No Camfab i was not a welder their, but i am one by trade. Used to be. But i would have loved to had a chance to weld on that line but i left the factory for another welding/fabbing job. I worked in the factory but not on the viper line. But i knew the people that were working on it. And when you said a bunch of drunks, you were half right, lots of smoking going on and im not talking about ones with filters. Not that im for or against that type of thing, but do it on your own time and not when at work or when working on something someone is going to be driving. About the factory, it is still open but has lost the contract for viper. So when the NEW viper comes out, it will NOT be welded their. I hope thats a good thing.
What's wrong in this undercarriage picture?
- Thread starter Lawrenzo
- Start date
I'm glad to hear that Jeebs, I do fabrication on the side and welding is my passion. Everytime I look at the welds on my car it just burns me up inside. I agree with your thoughts on peoples recreational activities, but when it comes to work, I too have no tolerance for slackers. You gotta give 100%. It's called pride.
dave6666
Enthusiast
+1 on the dirty brake fluid. And OEM plug wires. Things like that are a sign of neglect, ignorance, disregard, pick one or all.
That stainless exhaust being rusty is also a clue. If that is indeed rust on the chassis and not mud, that car has seen a lot of moisture. Or maybe salt too to explain the corrosion on the stainless.
Here's a pic of my '01 for another comparison. 10 years old, has been wet a few times, and zero rust.
That stainless exhaust being rusty is also a clue. If that is indeed rust on the chassis and not mud, that car has seen a lot of moisture. Or maybe salt too to explain the corrosion on the stainless.
Here's a pic of my '01 for another comparison. 10 years old, has been wet a few times, and zero rust.
You must be registered for see images
Chuck 98 RT/10
Enthusiast
At some time after 98 Dodge went with a more oval shaped brake fluid reservior. Not sure if it was 99 though.
You must be registered for see images
LifeIsGood
Enthusiast
My 2001 NACA duct is definitely painted all black on the bottom side.
LifeIsGood
Enthusiast
Here is another picture of my 2001 rear frame area. As you can see, part of the control arm linkage to the frame is a 'tab' looking piece (on the outer side of the frame rail). I don't really know what to make of the OPs similar 'tab' on the inner side of his frame rail.
You must be registered for see images
v10enomous
Enthusiast
The round tabs in the OP's picture have to be the rear view of the front most rear control arm connection to the frame. Looking at them on LiG's car. The pics are just diferent angles and distances.
Joe Dozzo
Enthusiast
Thanks - I stand corrected; I didn't remember that from my old car so I couldn't go out and check as you're able to do.
Beautiful car and best color combo! I wish I'd never sold mine...
My bad... My 96 B/W does the same... Shoulda checked it first.
Beautiful car and best color combo! I wish I'd never sold mine...
My bad... My 96 B/W does the same... Shoulda checked it first.
All Blue ACR
Enthusiast
Agree. Guys, I think the "tab" is in the background and is the washer on the control arm. The picture *****, angles and depth perception off. If you look hard in the OP picture, there is a round similiar looking washer in the background on the driver's side. Can't identify the crud in the picture though. Went and looked at mine on the lift, if you look at a similar f__ed up angle, you can see the "tab" in that spot but its way behind it.
Silver with blue sripes... go look at it
vancouver-gts
Viper Owner
Dave, I think you're slacking off.I see at least three rusty bolts in your picture,right in the center,ha!
vancouver-gts
Viper Owner
Ok, went to the garage to look underneath the car. The tab welded on that small frame gusset looks identical to LifeIsGood's photo of the yellow Viper.It has that bend in it going up in a slight angle.I think the tab is the same on the OP's picture,albeit the picture is crappy, rust and all,so it can't be seen well to decide on it.The car needs to be inspected in person.The rust is most likely surface one and could clean up easily.The engine compartment looks pretty clean to me.I have only 20K miles on mine and the plastic brake reservoir looks more yellow than the OP's yet the fluid is clear.
You must be registered for see images
Last edited:
dave6666
Enthusiast
Those are the old factory diff LOL. I've since replaced that POS with some 3.73's and an OSG Superlock from Parts Rack. Jon B plug.
Anyway, bolts are black on new one.
What ever happened with that OSG Superlock, were you not experiencing difficulties? Would you recommend that unit? I know it was supposed to be the better alternative to the other limited slip (I forget the name) at the time it came out.
dave6666
Enthusiast
The only "difficulties" is the popping around corners. Other than that it does hook up well. Much easier to control wheel spin situations that's for sure.
The benefit to the OSG is minimal machining of the stub axles as compared to the Quaiffe. I think the breakdown from there may boil down to your application, like drag, street, drifting, autox and so on. I'm beginning to think that when I round the corner in the hood and I get a pop pop pop and it feels like a half shaft breaking is next, that the OSG is not made for corners. Drag or drifting or when tire abuse is not a concern and you're slipping them a little while turning.
OP
OP
Lawrenzo
Enthusiast
The owner finally got back to me after cleaning off the "mud". Looks a lot better, but still not quite "pristine" like the owner portrays it. What's up with the harmonic dampener?? Maybe from the time it spent in Florida with the original owner?
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
You must be registered for see images
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
You must be registered for see images
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
LifeIsGood
Enthusiast
That viper is definitely not a 'garage queen'.
I hope it's normal for the damper...mine looks the same...
I hope it's normal for the damper...mine looks the same...
You must be registered for see images
LifeIsGood
Enthusiast
Was the front fascia scrape extension painted black from the factory on silver/blue vipers?
aviatorone
Enthusiast
If it is corrosion, or whatever, I think I'd get in there with a wire brush and a grinder to clean it all out now, the best I could and spray with primer and paint... before it gets worse.
Fatboy 18
Enthusiast
The harmonic dampers look exactly like that 
Its brown surface rust, when I changed out my front cover timing gasket I took a wire brush to mine and a rattle can of black paint, it looks much better now Or if you wanted to you could change it out for a better one . Being honest its so low down in the car you can hardly see it and is no big deal
That rusty horrid thing is the crankshaft damper
I did not like the asthetic look of the old crankshaft damper, so I rubber it down with Emery paper and sprayed it with Hammerite smooth gloss black paint.
You can see the damper in this pic (behind Dave's Big Brakes under drive pulley)
Note also the new water pump pulley and idler wheel.
Its brown surface rust, when I changed out my front cover timing gasket I took a wire brush to mine and a rattle can of black paint, it looks much better now Or if you wanted to you could change it out for a better one . Being honest its so low down in the car you can hardly see it and is no big deal That rusty horrid thing is the crankshaft damper
You must be registered for see images
I did not like the asthetic look of the old crankshaft damper, so I rubber it down with Emery paper and sprayed it with Hammerite smooth gloss black paint.
You must be registered for see images
You must be registered for see images
You can see the damper in this pic (behind Dave's Big Brakes under drive pulley)
Note also the new water pump pulley and idler wheel.
You must be registered for see images
