BASKET CASE! Will This Rare 1977 Dodge Ramcharger 440 Macho SE Run And Drive Again?

In this video: Mopar 440 big block external accessory assembly, bolt identification, big block Dodge truck header install, automatic transmission diagnosis and fluid level tips, NP-203 transfer case explanation, Mopar throttle cable adjustment guide, hydraulic fitting and inverted flare fitting explanation, some offloading, and a shameless DDG hat plug.
This truck is awesome! It's got all of the things. It's black, it's got a 440, it's from California - which means it's super solid - and it's mostly original. But will it run? Can I piece it together from a pile of parts? Will the engine billow horrible clouds of engine smoke? Let's find out... ‪@rocketresto‬

[@deucejohnson9928]

never laughed so much WATCHING trucks run around a field before. it was great!!!!

[@richardbates2367]

And this truck is a great example why I hate headers they are absolutely a pain in the ass to put on almost anything you try to put them on, and yeah isn't it ironic that most people have issues with the thermoquad carburetor but they appreciate the demon carburetor series of carbs!!

[@kevinAuman1]

I've installed headers on over a dozen LS motors and even more sbc 350's without issue... Just saying

[@gregday9943]

Put them on the 77 k20 in a half hour took me almost two thw get the manifolds off tho

[@theguy9234]

Must be a dodge issue

[@gregday9943]

@@theguy9234 could be it was a sbc tho maybe thats why it was easy

[@DonaldHall9]

I had a 86 Ramcharger with a 318 in it that needed a engine front wiring harness

[@ssmrmgb]

I might be crazy, but I really enjoy your long videos especially the Studebaker Hawk and this one. The more detail the better. Keep them coming, keeps me awake during these short wet Seattle fall days.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Thank you! Various people have told me that I should keep them short because viewers don’t have the attention span or whatever, but that really doesn’t seem to be the case. My longer videos like this always do really well. I’m never really shooting for any video length - the video will be whatever it is. I spent days on this one and got a lot of footage and detail, so there it is. Plenty more coming up!

[@mypronouniswtf5559]

I hate puzzles and that truck is taken apart like a puzzle.... I bought several vehicles half torn apart and I went insane trying to piece them back together! My thoughts and prayers are with you lol.. Killer Ramcharger!!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yep… it’s just a huge pain. Haha. Thanks.

[@digschopper9321]

​@@DeadDodgeGarageyeah, but its AWESOME. Just do it.

[@digschopper9321]

Theyre all puzzles.

[@lamontcranston8181]

I actually prefer when they are like this. Makes justifying new parts waaaay easier. 😂

[@wcmwfab935]

Had a black 77 power wagon when i was young in the 90s. Sitting on 35s back then. She was pretty and ran mean.

[@campervanbug7658]

Beautiful mopar farm you have there

[@pcbullets8726]

What an awesome 4x4! Always liked these Ramchargers! Sounds great!

[@RandallSoong-pp7ih]

Solid real wrenching. Thank you Jamie!

[@idaholineman5788]

Such a cool truck! Keep up the great content Jamie!

[@craigbowley6783]

Man that thing sounds awesome! What a beautiful rig!

[@steveesposito]

Thank you, I have been professionally entertained.

[@nathanielwaters6730]

Wow, The Adult Toys from Dodge 1977, that Ramcharger is a very cool piece, I had several of them and Plymouth Traildusters!!! Great barn finds!!! You Mopar Guys have very cool videos!!! Mopar Nate, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

[@vermhot]

Many years ago I had a 78 big block Ramcharger ! Loved that thing ! Wish I still had that one !

[@beljames1563]

Great truck. I dub your track Dirtfish South. Great advice to not stick your bolt in a dirty hole. Haven't done that in years. Guess it's time to start wrenching again.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Haaaahaha. I guess so.

[@digschopper9321]

This will be amazing. Keep it up.

