My new BOV/toy

[DRoCk]

So I finally gave up on the 79 Dodge and sold it. I did get to keep the goodies out of it, toolboxes etc. Basically it was turning into a poorly running, still rusty piece of crap that wouldn't even hold my family comfortably. So I did a little trading, got rid of the Honda CRX that was supposed to be my work car in trade for a 1984 Dodge Ramcharger. The RC already had a lift kit and some new parts so I felt good about the trade. Plus, like I said...I kept my Swampers from the 79 (the best part of the truck).

So far the RC runs really good and I've put more miles on it in 1 month than I put on the truck in 3yrs...

Here are some pics of the RC, its been pretty much in its BOV form since I got it.





I'll add more pics and details later...

[DRoCk]

So far I've added very little to my RC, the roof rack and lights were on it when I got it. All I've really needed to do was repair a bad battery cable end and fix a power steering leak. I did add my tach from the truck and the OD missle box that I was using as a toolbox.

I've also tested out the 4wd a little on a small trail close to home and also done a little at a friends property. So far its performed really well both on and offroad. I'm looking forward to trying it out in the snow this winter.





The only rust is on the lower body panels, that will be fixed in the spring. I haven't decided what to do for paint and may use bedliner on the entire lower portion, up to the upper chrome trim. I already sanded and painted the wheels. Also, I removed the trim clips in the photos, I don't have the trim and I will take all of the lower trim off eventually.

[DRoCk]

Here is a little more scenic photo...

[Grey Mann]

Since that's going to be your family BOV, I'm curious as to what you may do to up the collision safety levels of the RC? Any plans along those lines?

[DRoCk]

Since that's going to be your family BOV, I'm curious as to what you may do to up the collision safety levels of the RC? Any plans along those lines?

You mean bumpers or better seatbelts?

If you are talking about the front bumper, I do want to change the cut up stock unit for something more substantial. If you mean seatbelts, I'm at a loss on how I could do anything about the stock units short of adding a cage and using the cage for harness mounts. I do believe that there was a stock rollbar in the RC at one point, not that it would have been much protection.

[Grey Mann]

I was a bit curious in general. Vehicles like the RC crumple up pretty easily without distributing a large amount of the energy in a collision, and that's what takes the passengers for a bumpy ride. I didn't know if you had some plan for creating a way to keep the main passenger area rigid while improving the rest of the vehicle as an effective crumple zone.

[DRoCk]

That sounds like a lot of work. At best and only if I keep the RC for a long time, I might do some sort of roll bar.

As far as "crumple zone" I don't see how it would be much different than any other full-framed truck or SUV of its era. It should distribute a hell of a hit to any of the modern cars or SUVs since it isn't exactly light. Yes it would toss passengers around, but we always wear seatbelts. I'm not going to reinvent anything here.

[Gregz]

Good luck with the RC i have a 87 with a 360, and a 4 spd I love it, think im gonna put a 4bt innit next year

[mikezq8ss]

Which roof rack is that one you put on? I remember following the build of the truck you sold/traded off for this build and that's kind of one of the things that put me on the path to pick up my own BOV. I picked up a 99 2-door 4wd tahoe for a good price, and I'm gonna start building that up some. The first thing I want to do is pick up a quality rack and put lights on top, and relocate the interior spare tire to the roof to free up storage in the inside. After that its gonna get bumpers and a lift, but I need to get into the world of 4x4's. All my previous truck experience is with lowered 2wd tire burning/vette whooping trucks, so I don't know what is considered quality stuff, and what is kinda regarded as cheap shit yet.

I'm gonna start a thread and put some pics up one of these days, probably when I finally start throwing parts at it and have something to show getting done.

[Dawgboy]

It's funny you mention crumple zone in regards to the Dodge. My dad has a 92 Ram truck with the Cummins turbo in it. I borrowed it to pick up a trailer and rear ended a Ford Intrusion with a hitch at a traffic light. I was moving slow, but the truck is heavy...

I tell you there was plenty of "crumple" when everything stopped moving. Lotso damage, starting with the bumper, the panel behind it, 1 fender, the grill, The radiator, the fan, the fan clutch... All that at 10MPH... That factory bumper is worthless...

[DRoCk]

Which roof rack is that one you put on?

I have no idea what brand it is, I can't find any markings on it at all. It was on there when I got it though, as well as the lights. Its really sturdy as far as I can tell.

