2018 Ram 3500 Expedition Family Adventure Vehicle

[Kingsize24]

Hello all! This has been a build in the planning stages for some time now, but did take a course correction in the middle of the build. I initially started with a Ram 2500 Hemi Tradesman, that I was slowly building up to be our do all expedition vehicle, family hauler, RV tow vehicle, M1101 hauler, and daily driver. It was fun, powerfull, etc..., but it just wasn't exactly what I wanted to build. I've driven manual's most of my entire life, and I missed the clatter of the Cummins. So what should a man do but scratch that itch, and change course a bit.

The wife thinks/knows I am nuts, but the kids are in love with the new Ram 3500 G56 Cummins 4X4 Tradesman, and I am too! I ordered it with items specific to this build such as dual 220amp alternators, VSIM module, AUX switches, etc. I've ordered most everything aftermarket for this truck already, and most are on, but I still need to swap over the front bumper from my 2500, and I still have not recieved my Expedition One Dual Swingout rear bumper. Once that is complete, then I will move on to adding the Leitner Designs bed rack.

So without further ado, meet the JAWS Expedition Family Adventure Vehicle.

I ordered it on Febuary 9th, 2018, and I had it in my hands on March 24th, 2018, (my birthdate) while having a short trip with the family to go pick it up.

Here are my two silly boys! All excited for the trip.

After picking it up, I fell in love with it. Nothing like rowing a Cummins 6 speed in flip flops!

We took it to a few drive thru safari's local to Dallas, and enjoyed the next couple of days in our new stock truck.

Stay tuned....!

 

[Kingsize24]

As soon as we got home, I could not wait to start the mod process. First thing off the truck was the stock chrome headlights, and they were replaced by OEM Mopar black quad headlights and Phillips +80 bulbs. These will do fine until the quad HID swap at a later date.

I spy M1101!!!

 

[Kingsize24]

Next step was to add some AMP power steps to make the entry and exit a bit nicer. I ended up with one of the first sets of 2018 compatable AMP plug and play steps. I was a bit hesitant that it would even work, but AMP sent along a hard wire kit just in case. Luckily they weren't needed, and everything functioned like it was supposed to.

Then the AEV lift, the 5 Factory Power Wagon wheels that I had powder coated Satin Black, the 5 37X12.5R17 Falken Wildpeak M/T's and the Balance Masters went on. The 37's and the Cummins with the G56 gearing are just about right now. I take off in second in normal situations, and first when pulling.

 

[Kingsize24]

After that was all on, I added the logo's, stripped the truck of all the chrome badges, then added back the black Mopar Cummins and 4X4 badge on the tailgate.

 

[Kingsize24]

Here are a couple pics I snapped with my phone at the family's farm. My father loves this tree!

 

[yota_mota]

Damn. I’m normally not a white vehicle kind of person but you have certainly added all the right touches to your rig! Envy all around, congrats on the new hotness!

 

[Explorerinil]

Nice truck, nothing else beats the ram cummins combo!

 

[uscg2008]

Good looking truck bub

 

[GreggNY]

Awesome build so far! Gotta love banging through gears

 

[Dalko43]

Another good looking ram build.


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[ohanacrusader]

I love my ram and hope your family has plenty of adventures in your rig like we plan to have.

 

[blackdmax15]

Awesome truck! Who did you order the truck through? I ordered my 18 Ram Cummins/Aisin on Feb 13th and I still won’t have the truck until the end of this month!

 

[Kingsize24]

Damn. I’m normally not a white vehicle kind of person but you have certainly added all the right touches to your rig! Envy all around, congrats on the new hotness!

Thank you good sir! Most of this was planned for the Hemi, I just changed direction a bit. I appreciate it!

Nice truck, nothing else beats the ram cummins combo!

Agree 100%! Cummins and a 5 or 6 speed is like heaven to me.

Good looking truck bub

Thanks!

Awesome build so far! Gotta love banging through gears

Yes sir. And it is especially pleasing to see the wife row threw them. Hopefully my sons get to learn before they take the steering wheel and pedals away from us in the future. Lol

Another good looking ram build.

Appreciate it.

I love my ram and hope your family has plenty of adventures in your rig like we plan to have.

The family truely loves it! We really like to get out and explore, camp, etc. I think this vehicle will lend itself well to our adventures in the future.

Awesome truck! Who did you order the truck through? I ordered my 18 Ram Cummins/Aisin on Feb 13th and I still won’t have the truck until the end of this month!

Bonham Ram in Bonham Texas. I buy all mine from there even though they are 300+ miles away from me. I haven't found anyone in the country that can beat their prices. And it is the same price on the dealer lot or ordered. I had my exact vehicle amount and payment figured before I even placed the order. We configured it over the phone, then came up with the agreed price. They also call the factory and get guaranteed allocation before the order is placed to make sure every part ordered is in stock and there won't be any hang ups in the order. Good people IMO. Price always brings in people, but their service has kept me. This is our 4th vehicle from them.

 

[Mako1114]

The truck looks great and I especially like how you utilized the OEM PW rims. What does the graphics on the hood represent?

Cheers

 

[Christian P.]

I love the license plate...and I also love the fact that you can still order a manual truck.