[@JamesWilson-bw5uq]

Hi Jamie loved this video!!! I've owned multiple Dodge pickups in Vermont 4WD of course one was a '78 short bed black 4spd 4 wd, cause I had a fisher plow cause I lived way out in the country in Fairfield county. And we might not see the road grader county plow for using 3 days after major snow fall. I always wanted one of the black 440 4wd Ram chargers but well, I had a wife n two sons to care for so it was a luxury I couldn't justify. My summer ride was a Dodge Dart Demon 340 I owned since new ( I was single then). 4spd of course. My wife's ride was a jeep Wagoner quad Trac , so she could go any time all year. That's why I enjoyed this video so much. Thanks DDG!!!!!.

[@buza1300]

😎💙👍thanks for taking care of the Dodge Ramcharger for me!

[@318willrun]

love the Ramchargers!

[@johanchastain]

I just recently found your channel. Love your content. Your very funny ,dam good mechanic. I live Mopar too. But honestly I love all the older trucks. Ford chevy and dodge. But anyway keep it coming love your videos. Really like your serious skeptical humor. Funny guy and very intelligent.

[@bobtucker8875]

Very interesting 🤔 content guys. Thanks 👍 for sharing.

[@OlderNotNecesarilyWiser]

Great video, nice truck, I don't remember anybody I knew having a 440 ram charger, really enjoyed this!

[@craigbowley6783]

That's a dream truck 😊

[@antoninoorfano8187]

Well done

[@stevef.5197]

I have a 440 Trailduster. Thanks for the video.

[@jamesonpace726]

O, ye necromancer, holder of arcane & esoteric magics, thou art truly a wizard of such like fanciful creatures....

[@alcyr5655]

How can anyone not love pop tops.

[@davestark2015]

Heard you say you thought no one would watch this video, so im doing my part and watching it for the second time 😊

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Surprisingly, it was quite popular! But I definitely thank you for your efforts. Haha.

[@tom115]

Love to have that Ram Charger!!

[@gilbertwashburn7095]

That's insane that Ramcharger looks nice man I'm drooling🥲😍

[@bulldoggarageapparel7511]

nice so nice i want it, i had a 78 ramcharger in high school 318, and then i had 77 ramcharger with a 383 it was a beast, i have had 3 ramchargers hard to find in Ohio in good shape all 3 of mine was mint shape, love to get a Plymouth trail-duster thanks for sharing brother

[@gasser66]

23:42 ".......yet" lol. Congrats on 20,000. Most excellent indeed.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Haha. How did I know?! Thank you!

[@canadian4wd654]

Think I need another pop top Ramcharger in my life lol Awesome rig !!!

[@williamreese2477]

Thanks for the video. That brought back lotta memories as a kid doing all the same stuff.dad said if i help u you won't learn anything and i already know how to do it.

[@markcollins457]

Love the RamCharger, I noticed a 67 Coronet under the carport. My first car was a 67 Coronet in high school, it had white interior was in perfect condition and in 1977 it was only 10yrs old. I purchased it from my auto shop teacher drove it for 3mo and hit a tree that politely pushed the 318 back into the passenger front seat. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.😊

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Ouch… that’s not ideal. There is a video of me getting that one running on the channel! There have also been a couple other ‘67s at one point or another. My wife owns a ‘66 Coronet station wagon that now has a 440 as well.

[@marlonsarmiento4807]

i legitimately jumped out of my chair when she banged into gear i love this shit

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Oh hell yeah!

[@cmreamhomes3274]

Good content!

[@UncleDonut66]

I picked up a California '77 D200 in California over the summer. Still had the smog stuff on it. Mine has the 360. The idler pulley under the smog pump on your truck is where a smog air pump is in mine. The air pump and power steering pump both drive the water pump.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Ahhh, that makes sense. I’ve heard that the Sno-Fighter models might have the second pump in that location too.

[@user-cl5gd4xv9m]

Snowfigters had plow pump where air conditioning compressor is. Power steering where your idler is. Had 3 77 power wagons and 88 ramcharger. Stupid me passed on a 77 trailduster with the 440. Oh well. Awesome truck and video.

[@wrenched90405]

SO PSYCHED you are doing a ramcharger vid! WOO HOO!

[@adampatterson3188]

Hell ya man, really love these trucks 🚬😍😍🤩 my last one was a 1980 Plymouth trail duster. Last year made, and had the full removed roof. This one was the two tone "barrel" color. They said tan on the top sides and roof of the truck and a light brown on the bottom. Came with a 5.9 360.

