Could you please push the Dodge in the garage....people might think it's mine!

Well here is the latest on my '98 Ram "restoration" project. Know it's off topic but got a PM asking how it was coming along.

I spent pretty much the entire weekend on the Dodge. It’s coming along really well. Here’s another novel if you’re bored! Latest pics attached way down below.

- Friday night:

I pulled the fan (bloodied my knuckles good, stupid design!!), fan shroud, hoses, belt, and water pump. The pump was a MESS inside, all rusty in there, and I found out why the truck ran hot, the impeller in the pump had broken loose of the shaft. Spinning the pulley on the front was doing nothing inside there. Glad I didn’t run the truck long before tackling this job!

I got the pump off around 9pm, but there was a rubber bypass hose that came off the top of the pump and went into an opening under the a/c compressor mount. I could see no way to get the hose off without removing the a/c compressor , alternator, and mount, and the hose was hard as a rock and rotten, so there was no way I was going to re-use it. Also I could not get a set if longnose pliers in the hole to get the upper radiator hose off the thermostat housing….no room between the compressor and alternator, and it was dark so I was using a droplight, but could not even seen the t-stat housing bolts. Looked to be at the bottom of a cave.

I did not feel like tackling those jobs at 9pm Friday night, but was glad the water pump was off at least. Since I was dirty and had tools everywhere, I decided to do some other chores. I pulled out my garden hose and blew out the heater core and hoses. Took a long time, the lines were full of rustwater and were clogged pretty badly, but after using the hose in both the inlet and outlet lines a few times I got the water to run clear and flow well. Little victories.

At start-up I’d noticed a loud hissing sound from the intake, and in researching online read that this is normally caused by a stuck Idle-Air-Control module (IAC). Found one for under $50 locally, and it mounts to the back side of the throttle body. Somewhat of a pain to get at the two allen-head screws back there, but got it off and replaced. The old one was indeed corroded and covered with what looked like carbon buildup.
Threw a towel over the intake and layed the hood down at midnight Friday.

- Saturday morning, 10am (70’s and sunny, perfect car-working weather)

Took a look at the bypass hose in the light and cursed Chrysler. Sure enough, no way to get that off without taking off more components. I removed the air cleaner mount off from above the t-state housing, and was able to see both bolts on the t-stat housing. With an extension was able to get the bolts out and pulled the upper hose and housing together. The t-stat was stuck..BADLY… in it’s hole. Used longnose pliers and yanked it out. Was all rusted, really doubt it worked at all.

Next I unbolted the a/c compressor from it’s mount and moved it back over the intake and, using a bungee cord, strapped it back out of the way. Under the a/c compressor there is a small access hole, where you are supposed to be able to get at the clamp the holds the water pump bypass hose into the block. The hole is WAY too small, could not get to the clamp at all. Ended up unbolting the large a/c-alternator mount from the front of the engine. Did not remove the alternator from the mount, just moved the entire assembly to the side and used a bungee to keep it clear.
Once everything was moved, I could get right to the bypass hose, but even when I moved the clamp back, the hose would not budge. Ended up cutting the hose and peeling it off it’s mount like and orange, it was totally fused on.

So now I had a clear shot to the front and upper area of the engine. Spent about 30-mins with wire brushes and sandpaper cleaning all the rust on corrosion out of the inner water pump housing, all the hose fittings and places the gaskets would seat, and also sanding the t-state mounting area and such.

After that it all went back together fairly quickly. I the upper radiator hose was also fused to the t-state housing, so I had to run to the parts store again for a new hose after cutting the old once off. At the same time I picked up a new belt tensioner pulley. When I pulled the belt off, I’d spun all the pulleys, and the tensioner bearing was noisy and gritty. I also fixed the “spring” in the tensioner itself. It looks like the water pump had been slinging coolant/water on the tensioner a while and corroded it inside, and when I pulled the tensioner to remove the belt, it stuck in place….did not spring back…I’d never seen one do that before. Filled the housing with Liquid Wrench and after moving it back and forth with a wrench bunch, it loosened up and got it’s “spring” back (happily, as the tensioner would have been another $60). Truck has a fairly good-looking Goodyear Gatorback serp belt, so re-used that for now.

Got the truck all back together around 4pm. Finished it off by installing a new fan clutch…want to make sure the a/c gets lots of airflow this summer, then filled up the radiator with about 70% about anti-freeze. Fired it up and the temp gauge does not even go up to halfway now, intake hiss is gone, belt is quiet, and heater is HOTTT now. Ha! Still have not done the plugs/wires/cap/rotor, and still has 17-month-old gas in it, but is now running really well and NO LEAKS! Amazing!

