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1978 Dodge Ramcharger Convertible Cummins 5.9 6bt Conversion on 2040-cars

Year:1978 Mileage:74021
Location:

Blaine, Washington, United States

Blaine, Washington, United States
Advertising:

1978 Dodge Ramcharger with removable hardtop, Cummins 6BTA 5.9 Diesel conversion from ultra low mile 1992 Dodge W250, including the Dana 60 front axle, Dana 70 rear axle, NP205 cast iron transfer case & new A518OD auto transmission with fancy torque converter.
This is a great truck, starts instantly & drives like a First Gen Dodge Cummins!
I had this project in mind for many years but finding a convertible Ramcharger that's not rusting into the ground is a difficult task & so the project never started until last year. The truck came new with a 400ci Mopar big block & a Mopar collector in Eugene, OR had it when I found it. He'd installed 3/4 ton axles & a 440 & it was his daily driver but I knew when I bought it that the big gas guzzler was coming out of there! :)
The truck was a real solid truck that had been repainted once many years ago in its original Bright Tan Metallic factory color. Must have been done in the early 90's when they hadn't quite figured out how to get clear to stay attached to the color because it has areas where the clear is beginning to peel. The only rust was the size of a quarter in the passenger side dog leg, behind the door & rocker panel...exactly what I'd been looking for!
So after hauling the truck back to Vancouver, BC, I went about looking for a complete 89-93 Dodge W250-W350 First Gen with a Cummins/auto to supply the necessary parts for the conversion.
I found a 1992 W250 that had been hit in the front but still ran & drove with under 90k miles on it & so it was a perfect candidate except it had a Getrag 5 speed & I wanted to keep the Ramcharger auto, so I bought a rebuilt A518OD transmission that had been done properly.
I could spend hours typing a description of exactly what was done to install the Cummins but I'm going to spare you all & just say that you should really email me & I can send you my telephone number so I can give you all the details because to install one properly, get the intercooler behind the factory 1978 grill, keep the 1978 dash & gauges & have the conversion look like it was done at the factory...well...it's a big job & there's a lot to it & so feel free to email & if you're a serious bidder, or even just looking for info for your own conversion, give me a call & I can let you know all the details.
The interior, I had the seats restored, the front rubber flooring is a new NOS Mopar matt that was very expensive, the rear carpeting is original & I have an original rollbar for it, just that I'm not really a fan of the rollbar look but it will come with the truck.
I installed a heavy duty AFE transmission cooler underneath the truck with huge steel transmission lines & it's own electric fan that works incredible.
The truck has new 4" exhaust from the turbo back & it has a muffler...this just isn't the kind of truck to be driving around with a straight pipe, me thinks :)
The tires are new 36" 9.00 x 16 Radials. They are a replica of the Michelin XZL's & they're excellent!
The truck has a RARE, perfect working Factory Mopar AM/CB radio!
The driveshafts have been professionally built at Pat's Driveline, balanced & she runs & drives smooth...4x4 works excellent.
What more can I say? It's a nice old Ramcharger that's not been all overdone...it looks like it came this way from Dodge & that was the goal.
I did nothing to the body other than clean polish. My original plan was a complete strip & I was even contemplating a color change but a fellow Mopar collector talked me out of it.
If I put new paint on it...it looks like every Ramcharger out there that's been beat on & filled with bondo.
This body hasn't been touched in 25 years & what you see is what she is...a nice old unit that  brings smiles every time it's out!
I vowed I'd never put the roof back on once it was finished but decided that for the benefit of Ebay & the prospective buyers...it had to go back on & so I was forced to break my vow :)
As I said, I'm in Vancouver, BC & I've been restoring Dodges & specifically Dodge Power Wagon's for many year & am likely way more familiar with bringing vehicles between Canada & the US than most folks looking at this auction & so to simplify these issues, included in the high bid, I will pay to have the truck brokered into Blaine, WA & it will be safe & sound in Blaine, WA with all the paperwork that you need to title it in your State.
I know folks that haul trucks & may be able to put you in contact with reliable transporters as well.
Against my better judgement, I'm listing this truck with no reserve! Yes...it's crazy & so be nice...hundreds of hours have gone into this project & it's the ultimate cruiser for out in the sunshine!
I'm going to add a Buy It Now option, as useless as they are because they just disappear once a few folks bid but if it's gone, just email me & we can discuss it.
My original plan for this truck was I thought it would be fantastic to have an SUV that got better than 20mpg & could be driven up & down the West Coast hauling my 14K lb car trailer I use to haul my Powerwagons. The truck is capable & I'd love to keep it but I've got big changes going on here right now & I'm losing my storage & so this truck & in fact all my Powerwagons are going on the block so keep an eye out...there will be more great truck being sold soon!
I was going to post a link to a Forum called Ramcharger Central where this project was discussed as it progressed but Ebay won't allow me to post the link for some reason so just go to google, if you're so interested, & type in "ramchargercentral 1978 cummins-Project" ...it will be the first site.
Not many of these converted to diesel...I've only ever seen a hand full of them & it really is a natural...everything bolts right in like it was made for it.
Also, in the pics you'll notice the clock is missing its screws...that's because I have a factory tach that goes in its place. Both will be included in the sale. The factory gauges...there's also a vacuum gauge I intended to modify & run a boost gauge but I just never bothered. This 6BT has never been turned up, never had bigger injectors or been played with. The injection pump is bone stock with the caps still in place from new & so I just decided a boost gauge was just kind of a wasted effort but it would be easy to do if one was so inclined.
Good Luck Bidding & thanks so much for your interest!

