Big Block Ramp Truck Drives 1700 Miles to Canada After Transmission Swap

Transmission Swap and Road Trip Prep

• 🛠️ The team tackles the transmission swap on a 1970s Dodge Ram truck, a project that has been a year in the making.
• 💡 A unique method of lowering the truck into a dug-out hole is employed to gain access for the transmission work, highlighting the challenges of working with the low-slung vehicle.
• 🧐 Before installing the new transmission, the old one is inspected, revealing a broken sprag as the primary cause of failure.

Reinstalling the Transmission and Initial Startup

• 🚀 The new transmission is carefully reinstalled using a "human transmission jack" (Steve) to maneuver it into place.
• ⚙️ The team addresses issues like a finicky transmission line and the need to clock the flex plate correctly, emphasizing the meticulous nature of the task.
• 🔥 Initial startup attempts reveal issues such as a dead battery, a plastic carburetor catching fire, and a significant vacuum leak from the rear brake booster.

Addressing Brakes and Drivability Issues

• 🔧 The focus shifts to the brakes, which are found to be severely rusted and seized, requiring significant effort to free up the components.
• ⚠️ A leaky rear brake line and an improperly adjusted master cylinder rod are identified as key problems contributing to poor braking performance.
• ⛽ The truck is refueled, and a large vacuum leak from the rear brake booster is plugged, improving the engine's running condition and reducing backfiring.

Final Preparations and Departure

• 🛞 New tires are mounted on the front, and the truck is maneuvered out of the yard, demonstrating its newfound ability to move.
• 🛣️ Despite lingering concerns about the brakes and engine noise, the ramp truck successfully drives off the property, marking a significant milestone.
• 🇨🇦 The truck is now ready for its 1700-mile journey to Alberta, Canada, with the continuation of the road trip to be documented on The Rust Farm's channel.