[DRoCk]

With winter on its way, I've run into a decision that I have to make concerning the roof rack. Its too tall to fit into the ramp at work with it in place, also it won't fit in the garage at home. I'm not looking forward to raking the snow off the roof, I don't want it to pile up 200lbs of snow up there either.

Should I take it off? I believe that I can unbolt it and leave the bolts and mounts in place, plugging the holes and making it easier to put it back on in the spring. Or should I just deal with it and shovel the snow as needed so that I have the rack if its needed. I wouldn't really want to need the extra storage and not have it, the interior just isn't that big with the back seat in place.

Any opinions are welcome, even if its just to say that its better to have it on the roof and not need it than to wish I had it...

[SeerSavant]

Keep the rack, if you hunt around you can probably find a fitted (or make one) cover that at the least you can bungee underneath, a rib or two of 1X2 pine strips to keep it from sagging and it's like having a slightly curved roof that snow should slide off.


Nice truck, I've wanted one since I first saw Lone Wolf McQuade years ago.

It's a chunk of change (unless your really good with a welder) but I would definitely put a roll cage in it. eight or ten point, if done right you can use a thinner tube stock to save space.

If you do get rid of the roof rack, you can always use a hitch mounted cargo carrier.


Either way, nice truck...


By the way; forget bed lining up to the chrome, do the entire truck....
I've seen it done a few times and it looks great.

[aa1pr]

If is it not full frame weld in the sub frame connectors.

If you run into a sub-compact it is surely going to crumple from the RC.

I would not let that worry you

[Gregz]

Id be happy to store the roof rack on top of my RC for ya

[DRoCk]

My main issue with the rack (other than not fitting in a garage) is that the thing seems to vibrate and causes noise. I may take the lights off and see if it makes a difference in the noise, then I can try making a canvas cover for the rack. I've got the canvas so that part is handled at least.

Thanks for the input so far...

Id be happy to store the roof rack on top of my RC for ya

I bet you would, but it doesn't seem to be going anywhere.

[Gregz]

Heres a pic of mine
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid= ... 1248910078

[DRoCk]

I tried making a canvas cover for the rack, went well until I ripped the canvas while tightening the rope to make it tight. Oh well, its going to stay as is for now.

I made a mount for my interior rear view mirror and finally got it installed today. I hate the glue for the windshield mount so I made a mount to hold it to the trim above the windshield. My old truck had this style of mount so I knew it would work. Basically it cost nothing but some time and that is the theme of the RC at this point.

Here are a couple pics

[man in black]

so fucking cool.

[DRoCk]

So now that we have gotten our first real snow of the year, I can say that my roof is not too bad to clean off even with the rack. My only concern is cold weather starting. If the rack was gone (with the lights of course), the RC would fit in my garage. This morning will be the first real test since it was 0 degrees last night. Its been good down to about 10 degrees so far, I'll know how it goes in about 15mins.

I'm so far very impressed with snowy road handling, it seems to do pretty well as long as I keep my foot far enough from the floor. I managed to get it sideways on Saturday morning, I'm not used to the shorter wheelbase yet. After owning my W150 for a couple years and switching, the RC is very short.

This will probably do it for any "projects" for the winter. In the spring I will start in on the rust.

[SeerSavant]

If you decide to rebuild the rack cover, consider reinforcing the canvas with polystyrene foam boards like a thin version of hot tub covers, or luaun 1/4 inch backing, like a thin flexible wood cover with a canvas coating.

Another idea is to tie aluminum or fiberglass ribs across the racking to support the center of the cover....


I know it doesn't fit into different places, but it's also lifted, and it would give up storage space as well..

I dunno. Have you considered laying out the canvas and impregnating the backside with fiberglass resin... Not enough, but enough to create a stiff, hard surface?

[DRoCk]

My issue with the canvas was tightening it up enough to make sure it wouldn't fly off. I think it was dry from sitting in the sun and just not up to the task of being pulled that tight. So far its been pretty easy to rake the snow off the roof with my scraper/brush combo. I'll just make sure that I stay on top of it and I'll be fine.

Good idea with the fiberglass though...

[Blasphemous]

Welcome to the darkside!!!

I love the RC, but I'm a little biased. I need to get some video of mine posted.

[DRoCk]

Welcome to the darkside!!!

I love the RC, but I'm a little biased.

So far its been a great change. I've put more miles on it in the 2 months I've had it than I did on my truck in 3 years. Yesterday the RC started in -6 degree weather with no problems, it didn't even take 3 seconds of cranking. My old truck would have needed to be plugged in and even then it would have been less reliable.