'84 Dodge Rampage Build Thread

[SteveM]

I have wondered about the foam issue myself.  I think I'll pull it out.

This thing is 3 gallons, which should be plenty to prevent air ingestion / sloshing / aereation problems with a 1.5 Liter diesel.

Steve.

[tauruck]

Thanks Steve. Good luck with all the nice new stuff. You deserve it man.

[SteveM]

In my ongoing quest to max out all of my credit cards, I purchased a set of Gabriel HiJacker air shocks for the rear suspension.

These are cute little guys - as far as I can tell, they are the shortest available air shocks from the Gabriel or Monroe catalogs.





Sadly, they no longer include the Gabriel HiJacker "bunny" sticker with their product.

[SteveM]

More quick pics.



I picked up the wheels and tires today, fresh from Western Auto, complete with metal valve stems.





I had to mount the wheels, pop on the Moon disks, and put her back on the ground.  Right now, the front crossmember and oil pan are about 3" from the ground.  The lowest point on the control arms is about 2-1/2" from the ground.  I'm thinking about trying to get another 1" of drop by re-working the coilover setup.

Steve

[Rex Schimmer]

Looks fast just sitting there!!!

Rex

[tauruck]

  That must be a great feeling. It looks good Steve.

[Frankie7799]

Looks fast just sitting there!!! Rex

I agree Rex!

[gkabbt]

Steve, looking REAL GOOD.....It does look fast too!  

Just curious.....Are the control arms pointing up, parallel to the ground or pointing down?

Gregg

[SteveM]

They are pointing up, which is not considered good for "handling", but I think this will be OK, as the control arms should remain pointed up through the entire range of motion.

Steve.

[Crackerman]

Steve, i am positive you will be fine, especially at the speeds you have planned.
I had a 550 hp 89 plymouth colt that was lowered, and control arms pointed up pretty sharply. Even north of 145 on public highways ( not smooth) it had no ill handling issues. It was mighty stable (except for torque steer)

[SteveM]

Thanks, Crackerman.  Did you have one of those turbo twin-stick Colts?  I can't remember which years they were available, but they were pretty cool little cars.

Yeah, I'm not very worried about the front suspension geometry.  It seems to me that the main issues would be associated with a transition from pointed down to pointed up, as the camber curves change.  Mine will be pointed up the entire time.

The question running around in my head is "How Low" should/could I go.  Right now, the lowest point is in the area of the pivot for the LCA, which is about 2-1/2" from the ground.  I'm thinking about going another inch lower, which would put this pivot location at 1-1/2" from the surface. 

For getting off and on the trailer, I'll have to make a couple of easily removable split sleeves, which will space the coilovers "up" on the strut body.  Then, when it's on level ground, I'll jack it up, remove the sleeves, and let it down to the full droop geometry.

Steve.

[Kevin G]

Of all the things discussed on landracing forums Dodge Colts were about the last thing I ever expected to turn up. I had an 88 colt 4 speed. I have to say it was the most fun car I have owned, but by no means fast. I've always heard about the twin stick colts and wanted one.

Kevin G

[tauruck]

Steve maybe the geometry thing is more critical on a road course car.

[Tman]

1 1/2 to 2" and you will be grading crunchies if you get off the turn outs.

[Stainless1]

1 1/2 to 2" and you will be grading crunchies if you get off the turn outs.

But you will be limiting the air going under the truck on the course.... We usually try to put the front of the lakester high enough that you can slip the toe of your shoe to the laces under it.  Rarely hit a turnout correctly, the salt is hard on the paint, but washes off. 
Have the back a bit higher than the front, give the air that gets under it somewhere to go.