'84 Dodge Rampage Build Thread

[SteveM]

What I'm thinking of doing is making a single large mudflap (or 2 smaller ones side-by-side) that would cover the width of the back of the truck, but only when towing the Rampage around on the salt.

This flap would not be for the purpose of protecting the tow vehicle, but to keep from throwing salt onto the front of the towed Rampage.

I'm thinking of attaching it to the drawbar that will have to be used with the towbar arrangement on the front of the Rampage.

Steve.

[wheelrdealer]

Steve

That is what I was thinking. A 60" or so piece of square tubing that pins on the tow bar. Maybe have the flap rise above the square tubing about 10".

The other idea was a venal bra that attached with magnets and snaps that covered the front and the winshield. My windshield got bombarded with salt. We tow at 40 or so on the return road.

BR

[Geo]

Steve,

I made a "mud flap" that attaches to the reciever that inserts into the hitch, It runs across the back of the truck and the mudflaps go to within 2 inches of the ground. This is only attached to the truck when towing.

I used two tractor trailer mudflaps cut in half. The height is 2/3s way up the bumper because the main cross piece holding the flaps sits above the receiver and the flaps are 1 inch above this cross bar. I have a square tube that clamps around the receiver allowing easy removal.

Geo

[Stan Back]

We have used the same Motor Home whiskers for years.  They were too long -- cut them to fit.  (Maybe had to cut the width, too.)  Mounted right before the rear bumper.  Never a problem, they're installed in an aluminum bracket that has held up.

[Peter Jack]

Stan, I think the motorhome whiskers are probably the way to go. They're really effective and come at a fairly reasonable price. They were designed to provide protection for vehicles being towed under a lot of varied conditions.

Pete

[SteveM]

Dyno testing complete - 167 HP AT 4600 rpm. A stock 1.5L VW diesel is 48 HP.

[Peter Jack]

I'd call that a success Steve. Congratulations! 

Here's hoping for great salt conditions at World Finals. 

Pete

[gkabbt]

Dyno testing complete - 167 HP AT 4600 rpm. A stock 1.5L VW diesel is 48 HP.

Great numbers, Steve.....Rock On!    Now it's RECORD TIME! 

Gregg

[Jon]

Got to be happy with that Steve

What inlet manifold pressure and temperatures were you seeing?

Congratulations
jon

[SteveM]

I was very happy with the power results.   

There is still work to be done with the boost controller, I basically had "all or nothing" control over the wastegate.

On full boost, it was about 30 psi above atmosphere.  The boost and power came on VERY STRONG.  I'll get videos uploaded as soon as I can.

EGT's hit something on the high side of 1400F.  I need to decide how hot I'm willing to let them go.

Steve.

[Crackerman]

that is freakin awesome Steve!!!

what kind of torque at what rpm did it make?

How hot is too hot for the IDI head? at what point do precups start hitting the hood?

maybe 1200 is a little more reasonable for the amount of time you need to be under power?

Along with iat temps after cooler, can you spray water to keep it cooler?

Also, quite a few guys have had excellent results with Power Service silver bottle with cetane booster, it will help the fuel burn faster, and keep egt's down (like 50dg, not a TON) because fuel is buring more in cylinder.

can timing be advanced a degree or two or three to keep temps down? or will that bring your cylinder pressures too high? (result is more power, but much lower life expectancy)

[Kevin G]

Got to love them little VW diesels. So much potential in that little package.

Another Idea for a mud flap if you are building a bar for your receiver hitch. If you have a local gravel pit that uses conveyors sometimes you can get used conveyor belt. Varies in width but two, three and four feet are common and cut it to however wide your tow vehicle is. Heavy duty as all get out. We use it as a full width mud flap on gravel trailers.

[Milwaukee Midget]

Dyno testing complete - 167 HP AT 4600 rpm. A stock 1.5L VW diesel is 48 HP.

It doesn't look like you pulled the engine, so I'll assume that's at the wheels.

Which makes it all the more impressive! 

[lsrjunkie]

I agree! There's a lot lost getting that power to the ground. That's awesome Steve!! Here's to dry weather for the next couple weeks! 

[Crackerman]

estimated 200-215 flywheel hp, on a turbo rated at 25-27lbs/min that is NOT a bad output for a diesel, that is small, on a non crossflow head.