Author Topic: '84 Dodge Rampage Build Thread  (Read 818202 times)

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Offline Seldom Seen Slim

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Re: '84 Dodge Rampage Build Thread
« Reply #1515 on: April 26, 2017, 11:53:10 AM »
Steve, when I saw the first bit of the (hole saw) picture - just the saw and an inch or two of the extension -- my wrist started hurting MAJORLY!  Too many snags over all the years. . .

Geez, man, don't show us things that can go ouch. :roll:
Jon E. Wennerberg
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 Skandia, Michigan
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Offline kiwi belly tank

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Re: '84 Dodge Rampage Build Thread
« Reply #1516 on: April 26, 2017, 03:41:23 PM »
:-D

Yeah - I was thinking about making a 7/8 scale replica of the Rampage to minimize some of the "free space", then see if anyone would notice.

Steve.
That was actually done back in the late 80's with an Oldsmobile. I ended up pushing the thing with a pickup to 100mph trying to get it on boost at a private FIA meet. I guess the cat got out of the bag when the factory wanted pictures along side a new one.
  Sid.

Offline SteveM

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Re: '84 Dodge Rampage Build Thread
« Reply #1517 on: April 26, 2017, 03:50:21 PM »
I've heard the "Urban Legend" story of Smokey Yunick using the "7/8", or other similarly downsized Chevelle back in the late 60's/ 1970-ish.  Not sure whether to believe the Smokey Yunick story or not.

The petite Oldsmobile story seems more believable.

Steve.
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Offline SteveM

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Re: '84 Dodge Rampage Build Thread
« Reply #1518 on: May 03, 2017, 03:32:24 PM »
As crunch time approaches, the parts are flowing in, right on schedule (for now)....

Next up, a custom set of CV axles to mate a Saab 6-speed transaxle to a pair of Plymouth Acclaim drive hubs, attached to an '84 Dodge Rampage suspension.

Autozone couldn't look up the correct axle part#, because I couldn't tell them if the vehicle was originally equipped with air conditioning or not.

Instead, I ordered this pair of beauties from "The Driveshaft Shop".  They do great work!





Cool stickers, too.
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Offline ggl205

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Re: '84 Dodge Rampage Build Thread
« Reply #1519 on: May 03, 2017, 05:59:20 PM »
I've heard the "Urban Legend" story of Smokey Yunick using the "7/8", or other similarly downsized Chevelle back in the late 60's/ 1970-ish.  Not sure whether to believe the Smokey Yunick story or not.

The petite Oldsmobile story seems more believable.

Steve.

Smokey did a lot of things that were not to be believed. I still miss that guy.

John
« Last Edit: May 03, 2017, 06:01:21 PM by ggl205 »

Offline tauruck

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Re: '84 Dodge Rampage Build Thread
« Reply #1520 on: May 03, 2017, 06:19:04 PM »
Good looking parts Steve.
You've come a long way.
Awesome build. :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

Offline SteveM

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Re: '84 Dodge Rampage Build Thread
« Reply #1521 on: May 04, 2017, 08:18:33 AM »
Good looking parts Steve.
You've come a long way.
Awesome build. :cheers: :cheers: :cheers:

Thank you very much.  The progress feels very slow, but I just have to keep pushing - one piece at a time, and make sure it's all done in time for Speed Week....

Last night's progress - working on the wastegate dump pipes.

The details may seem mundane, but posting helps keep me motivated.

First - I had to set up my "pipe stretching" apparatus:



Then, fire up the TIG machine and get some much needed practice....



Then, to do that activity that always hurts - cutting holes in otherwise good sheet metal.  I would have preferred to avoid damaging a "Performance by Dieselmeken" decal, but some sacrifices must be made to the gods of speed:



I'll need to make an escutcheon-type plate and trim the pipes off, but this will be the general layout for the wastegate pipes.

Steve.

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Offline SteveM

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Re: '84 Dodge Rampage Build Thread
« Reply #1522 on: May 08, 2017, 02:55:49 PM »
Gotta keep plugging away.....

Although SCTA will not allow a cardboard firewall, I thought it might be a good way to make a template for the steel firewall modifications....





Not bad for a first (rough) fitting.

