Vanishing Point Road Trip • 5 • The Dodge Challenger Message Board

by **Eddie** » 26 Jan 2009 20:43

I sure hope so Bob. We are getting one built in front of Sam's Club across the street from The FiatDodge dealership! :mrgreen:

(Where your boy played soccer)

by **dave-r** » 26 Jan 2009 21:45

The more the merrier Bob! :s017:

by **drewcrane** » 27 Jan 2009 0:00

yea the more drivers we have the less we gotta do :s019:

by **patrick** » 27 Jan 2009 5:01

Welcome Aboard, Bob!

by **dave-r** » 27 Jan 2009 12:31

Recap.

I arrive at Eddies 26th
We arrive Denver late on Sunday the 27th.

Spend Monday at Denver with Drew.

Depart for Goldfield on the Tues 29th.
Depart for San Francisco on the Weds 30th.

Now we need to be back at Denver on the Sat 3rd Oct at the latest so me and Eddie can get back to his on the 4th.

I fly back out home on Monday the 5th.

So if all goes well we have at least one if not two days to play with on the Thurs 1st and Fri 2nd Oct.

Probably best if we keep a day in hand for emergencies. So maybe a half day in San Francisco and a half day at Reno???

If we are taking two trucks and two Challengers we could probably ideally do with 8 people on this do you think? Or do you feel it is worth keeping this a smaller number for accommodation purposes?
Are both trucks 4 seaters?

by **Eddie** » 27 Jan 2009 15:17

I posted a pic of the Cab Dave, page #4. Yes, it's a 4 seater,,Dave,Bob, Eddie&Tom, yeah my brother Tom wants to come. However, that will be tentative regarding him. So were 'full',, anyone else on "my end" will need a seperate vehicle.(I am assuming Pat will hook with Drew and then we'll team up departing from Denver) OK?

by **fal308** » 27 Jan 2009 15:35

Eddie, check your trailer tire size before you get a spare. Most trailer tires are a standard size but you never know. Also check the wheel bearings and r&r as necessary. If I were you I'd throw a spare set of bearings, bearing caps, grease etc. They don't take up much room and it looks like you'll have room for some cabinet space.
Check the lighting and the brakes also. A lot of states look closely at trailer lighting.
I assume you have a brake contoller? If not, Dodge has the wiring integrated into the wiring harness. IIRC it's a blue plug under the dash(check the fsm to make sure).
Also make sure your electrical hookup from truck to trailer is compatible. Your trailer ( enclosed trailers) most likely has a 7-pin connector. The Dodge factory connector on their trucks was a 7-pin also. Many aftermarket harnesses are either 4 or 5 pin.
Also, you have the tow mirrors on the truck right?

by **Eddie** » 27 Jan 2009 15:45

Thanks for tech tips Barc. Yes, I have electric brakes on the 15" wheels. I'll get a spare before the trip, the trailer was used for demo only and doesnt have really any miles on it, but I'll get a spare set of bearings, seals, lug nuts, light bulbs, tools of course, spare electrical parts for both cars. I have a pre-wired ClassV Hitch. I ordered the trailer tow and camper package for my truck anticipating this very scenario! I have the Trailer Tow Mirrors with both heat and adjustability. Oh yeah, I have the Snow Plow prep package which gives me overload springs on both ends. Dana 80 with limited slip and sway bars on both ends, 3.54 ratio. Sound OK? Chicken lights and Fog lights too, 7 pin connector pre-wired, what the hell is a brake controller? I thought thats what my l foot was for, LOL

by **fal308** » 27 Jan 2009 15:58

What year is your truck? Dodge started putting in an intergrated brake controller but I don't recall what year they did that.
The brake controller is exactly what it sounds like. It controls your trailer brakes in conjunction with your vehicle brakes (keeps your trailer brakes from applying too early, too late , too much pressure or not enough pressure). Controllers are adjustable for the most part. When you go to look at the trailer, I'm sure they could tell you more than I could.
As for the gearing, it's a little high for serious towing or mountain towing but the diesel should make up for most of that unless you start hauling heavy loads. for towing I'd like around 4.10 at a minimuin. Also a lot has to do with tire size. With anything over a 36-38 inch tire, many consider 4.88s to be a minimuin.

