2016 Ram 1500 Rebel build

[Mekcanix]

Hi there,
I have been here for quite some time and have gotten so much info from all the threads so I thought maybe if I threw up some pics of what my project has been it might help someone , or maybe make them rethink the idea they have LOL.
So here is what the truck looked like shortly after I bought it in 2020. I did install the tool box and cut down the tonnue cover. I had already installed the bed slide in the truck.
Next I picked up a cap off of Kijiji.

Then I started doing what I do I started working on the suspension

Then I did my hidden winch mount with some scraps of steel I had.

I upgraded the brakes, which did indeed improve the stopping of the truck. I also installed bigger tire. 285/75r17BFG all terrains which I loved.

Also upgraded the flares at some point.

To be continued

 

[Mekcanix]

Ok to continue. Sorry this might be a bit out of sequence and I am sure I will forget something. I have not really documented anything I have built in a long time. I am out of practice and originally had no intention of posting this.

here is a pic of the rig as it was at this point ( you will see a number of picts of our camper, you will probably pick up on that we like the camper. LOL

I then felt like I had a CV shaft going bad, well that has turned into a journey of a few of years and I am not sure I yet have it right.
I installed the High travel cv shafts in the truck thinking I was putting in something better than OEM. Boy did I have that wrong. During the winter
I pulled into the local supermarket had the truck in 4x4 cause it was a bit messy. As soon as I pulled in i felt it bind up, took it out of 4x4 but either it was to late or this had nothing to do with it being in 4x4. As I pulled into a parking spot there was a loud bang, so at -25 degrees Celsius I had to remove the passenger side half shaft
I was not amused. and it was freaking cold. The broken side was the outer
I got a replacement under warranty thank fully and I got a year and a half out of it when a new issue arrived under my truck. the inner cv was moving around A LOT!!. So I ordered a diff repair kit
and another new passenger cv shaft.
I had also just before this installed a setina pushbar on my rebel. Now the fun part is they do not make one for the rebel. so I was not planning on purchasing one and was actually looking at building one, when this fell in my lap. Its off a 2011 ram 1500, maybe 2500 conservation (Wild life department) truck. So after sometime and some figuring I built mounts and installed it.
then I found some play in the rear links and replaced them with Freedom offroad upper and lower links, LOVE THEM!!

Now a new issue reared its head. The RC struts were un happy with the additional weight of the winch the mounts the push bar. and had started to drop.
I am a bit of a amazon junkie and I keep a eye ion thing and I got a killer deal on the new M1 adjustable struts

These work like the Bilstein's you disassemble them and move a snap ring. and adjust the height that way.
I had to also replace taillights whic OEM were horribly priced and I really like the look of the new ones. so in they went and it only took me a year to figure out what to change with Alfaobd to get rid of warning lights.

 

[Mekcanix]

I have replaced the seat covers , again with a killer deal off of Amazon. Rough country :

And this is what it looks like today with the 35/12.5r17 Duratracs (old style) that I got on clearance 269$ CAD so its like $20 bucks USD LOL

Now I know I have forgotten stuff and will update as I remember. This is no where near as cool as a lot of stuff the other folks have posted. but, its mine I really love it, my baby power wagon The Rebel.

John

 

[ITTOG]

I have replaced the seat covers , again with a killer deal off of Amazon. Rough country :
View attachment 871078
And this is what it looks like today with the 35/12.5r17 Duratracs (old style) that I got on clearance 269$ CAD so its like $20 bucks USD LOL
View attachment 871079
Now I know I have forgotten stuff and will update as I remember. This is no where near as cool as a lot of stuff the other folks have posted. but, its mine I really love it, my baby power wagon The Rebel.

John

That is all that matters.

 

[Mekcanix]

Found a picture with slide out
I have also replaced the rear bumper, I wanted the step pockets I need the help with loading bikes and canoe on top



s'cuse the mess , its warm out today
I have also replaced the muffler with a Thrush welded unit and replace the tips, cause it was a bit too loud and I don't want to disturb other campers. and I resurfaced the exhaust manifolds. I did attempt a port match HOTROD!!!! LOL
I did learn that I no longer like or am any good at welding on my back
I absolutely love the sound of the truck. I will be out driving with the windows open and no radio. Now I have to figure out if I messed up with the manifolds or if I have the dreaded lifter tick, which at this point will be a replacement engine

 

[DT75FLH]

Found a picture with slide outView attachment 871080
I have also replaced the rear bumper, I wanted the step pockets I need the help with loading bikes and canoe on top

View attachment 871081

s'cuse the mess , its warm out today
I have also replaced the muffler with a Thrush welded unit and replace the tips, cause it was a bit too loud and I don't want to disturb other campers. and I resurfaced the exhaust manifolds. I did attempt a port match HOTROD!!!! LOLView attachment 871082View attachment 871083View attachment 871084
I did learn that I no longer like or am any good at welding on my back
I absolutely love the sound of the truck. I will be out driving with the windows open and no radio. Now I have to figure out if I messed up with the manifolds or if I have the dreaded lifter tick, which at this point will be a replacement engine

fyi..we had 2 ram 1500 with the 5.7 hemi with lifter tic......we just kept doing scheduled maintence..and 1 ran 175k miles before it was traded....the other went 150k miles...neither blew up.

 

[Mekcanix]

fyi..we had 2 ram 1500 with the 5.7 hemi with lifter tic......we just kept doing scheduled maintence..and 1 ran 175k miles before it was traded....the other went 150k miles...neither blew up.

Man thats just what I needed to hear. I found small grains of metal in the bottom of my drain pan last oil change. no glitter in the oil, but I threw the filter in my garbage as I thought I was done. I was looking to pull out the VVT soliniod to see if it had metal, and found out I am a third of the way to the cam change to just get at it. So I dug the filter out of the garbage cut it open and found nothing , no metal at all. Sooooooo run it till it blows

 

[Todd780]

Our Ram 1500 that we have as one of our work truck here in the office has 400,000 kms on it now. It's been ticking as long as I can recall..

Can't recall what year it is. 2016 or 2018 or something?