2018 Ram 3500 G56 Expedition Family Adventure Vehicle

[Kingsize24]

I used these:

Fox Shox 803-02-042-Universal Reservoir Mounting Bracket​

View attachment 864686
Used center hole so self aligning, drilled into top of the spring bracket, bolted on rather than welded. Yes red loctite on nut.

30,000 miles, so far so good.

modified caps from spray can lids to keep the worst of mud from getting into the adjusters on the front shocks. Yes drain holes on the bottom.

30,000 miles, still there.

View attachment 864687

Rock guards where made by splitting some of this:

View attachment 864688

Once split and relaxed they are a mild snap fit around the body. Shape to suit and attach with band clamps (I have two so the spare is where I can find it).

View attachment 864689

Unsolicited idea…

Get some 4” wide ICS racers tape ( 4” wraps perfectly around the body diameter) and cover the body of shock. It an’t cheap but it’s cheap protection relative to the shock cost. Bonus is mud / crud doesn’t stain the body and cleaning with power washer is a breeze.

Love the guard idea!



I've also gotten 2 of the 3 ideas I've looked at in today. Was next day shipping from last night. I have one more coming, and I can try all 3, then decide. Funny enough, one of them was your exact mount. The third is a billet aluminum reservoir to body clamp. It should be in Wednesday.

 

[renottse]

Yep, you got it covered!

That first clamp looks the business, bet the aluminum one will be ligit as well.

Enjoy the new complianice, definitely better on ours.

 

[mog]

I've also gotten 2 of the 3 ideas

 

[Kingsize24]

Yep, you got it covered!

That first clamp looks the business, bet the aluminum one will be ligit as well.

Enjoy the new complianice, definitely better on ours.

Yes it's much more beefy than I thought from the pictures. I just wish it had more than a single bolt hole, but that can be fixed if needed.

I'm super excited to feel out the shock compliance and stability. But anything has to be better than these stock 6yr old AEV Bilstein 5100's. 🤭

 

[Kingsize24]

View attachment 864745

🤣🤣🤣

Just a little icing on the cake. 😎

 

[Todd780]

🤣🤣🤣

Just a little icing on the cake. 😎

40's.

 

[Kingsize24]

Got the billet mounts in, just waiting on the boots now. Ended up going with the boot Accutune suggested, since they are the ones that warranty the shocks. I'd rather not have the shaft pits from my own neglect. Then I can finally get this all in.

Still unsure which of the three mount options I'll use, but I'll fit each option up once the boots are here.

 

[Tex68w]

2+ months later and we are still waiting for updates. It's not like you have a family or anything lol.

 

[Kingsize24]

While the paint was drying yesterday on my trailer.... https://forum.expeditionportal.com/...1102-trailer-build.235492/page-8#post-3216330
....I was actually able to throw on the rear shocks after having them for 4 months. 🤣

I hope to get the fronts on by mid May. LOL
I ALSO need to get the undercarriage of this truck detailed. It's absolutely filthy.

 

[ITTOG]

Wow, that is some expert patience there. I think I would have had to get up early one morning to get it done.

 

[Kingsize24]

Wow, that is some expert patience there. I think I would have had to get up early one morning to get it done.

I wanted to many times. Just WAYYYYY too many irons in the fire, and too many other more important things to complete.

 

[Tex68w]

Wow, that is some expert patience there. I think I would have had to get up early one morning to get it done.

Don't worry, I busted his balls about it a few times, made no difference lol.

 

[Kingsize24]

It's mid May, and the front shocks are on, so I'm holding to schedule. We head out for vacation next week, so I'm buttoning up all the last few things. Needed to adjust the 4x4 shift lever since it came loose on my last outing. Needed to rotate the tires, and got the shocks on. This weekend I'll clean her up and take the truck and trailer for it's first ride since changing a TON of little things on both.

 

[Kingsize24]

Got two pretty big things crossed off the list before we leave. When I got the shocks above on, I noticed with the airbags bolted to both the frame and axle, I wasn't using all the extension of the 12" rear shocks. These cradles will give me the support I need and give me back that additional 4.5" of droop extension. I'm embarrassed it took this long to put them in, I've had them a LONG time. Lol




Then tackled this way under engineered 4x4 shifter. I've worn out these bushings twice, I wasn't replacing them a 3rd time. This will NOT fail, which is what I want. And, 5/8" fits the avaliable hole size perfectly on both the shifter arm and the transfer case mechanism.

 

[Tex68w]

I'm so happy to see this project finally getting the love and attention it deserves. I'm looking forward to seeing some pictures of the pair in action from your journey in the coming weeks.