Building 04 ram 2500 into expo rig. need thoughts/advice
- Thread starter Texan1983
- Start date
sniderexciderr
Observer
air lockers. they will get used more then a winch and can reduce the need to use one.
Air lockers are fantastic of course, but a little extra articulation will go a long way before you need to lock the diffs. I suggest some "almost free" mods. Talk to Don Thuren (www.thurenfabrication.com) about shortening the overload spring on the rear leaf pack and getting some sway bar disconnects. These two things will allow your truck to twist like a power wagon for a very small investment. Oh and if you havent done it already, get an additional transmission cooler and a deep pan for that trans to keep it alive.
ToolBox Guy
Adventurer
Great platform to start with. Almost identical to mine.
Since you already have purchased the lift, I can't really steer you away from that, but I have went round and round with what mods to do to mine, and I believe that a high dollar suspension with great shocks, for me means that I push the truck past its limits and end up breaking/abusing more parts than if I would have just stayed nearly stock and babied the truck a little more.
That theory is not true for most folks, but I just went with leveling budget spacers and Bilstien shocks to get a little more clearance and a firmer ride.
I would look into Aluminess Bumpers and get any and every bit of under body/drivetrain skid plate you can get, rocker panels also.
Are you tent camping or sleeping in the topper?
Here is my Dodge, hopefully you stay motivated with the build. :ylsmoke:
Since you already have purchased the lift, I can't really steer you away from that, but I have went round and round with what mods to do to mine, and I believe that a high dollar suspension with great shocks, for me means that I push the truck past its limits and end up breaking/abusing more parts than if I would have just stayed nearly stock and babied the truck a little more.
That theory is not true for most folks, but I just went with leveling budget spacers and Bilstien shocks to get a little more clearance and a firmer ride.
I would look into Aluminess Bumpers and get any and every bit of under body/drivetrain skid plate you can get, rocker panels also.
Are you tent camping or sleeping in the topper?
Here is my Dodge, hopefully you stay motivated with the build. :ylsmoke:
Attachments
Texan1983
Adventurer
i know what you mean by pushing the limits with the susp. Thats why i stayed with the starter (almost got talked into the backcountry 2.0!) i know that with the miles i drive i need a comfortable susp.
Nice truck, looks alot like mine! same color... I am adding a topper to sleep in (building a platform and storage in back.)
Very motivated and i have all winter long to get her done!
Nice truck, looks alot like mine! same color... I am adding a topper to sleep in (building a platform and storage in back.)
Very motivated and i have all winter long to get her done!
crawler#976
Expedition Leader
Take a look at Thuren Fab coils - best of the bunch.
http://thurenfabrication.com/ctdcoils.html
IMO - I have a set of the BFG 35" KM2's on my Power Wagon. First, they are too soft in the side wall for the Hemi, let alone a Deisel. When terrain demands you air down, the KM2's get really soft at 22 PSI, and I'm always concerned about slicing a sidewall. The Power Wagon has better rims than the standard CTD too boot, and I've rolled a BFG off the rim twice. Take a look at any of the E rated tires, you'll be much happier. The BFG's are not capable of supporting the truck at max gross weight - again, the D rating is too light for the truck. I'd recommend looking at either the Nitto Trail Grappler or the General Grabber in E rated tires.
You might look at my setup for a platform in the Cactus Red Mod thread. If I was going to do it again, I'd go for a taller than cab height topper if I was planning on sleeping in the truck. The cab high topper works, but it's really cramped - heck I have to crawl in and out as it is.
I built a reciver mount for my winch that goes behind the stock bumper. I also put an air locker in the truck and use it way more than the winch. I also had the km2 mud ta and did not like them but liked the old version km. I now have the toyos b/c of the higher weight rating.
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Texan1983
Adventurer
thought about the generals and might try them later. bfg's are already bought so we will see, i have had great luck with them, soft sidewalls don't mean weak, i realize it's heavy but i wont be at gross much if ever.
nitto trail grapplers have not impressed me one bit.
as for topper i will have a rack up there and am trying to keep a low profile.
nitto trail grapplers have not impressed me one bit.
as for topper i will have a rack up there and am trying to keep a low profile.
poriggity
Explorer
I will be following this build closely... I am seriously looking into suspension upgrades for the truck right now. I am wanting Thuren's coils, but I'm not sure if my bilstein 5100's will work with his 3" coils. I wish I had more time and money to put into my truck, but right now, I don't.. So, I will live vicariously through your build!
Scott
Scott
NothingClever
Explorer
I think Road Armor is junk. I've seen probably 15-20 of them in Afghanistan on our contractor trucks and the bumpers are, IMO, more cosmetic than business.
24HOURSOFNEVADA
Expedition Leader
I just installed front and rear Road Armor on my father's 2010 Tundra and I'm in complete agreement with your opinion. Poor fit, poor quality...
Texan1983
Adventurer
http://www.4wheelparts.com/Bumpers-...t_s=268&t_pt=3774&t_pl=102584&t_pn=ORP23213PS
anyone have thoughts on this mount? its half the price of the warn trans4mer and looks simple enough. any pics of these mounted on an 04 ram?
anyone have thoughts on this mount? its half the price of the warn trans4mer and looks simple enough. any pics of these mounted on an 04 ram?