Author Topic: My 1979 Ramcharger "Tribute Build" (360 Magnum NV4500 swap done) (Read 37611 times)

69HemiGTX · « **Reply #50 on:** June 10, 2011, 11:15:09 am »

Quote from: 79Rammer on June 9, 2011, 07:22:17 pm

This is the first time in 32 years of owning a pop top that I sat in one with the top off.

You've owned pop tops since you were six? We should all be so lucky.

RamChargerCentral

79Rammer · « **Reply #51 on:** June 10, 2011, 05:48:46 pm »

Quote from: 69HemiGTX on June 10, 2011, 11:15:09 am

You've owned pop tops since you were six? We should all be so lucky.

The '79 has been in the family that long and I called dibs the day dad brought it home from the dealer.

79Rammer · « **Reply #52 on:** June 10, 2011, 10:25:23 pm »

Is it just me or did that take forever to mask?

I hope to prime it in the morning.

dodge16vrt · « **Reply #53 on:** June 11, 2011, 10:46:31 am »

Looks like you are doing a great job. Only thing I would have done different is pull the windshield. As those gaskets get old, They shrink and there will be a paint line. Even if you put in a new gasket later you may see the paint line because they never line up exact with the old one.

79Rammer · « **Reply #54 on:** June 11, 2011, 08:52:15 pm »

Well it got primed... started out pretty bad this morning with some mixing issues but a little "custom" blends and it got better. Ended up with some runs on the first quarter as I was getting used to the new gun. Need to sand it out anyway so not a big deal.

What is rather irritating is the hood, the one thing I really wanted to save off mine is now the problem. I had forgotten the '79 went through a hail storm years ago. The dull paint had hid a lot of dimples. They did not even show up when sanding it out, well, they show up with shiny primer.

At this point I am just going to block it out as best I can and shoot it. The engine compartment, roll bar, and inside of the top will need paint sometime soon. I will either get another hood or I will really spend some time on it then. There are few imperfections here and there but it is just going to be a driver.

Maybe paint tommorow if I get it sanded down good.

mopars 4 life · « **Reply #55 on:** June 12, 2011, 12:07:07 pm »

lookin good dude!!!

79Rammer · « **Reply #56 on:** June 12, 2011, 08:36:55 pm »

Thanks!

I spent the day block sanding the quarters, doors, and fenders by hand. Once I got done sanding the hood there was no way I could bring myself to paint it like that, on went more filler to be sanded another day. I will coat it 3 times with primer surfacer and block it out. Hopefully, it will clean up nice then.

I really wanted to get it painted today but no use rushing the job and have it turn out sloppy.

jason white · « **Reply #57 on:** June 15, 2011, 10:48:29 pm »

looking real good keep up the good work

79Rammer · « **Reply #58 on:** June 24, 2011, 10:19:27 pm »

Got the Cashmere color on the body today. Didn't turn out too bad, few small runs here and there. This is my first time using HVLP and it took some getting used too, plus I haven't painted anything in at least 10 years so a little out of practice. It should sand and buff out pretty decent. Glad I took a few more days to get the hood right or it would have drove me nuts with a bunch of hail dimples.

J10Mike · « **Reply #59 on:** June 24, 2011, 11:44:49 pm »

Wow...Good stuff. Thanks for the updates.

79Rammer · « **Reply #60 on:** June 26, 2011, 10:33:06 pm »

Got the sealer and Sable brown metallic sprayed on the top, wheels, and tire carrier today. Tire carrier was originally black but I thought the brown fits the paint scheme better.

79Rammer · « **Reply #61 on:** June 26, 2011, 10:41:38 pm »

Also, had to get the Ramcharger out of the booth so the masking and tape came off. After getting it outside in the sun she doesn't look half bad. Of course, a light color like this is pretty forgiving in showing flaws.

Loaded back up and headed back to get put back together. It was a long day.

79Rammer · « **Reply #62 on:** June 28, 2011, 10:43:28 pm »

Took my newly painted original wheels and got a set of 31"s mounted up that I had off a Wide Track Cherokee I sold last year. The old Firestones are weatherchecked badly. I like the look a lot better than the white.

Also, pulled the masking off the top.

redram80 · « **Reply #63 on:** June 28, 2011, 11:01:40 pm »

lookin dam good

jason white · « **Reply #64 on:** June 29, 2011, 02:42:21 pm »

Quote from: redram80 on June 28, 2011, 11:01:40 pm

lookin dam good

x2

mopars 4 life · « **Reply #65 on:** June 29, 2011, 03:12:43 pm »

nice!!!!!!!

79Rammer · « **Reply #66 on:** June 29, 2011, 08:05:20 pm »

Thanks guys! Keeps me motivated.

