'84 Dodge Rampage Build Thread

[Tman]

Why not!?
 

[tauruck]

Steve. 

Why?. "Because I can".

And you did.

[Stan Back]

Our hex fits pretty tight -- plus you can install it so you can see thru it while you're going straight.  Don't know if you can when you're not.

[Frankie7799]

I often see an out of the box thinking vehicle and Ill scratch my head at times but as time goes on I just think to each is own and its what makes that person happy. Who are we to judge right. Steve Ive followed the build since the beginning and Im really hoping to see the Rampage with my own eyes on the salt this year. Well done sir, well done!

[SteveM]

Thank you, Frankie.

When it comes to 1.5 Liter diesel trucks, there are not a whole lot (if any) factory stock options that were ever available in the USA.  I can't think of a single truck that was ever offered for sale in the US with a sub-1.5 liter diesel engine.  Even the VW Rabbit pickups were all 1.6's if my memory and research are correct.

Over the years, I've always read about Bonneville being the last true bastion of amateur racing and "outside the box" combinations.  That is a big draw to me.  Building something that isn't a cookie-cutter hot rod is a large part of the adventure.

I've been looking forward to being at Speedweek for a long time (probably 35 years or so).  I will do everything in my power to be there in 2014.  Barring a natural disaster or family emergency, 2014 will be the first time I set foot on the hallowed ground of Bonneville.

Steve.

[tauruck]

I'll be there with you in spirit bro.

[SteveM]

I'll be there with you in spirit bro.

Thank you very much, Tauruck.

I just checked the pre-registration for SW 2014, and noticed another H/DT entry.  Carbone-Johnston-Wendt, from Florida.  A quick Google search for their truck reveals what looks like a VERY serious effort - a chop-top 1947 Crosley pickup...

http://0000pwy.rcomhost.com/

There aren't many vehicles with a smaller frontal area than a Crosley pickup truck, and as the rule changes for 2014, pre-'48 pickup bodies are allowed a 3" "Beauty Chop".  File this under "Things that make you go hmmmmmmmmm....."

Steve.

[tauruck]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

[JR529]

Please enlighten me, whats so hmmmmmmm about it? 

[tauruck]

I just filed what Steve said.

[SteveM]

The part about the 2014 rulebook being changed to allow pre-48 trucks to have a 3" beauty chop, and the fact that there is a team building a '47 Crosley truck with what looks like an approximate 3" chopped top may be pure coincidence, but it made me go "hmmmmm".

Their Crosley truck looks like it should be extremely competitive with any production truck body in terms of aerodynamics.  I'm sorry I didn't think of that design earlier.  After a short internet search, I don't think there are any stock-bodied trucks which would have a smaller frontal area than that Crosley, even before it was chopped.

The rulebook previously required bodies to be completely stock.  I have to assume that someone lobbied to allow pre-48 (why 1948 as a demarcation date?) to be allowed to utilize chopped tops.



Whatever the background behind the 2014 rule change(s) to DT class, that Crosley truck is just plain cool.

Steve.

[JR529]

In the car classes, it is usually a pre-49 that is allowed a 3" chop. I don't know why the truck is pre-48.

I also don't know why this rule was explicitly changed for 2014 but I know they have allowed 1947 trucks competing in DT to have a 3" chop since 2009.

http://www.scta-bni.org/El%20Mirage/ELM%2009/May/photos/Harnick/Cars_2/0720.JPG
http://www.landracing.com/forum/index.php/topic,5971.msg88750.html#msg88750

It was discussed then and it was OK'd. I guess it just took 4 years for the wording to get into the rulebook.

[SteveM]

Thanks for the background on the top chops.

[SteveM]

Cardboard air dam

[gkabbt]

I REALLY like but my only question is.....Why didn't you have something like that on at Wilmington last month for your T&T?      

Looks like you're gonna need everything against that Crosley!

Gregg