[@larryippert8143]

Love the jeep too

[@staceyrenner5418]

Well I'm a year older than the Ramcharger and I also run like butt, must be a late 40's thing. Great job as always man, that thing is cool as hell.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Haaaahaha. Nice.

[@robertlacob8831]

Back when I was wrenching for Chrysler/Plymouth dealers, I had ana seventy something Trail Duster come in for engine diagnostics and ended up selling a MOPAR rebuilt 360 long block. That truck was loaded and ran beautifully when done. It had 125,000 miles on it so the owner made the choice to keep another 10 years! The only pain I had working on it was climbing up and down as it was so dam high!

[@TimothyRussell-uv7uv]

That thing is pretty sweet

[@gregloy5790]

You appear to be having soooo much fun.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Exactly! Exactly.

[@J.R.in_WV]

Had an 88’ Ramcharger as a second car to keep my 95’ GMC out of the salt and to use as a woods beater. That thing just would not die. You both started it and operated the headlights by twisting wires together under the dash, the 318 was so worn out it carried 5 psi of oil pressure at warm idle and a max of 25 going down the road…..but despite floating the valves plenty of times in mud holes and on steep trails it never, ever blew up.

[@americanjoetv1390]

Yep I'm jealous. Been looking for a good ram charger for a while. I've got a short bed gen 3 Ram. Short box 4X4. That would be a banging resto-mod. Jamie, you lucky dog! I turn wrenches for a living, and you sir, got the gig. You get all the rare ones.

[@mickaelholladay7446]

Hey Joe, what city & state are you in? I know of one in Westminster, CA. It's raised & has huge tires on it. Next time I go by I will take a picture of it & try to get it to you. Mike

[@bigwrenchtech]

Oh neat!!!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Happy Friday!

[@scottjones1497]

New subscriber here and what an awesome truck and channel. Looking forward to viewing all your old videos and new. Glad I found you.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Thank you!

[@michaelnault5905]

The rattling clatter of progress on a Friday night :⁠-⁠)

[@martind701]

Jamie I try to never miss any of your videos.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Thank you!

[@keithlea6804]

Wish i still had my 79 ramcharger. Had the 360 auto. Always wanted a 440 in it.

[@Wyowanderer]

Archie Bunker would call it "stimulated" wood.

[@barrycuda3769]

A friend of my father used to say "Tantalized" fence posts , instead of Tanalised. A friend of mine says "Cadillac" converter instead of catalytic.

[@danclancy6535]

Sweet !!

[@0004612]

So good looking; much better than the broncos or blazers of those days. That’s gotta be rare with a 440. Bambi would rather hang with you guys than get chased by Sasquatch in the woods!

[@linwoodlane7006]

Great vid - check, cap ordered - check , two stickers ordered - check , your stuffs coming to the UK 😀

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Headed your way! Thank you!

[@linwoodlane7006]

@@DeadDodgeGarage Thanks , I find your videos and presentation very entertaining and often funny , I dont have an American car or a V8 but that doesnt stop me learning about them , keep on doin what your doin .

[@majorpayne5289]

👍Good stuff. My friend had one of these w/ locked engine. Not sure which. Found a clean, low mileage Dodge 400. Installed and had a blast 4 wheeling. It was a workhorse. *Great channel! Merry Christmas!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

These are awesome trucks. Merry Christmas to you!

[@user-KrackerJack]

I like that ! Dang

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

It’s friggin awesome!

[@jamesrodriquez2863]

Those Ramchargers are pretty cool. It's next to impossible to find any here in Indiana, thanks to all the 70s era rust issues.

[@Mike-Olds-1]

I’ve installed shorter exhaust/ header studs and use a jam style nut which is about half as tall as a regular hex nut and it worked well and gave just enough clearance for the header to fit in without removing the studs. Cool Truck 👍🇺🇸

[@lamontcranston8181]

One thing I love about these trucks is the ridiculously long description you can give. Take my “new” truck for example - 1978 Dodge Power Wagon, Adventurer SE 200, club cab, long bed, 440, 4x4, Automatic with A/C. Completely unnecessary description for most. But when you meet another dodge guy, that’s just the beginning of what you’re gonna hear. 😂

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Truly a ridiculous number of descriptors there. Haha. So true.