440_Offroader · « **Reply #67 on:** June 30, 2011, 01:01:20 am »

The Ramcharger looks very nice. It will look great when it's all back together. All those little things seem to take forever to put on though.

76dodgeboy · « **Reply #68 on:** July 1, 2011, 04:08:19 am »

Lookin Good. I want a dodge car hauler too

79Rammer · « **Reply #69 on:** July 7, 2011, 09:31:50 pm »

Here are a few pics of the progress so far. Got it wetsanded, buffed, tire carrier on, grill in, and the interior is back together. Still have some things to do as you can see. Also, lots of cleaning once everything is together.

I have an appointment in the morning to get the decals put on so I thought some before shots would be good.

The bumper from the '78 is just on temporarily. I just bought a factory '79 brushguard from a great RCC member named "mmtaff" that needs to be painted up and installed. I also left the turn signals from the '78 on for now. It is going to take some wiring to get the '79 signals working right. One obvious addition is the factory 1980's Rams head hood ornament, I just had to have that.

I think the tire carrier turned out alright in Sable brown. Still looking for a nice non step rear bumper or I will use a nice chrome step bumper until I find one. I am also going to paint the roll bar the original tan when the brush guard gets done.

Don't tell anyone but one small spot came through on the tailgate taking out a run. I am going to see if the decal covers it, otherwise it will have to be touched up.

Original Tracker from my '79 for the spare.

Hopefully, more pics tomorrow with decals installed. That should improve the looks some.

mttaff · « **Reply #70 on:** July 8, 2011, 03:02:04 am »

Looking good rammer, gotta love progress. That Brown is awesome. What color is the gaurd getting?

84onstilts · « **Reply #71 on:** July 8, 2011, 05:28:42 am »

hey NICE RC I like those old school paint jobs. I was thinking that you should paint the roll bar that brown color to match the wheels and spare tire carrier. just my

keep up the good work!

79Rammer · « **Reply #72 on:** July 8, 2011, 06:48:35 am »

Quote from: mttaff on July 8, 2011, 03:02:04 am

Looking good rammer, gotta love progress. That Brown is awesome. What color is the gaurd getting?

I am thinking of going tan on the guard similar to the Top Hand styling. Once the decals are done I might change my mind and go brown though. The brown is a tricky color to make look right with the metallics in it. Really undecided at this point.

I plan on putting a Hickey roof rack on like the Top Hands as well.

79Rammer · « **Reply #73 on:** July 8, 2011, 06:52:30 am »

Quote from: 84onstilts on July 8, 2011, 05:28:42 am

hey NICE RC I like those old school paint jobs. I was thinking that you should paint the roll bar that brown color to match the wheels and spare tire carrier. just my
keep up the good work!

I had thought of a brown bar too. I really like the looks when the brown top is on, with it off there is almost too much tan. Once the brown decals are done I hope it breaks up the tan some.

79Rammer · « **Reply #74 on:** July 8, 2011, 06:44:41 pm »

Today was a good day!

Stripes and original style Ram decals are back on.

It was like going back in time 20 years watching these go on.

Ram head turned out pretty good considering what we had to work with.

comrade cheddar · « **Reply #75 on:** July 9, 2011, 09:16:57 am »

Looks great, There is a nice 1983 chrome non step bumper at u pull in Rosemount MN if that isn't too far away for you.

PigPen5150 · « **Reply #76 on:** July 9, 2011, 09:30:05 am »

I was gonna ask about doing the roll bar in brown too

mopars 4 life · « **Reply #77 on:** July 9, 2011, 11:05:48 am »

looks awesome dude!!!

84onstilts · « **Reply #78 on:** July 9, 2011, 10:03:57 pm »

the decals turned out awesome nice finishing touch.
you wouldnt happen to have the hood ornemant would you? it would keep that old school look alive.

79Rammer · « **Reply #79 on:** July 9, 2011, 10:15:21 pm »

Quote from: 84onstilts on July 9, 2011, 10:03:57 pm

the decals turned out awesome nice finishing touch.
you wouldnt happen to have the hood ornemant would you? it would keep that old school look alive.

Do you mean the one that I had on it before? It was not original to the truck, that was something I bought out of J.C Whitney years ago and put on. It was gold and is in pretty bad shape now.

79Rammer · « **Reply #80 on:** July 10, 2011, 07:00:46 pm »

Yesterday I straightened out my old rear bumber so I could get my plates on, switched the steering wheel to my original, and put some nicer tailights in. This morning was spent putting in new engine and transmission mounts. The passenger side bracket was installed wrong and it ripped the old rubber mount out.