Finished off by de-greasing under the hood one more time, then pulled out the wash-bucket and washed the entire truck, including the door-sills, which I’d been meaning to do.

Next I pulled the plastic “eyebrows” that tie in with the bug guard off the fenders. The bug guard is still nice and black, but the eyebrows had faded to a reddish-brown. I painted the back side of the eyebrows with black paint…trick my Dad suggested. While they dried I pulled out the WD-40 and scraped the peeling Colorado and UT stickers off the rear window (and added a Luckenbach sticker..ha) , then lubed all the door, hood, and tailgate hinges and latches. Then I pulled out the polishing compound and got after the front and rear bumper chrome, and the chrome grill. The bumpers came back great, it’s a real shame the rear bumper is dented, the chrome glows now.

I used Armour All on the upper front bumper plastic, and then popped the headlight eyebrows back on (they came out GREAT!) and waxed the front of the eyebrows and bug guard…they shine now.

Finished the evening by painting the discolored exhaust pipe black with high-heat paint. I plan to dual the truck out as funds allow, it needs a little rumble added, but at least now there is not a discolored tailpipe sticking out behind the rear wheel. Also installed a Reese Towpower trim cap in the under bumper hitch. It’s the little details that count right…? Haha.

Cleaned up my tools, sprayed off the driveway, and went inside at 8pm, totally bushed.

- Sunday morning, 10am

Got up Sunday with the plan to look for tires. Real shame the Michelins were so dry-rotted, they still had good tread, but the sidewalls were cracking so badly I was scared to even drive around the block on them. Truck is still not registered or inspected, so jacked it up front and rear, set it on stands, and pulled all the wheels off. Misty came out and asked if I was trying to get the “redneck of the month” award for our neighborhood, having an old pickup sitting on jackstands with no wheels on it in front of the house. Ha!

Got on Craigslist first, but could not find a set of tires the right size posted…needed used ones, had no budget for new ones, even Wal-Mart wanted $110 each for their lowest-end tires in the right size, and that didn’t include mount-balance, or tax. Had to be used.

Put all the wheels in the back of my wagon, my boys wanted to come, so loaded up the kids and we headed down into Austin in hopes of finding a cheap set of used tires to get by on. Went to all my usual used tire places, but kept striking out. One place had three really good BFG radials, but not a forth. I really wanted a matched set. Others had full sets, but they were pretty worn out. Wanted some GOOD tires. Was getting frustrated, did not want to put the old tires back on.

About 3pm I went by Leals down on Ceaser Chavez. Told the guy what I wanted, and he said it was “my lucky day senor!”. Ok then… He brought me out back, and had a set of brand new Firestone Transforce HT tires, still with the lablels pasted on the treads. I asked what the deal was, and he said they were new dealer take-off’s. The only kicker was two were raised white letter, and two were just blackwall. The other kicker was that I was looking for 245/75/16, and these were 265/75/16…so these are about an inch taller. He quoted me a price, but I really wanted raised-letter. Still, these were brand new…

I asked him to hang on, got on my phone and looked the tires up on TireRack.com, and found out these are 10-ply LT-grade heavy-duty truck tires, and run between $170 and $210 each. Whoa!! I walked back over, offered him $50 less than he’d quoted me (even though inside I was jumping up and down as it was…these guys expect you to deal), and he took it! Ha! I crossed my fingers those bigger tires would not rub, and he mounted them blackwall-out on my wheels. Headed home with a set of brand new tires, very cool!

Got home around 4:30 and pulled out my wash-bucket, wheel cleaner, and polishing compound. Worked an hour cleaning and polishing the chrome wheels, center caps, and lug nuts, then mounted the sparkling wheels back on the truck. I did have to jack the front end up higher to get the wheels back on, those tires are really taller, but once off the stands I had Eddie start the truck and turn the wheels lock-to-lock. They don’t rub…they get close, but there is room. They DO fill out the wheel-wells a lot too. It no longer has the small-wheel look common to 2nd gen 2WD Dodges. Just hope it does not make it look too “commercial”.

It was now a little after 6pm, and after all that work I could not resist taking the truck around the block. It’s mostly all good news. The truck feels heavier now…the new tires are 44-pounds each, and the new fan clutch is still very tight, so the fan is now really roaring when you take off. I know those take a while to wear in….hope it quiets down. I did not go over 35, but the truck rides well, shifts fine, and runs nice and cool now.

