Fixing Viper flaws II

[steel snake]

I think a lot of us work on our cars. When I come across procedures that are a pain in the butt I try to make things better for the next time I have do some work. This time it's the 2 plastic inserts (xmas trees) that hold each end of the radiator shroud assy that sits under the air intake. These have to come out if you're going to remove the front facia all in one piece (no, I haven't done that yet). Because of room restrictions they're are a pita. Again, the fix is hardware. Dodge seemed to have a problem with hardware where it would have been better ($$$?). So......I had some U-nuts layin' around and put them on the mounting points for the plastic junk. Went to Tractor Supply and picked up two 1/4x20 body bolts with large washers; SEM bolts, meaning they have washers built in. Now when you go to remove the shrouds no plastic junk to complicate your life. A socket with extension and you're done! Pix show right and left views with the U-nuts in their new home waiting for those 1/4-20 bolts. The slam bumpers give you orientation. My next project is removing the gas tank close-out panel on the RT10 for some tank work. Fixes III will show how I replace the rivets with M5 bolts and U-nuts removing the nightmare factor of working on EVAP plumbing or the fuel pump unit.

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[GTSnake]

It's great that you're thinking of ways to improve our cars. We know there are lots of areas that can use improving. But keep in mind these cars are basically low volume, hand built assemblies. So not exactly optimized for serviceability or ease of maintenance.

 

[steel snake]

You may be right, but I don't think that hand-built, low volume excludes features that are simple yet helpful down the road. A little attention to detail would not have killed them. I edited in my next project set for later. Shows how far I'll go to improve something. Ultimately, I think it'll pay off. Best, SS

 

[MoparMap]

I'm guessing some of it might have had to do with assembly line practices as well. Realistically you wouldn't expect that shroud to have to come out for service very often, so a simple push in fastener is way faster to assemble on the line, probably easier to assemble, and cheaper. I agree that actual hardware is nice and preferred for anything that is going to be going in and coming out regularly, but I'm thinking the shroud probably never crossed their minds for that. I'm always amazed that the plastic fender panels and stuff on cars use those annoying christmas tree fasteners, but I guess it makes sense due to the fact that they are in a high moisture environment and plastic is not going to rust and seize like hardware could. Maybe they had a similar though for those shroud mounts, but hard to say.

 

[GTSnake]

I'm not sure speed was the main factor in the decision making. If you ever watched the assembly line at Conner Ave. it moved once every 5 minutes. So there was plenty of time. The guys would read the paper in between indexing. It comes down to cost saving. Every fraction of a penny was scrutinized.

 

[AviP]

I am certain that there was no attention to detail when it came to the Viper excluding the motor and performance. There's way too many hacks and annoyances from simple things like 4 different types of fasteners to get to the battery or air conditioning controls that don't work as expected or weatherstrips that rub or don't stay on.

 

[GTSnake]

I am certain that there was no attention to detail when it came to the Viper excluding the motor and performance. There's way too many hacks and annoyances from simple things like 4 different types of fasteners to get to the battery or air conditioning controls that don't work as expected or weatherstrips that rub or don't stay on.

They actually put a lot of thought into those things but sometimes when you're too deep in the weeds you don't step back and look at the big picture. I agree, It would have been so much easier and serviceable to limit the amount of different types of fasteners. Then again the first gen Vipers were done on a shoestring budget and very small team. So attention to detail was sadly overlooked.

 

[steel snake]

Re my 3rd project: I ended up titling it "Gas Tank Close-out Fix". It got complicated, but doable. I may add to that post just to show how it all turned out.