Ram Assist Upgrade and Painless Harness Install

Skiddy · Oct 7, 2017

Prizefighter said:
I got WTO Red Neck Ram. John Dixon mounted up the ram assist for me. I can send you pics if you need them.

can you send me some pics as well, also if you have them, pics on hoses at the box. which one goes where.
thank you sir

Scoop · Oct 11, 2017

Got some work done on the dash today. I opened up the speaker grill and filled in the ash tray to make the access hole for the fuse box.

And with the Roadster speaker louver in place -

Next I'll fill in the butchered radio opening. It will need a skim coat of bondo after the other opening is filled in.

Scoop · Oct 11, 2017

Got started on the radio hole.

sprdv1 · Oct 13, 2017

Can't wait to see it all finished up Gary..

Scoop · Oct 14, 2017

Thanks Dave! Here's a couple more progress pics.

I had to fill 38 holes on the bottom from where things had been mounted over the years!

And here's a pic of the fuse box mount I made:

Banjer Picker · Oct 14, 2017

sprdv1 said:
Gusset up that housing bracket good on the axle

Hey!! I see part of Lance’s door hinge on Dave’s axle! Lol.

Scoop · Oct 15, 2017

OK here's the repaired dash in primer.

I should get it painted today and do a trial fit of the switches and gauges.

sprdv1 · Oct 15, 2017

Banjer Picker said:
Hey!! I see part of Lance’s door hinge on Dave’s axle! Lol.

LOL Ssshhhh

sprdv1 · Oct 15, 2017

Scoop said:
OK here's the repaired dash in primer.

I should get it painted today and do a trial fit of the switches and gauges.

Very nice sir...

Scoop · Oct 15, 2017

All painted and cleared. It's Wimbledon White with a satin clear. I know WW is not correct but this is not a stock Bronco!!

Scoop · Oct 15, 2017

Here is the dash with the new gauges and switches test fitted.

They layout is different than what I first posted. I decided to move the voltmeter to the speedo cluster and only put 2 - water temp and oil pressure - in the dash and I moved the gauges to near the steering wheel. All new switches except the ARB switch.

For the master switch I went to a covered toggle. I'm not sure I'm going to like it. It seems to be prone to closing (shutting off) very easily. If so, I'll replace it or just take the red cover off. I'm retaining the push button start.

richie19 · Oct 16, 2017

Scoop said:
Here is the dash with the new gauges and switches test fitted.

They layout is different than what I first posted. I decided to move the voltmeter to the speedo cluster and only put 2 - water temp and oil pressure - in the dash and I moved the gauges to near the steering wheel. All new switches except the ARB switch.

For the master switch I went to a covered toggle. I'm not sure I'm going to like it. It seems to be prone to closing (shutting off) very easily. If so, I'll replace it or just take the red cover off. I'm retaining the push button start.

Very nice work. Question on your master switch - so in the current configuration it is safetied (cover down) in the off position? The way we have always used those covers is to prevent inadvertently flipping a switch, in other words 2 actions to move a switch. Seems to me you would want it wired the other way around - closed switch is on, open is off. Another option would be to cut a slot in the cover itself so that it is always down - no matter the switch position but still requires the cover to be opened prior to switch movement.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

Scoop · Oct 16, 2017

richie19 said:
Very nice work. Question on your master switch - so in the current configuration it is safetied (cover down) in the off position? The way we have always used those covers is to prevent inadvertently flipping a switch, in other words 2 actions to move a switch. Seems to me you would want it wired the other way around - closed switch is on, open is off. Another option would be to cut a slot in the cover itself so that it is always down - no matter the switch position but still requires the cover to be opened prior to switch movement.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

I may have to do something like that if it does shut off too easily. I'm going to try it as is to see if it is an issue.

Some more work today. Here's a shot of the back of the dash.

With some of the main harness installed.

Here's the fuse box installed.

And with the cover on.

I should be able to re-install the dash tomorrow and start running wires in engine compartment and rear harness.

Scoop · Oct 18, 2017

Dash is back in place. I still need to run the engine harness, the front light harness and the rear harness sections.

Dlish · Oct 18, 2017

Nice n clean. Looking great.

Scoop · Oct 19, 2017

Thanks! One of my goals was to clean up the dash with nothing hanging under it. I have to keep telling myself this is a trail rig / crawler, not a show Bronco!!

Scoop · Oct 20, 2017

Some success today! I got the efi, alternator, voltage regulator and battery power all hooked up. And it runs! Now I can move it over to the lift and work on running the rear harness underneath for tail/stop lights. Just hearing it run with the new harness is a big relief!

sprdv1 · Oct 20, 2017

Scoop said:
Some success today! I got the efi, alternator, voltage regulator and battery power all hooked up. And it runs! Now I can move it over to the lift and work on running the rear harness underneath for tail/stop lights. Just hearing it run with the new harness is a big relief!

Hey, I'm near TMS through Tues, TRYING to meet Bronco Billy Tues evening near Plano for Supper...

MIGHT turn into Mon or Wed evening, not sure yet.

I'm at Hol Inn Ex off raceway drive.. Not sure how far that is from ya.

Scoop · Oct 21, 2017

sprdv1 said:
Hey, I'm near TMS through Tues, TRYING to meet Bronco Billy Tues evening near Plano for Supper...

MIGHT turn into Mon or Wed evening, not sure yet.

I'm at Hol Inn Ex off raceway drive.. Not sure how far that is from ya.

I'm near Austin. The Speedway is about 3 1/2 - 4 hours north of me. Wish it were closer - I'd buy you a beer!

I'm actually close to COTA - Circuit of the Americas. F1 this weekend. If you're ever near COTA let me know.

Scoop · Oct 27, 2017

A little update this morning . . .

I've got the wiring harness in with just couple of items to finish up. The heater blower motor needs some trouble shooting and I need to install the braiding. I'm going to wait on most of the braiding until I'm sure everything is working fine. It's awesome to have functioning and bright dash lights that dim without flickering! Including the new after market gauges and tach. I made a few changes to the harness and being a trail rig there were a number of circuits I didn't use. I removed the ignition key switch and went with a master switch and push button start. I didn't install any of the steering column wires - no turn signals and I'm using a dash mounted horn button. One bonus is I think the engine is running better with clean power and good grounds for the computer.

Now on to the Red Neck Ram! Here are a couple of pics of the tacked up install. I'm mounting the base of the ram to the WH track bar riser and the rod end to the tie rod. Here it is with full weight on the axle.

Here's full droop.

I did put full weight on the driver's tire with the passenger tire drooping with no interference issues but I was not able to get to full stuff. And I didn't get a pic! But it looked like it had a lot more to go with good clearance. Routing the hoses may be fun!

Ram Assist Upgrade and Painless Harness Install

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