I ordered a carpet dash cover to hide the cracked dash, and it just came in. Has to sit in the sun a few days to form to the dash fully, and then I’m going to duct tape all the dash cracks and Velcro the cover on. I do think those dash covers look somewhat cheap but it looks better than cracks and tape. L )

SO that’s where we are! It’s at least running and driving again.

This coming weekend is also booked with Dodge work. Planning to do the cap, rotor, plugs and wires. Also doing the rear axle and transmission services, re-pack the front wheel bearing, adjust the rear brakes, and then do ball-joints, check the rest of the front end parts, and take it for an alignment. The license plate lights are broken loose of the housing….need to fix those, and follow all that up with a state inspection.
I really REALLY want to get to the salvage yard and try to find a new radio and new speaker for the driver’s door. Found out the Infinity stereo has individual amps mounted to the door speakers, and the amp runs the speaker and the A-pillar tweeter, so I need to find a good used speaker and need to keep the stock-style radio. Hopefully I can find all that in the salvage yard.

On the cosmetic side, I still need to order new fog lights to replace the cracked ones in the bumper, and after all of this, will be getting paint estimates for the upper body.

Here’s the latest pics, truck all cleaned up, polished wheels and bumpers, painted tailpipe, ect:





BIG new tires:





Underhood back together and cleaner, 5.9 360 Magnum:





View from the front. Bumper and grill polished, plastic bug guard eyebrows over the headlights blacked out to match hood guard. Now I just need the green on the hood and roof re-painted!




I spent a good three hours after work last night on the interior. Seats and carpet cleaned up really well...carpet took a LOT of scrubbing Also installed a Coverlay carpet cover on the dash. Somewhat ghetto I know but better than cracks! Interior looks tons better.











It's not a bad truck....just wish it was a '98 Silverado or Sierra! Ha! My plan is to finish fixing it up, drive it a bit, and if the "right" wagon comes along to post the Dodge on Craigslist. Trucks are always in demand in Texas, it should sell fast....and knowing me, it'll be really nice when I'm done with it. I can't not fix a vehicle.

-Mike

 

Yeah there was on older cars that had blind square nuts to bolt the door hinges to.

 

Now that's what I call sweat equity........
Those tires almost make it look like a 2500 series....just needs a bit more height on the suspension.

 

Man! You do great work! I'd hire ya! :2_thumbs_up_-_anima

 

Mike, what did you use to clean the carpet?

 

When I first started at Dodge those trucks and durango's would come in with leaking waterpump and I would give price on bypass, thermostat and housing because most leaked if you just changed the waterpump. Now you see why it pays either 3 or 4 hours labor. IIRC been a year or so since I had to do one.

 

hey mike...bring that truck up here and sell it, you'll double your money.

 

Cleans up real nice!

 

Awesome job on the truck, just great!

 

You have a very patient wife and family. I'm sure they know the outcome will be a great truck for everyone to enjoy.

You mentioned you tossed the wheels and kids in the wagon - have I missed something? Do you have another one in stock?

There was a time when I could head out to my shop and get tremendous amounts of work done on my cars and trailers. Now what I did in a day takes a LONG time. Oh, how I miss those days. Have fun while you are able, and keep that family real happy, they are what many a married man would hope for.

 

The Roadmaster gets picked up this Sunday....I'm not looking forward to seeing it drive away....

 

Stupid Stupid STUPID design!!!

 

Tough Stuff first, and then a bucket of hot water with a cup of laundry detergent mixed in, and a scrub brush. Then sucked it all up with the wet-dry vac.

-Mike

 

As for the Dodge, it's somewhat amazing what people will just throw away. My co-worker just gave up on it, said it had been leaking a long time and he just kept adding water, and when the freeze plug went he just gave up. Did not want to put any more money in it and was tired of putting gas in it. Bought a Mazda.

He was about to have the Dodge hauled off for scrap, or picked up by Goodwill. This is a NICE truck....I think back to all my old rusty Chevy Citations, my '83 Isuzu I-Mark, my horrid Ford Aerostar van...all were MUCH worse than this Dodge. I'm not complaining, I love a deal!

Going to call in a favor for some paintwork and finish all the little stuff, then drive it a bit until the right wagon comes along!

-Mike

oh and I'm already scanning Craigslist for local wagon "deals". Check these out.

http://austin.craigslist.org/cto/2981616933.html - 94 LT1 Caprice....wonder how bad it really is

http://austin.craigslist.org/ctd/2977750497.html - Very clean Roady about a mile from my office.

Waiting for a low mile black, maroon, or grey-green LT1 Roady to pop up!!

-Mike

 

As many of you know thats what was gunna happen to my Vista Cruiser! I really doubt he was gunna do it, but ya never know.