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How good would this look as a Dodge? New Peugeot 408 is a cool EV crossover coupe

Wed, Jun 22 2022

Americans have long lusted after the forbidden fruits of the automotive markets: Vehicles offered elsewhere but not sold here in the United States. When Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, former parent to Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, and others, joined forces with PSA (Peugeot and others), there was hope that Americans could get hold of some quirky French cars as part of the deal. That hasn’t happened, at least not yet. As it turns out, Europeans get just as many boring crossovers as we do, though Peugeot thinks it has a solution with the new 408, an aerodynamic compact crossover with style for days. While we seriously doubt a rebadged 408 would ever show up on our shores, it's easy to imagine how a vehicle looking something like this on the same electrified platform could spawn a viable product for the American market. Squint a bit and "new electric Dodge Intrepid" comes to mind.  Perhaps it shouldn't be surprising that France would come out with a new vehicle that seems well-matched to the American market. Utility vehicles made up 46% of new vehicle sales in France in May, matching the sales numbers of sedans in the country. PeugeotÂ’s banking on the fact that many people want the space and usability of a compact SUV but tire of the styling and ubiquity of the vehicle type. The fastback shape provides a more dramatic design look without completely sacrificing the characteristics that make SUVs so popular.  Peugeot offers a traditional SUV in the 3008, but the 408 is sleeker and more aerodynamic. The automaker says that the 408 “offers a feline stance and unique allure, engineering excellence focused on efficiency and intelligent electrification, as well as the emotions provided by cutting-edge technologies dedicated to driving pleasure and instinctive use." Two plug-in hybrid powertrains will be offered first, producing 180 and 225 horsepower. A standard gas model will also be available with a 130-horsepower engine. All variants get an eight-speed gearbox, and Peugeot says an electric model will come later. No Stellantis brand in the United States currently offers a purely electric vehicle.  Peugeot will build the 408 at its plant in Mulhouse, France, for the European market. The vehicle will go on sale early in 2023 and will later become available in China. Related video: Featured Gallery 2023 Peugeot 408 Green Green Dodge Citroen Crossover Future Vehicles

FCA recalls 570,000 SUVs from Jeep and Dodge over fire woes

Sun, Dec 27 2015

Fiat Chrysler US has issued two recalls covering a total of about 570,000 Jeep and Dodge models. The first concerns vanity mirror wiring in the Jeep Grand Cherokee from the 2011 and 2012 model years, and in Dodge Durango units built before September 12, 2012. The automaker recalled almost 900,000 units last year to repair the issue, then faced more issues this year when the fires continued in repaired vehicles. This new recall seeks to resolve the issue, FCA saying that the post-recall fires happened in a tiny percentage of vehicles equipped with a specific wiring package. This recall is for 352,831 total units in the US, another 26,478 in Canada, 13,037 in Mexico, and 84,330 internationally. No injuries or deaths have been reported. FCA says it will inform customers as to when they can schedule a service visit to remedy the issue. The second recall takes aim at 60,107 examples of the Jeep Compass and Patriot from the 2015 model year in the US, plus 5,755 in Canada, 3,351 in Mexico, and 23,995 in other markets. Those models could suffer from an out-of-position clamp on the power steering fluid line. The error could allow fluid to leak, increasing the risk of a fire if the fluid ends up on a hot surface. In the case of a complete loss of fluid, drivers will need to use a lot more effort to steer. The automaker reports no injuries or accidents, and will advise customers when to head to the dealer for service. Related Video: Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge DurangoStatement: Vanity-Mirror WiringDecember 24, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC is recalling an estimated 352,831 SUVs in the U.S. to help ensure vanity-mirror wiring may be serviced more consistently.Overheating conditions were reported among a small percentage of vehicles (<0.02%) serviced in connection with a related recall, conducted previously.** An FCA US LLC investigation discovered the service procedure, if not followed precisely, may leave vehicles susceptible to a short-circuit, creating a potential fire hazard.The Company is unaware of any related injuries or accidents. Post-service overheating conditions were observed only in vehicles equipped with a certain wiring package. These vehicles were produced before Sept. 2, 2012.Affected are model-year 2011-2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango SUVs produced before Sept. 2, 2012. Wiring in the headliners of these vehicles will be secured with a new adhesive.

Dodge offers 100 years of solid advice in new ad

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Take a look below and let us know what you think.