Building 04 ram 2500 into expo rig. need thoughts/advice

[shellb]

Keep the updates coming! I like where you are headed and am planning on a similar build with my F250. I agree about the fusion bumpers and their customer service, I would love to pick one up with a rigid light bar and winch. Maybe at tax refund time!

How are you liking the ARE? I really want to pick up a topper as well...too many mods, too little money I guess.

 

[Texan1983]

Love the ARE top. Simple and Strong. I like the fact that the buget line doesn't skimp on quality, just lets you add features... lots of other toppers i looked at, you have to upgrade a few styles to just get a topper that looked well built. Few off-road miles will tell, but it looks good.

Can't wait for the fusion to show up!


On a side note... Speaking of tax refunds... Turns out my transmission didn't want to hold out any longer and is out today... (can't be to upset, truck has 195,000 miles) Anyways, what does everyone think? full built goerend tranny ($5,300 bucks later, but semi-local comapny to me and should be bullet proof) or should i just have a reman put in? (Cheaper)

 

[Ram5500]

I sent my transmission to DTT when it died, not cheap$$.... 4 1/2 years later and I'd still do it again (thankfully won't need to for a long time yet though!)

They even warrantied it for 2 years, including the engine mods (injectors, box, turbo, intake & exhaust), tow, race or pull. Built to go with a PAC Brake as well.

A built transmission in these trucks is definitely a worthwhile investment- my .02

 

[Saiyan66]

Take a look at the ATS transmissions as well, as they have a great reputation with the desert Dodge guys who beat on them pretty hard.

 

[ZJARCHER]

Call ATS and ask for the ATS "Baja Edition" Tranny... you wont be disappointed! It's not an exact build/model, but they'll know what you mean. The Carli suspension guys BEAT on theirs and they've held up like new. When mine goes, thats where Ill be spending my money!

Until Brad beat on the ATS, Goerend was the direction I was leaning... DEFINITELY a great tranny as well.

 

[Texan1983]

any idea how much the ATS was?

I like goerend because of the fact they are in the same state (2 hour drive) and seem like a great builder, good customer service, and they will set it up and fine tune the tranny. and if any problems arise i can go right back to them.

waiting on a quote from the local mechanic who uses a rebuilding compay local that has a "heavy duty towing" option for my truck. But if the price is anywhere close ill just head on over to goerend!

sucks about goerend is they are booked till end of apirl! looks like im pulling the old CJ5 out of storage and it's going to be cold drives to work for me!

 

[Texan1983]

Well just an update...

I havent been on here much lately due to building up the truck. And not even just mine! I talked a good friend of mine into starting his now and taking his family along on some adventures.

any ways here is how she sits now....

The bumper is made by Fusion with mods for lights, winch, and control box.

Winch is an engo 12,000 lb
on board air compressor and tank
home built roof rack

im sure there are other mods im forgetting, but i am currently in moab!

My buddy that i talked into doing a similar build
(255-80 r17 bfg mud t/a, a.r.e shell, sleeping platform, Fusion bumper and winch, and i think soon to have carli susp!)

Klondike bluffs trail.

 

[redthies]

Which trans did you end up going with? Looks like it is working well. Awesome pics!

 

[Boz]

So you modified the bumper to hold a winch? It's hard to tell by the pics but it looks like the bumper is tucked in close to the truck and doesnt stick out like Jay Leno's chin. I like that.

 

[DT75FLH]

How much was the front bumper?


looking good

 

[ramsport59]

Lets see some closer pics of your rack....

Rick

 

[Amesff01]

This is the best one I have right now... I will try to get a better one soon.

 

[Texan1983]

Which trans did you end up going with? Looks like it is working well. Awesome pics!

Acually still running the same tranny. Amazingly enough we dropped the pan and found both bands extremly out of ajustment (had no second gear!) also inspected the band and found it look good with some wear left and no scoring on the drum. so i decided to do a filter and fluid change, ajusted the bands and try it out. works fine for now and did great off road while i save for a new trans.

 

[Texan1983]

So you modified the bumper to hold a winch? It's hard to tell by the pics but it looks like the bumper is tucked in close to the truck and doesnt stick out like Jay Leno's chin. I like that.

no, fusion made the mount in the bumper, but we had to cut out the top to gain access to clutch lever. the bumper is tucked very close to the truck and has a great approch angle. while out in moab we saw a dodge with an ARB bumper and it was amazing the difference. I too had a hard time finding a bumper that didn't stick out like crazy... lucky a buddy of mine found the fusion and made me call them (i didn't think they offerend a winch mount.)

 

[Texan1983]

here is a few shots of the rack. dont judge the mounting system, we were short on time and couldnt finish building the legs so we just bolted it to the yakima load bars.