Various other parts of the project are progressing, as well...

Can I interest anyone in a receiver hitch to fit an '82-'84 Dodge Rampage?  This thing was basically just hanging under the back end, causing a bit of extra wind drag.



And I received a parcel today which I hope to put to good use.

An aluminum OM606 intake manifold.  I feel a lot better about modifying and using this intake, as compared to the plastic OM604 intake that was stock for the engine.



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Offline manta22

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Re: '84 Dodge Rampage Build Thread
« Reply #1523 on: May 08, 2017, 03:54:46 PM »
Amen, Steve. Cardboard templates can save a ton of re-working aluminum or steel panels.

Regards, Neil  Tucson, AZ
Regards, Neil  Tucson, AZ

Offline tauruck

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Re: '84 Dodge Rampage Build Thread
« Reply #1524 on: May 08, 2017, 11:35:09 PM »
Agreed Neil. :cheers:

Offline kiwi belly tank

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Re: '84 Dodge Rampage Build Thread
« Reply #1525 on: May 09, 2017, 06:40:24 AM »
I do a lot of CNC work here too Steve, Cut N Cardboard. 8-)
Autozone....What are we working on today sir?.....Is that a diesel? Good luck with that one Mate! :-D
  Sid.

Offline SteveM

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Re: '84 Dodge Rampage Build Thread
« Reply #1526 on: May 11, 2017, 05:09:42 PM »
Gotta keep posting updates....Gotta keep posting updates.....

New axles installed.  They fit- which is great news!




Sharp-eyed viewers may notice the slightest, tiny-est, bit of rust on suspension bolts and components.  I have no idea how that happened.

These 4-cylinder Mercedes diesels (OM604) were only available with plastic intake manifolds from the factory.  Considering the amount of boost I plan to run through this engine, I didn't think that a plastic intake was a good idea. 

What IS GOOD, however, is the fact that a 6 cylinder aluminum intake manifold will bolt up directly to the 4 cylinder head, the ports match up perfectly, etc.  It's just a bit too long....



No problem, right?  Let's just cut a bit off the end....



I'll keep the leftover part in case I ever decide to build a 1-1/2 cylinder MB diesel...




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Offline Seldom Seen Slim

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Re: '84 Dodge Rampage Build Thread
« Reply #1527 on: May 11, 2017, 06:29:01 PM »
That half cylinder is destined to run a tad lean, I'd guess...
Jon E. Wennerberg
 a/k/a Seldom Seen Slim
 Skandia, Michigan
 (that's way up north)
2 Club member x2
Owner of landracing.com

Offline SteveM

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Re: '84 Dodge Rampage Build Thread
« Reply #1528 on: May 22, 2017, 05:35:59 PM »
OK - more updates, gotta keep making progress...., etc.

First of all - infrastructure and organization are important.  To that end, I have started labeling the drawers of my tool chests.  This is not so much to benefit me, but to benefit anyone who may be foolish enough to stop by and help work on my project...



Next up, since SCTA would not approve my waiver for a cardboard firewall, I went ahead with the plan to make one from 0.062" thick steel.





Then, on to making an extra-heavy duty upper core support with gusseted corners....



and I managed to "score" a set of discontinued shift cables for a 2006 Pontiac G6 GTP (6-speed) car.  These are discontinued parts from GM.



Lastly (for now), I built a shifter mounting bracket from 80/20 extruded aluminum channel.  This should allow me to change from the Mercedes/Saab/6-speed setup back to the VW/VW 5-speed setup with relative ease.



That's all for now, folks...

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Offline SteveM

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Re: '84 Dodge Rampage Build Thread
« Reply #1529 on: May 30, 2017, 01:31:25 PM »
Just to keep the documentation up to date - I spent most of the weekend cutting, grinding, and welding in the engine compartment of the Rampage.

I have boxed the Lee Iacocca era "frame rails", C-notched those rails for clearance at the transmission and for the water neck outlet on front of the Mercedes engine, have the steel firewall welded in, and have constructed a heavy-duty tubular steel upper radiator core support to help keep the nose of the truck from flexing backwards, while supporting the upper radiator mounts as well...











That's all for now - gotta get back to work on the fabbing this evening.
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