[@travisbeavers1203]

Always with the leaky gloves! Lol I love that truck

[@kenjohnson3641]

Cool

[@steveash9831]

Wow Jamie! You were amazing on Uncle Tony's Live! I'm sure Tony was even more impressed with you. You taught him a few things. Poor Kiwi will probably looking for a new gig. Thanks for answering my valley pan question. I've have always wondered about that. I will be installing aluminum heads to eliminate it. Glad to hear how much you enjoy my crazy comments. Your replies are hilarious! Sorry it is taking so long to get my cars assembled for photographs for you. It is something that has to be done anyway to move them to my next secret hide-out. Damn those pesky police!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

They’re onto you again, eh? Dang it… you bet. Thanks Steve. Still looking forward to it. Haha.

[@ronaldrey8474]

The deer realized the exhaust kills fly's & misquotes. Or low flying crop-dusters ... hehehe

[@rennkafer13]

If we weren't 50 miles or so apart I'd think we were sharing the same deer. I've walked out of the shop to find them maybe 15' from the door. As long as you don't walk towards them, they just go back to grazing. We live very near a 600-700 acre county park (no hunting) and amidst a bunch of 1-2.5 acre plots of land (also no hunting in Kitsap) so they're not too worried it seems.

[@creightonleerose582]

Greets from Whidbey Isle....;)

[@user-hi2ev7ug4l]

The " King of bad gas mileage " has arrived....nice truck...yeah I remember those....just don't understand why they don't build SUV's like that anymore...I guess we need to be more comfortable than anything.....good content....thanks.

[@chrisdavis8622]

D*** I love these trucks.I would just about die to have this one.All original with a four forty

[@user-rc4bs4ke7o]

My Parents had a blue one back in 1985. We drove it from STL to D.C.

[@jamesgeorge4874]

I'm not real brand loyal, but I've always liked the Ramcharger, I passed on '75 Plymouth Trailduster in the mid 90's because Michigan eats cars 'n trucks, one I regret.

[@zachstacy9473]

I love my 85 ramcharger

[@louislepage5111]

I live in Ontario Canada, and trust me, I have never seen that much floor in a 70s era Dodge truck, or a Ford , a Chevrolet square body 😊

[@myprivatewar]

fook i love these things ❤️

[@streetvan1997]

I had an 85 dodge “wagon” van with a 5.9 360 that sounded so similar to this. I had the engine rebuilt and a bunch of performance crap added onto it. Who knows maybe even was close in HP to this old tired 440. Also had headers and straight dual exhaust. It was such a beautiful van and so much fun to drive. But scary AF in the New York winters even with the backend weighed down with concrete bags. All that power and RWD with so little weight is not good. Also the winters started to take a toll on everything underneath. Wish I had the money to fix up a 77 dodge van with a 440 or a ram charger. But these ram chargers are crazy expensive now. And the 70’s dodge vans are getting very rare and pricey too. Now I drive a 2004 Saturn Vue with a 4 speed manual 4 cylinder. lol. Wish I had money.

[@dantheadventureman]

Yessssss!

[@daveharvey5032]

54:55 - One Ton sticker on the back of the Trailduster! Mid-90's Olympia hardcore band with the C-Average drummer in them.

[@mexicanspec]

Jaime, I see new turn signals for the 1977/1978 Dodge trucks in clear and amber. You can ask Unfinished Project for a reference on their quality. Let me know if you need any.

[@mikemadison2747]

I had a 73, my favorite vehicle I've owned. OJ had a Bronco 🙂

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yes, I’m well aware. Haha.

[@helenfinchsewwrite]

It looks like Christmas has come early.

[@dre4011]

My '90 needs a transmission...very soon I love my RamCharger

[@KMopar07]

Wow the daysis wheels! 👌 big fan of those my mother had a set on her 1975 Nova SS 350 4spd. i just got them restored to use on my 77 Nova 350 4spd. im looking at ordering a set new but being in Qc canada sucks for that importing parts from the U.S. is so expensive! 😬

[@rickyredhookbk9048]

I miss my high school 1974 Plymouth Trailduster 318 in the early 90s. So much I wanted to do to it. Had a 340 block but the fire dept towed it away when I was in the military. They don’t want uninsured vehicles parked too long. It was pretty much theft.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Oof… that’s dumb.

