1998.5 Dodge Ram CTD - Sally

[ThundahBeagle]

I thought about rigging a pulley/crane for years, but I've only really put it on-off routinely for maybe a 2 year period. The rest of the time beforehand it was on permanently, and now it's realistically off permanently.

It's easy to undo the headache rack with 4 stainless bolts, and myself and 1 other friend can load thr canopy on/off as needed if there is a particular trip in mind.

But honestly, with the trees around here... I keep it off so it doesn't get absolutely wrecked and/or smash the glass.

Yep. I've placed it on or off with help. Would love to slam some 6x6 posts into the ground and set up a little sallyport type set up so I can remove it on my own. Just back in between the 4 posts (2 on a side, 1 near front of cap, one at rear), then remove the clamps and some eye bolts hook onto chains like the sanders coming out of the dumpers at DPW. Or slide boards under, and connect to chains, or something

 

[ThundahBeagle]

Ummmm, not so fast! Us men need a wife that helps us NOT spend all of our money. I would be very careful with this one. Not saying she isn't wife material at all, just beware!

I dunno. Maybe she deserves that GMT400 if she wants it. I mean, she curled up right on the stack of tires. Diesnt say boo about the other vehicles. If you got it, she could spend a little, ha ha

 

[Kingsize24]

Congrats those kinda partners are hard to find

Dude 100%! I'm VERY lucky I've found one of 24yrs myself. It's a rare gem these days it seems.

 

[frojoe]

She is also nagging me.... to put a cage in the Nova because "it desperately needs it for how fast it is". That prettymuch sums up her tolerance/acceptance/allowance of my hobby hahaha.

 

[ThundahBeagle]

She is also nagging me.... to put a cage in the Nova because "it desperately needs it for how fast it is". That prettymuch sums up her tolerance/acceptance/allowance of my hobby hahaha.

Not only is she a keeper, but others should seek out her siblings. The world needs more like her, sir

 

[frojoe]

Not only is she a keeper, but others should seek out her siblings. The world needs more like her, sir

Thanks, we live a happy/quiet life of 2 dogs, and a yard with projects vehicles. She really wants to get a hot tub, but admittedly says it will take up "some of your parking space so probably a non-starter". I said that if I am allowed to find/buy a 1992-1994 GMC or Chevy 3500HD cab & chassis GMT400 with a 10ft deck and a mini HIAB on it, she gets a hot tub. "Need it for install of the tub"

 

[ThundahBeagle]

Thanks, we live a happy/quiet life of 2 dogs, and a yard with projects vehicles. She really wants to get a hot tub, but admittedly says it will take up "some of your parking space so probably a non-starter". I said that if I am allowed to find/buy a 1992-1994 GMC or Chevy 3500HD cab & chassis GMT400 with a 10ft deck and a mini HIAB on it, she gets a hot tub. "Need it for install of the tub"

Lady Beagle would like a hot tub as well. That's a lot of energy, but maybe. If I can convert the back project shed to a sauna. We keep pretty low key as well. A wooded acre, truck, small SUV, Scout the Thunder Beagle. We lost the two Lion-Hearted Yorkies, but I'd like to convince lady Beagle for another Beagke and another yorke for her.

 

[frojoe]

FINALLY can cross the fabricated bumper off the project list, I figured out quick-detach mudflaps so that whole situation is "turn-key". Until I need to add some angle iron to it somewhere for a synthetic line fairlead for the future rear bumper.

The support bracket the mudflap bolts to is about as minimal as I could make it, so that the flaps aren't super bulky when detached and bouncing around in the bed of the truck.

I welded a 3/8" bolt to the bumper leg, so act as a pin to support the inboard slotted end of the mudflap bracket. I then cut up square tube to make a C-channel that the outboard end of the mudflap can secure into with a clevis pin.

So thru the very open fender well I can super easily see the mudflap bracket slide onto the pin, rotate up a couple inches, and then clevis pin securely. It's turned out to be quicker/smoother/easier than I was even anticipating.

 

[bigeyedfish]

That quick disconnect mud flap is really slick. Nice work.

 

[frojoe]

That quick disconnect mud flap is really slick. Nice work.

Thanks! Feels good to have mudflaps back on it... visually "tames" the back end of the truck even just a little bit (if that's even possible) haha.

I have a new D80 pinion seal on the way, and hoping to install the ARB D70/D80 rear locker either this coming weekend or the following weekend. Apparently I ordered the last unit of that SKU that was available in North America.. I guess not too many people are locking such a big diff haha.

Got a new work laptop and was editing up a picture to make it suitable as a background image, thought I'd share it. Photo credit goes to Ian of WheelEveryWeekend:

 

[Kingsize24]

Good on you for snatching it up then. And get that drill bit warm and ready to drill out to the bigger bolt size. 🤣