Coast Resorts Open Roads Forum: How many of us are there? Owners of Dodge based RV's?

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Topic: How many of us are there? Owners of Dodge based RV's?

Posted By: Mykedynamics on 05/02/15 01:33am

Also...

Griff,

Do you know if that A518 trans will fit an old dodge without having cut things? I'd love an OD trans in my baby!

Posted By: Griff in Fairbanks on 05/02/15 02:15am

Mykedynamics wrote:

Also...

Griff,

Do you know if that A518 trans will fit an old dodge without having cut things? I'd love an OD trans in my baby!

Yes, but only to a small block engine and you will need to change the driveshaft length. The front part (first, second, and third) are essentially the same as the A727 and many internal parts will interchange, The overdrive unit is in the tailcone.

Unfortunately, the engineering and construction of the overdrive unit is not as good as the original A727. Also, the friction material in the early A518 lock-up torque converters had a tendency to disintegrate and plug the cooler in the radiator. The result was the tranny overheated and burned up. (My daughter lost the A518 in her '98 B1500 and she ended up replacing the transmission and radiator.)

From what I understand recent torque converters have more durable friction material. Alternatively, there very strong aftermarket torque converters for the A518.

The overdrive unit might be okay if you're very careful to not overload it. Specifically, nothing larger than a 1-ton chassis (M300, MB300, or RM300 only) and no towing. Also, lock out the overdrive in hilly country. (The frequent upshift/downshift tends to trash the overdrive ... in a truck, the overdrive is really only suited to flat and level driving.)

Also, you'll need an early vacuum A518. The later electronic A518s are integrated with engine management computer and won't work well with the wrong computer or at all without a computer.)

I've seen some articles on upgrades for the A518 overdrive unit but haven't looked into them.

There is an alternative that's been around for a long time ... The Gear Vendors Under/Overdrive unit. This unit replaces the A727 tailcone going as far back as 1966 models. I've haven't checked lately but they even had a driveline brake like my 1969/70 M300 had. (This is the route I'm going on my projects.

As for replacing the seats, pick comfortable ones from a donor vehicle and expect to do some engineering/reinforcing/remodeling to mount them, especially in a strong, safe manner. (You don't want them coming loose in an accident or, just as bad, wiggling loose over time.)

When I was younger, I could -- and did -- use a milk crate for a seat. As I get older, my butt and back have become far less tolerant. I have three sets of Dodge OEM motorhome seats that were reasonably comfortable. However, I plan to scavenge the seats out of my '90 Ford E150 Club Wagon when I junk it. (It's 25 years old and has over 500,000 miles on it and the body is starting to get beat to hell.) I know these seats remained comfortable on a 700+ mile, two-leg trip spanning less than 24 hours. (Anchorage to Valdez and back, all in one day.) Plus, they recline. (Passenger's seat will swivel and driver's seat will be fixed ... I've never seen a swivel unit that stays fixed while you're driving, which tend to be distracting and/or unnerving.)

1970 Explorer Class A on a 1969 Dodge M300 chassis with 318 cu. in. (split year)
1972 Executive Class A on a Dodge M375 chassis with 413 cu. in.
1973 Explorer Class A on a Dodge RM350 (R4) chassis with 318 engine & tranny from 1970 Explorer Class A

Posted By: Griff in Fairbanks on 05/02/15 02:30am

Oh, yeah ... a couple of days ago I found something I've spent over five years searching for: A Hydro-Vac brake booster filter adapter that about as close as possible to the OEM adapter. It's a new adapter, made to fit the Fram CA2PL1 (or equivalent) used on the boosters in early motorhomes. It's a regularly manufactured and stocked item, as opposed to one-of-a-kind items.

Details to follow in a couple of weeks, when I've gotten my hands on one and established what's need to replace a missing or badly corroded adapter. I will also discuss things to watch out for to ensure your boosters keep working and last a long time.

Posted By: Leeann on 05/02/15 07:33am

I'd never put an A518 in a motorhome. Ever. I had one on my '90 B250 with 360 and it grenaded. The trans was completely fine, but the OD unit was trash. With 150,000 highway miles on it, only occasionally towing under 2,000 lbs.

I have an extra pair of Astro van seats we're going to use in ours. My hubby needs to make an adapter plate so we can still use the swivels. Those seats are 1000x better than the seats that came in mine and have lumbar support.

'73 Concord 20' Class A w/Dodge 440 - see profile for photo

Posted By: Mykedynamics on 05/02/15 09:44am

Thank you cliff and Leann! Such good info! Leann where are you located? And cliff, I'll definitely check into the gear vendors OD!

Eric b

Posted By: Leeann on 05/02/15 09:47am

You're welcome - and Maryland.

Posted By: Mykedynamics on 05/02/15 09:49am

Just checked out the GearVendor stuff.. Great but more than twice as expensive! For that price I might try and find a whole drive train out of a newer dodge truck! It would be fun to do a computer controlled motor swap [emoticon]

Dreaming of OD,

Eric b.

Posted By: Phantom59 on 05/02/15 09:49am

I installed a set out of a Chevy Astro van front power seat and armrests all I had to do was make a 2 inch spacer to space them off the floor and they fit perfectly bolted down to original tabs and everything

Posted By: AnaThaTranstar80 on 05/09/15 08:22pm

So. Finally im posting. I fell into this great thread and have tried to read every post To see who i need to talk with. Its takin loooonger than id thought. Theres a bunch of very knowledgeable guy/girls on here. So i decided to jus jump in! Like i did when i bought my 1980 transtar. Love this beast. Ive taken everything from the 80s out. So im on a clean slate. I have replaced 2/3 of the walls workin on the rest now. This baby runs great and rides nice. Jus lookin for some pointers.the work ive done is by far great. But i want it to be ready soo bad. I plan on updating the electric parts to led and getting it ready to bondock. Not sure how to post pics but i have plenty to share.

20150218_204952

20150222_150926_HDR

Is this right??

* This post was edited 05/29/15 01:51am by AnaThaTranstar80 *

Posted By: Leeann on 05/10/15 08:47am

Welcome!

Upload your pics to a free hosting site like flickr or photobucket, then paste the links for bbcode - they start with (bracket) img (bracket) - into your post.

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