by **Eddie** » 27 Jan 2009 16:06

It's a 2002 SLT+, I special ordered it, it has every available option+2 the sliding rear window, and the mirror package. 16.5 wheels with Michelin RoadMaster Rubber and forged alloy wheels. The Dana 80 during those years was only available with 3.54 or 4.10 They didnt recommend the 4.10 unless you were delivering a CAT up Pikes Peak or where Drew lives, LOL

by **fal308** » 27 Jan 2009 16:31

You have the 5 spd or the 6 spd? I imagine you should be okay with your gearing, especially as most of your driving will be in rolling hills or relatively flat land and not mountains. Personally I'd be more comfortable with the 4.10s (less stress on the drivetrain) but you should be okay.

by **Eddie** » 27 Jan 2009 22:03

It's a 6 speeder,,H/O,(High OutPut). These CTD's dont need the lower gear, only for hauling 10+Tons up very steep inclines. The Dodge/Cummins engineers favor the 3.54 so thats what I went with. Less than 5% of all CTD's are sold with the 4.10 package. It's simply not needed with all that MONDO torque! (500+ft. lbs. at 1200 RPM's):mrgreen: :thumbsup:

If you are thinking of buying a CTD truck I would join the TDR first and research the CTD packages. Thats what I did. www.turbodieselregister.com

by **drewcrane** » 27 Jan 2009 22:46

500+ft. lbs. at 1200 RPM's,thats plenty i think the steepest grade is 6%,and with luck it will be empty ,for some of the trip :thumbsup:

by **patrick** » 28 Jan 2009 5:02

Eddie, I think you have plenty of power to pull your trailer with, the Challenger in it. But, even more than getting going, you gotta be able to stop. I understand you have the electric brake's, on the trailer. Was the brake control unit also, an option on your 2002? Sorry. I don't know, what all the 2002 SLT+ had. Just want to see everybody, safe and sound. :wink:

by **patrick** » 28 Jan 2009 5:16

Those are going to be a long couple of day's, just going back and forth between Indiana and, Denver. At 15&1/2 hrs. each way. Just be careful.

by **dave-r** » 28 Jan 2009 8:30

Denver to Goldfield is almost the same distance Pat. So the first and second days (as well as the last two) Eddie, me and Bob will have to drive 1000 miles a day. :shock:

This is not going to be an easy trip. It is going to be very hard.
But hopefully when we look back at it in the future we will agree it was worth it.

by **drewcrane** » 28 Jan 2009 12:33

my amx buddie has offered his trailor, and he would like to go with us, jim is one of my car mentors,
i owe everything to this amc fanatic,i dont hold it against him that he is not in to mopars, but he has worked on my mopar so much i have forgotten how much he has helped me ,enough about that i just wanted yall to know that we have a very experienced mechanic that can fix anything!
and he just wants to tag along for the memories, and as i said this think could very well take off, because everyone i mention it to says"hey thats a good idea" dave you and ed get credit for that,and yes it will be a tough trip,but it will be worth it in the long run,i wont forget it :mrgreen:

