Convert a 5th wheel camper to a car hauler?
#21
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#26
The project is on hold for a bit while I get the Dodge ready to tote it. I'm doing my billet TQ and valve body mods this week, and also tracking down some electrical bugs that are giving me fits.
A historical time-line of my problems, and what I've done so far...
Neither my tach nor my speedometer were working, so I started tracking down wires. I replaced the engine speed sensor on the crank, no change. Continuity tested everything from PCM to gauge panel -- all good. Still no speedo or tach working after this, and transmission related, lock-up TQ is gone, and OD seems to be kicking in and out at times, sometimes working, sometimes not.
Added a few extra ground wires here and there where I thought that bad grounds might be the culprit. Also installed my gauges (nothing related to transmission or speedo operation, but at least I can see what is going on in the engine). Added a switch for lock-up TQ.
Utilizing the switch for lock-up TQ didn't change a thing in the transmission. Still no lock-up, and OD even quit working. But, my speedo all of a sudden started reading again. I don't have a clue what's up with that. As soon as I activate the switch for the lock-up converter, the speedometer instantly stops working and OD (which comes and goes now) also goes away, so there is something in the wiring headed down to the transmission.
I unplugged the wires leading to the switch for the lock-up and the speedo and OD came back. Still no lock-up converter.
Today, I'll track down the TPS and see if that is the culprit. I'll also probably replace the lock-up solenoid while I'm inside the transmission pan.
I'm also building two different off-road trucks right now (a YJ for general trail use and the Ranger below) which I'll be hauling on the trailer once it is done (purpose building the trailer just for this. I'll get back to the trailer right after my run to SMOR in Missouri on June 11. Check out that run on Welcome to the United Christian Off Road Alliance - UCORA.org.
A historical time-line of my problems, and what I've done so far...
Neither my tach nor my speedometer were working, so I started tracking down wires. I replaced the engine speed sensor on the crank, no change. Continuity tested everything from PCM to gauge panel -- all good. Still no speedo or tach working after this, and transmission related, lock-up TQ is gone, and OD seems to be kicking in and out at times, sometimes working, sometimes not.
Added a few extra ground wires here and there where I thought that bad grounds might be the culprit. Also installed my gauges (nothing related to transmission or speedo operation, but at least I can see what is going on in the engine). Added a switch for lock-up TQ.
Utilizing the switch for lock-up TQ didn't change a thing in the transmission. Still no lock-up, and OD even quit working. But, my speedo all of a sudden started reading again. I don't have a clue what's up with that. As soon as I activate the switch for the lock-up converter, the speedometer instantly stops working and OD (which comes and goes now) also goes away, so there is something in the wiring headed down to the transmission.
I unplugged the wires leading to the switch for the lock-up and the speedo and OD came back. Still no lock-up converter.
Today, I'll track down the TPS and see if that is the culprit. I'll also probably replace the lock-up solenoid while I'm inside the transmission pan.
I'm also building two different off-road trucks right now (a YJ for general trail use and the Ranger below) which I'll be hauling on the trailer once it is done (purpose building the trailer just for this. I'll get back to the trailer right after my run to SMOR in Missouri on June 11. Check out that run on Welcome to the United Christian Off Road Alliance - UCORA.org.
#29
Not to butt in but, don't do it. What you bought looks to be an older Alumilite built by Holiday Rambler. What they tried to do was make this fifth wheel as light as possible. In doing so they used thin guage main frame rails and lenghtened the spacing of the outriggers and crossmembers. You are in for a lot of reinforcing both in time and materials that will not make up for whatever you may have saved by not buying a heavier unit.
Just my opinion, yours may vary.
Just my opinion, yours may vary.
#30
I'm prepared to deal with that. I'll be starting the process very soon. Just got back from SMORR, where we had the Crawl 4 Christ UCORA run over the weekend. Great turnout there, we had 114 vehicles registered and had a blast wheeling in Missouri.
The Dodge pulled great. Ate up the Superduty that my kiddo drove. I still have some things do do to the truck to get the most out of it, for instance, my boost is limited to 20, my EGT are too high too soon, I have a leaky pinion seal, and the A/C died 30 miles into the trip forcing us to run the 10 hours each way with the windows open, dying from the heat. I'll talk about all that stuff in another thread, though.
Can't wait to get the toy-hauler ready for that sort of trip.
The Dodge pulled great. Ate up the Superduty that my kiddo drove. I still have some things do do to the truck to get the most out of it, for instance, my boost is limited to 20, my EGT are too high too soon, I have a leaky pinion seal, and the A/C died 30 miles into the trip forcing us to run the 10 hours each way with the windows open, dying from the heat. I'll talk about all that stuff in another thread, though.
Can't wait to get the toy-hauler ready for that sort of trip.
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