This is my 1985 DODGE RAMCHARGER as of 6/21/07. It is an ongoing project as well as a daily driver. When I bought it almost two years ago, I had no knowledge in auto mechanics. Not even changing a spark plug.

In the last two years I've come a long way, and so has my RC. I'm now the owner and webmaster for WhereTheTrailEnds.com, and this RC is big and bad enough to get me to the places most people have never seen.






...and this is where it all began...

It was Aug 2005, I bought this 85 RC 150 4x4 w/ 318 for $2024 (w/ tax,tag,title)

It barely ran.

Very hard to start, even harder to keep it that way.

0 to 60mph was about 1 min 45 sec.








All parts were stock, notice I said were.

Here is a peak under the hood before I did anything to it. All emissions parts still in place and failing.








All of Sept 2005 was spent replacing anything bolt on like plugs, wires, battery, coil, filters (all), and removing most of the emissions parts. The timing was also set at 17.5 BTDC.

At that point I could almost peel wheels. 0 to 60 was much much quicker.

Then came Oct 2005. With the help of a work related accident (framing nail through the knee)I had about 2 weeks off to do some body work. No-one expected how far I took it.














Then came Nov 2005. It was time to opem up the wells in preperation for 35" - 40" tires. This needed to be done before paint.










It took untill March 2006 for me to get the rears done as well. Yes, I know they look weird in primer, but trust me, once painted they look really good.








In late March 2006, the crash. It broke my front suspension in a way that will forever change this RC. Do to a tight budget, I had to fix all the damage myself, and just live with the slightly bent frame.


















Then on June 27th 2006, the first sample of paint was applied. This was soon to become the most unique truck in the area.

With the last bit of bodywork done, and the wells finally sealed watertight, it was ready to paint.


















Next up was the install of an Edelbrock 1404 500CFPM 4 barrel carb w/ a 360 intake connected to a 4" snorkel that I already had installed.
















After a few offroad runs, I was unsatisfied with how poorly the original camo blended with the surrounding Florida enviroment. A little repainting was needed.

















Later on down the road will be a 3/4 eliptical spring set-up for the rear and 58"? Chevy Suburban springs front and rear.

A custom baja style slide bumper is also in the works along with a full exo-cage.

A manual disc brake conversion.

...and I'll be swapping out the TF727 auto trans for a stick shift.

As you can see, I'm trying to eliminate all automatic functions. Manual stuff is less prone to brakage, easier to work on, and just more fun to drive.

My mission is to make this RC unstoppable through mud, water, and the occasional rock climb, even though I'm working within a very limited budget. Most parts are obtained from the local pick-n-pull from a wide range of makes and models and are modified on site to fit.  

Sweet truck I love it no *** broncos or blasers for us. MOPAR!!!  

good thread  

I like the way you documented your work.