[@jenseninterceptors]

My dad had a 1980 Ramcharger SE with a 360, same wheels but the seats are a little different. His was orange and tan, very nice trucks!!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

It turns out these actually aren’t the right SE seat covers. It came with some NOS covers though! Those have to be rare…

[@dopeynightlifetv6859]

Those trucks would be great on some rock climbing and mudding trails 💪

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Damn right! The Ramcharger is a little too nice, and Evan’s Power Wagon is… not quite nice enough. But I would love to do some more of that soon.

[@georgewilson1184]

If it was a Plymouth Trailduster I would really get excited I am always for the underdog but I like the RamCharger too

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Good news! I did a big block Trailduster video last week.

[@georgewilson1184]

Excellent can’t wait to see it

[@richardbates2367]

The trail duster has the exact same paint scheme as my 74 d100 dodge club cab and it was a adventurer se had cool door panels and chrome mirrors

[@richardbates2367]

That 77 d100 short bed 318 sounds like its knocking on heaven's door lol

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Yep… Just brought back from certain death. The engine was in pieces because it “needed a timing chain.” Nope - but it might well need some other things…

[@georgewilson1184]

Do a Plymouth Trailduster you’ll love it

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Funny, I already did. Haha.

[@steveash9831]

Jeepers! Leave a comment?! This video requires multiple comments! I'm sure the other competent commenters will cover all the bases. I will just say this... Awesome truck! Great little project that was fun to watch from the comfort and safety of my couch. It's amazing what crappy repairs and modifications some people will perform on vehicles. Every time I buy a classic old Mopar, I shake my head in disbelief from all of the horrible things I have seen. However, it is rewarding to fix all the f**k ups! Those damn chrome thermostat housings bend! Even without over-tightening! BTW Jamie, I'm still taking pictures of my fleet for you. It has been difficult since I am preparing to move out of Florida, and two of my cars have to be partially assembled to enhance your viewing pleasure.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I appreciate all of your efforts. Haha.

[@nooneyouknow5129]

I want one soooo bad!!!

[@moparedtn]

I'm digging this truck a lot for whatever reason - and yes, put me down as another who quite enjoys these "long form" episodes, probably because I could very well envision being there and participating in the exact same exercises. Where's the link to the merch? - Ed on the Ridge

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

shop.deaddodgegarage.com

[@johnroof2663]

I remember my dad bought a brand new 1976 Plymouth trail duster when he was stationed in germany. It had just the 318, two wheel drive it was stripped down as you could get. That damn thing got stuck all the time.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I think I’ve only ever seen one RWD Ramcharger. An older gentleman here owns it - and it’s really, really nice.

[@taneumjct5156]

Drove one of those from western wa to palm desert cal and back in the 1985

[@cowthedestroyer]

How cool. You seem to only find 318 trucks around anymore and none of the fun stuff. Well atleast in condition that can be run down the road. I WANT IT

[@dinadaughtry8993]

had a freind that had the same year same engine and it would pull the gates off of hell plus you had to work pretty hard to get it stuck in the mud holes they get awesome traction

[@danielweith1075]

I watched, to the very end. It RAMS and Charges!!!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

It does all those things! It also leaks transmission fluid now. Long story.

[@lamontcranston8181]

I just had that same radiator rebuilt for my 78 W200. $800 later and my 440 isn’t trying to melt itself into one homogeneous lump of uselessness. 😐 I love my dodge.

[@EdwardDeCarlo-pu7pn]

🔥

[@richardbates2367]

Honestly when it ran that is about what my 2000 magnum 318 sounds like lol no muffler

[@richardbates2367]

I believe higher trim se trucks are the only tin grilles that got the option for the factory tach in dash,, and lets face it 65-70 percent of them were custom and adventurer with a few prospectors thrown in the mix and that is the majority of the Mopar tin grille trucks you find... And it usually doesn't matter if it was regular cab, club cab, ram charger trail duster crew cab..

[@p38kris]

Ooooh 4x4