2020 Ram 5500 DIY Composite Panel Camper Build Thread

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

That's HPI quality right there. Nailed it!

Ha!

Yeah.. super stoked and admittedly a tad surprised how well it all meshes.

I changed my ideas and dimensions on these more than you did with tires. True story. ?

Mounting this side (passenger) will be easy.

The other side will require some shenanigans and in house redneckery to deal with the fuel filler hose.

I’m planning on fabbing up more of these tabs and using 5/16 rivnuts and grade 8 hardware to make for simple removal for service and field repair

This will be in addition to the 3 huge tabs I already have designed into the subframe.

(yes, rivnut is backwards in pic)

 

[ripperj]

Might need high speed wheel bearing on the jack.

Looks great


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[StenchRV]

Quick test fit today after work…

Soooo freaking happy with how this comes together!!!

It almost seems like I know what I’m doing and planned this…. ?

Sorry for the crappy phone pics

View attachment 732462




View attachment 732463


WOW! BEAUTIFUL!!

You know imitation is the greatest form of flattery! Your planning paid off....TWICE!!
Those are going to be a SWEET addition to our 84 CA!

WELL DONE SIR!

CHEERS,

Craig

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

thank you sir

 

[zb39]

Looking GREAT!

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

Looking GREAT!

Thanks

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

Hey All

Just an update. SuspensionMaxx FINALLY released its adjustable trackbar for the 5500 and this thing is BEEFCAKE and will fix the axle centering for sure!

The buckstop bracket is designed for a 4" lift and i am only running 2".

My plan is to remove the bracket and get it 100% dialed with this.

FYI: @StenchRV @Brad_UT

 

[chris_the_wrench]

Like you said @RAM5500 CAMPERTHING the 3500 floor mats fit perfectly. These are the regular cab mats in the front of our crew cab 5500, incase anyone else was wondering... I didn't need a mat for the rear. My HDPE should be arriving today and then hopefully I can start on my bed this week.

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

Like you said @RAM5500 CAMPERTHING the 3500 floor mats fit perfectly. These are the regular cab mats in the front of our crew cab 5500, incase anyone else was wondering... I didn't need a mat for the rear. My HDPE should be arriving today and then hopefully I can start on my bed this week.

Glad to hear!

Yeah, it’s the 4500/5500 cabs are 110% identical to the 2500/3500s

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

Ok, progress finally!

Got the 2 under boxes mounted thanks to the help of some friends, Mike, Mike, and Andy.

I used some large heavy duty 5/16" rivnuts/nutserts and made some tabs so everything was clean, but also so the boxes are easily removable, with one person for truck repair or service.

I had to notch the drivers side one to accommodate the fuel filler neck (heads up here @StenchRV ). I knew this ahead of time, and contemplated having HPI do it from the get go, but for proper fitment, we will be doing it in house and making an aluminum piece to fill this void and seal the box back up.

I am now going to remove the boxes and tire carrier (still needs powder coat) and paint the subframe area where they are mounted and where we just welded the tabs with POR15 before putting it all back together.

Super super happy with how these came out and fit!!!

https://highwayproducts.com/ absolutely nailed it and i am a customer for life!

 

[ITTOG]

Looks good.

 

[wfv56]

Not a lot of drop from your fuel fill to the tank. Can you pump fuel at a reasonable rate without backup to the fill port?

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

Not a lot of drop from your fuel fill to the tank. Can you pump fuel at a reasonable rate without backup to the fill port?

Yes and Yes

I’ve only had issues at one pump ever.

All others pump at full speed

This was well tested beforehand as I learned this the hard way with my last build. It was a nightmare filling the truck (gas)

But…. “Gas” pumps and GAS filled necks are much more sensitive to the rate of flow versus the Diesel pumps. So there’s that.

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

Get everything painted with POR15, let it cure overnight and mounted the boxes once and for all. Everything lines up perfectly!

The hot pocket storage system is now complete!

Woot!

 

[rickgibbs]

Get everything painted with POR15, let it cure overnight and mounted the boxes once and for all. Everything lines up perfectly!

The hot pocket storage system is now complete!

Woot!

Wow, that's so clean.