legendaryandrew
Adventurer
First off, it wont be fast. I've spent untold tens of thousands modifying cars throughout the last decade, and learned many lessons. The big one was, "do it right, do it once." The other was "it is possible to over-modify a vehicle, or to modify it to the point of not being fun." Also, this was all in my previous thread about buying the truck, but I wanted a dedicated thread to help my own organization. I'm leaving my trip pic's there for now though, so if you're interested in some killer cell phone photos, check back here.
So that being said, the plan with this truck was to fist outline its uses:
1) Daily driver. Has to remain comfortable, or become more comfortable than factory.
2) Workhorse. We have a house, two dogs, and plan to buy property in the next few years. The trucks abilities as a truck cannot be compromised.
3) Reliability. The truck is still under warranty, so I am leaving the powertrain alone. No deletes, no tuners. I don't want to spend 5k building a transmission because 350hp and 800ft/lbs of torque for some reason, weren't enough. Also, all mods will maintain OEM fit and finish, and I like the less is more approach.
4) Last but not least, overland/road tripping. The mods I do will only be to make it perform better in areas that it gets challenged performing this function, or will in the future proof it against any obstacles it will see in its life.
I already created a thread detailing the purchase of the truck, and what exactly it is, but to recap:
2013 Ram 3500 SLT Cummins, quad cab, short bed, 4wd. Completely stock currently. It is rolling on new Goodyear Wild Country XTX AT's sized at 33" currently (surprisingly good tire).
Key options include but are not limited to:
Extended range fuel tank, leather, heated seats, sun roof, electric rear window, bedliner, fold flat rear passenger compartment, and tow package (duh, cummins, right?).
Now on to the future! I chose the name Atlas because I like Greek mythology, and I felt it was fitting as the truck isn't...petite. Plus, I was big into Battletech when I was younger (if anyone even knows what that is anymore). Future plans do include some AEV goodies, winch, lockers, bigger tires, etc... but for now:
Bed rack/RTT rack!
My brother and I built a rack for a RTT for it. A few things to note before ya'll pass judgement. I've never welded before. This was literally my first time. Ever. Also, we did most of the work in my driveway in the dark with basic hand tools, and we crammed the main structural part in the day before my girl and I left for CVT to get our tent. I finished the rack the following week, the day before we left again for Labor Day Weekend for the WABDR (Washington Backroad Discovery Route).
We bought a RTT!
We decided on the CVT Mt. Rainier Extended, with the Stargazer option (opening roof panels to see the stars...). We drove to Bend from Everett, WA then to Salem, then back home. 1000 miles in a weekend, which is quite a bit of seat time, heh.
So, on to some pics!
My brother helping me out with the welding
When I designed it, I originally wanted the tent to be level with the roof line, but this was an unrealistic goal, as the tent is 15.5" tall, folded up. So I settled for the bottom of the rack to be just above the rear window, so I don't see it looking out the rear view mirror.
Added gussets after I got back from CVT
After painting (used Rustoleum bed liner paint)
And after my Hi-Lift (Farm jack
) got mounted
All done! I still haven't decided how I'm going to mount it to the truck, so currently it's just clamped down.
And now all loaded up for the weekend trip!!
So that being said, the plan with this truck was to fist outline its uses:
1) Daily driver. Has to remain comfortable, or become more comfortable than factory.
2) Workhorse. We have a house, two dogs, and plan to buy property in the next few years. The trucks abilities as a truck cannot be compromised.
3) Reliability. The truck is still under warranty, so I am leaving the powertrain alone. No deletes, no tuners. I don't want to spend 5k building a transmission because 350hp and 800ft/lbs of torque for some reason, weren't enough. Also, all mods will maintain OEM fit and finish, and I like the less is more approach.
4) Last but not least, overland/road tripping. The mods I do will only be to make it perform better in areas that it gets challenged performing this function, or will in the future proof it against any obstacles it will see in its life.
I already created a thread detailing the purchase of the truck, and what exactly it is, but to recap:
2013 Ram 3500 SLT Cummins, quad cab, short bed, 4wd. Completely stock currently. It is rolling on new Goodyear Wild Country XTX AT's sized at 33" currently (surprisingly good tire).
Key options include but are not limited to:
Extended range fuel tank, leather, heated seats, sun roof, electric rear window, bedliner, fold flat rear passenger compartment, and tow package (duh, cummins, right?).
Now on to the future! I chose the name Atlas because I like Greek mythology, and I felt it was fitting as the truck isn't...petite. Plus, I was big into Battletech when I was younger (if anyone even knows what that is anymore). Future plans do include some AEV goodies, winch, lockers, bigger tires, etc... but for now:
Bed rack/RTT rack!
My brother and I built a rack for a RTT for it. A few things to note before ya'll pass judgement. I've never welded before. This was literally my first time. Ever. Also, we did most of the work in my driveway in the dark with basic hand tools, and we crammed the main structural part in the day before my girl and I left for CVT to get our tent. I finished the rack the following week, the day before we left again for Labor Day Weekend for the WABDR (Washington Backroad Discovery Route).
We bought a RTT!
We decided on the CVT Mt. Rainier Extended, with the Stargazer option (opening roof panels to see the stars...). We drove to Bend from Everett, WA then to Salem, then back home. 1000 miles in a weekend, which is quite a bit of seat time, heh.
So, on to some pics!
My brother helping me out with the welding
When I designed it, I originally wanted the tent to be level with the roof line, but this was an unrealistic goal, as the tent is 15.5" tall, folded up. So I settled for the bottom of the rack to be just above the rear window, so I don't see it looking out the rear view mirror.
Added gussets after I got back from CVT
After painting (used Rustoleum bed liner paint)
And after my Hi-Lift (Farm jack
) got mounted
All done! I still haven't decided how I'm going to mount it to the truck, so currently it's just clamped down.
And now all loaded up for the weekend trip!!
