-channel so you're going to need to box the frame. Otherwise so much as a dimple in the angled top or bottom in the channel and it can fold in on itself causing the channel to buckle. All it could take is hitting a good pothole to fold it. I suggest box the entire length of the frame between the front and rear axles after splicing it and possibly add additional crossmembers to keep the frame from twisting.

Suspension is going to be taxed with the additional weight of the created vehicle. I suggest throwing away the 1/2 ton springs and install a set spec'd for a 1 ton pickup to properly support the weight. Make sure the front swaybar is still there and consider adding a rear especially if you plan to tow with it.

Axles will need to be upgraded for sure if this thing is going to see any use more than a daily driver. I suggest Dana 60's front and rear at a minimum and consider doing a disk brake conversion on the rear to make sure this thing stops in safe fashion.

This could be a really cool project once it's done but the work and preparation involved shouldn't be at all underestimated. The frame mods you propose will take skill and patience to be pulled off correctly or your going to end up with a very large danger to the road and everyone else you share it with. If you have one half of an ounce of doubt as to whether you can pull it off safely, consider finding a local welding shop or looking up a local truck body outfitter as they have experience stretching frames on heavy trucks.

Donk, was that rig you posted a pic of yours or just something you ran across somewhere. It is pretty cool but that thing's turning radius can't be worth a shit {think}
 
#22 ·
yes you defiantly need to look into the right way to stretch out a truck i have one here that is no where near the length of that one you are wanting to build and i have to build a whole new frame for it because it is twisted cracked and patched back together and it was done by "professionals"  a company called Road Master. i am sure it was the right way to do it back in 89 but it did not cut it  here is some pics of it.  I would really recommend doing it like we do the Limo's that is how i am rebuilding this one and will do the same for the 6 door truck that is next


JC


oh ya this had a 56 inch sleeper on it is why they stretched it out
 

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#25 ·
No.  The poptop Ramchargers had a flip up hatch like a camper shell and the newer models all have a fixed window in the fiberglass liftgate.
 
#26 ·
is there any update on this project im curious to see the out come???
 
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