83 Ram 50 Named Chuck

[hondabuilder]

well, thats been an interesting read.

I feel pretty damn lucky now that I've been reading so many stories of things breaking on their mighty max... knock on wood, got mine for 800, running and passed smog first try.. haven't done much to it besides tires, oil, air cleaner, and putting 10k miles on in 6 months.


mine has some issues like yours. It burns oil, about a quart every 1500-2k miles. my california smog test readings showed the motor running perfect and emissions in the optimal range, cat working fine and everything. so I guess its not a huge deal, just refill. I got a small weep from a seal in the front but I've been keeping an eye on it and theres no way thats causing the amount im losing.

I specialize in vintage japanese motorcycles and I've found a lot of similarities in electrical design between my 86 first gen MM and the bikes I work on. I went through my dash electrical and fixed some worn out switches and connectors before they became a fire hazard, I saw them on an underdash inspection and knew right away they needed attention based on what I saw on my bikes.

really sucks to hear about that fire.. Thats some scary shit right there.

I live in a little mountain town and take my 2wd offroading a few times a week, mountain trails, service trails, sometimes not even a trail... its stock ride height, if anything its a little lower due to sagging springs, it handles just fine but I nearly got stuck a few times due to no locker or 4wd. lots of fun to be had doing burn outs and circles in a dirt field though!!!

I just saw your profile and it says so cal as well! thats good to see.

[hondabuilder]

seriously I will buy that camper shell though if your in so cal. lets talk about it

[LukeGirard]

well, thats been an interesting read.

I feel pretty damn lucky now that I've been reading so many stories of things breaking on their mighty max... knock on wood, got mine for 800, running and passed smog first try.. haven't done much to it besides tires, oil, air cleaner, and putting 10k miles on in 6 months.


mine has some issues like yours. It burns oil, about a quart every 1500-2k miles. my california smog test readings showed the motor running perfect and emissions in the optimal range, cat working fine and everything. so I guess its not a huge deal, just refill. I got a small weep from a seal in the front but I've been keeping an eye on it and theres no way thats causing the amount im losing.

I specialize in vintage japanese motorcycles and I've found a lot of similarities in electrical design between my 86 first gen MM and the bikes I work on. I went through my dash electrical and fixed some worn out switches and connectors before they became a fire hazard, I saw them on an underdash inspection and knew right away they needed attention based on what I saw on my bikes.

really sucks to hear about that fire.. Thats some scary shit right there.

I live in a little mountain town and take my 2wd offroading a few times a week, mountain trails, service trails, sometimes not even a trail... its stock ride height, if anything its a little lower due to sagging springs, it handles just fine but I nearly got stuck a few times due to no locker or 4wd. lots of fun to be had doing burn outs and circles in a dirt field though!!!

I just saw your profile and it says so cal as well! thats good to see.

Awesome! I took mine off road all most every day until it caught on fire lol that's why I bought this new truck.

[LukeGirard]

HondaBuilder came over yesterday and picked up the shell, tailights, and some little parts. A couple friends and I got the truck started for the first time in 14 years yesterday after replacing the distributor. Now I need to drain the gas and put some clean gas in and see if she runs! I hope to have it running by the end of this week.

[BradMph]

That is great news for a truck that has sat for that long. GG!

[LukeGirard]

That is great news for a truck that has sat for that long. GG!

Well it started last night. This morning I went out and wired the rear speakers into my radio and put everything under the hood back. (mounted coil, battery, put the hood back on) And now it won't start. It doesn't even crank over! I don't know what I did. I changed nothing under the hood and everything else works just fine! Aghhhhh

[mitchi]

I specialize in vintage japanese motorcycles and I've found a lot of similarities in electrical design between my 86 first gen MM and the bikes I work on. they needed attention based on what I saw on my bikes.

Sorry to read about the fire too......bad stuff.

Glad you got a backup.

Don't intend to hijack the thread.........................but, would love to see some of those vintage bikes.

I've got a few. Might need a few pointers on one of them..........Thanks

[pennyman1]

Check the positive battery cable from the battery to the starter - it may have disconnected in the insulation. Also try jumping from the battery to the starter and try starting it. There is also fusible links off the battery into the harness that can open up and kill circuits.

[LukeGirard]

Check the positive battery cable from the battery to the starter - it may have disconnected in the insulation. Also try jumping from the battery to the starter and try starting it. There is also fusible links off the battery into the harness that can open up and kill circuits.

I got the truck to star again and then when i closed the hood it wouldn't start again. So its definitely a wire going to the starter. I'll be fixing that and replacing the gas tank with the one from chuck tomorrow. If all goes well I should be able to drive it tomorrow!!!

[hondabuilder]

I got the truck to star again and then when i closed the hood it wouldn't start again. So its definitely a wire going to the starter. I'll be fixing that and replacing the gas tank with the one from chuck tomorrow. If all goes well I should be able to drive it tomorrow!!!

nice!

[hondabuilder]

Sorry to read about the fire too......bad stuff.

Glad you got a backup.

Don't intend to hijack the thread.........................but, would love to see some of those vintage bikes.

I've got a few. Might need a few pointers on one of them..........Thanks

PM me

[LukeGirard]

So I replaced the gas tank! I got it started a few times but the battery is completely dead. I guess our battery charger is broken so I had to barrow a friends. Its on the charger right now and hopefully I can start it soon and keep it running. In the mean time here are some cool pictures of all the neat interior things that came with this truck.

I'm not sure what everything on this switch does? It's different then the one on chuck.
20150219_171241.jpg
It has a clock! =D
20150219_171152.jpg
It has a tach even though its an auto =P
20150219_171138.jpg
I love that the console has storage space! The bottom part used to have a cassette player but it was disconnected. I'm not sure if it works or not.
20150219_171127.jpg

[hondabuilder]

this is what you gotta do to it

[ragragtimetime]

[LukeGirard]

this is what you gotta do to it

I like that! I have a goal now! =) Do these trucks have an external fuel pump? and if so where are they located? I can get the truck to start by poring gas into the carb but as soon as that gas is gone it dies =( So its not getting fuel from the tank.

[ragragtimetime]

or the carburetor accelerator pump (on the carb itself)

[LukeGirard]

or the carburetor accelerator pump (on the cab itself)

I don't even know what that is. This is my first carbureted engine I've ever worked on.

[ragragtimetime]

just above the sub EGR

[4cylinders]

hey, fuel filter at the fuel tank.

[LukeGirard]

just above the sub EGR

I don't know what that is! I have no idea how a carb works and what parts are on it. It did just catch fire though.......... =( Just the carb and I googled it and fire coming out of the carb means that timing is off?

[LukeGirard]

hey, fuel filter at the fuel tank.

I replaced that when I replaced the tank.

[ragragtimetime]

& another filter inside the tank (accessed via drain of tank)

[ragragtimetime]

is fuel pump pushing gas out (if you disconnect the feed to carb)

[LukeGirard]

I don't know what hose that is but if the carb caught on fire I would assume it's getting gas?

[ragragtimetime]

the mechanical pump has 3 outlets: the single (on 1 side of pump) is from tank, the other 2 (on other side of pump) bottom is to carb & top is return to tank.