In playing interior, I thought it was time to start fabbing the rear seat switches for the power windows. So I started with a pw switch from a 1993 Dodge Spirit. I had pirated it from a bone yard a few years ago. At the same time I completed the rear controls for the front door. As there is no 2 switch control on the gen 1 rams I had to make my own. I could have used the passenger side 2 switch but they are not proportionate so I made my own from a few donor pieces. Also, as the rear switches did not fit 100% perfectly into the rear panels, I made a trim piece that they will lock into and cover the hole.
Rears:
Fronts:
Console:
Next up was the console. As I do not have any armrests on these seats, I will need an armrest built in. I also want some storage, and something to house the gauges that don’t fit on the dash, A pillar, and roof pods. So was time to start the idea into reality. Now please don’t mock me too much. I know this is a pretty hillbilly console but it does the job, and as I am not a great wood worker it is about what one would expect. LOL
So I started with cardboard so I could copy the shape of the trans tunnel exact to the wood.
Next, I traced onto the wood and cut it out. I used iron ply as it is a very lightweight material as well as very strong and durable. As it will be leather wrapped you won’t notice the grain either so it works well.
Then came the test fit and determining gauge angle:
And more building……
The original arm rest concept failed as it did not allow for room for the cup holder I pirated out of a Chrysler Concord in the boneyard. So the second one was started.
Next came a hinge for the arm rest. I needed something strong to support peoples arm weight so I went with ¼” x 3” aluminum plate anchored into the 2×4 wood frame. The stop on top actually stops it from going too far back and forward. Brass bushings were pressed in so that it would not wear too badly over time. Then they were sent out for powder.
Engine:
So it was time to get back to the engine again. I was going to run a PDR HX35 with non wastegate but my gut tells me that will result in bad things, so I picked up a 14CM WG Holset housing. I then also installed (with some modifications) the turbo piping:
Then a check to make sure all clears as it should…..
Next was to start prepping the engine for its first start. After all oil lines were connected, probes installed, seals in, filters pre filled, gauges temporarily hooked up, and turbos connected it was time to prime the oil. You may remember from a ways back that I had picked up a spare oil pump and welded a socket onto the main gear. Well now was the opportunity to finally try it! So oil was filled and with cordless in hand, I went to cracking the oil pump.
All said and done the Dewalt cordless got the oil pressure up to about 35 PSI. Not bad all said and done! We also rotated the engine a full revolution slowly so that all galleries would get a chance to fill.
Once oil pressure was done, the real pump went back in and the KDP tab was checked one last time. The gear case was then sealed up!
Coolant filter:
Although it has not arrived yet, I pre plumbed the coolant filter in via the port in the block while the alternator was temporarily off and also installed a auto trans Y into the coolant return line for the filter return.
Washer fluid reservoir:
This one was ugly. I tried to find a new reservoir but couldn’t so I had to clean this one up. I started with a degreaser, then a wash in hot water and soap, then a final wipe down and it actually came out cleaner than expected. The cap was very faded so some Testers model car paint and a fine paint brush as well as a toothpick, 30 min, and budda bing you got yourself a new looking cap!
Blower Motor Cover:
I had found a replacement blower motor insulation cover a while back but it was still not clean enough for my standards, so out came the degreaser…..a few hours….. some Krylon paint and you get this!
Install was a bugger due to the HT3B and actually took over 3 hours to install this simple piece by the time the grinding and all was actually said and done. But it looks good! 🙂
Engine Assy:
Then it was time to assemble the engine a bit more. Tach pickup sensor, Fluidampr, etc.