by **Eddie** » 28 Jan 2009 13:21

This wont be a 'walk in the Park'. Driving cross country in a matter of days is always going to be difficult BUT It will be exciting, very exciting!!! We will make good time by being on the road except for fuel and bathroom breaks. Pat: the SLT+ was the top package offered on these trucks. It has four wheel disc brakes, front and rear sway bars, H.D. Shocks, Front&Rear OverLoad springs. Dana 80 rear 60 Front solid live axles, the rear is a floating design. The transfer case for the 4 wheel drive is a the snow plow unit thats a bit beefier than the standard case for extended abuse. The Frame is boxed. The front shocks are adjustable for height with a plow or any other heavy component such as heavy steel front bumpers, winches, off-road wheels and tires. At the time, 2002, you couldnt buy a stronger package. The transmission, axles, T-Case ectt are all sought after by hardcore off roaders when these trucks are salvaged, they love the strong components it was built with. sadly, Dodge doesnt use Dana axles anymore. 2002 was the last year, they went to AAM axles the same that GM uses. Which is why I bought my 2002! Another thing is the transmission. I can safely say the NV 5600 6 speed is the strongest manual transmission in the trucking industry, Period,(non-commercial). It weighs over 550lbs.!! The clutch is 13" but even with all this brute strength, this truck drives as easy as a Jeep grand Cherokee, no joke. As far as power, observe the next time you're out on the interstate, you'll see these Dodge CTD's,(Cummins Turbo Diesel's), all over the place pulling WAY over their rated load of 8-12 tons pulling weight. I've seen guys&gals pull everything from Farm Implements to a Huey Chopper! It also has a heated leather interior, DVD with steering controls, electric seats fully adjustable, heated mirrors, tilt steering, farme mounted Class V hitch with 7 pin connector, 16.5" forged alloy wheels, dual batteries, 160 Amp alternator, heavy duty wiring, Extra Cooling capacity, limited spin rear axle, 'chicken lights' on the top of the cab. A few more items,,,ect blah :lol:

Drew, its great to have an AMC brother along!! :thumbsup:

by **fal308** » 28 Jan 2009 14:19

You guys need to find someone with an XKE roadster to tag along withh you :wink:

by **drewcrane** » 28 Jan 2009 18:36

heated mirrors,can i get a manicure with that? :s024:

by **patrick** » 29 Jan 2009 4:50

In the last few year's, I've been to many, all Mopar car show's. AMC is now considered officially, A Mopar!

There have been many AMC's, in these show's and, at the Mopar Nat's. Welcome, AMC Bro! :wink:

by **patrick** » 29 Jan 2009 5:14

Dave touched on this early on and, Bob hinted with advertisement, on Eddie's trailer. Eddie, aren't you pretty tight with your local Dodge Dealer? I think Chrysler would like to know about this trip.

Maybe Hotrod, Mopar Action & Mopar Muscle too. One of them might want to document this historic ride back in time. Maybe, get a sponsor or two. "Vanishing Point:2009". We could help get Chrysler, back on track and, they would owe us, big time! :nod:

Someone might want to make a movie about this. It doesn't have to be completely true, just "Based" on our adventure. :biggrin:

O.K., so I'm dreaming but, the sponsor thing could really help with finance's. Either way, I'm psyched about the trip. And, I can't wait! :thumbsup:

by **drewcrane** » 30 Jan 2009 13:03

my amx buddie ,i will refer to him as" amx jim",he and i have several cameras, car mounted, and hand held and we intend on doing alot of pics, as well as video,im not sure if we want this much attention,
i just kinda want to get to know you guys a little better,yall seem like a cool crew,so the simpler we keep it the better it will be :s016:

by **Eddie** » 30 Jan 2009 15:01

Pat, the dealership I used to frequent was either sold or handed over to people I dont know. The owner drives a brand new BMW and parks in the front of the dealership every morn. (Female and Butt ugly at that but seems to be loaded) :frown:

We should contact BP, Shell, Conoco ectt :lol:

they are the only ones making any money. :lol:

by **patrick** » 31 Jan 2009 0:14

drewcrane wrote:my amx buddie ,i will refer to him as" amx jim",he and i have several cameras, car mounted, and hand held and we intend on doing alot of pics, as well as video,im not sure if we want this much attention,
i just kinda want to get to know you guys a little better,yall seem like a cool crew,so the simpler we keep it the better it will be

I'm cool with that, Drew. :thumbsup:

That's the exact reason why, I want to do this trip.

by **Jon** » 31 Jan 2009 4:18

This is getting interesting.

It would be fun to be a part of.

What date is the Goldfield stop scheduled again.

by **dave-r** » 31 Jan 2009 14:31

Here are some photos taken by a passer-by at Goldfield at the time of the filming of VP.

by **drewcrane** » 31 Jan 2009 14:33

wow those are cool, cant wait to show some folks these pics :thumbsup:

by **dave-r** » 31 Jan 2009 14:33

Some more interesting photos.

by **dave-r** » 31 Jan 2009 14:36

Official Goldfield Website;

http://www.accessesmeralda.com/Goldfield.htm

Wikipedia;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goldfield,_Nevada