Took it for the maiden voyage and it was a blast. I need to adjust the kickdown and work on the carb some. I might even replace it as it is a double pumper Holley and it seems overcarbed to me.

jason white · « **Reply #81 on:** July 12, 2011, 10:55:10 am »

gorgeous

David Brown · « **Reply #82 on:** July 15, 2011, 12:25:45 am »

that is very cool

RUMBLON

needen$77 · « **Reply #83 on:** July 15, 2011, 07:54:12 am »

J10Mike · « **Reply #84 on:** July 15, 2011, 11:01:12 am »

Holy Moly...Love it.

79Rammer · « **Reply #85 on:** July 26, 2011, 10:02:58 am »

Thanks guys!

Just got back from a trip and took the Ramcharger for a long drive. As soon as I got back it lost all electrical power and killed at a stop sign. No headlights, starter, interior, etc. I am guessing a bad ground or the amp guage may have took a crap. Would the starter relay kill power to the whole truck? I noticed the power post will turn some when I was checking things out. Still have power to the bulkhead and the main fusible links still have power going through them. Maybe igintion switch too?

D.R. '79 · « **Reply #86 on:** July 26, 2011, 04:33:12 pm »

inspiring man!! keep it up! any chance of u selling one of those grills?? or where i can find that rear bumper?? the non diamond plate one....

Dee

79Rammer · « **Reply #87 on:** July 26, 2011, 10:37:28 pm »

Got it running again, not really sure but hopefully got the problem solved. The power came back after I switched out the starter relay and bypassed the amp guage. The bulkhead connector and all the fusible links checked out good so we will see.

Couple pics as I put my repainted Ramcharger and SE emblems back on and took it for another drive around town today.

79Rammer · « **Reply #88 on:** July 26, 2011, 10:41:07 pm »

Quote from: DeeAreSevenNine on July 26, 2011, 04:33:12 pm

inspiring man!! keep it up! any chance of u selling one of those grills?? or where i can find that rear bumper?? the non diamond plate one....

Dee

The other grill is beat up pretty good and not worth shipping. The rear bumper was available through the early to mid 80's on Ramchargers and some trucks. They are not available new anymore but you should be able to find one out there in California in a junkyard pretty easy.

D.R. '79 · « **Reply #89 on:** July 26, 2011, 11:39:55 pm »

thanks for the info man

Ramnut · « **Reply #90 on:** July 28, 2011, 12:05:43 am »

Hats off on that RC . It turned out wonderful . I wish you could load and take it to the Mopar Nationals so I can take a ton of pictures . And like the other members been typing about your towing vehicle , I agree . That in itself is a great show vehicle . I am happy for you .

ramcharger422in3 · « **Reply #91 on:** July 29, 2011, 06:49:20 am »

Really well done. Where did you get the decal kit?
Thx

79Rammer · « **Reply #92 on:** July 29, 2011, 10:25:48 pm »

Quote from: ramcharger422in3 on July 29, 2011, 06:49:20 am

Really well done. Where did you get the decal kit?
Thx

Thanks, a local sign shop duplicated my original decals.

jason white · « **Reply #93 on:** July 29, 2011, 10:33:56 pm »

absolutely gorgeous

79Rammer · « **Reply #94 on:** July 29, 2011, 10:40:47 pm »

Thanks again, been working on putting my dad's '79 Lil Red Express back together so the Ramcharger push guard and roll bar painting have been put on hold for a little bit.

I think this weekend will just be spent cleaning up the interior so I can take it to my 20 year high school class reunion next weekend.

ramcharger422in3 · « **Reply #95 on:** August 1, 2011, 11:12:18 am »

How did you restore the red letters in the Ramcharger script on the fender of the truck? They look great.

79Rammer · « **Reply #96 on:** August 1, 2011, 06:21:56 pm »

Quote from: ramcharger422in3 on August 1, 2011, 11:12:18 am

How did you restore the red letters in the Ramcharger script on the fender of the truck? They look great.

Used Testors model paint and a real fine brush. It might be hard to tell but the SE emblems are one shade darker than the Ramcharger emblems. I cleaned up any paint on the edges with toothpics before it dried.

79Rammer · « **Reply #97 on:** August 1, 2011, 06:34:32 pm »

I got it cleaned up inside and out this weekend and finally got my kickdown linkage right. Also got the wipers on finally. Hoping to get the frame and springs sprayed under the wheel wells before this weekend. Otherwise it is pretty much ready for the reunion if it holds together.

You guys are probably sick of pics but here is one after I got back from a drive through the country last night with the family.

jason white · « **Reply #98 on:** August 1, 2011, 10:21:26 pm »

I want to see it with the top on

Ragman · « **Reply #99 on:** August 2, 2011, 10:22:19 am »

I don't know about the rest of us but I never get sick of lookin at pics of your Ramcharger. It's a beauty. Keep um' coming.

Barry

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Author Topic: My 1979 Ramcharger "Tribute Build" (360 Magnum NV4500 swap done) (Read 37611 times)