Good night everybody. (here in the Netherlands it is 10.00AM)

I have had a dodge Ram 1976 (W200) for 11 years. Was in perfect condition, but after'this long time I have finally sold it. Now I have bought a '84 Ramcharger 4 x 4. (straight imported out of the US, without seeing the car in live!!) For me it was surprising that the standard wheel diam. is 15". I assumed it was the same as the W200: 16.5".

I have never found any application on internet of a Ramcharger equipped with 16,5'" (5 holes) Question: Why is this? I would like to have the16,5 as the 35"Tyres behave more rigid as on a 15"Rim. Here in Europe it is easy to get 16,5"Tyres, as there are still a lot of W200's running here (Former Army Trucks)

Can anybody give me some info about the transfer-case of the Ramcharger? This is not permanent 4 x 4, as the W 200 has, isnt it ??

Thank you guys! (and girls of course)

Marc

 

I'm not aware of any 16.5" wheels with 5 on 5.5" lug pattern. 16.5's haven't been used in the US in almost 30 years. 15" has been a standard wheel size on half ton trucks here for half a century, until the mid '90's, when 16 became the smallest due to larger brakes. Now everything is 17" or 18" (or bigger).

Your transfer case is a New Process Model 208-D part-time hi and low. It has an aluminum housing and chain drive. They're pretty tough, but not quite as solid as the old cast iron NP 203 in your W200. The 208 is shift on the fly for 4 high, but do not do this at highway speeds; under 40 MPH (65 Km/H). You need to be in nuetral for 4 low.

My 1980 Powerwagon with a 440 engine and 4 speed rolls on 35x12.50-15's with spools in both axles, and I have yet to blow up my NP208. I've bnroken drive shafts, snapped front axle stub shafts several times and smoked clutches in the snow, but that T-case is still hangin' in there. Should give you years of service.

And I'm just curious, but with fuel prices in Europe, doesn't it cost a fortune to drive a full size carbureted SUV? I mean, the Ramchargers seldom got better than 15 or 16 MPG.

 

Hi 66deuce,

Thanks for your info. I am really surprised the 16,5"rim size is rare in the US. Maybe it was only on the military version of the Dodge W200. Here in Europe theyapply often used Humvee Tyres (military) on there Dodges, 16,5"x 36".

If there are no 16'5" rims with 5 hole pattern for ramcharger I will stayon thethe 15".
I have ordered a 6" liftkit, without the blocks, to be able to have 35"tyresize. Can you recommend the max Rim Width without having the tyres looking out of the fenders? Here in Europe the police is very keen on cars with tyres partly out of the fender (forbidden) Also Bigfoot-like trucks arte not allowed here [>:]

In my Ramcharger I will install LPG equipment (Liquid Petroleum Gas)LPG costs about € 0,55 per liter, which is about € 2,00 per Gallon (€ 2,00 is nowadays USD 2,90) This is still a lot of money!!
Gasoline is nowadays € 2,50 per liter!!! I will drive the Ramcharger only in weekends for pleasure.

I have a Volvo Diesel which is economic, for dayly use

Thanks again,

regards, Marc

 

35x12.5's look best on 10" wide rims, but those will stick out a little. You can use 8" wide wheels.

This powerwagon (on the right) has 15x8's:


This one is the same that can be seen from the rear in the above photo, and has 15x10's:


Both trucks are on 4" lifts and35x12.5's.