2nd Gen Dodge Ram 2500 5.9 Cummins / The “Puller” Project
- Thread starter landman
- Start date
landman
Well-known member
Today ill be installing the winch and Thuren bumper. Got some cheap lights that I’ll install for the mean time as well. Ill circle back and get some nicer lights down the road, I have these cheap ones just sitting here so might as well give them a try. Ill post picture later today or early tomorrow on the bumper install.
landman
Well-known member
Please keep us posted on the EMS Free Spin kit. I really cannot stomach the price of the Dynatrac kits.
Hey @David_411 ,
As a second follow up report for you, the EMS parts and install are amazing. The setup guide they send is top notch and all the parts are flawless and super beef. HIGHLY recommended as an alternative to Dynatrac.
EricJeepGuy
New member
Bumper looks awesome. I've been torn between one of those and the stock look that I really like.
drumguy_18
New member
Great looking rig! Hopefully you see a little MPG increase with the new hubs! Time to get it dirty.
calameda
Active member
Only recently been following your build. Great stuff. I've got a 3rd gen cummins and am considering similar upgrades. The thing that drew me to yours was the focus on long term reliability, while avoiding the bling, i.e. still preserving the, um, aesthetic, of the 2nd gen. I realize I'm definitely in the minority here, but I prefer the low key look. But then I'm not a rock crawler or desert racer, I just go slow and steady to the farthest places I can get to. In fact, if there were beefed up winch and strike capable bumpers in the style of OEM, I'd go that route, but sadly, no one offers that. Guess I'm a market of one.
Wondering what led you to choose this particular bumper, versus stock or other winch compatible alternatives (say, Buckstop or Trail Ready)? What's the bumper weight? And are you happy with it (which is all that matters after all)?
Wondering what led you to choose this particular bumper, versus stock or other winch compatible alternatives (say, Buckstop or Trail Ready)? What's the bumper weight? And are you happy with it (which is all that matters after all)?
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ExpoMike
Well-known member
I agree, I wish there was a more "factory" looking bumper that has provisions for a winch and better protection. Not sure on 3rd gens but it seems many 2nd gen bumpers end up looking like the truck has a fat lip sticking out.
landman
Well-known member
Wow, I’ve been gone from the forum for awhile. Been a hectic time. To be honest I only found 2 other winch comparable bumpers that looks ok. 1 is from dodge off-road. For many reasons, I dont like that company. 2 is a product from China, so I didn’t want that. I went with Thurens prototype bumper since it American made and I think looked the best compared to anything else out there. Although the price was steep, so thats a negative for my bumper. Otherwise I love it. It Gnarly stronger and beefy.
landman
Well-known member
Almost 1 year since I’ve done an update. Wow, time flys. Anyways, not much has changed on the truck (Other then the paint fading 
). I have done many-many trips with the current setup and it’s time to make some changes. For the longest time I thought I was going to be able to resist the urge to upgrade the truck any further, but I cant help myself. Lots of parts went on order yesterday to TRY and upgrade the truck properly to fit it out with 37’s. To do this I will also need to upgrade my steering system significantly. So far this is what I have on order:
1) Thuren Control Arms
2) PSC Big Bore Steering Gear Box (ported for hydro assist)
3) PSC High Performance Pump Kit
4) PSC Ram 1.75” by 8” travel + weld in mounting hardware
5) Hogback extend leaf shackles to get rid of the 4” block on my rear axle and bring up the saggy rear of my truck 2”
6) 37” Toyo Tires
7) 4.10 Gears + rear carrier (Im gunna hire someone to do this install as its a little above my pay grade to be honest) - Also I am going to drive it for awhile on stock gears to see if I feel like I need the re-gear.
8) Ill probably order a new exhaust as well (TBD)
As some of you might know, fitting 37’s in these 2nd gens without rubbing issues can be tricky. You have a few options:
1) Lift the truck stupid high - not gunna do that. I want to keep it as low as possible.
2) Keep a modest 3” lift and have 0 offset wheels and deal with radius arm rubbing on the tires. There are some arms that might fix this, I ordered some from Thuren as an option to have.
3) Keep a modest 3” lift and have (TBD) offset wheels and deal with your tires rubbing on the back of the front metal fenders in flexed turns. I am not super interested in trimming the fenders, but it might be on the table. Doing it in a way that looks good is the hard part.
I already have the Yukon hubs in and the center axel delete kit completed, which was done in the event I wanted to do 37” down the road. You need the good quality parts to support the beefier meat.
Anyways, I have not been able to find much info at all on 2nd gens doing hydro assist steering And how they build the system - so I’ll likely be building from scratch. The work will start next weekend most likely so I’ll post pictures as I go.
). I have done many-many trips with the current setup and it’s time to make some changes. For the longest time I thought I was going to be able to resist the urge to upgrade the truck any further, but I cant help myself. Lots of parts went on order yesterday to TRY and upgrade the truck properly to fit it out with 37’s. To do this I will also need to upgrade my steering system significantly. So far this is what I have on order:1) Thuren Control Arms
2) PSC Big Bore Steering Gear Box (ported for hydro assist)
3) PSC High Performance Pump Kit
4) PSC Ram 1.75” by 8” travel + weld in mounting hardware
5) Hogback extend leaf shackles to get rid of the 4” block on my rear axle and bring up the saggy rear of my truck 2”
6) 37” Toyo Tires
7) 4.10 Gears + rear carrier (Im gunna hire someone to do this install as its a little above my pay grade to be honest) - Also I am going to drive it for awhile on stock gears to see if I feel like I need the re-gear.
8) Ill probably order a new exhaust as well (TBD)
As some of you might know, fitting 37’s in these 2nd gens without rubbing issues can be tricky. You have a few options:
1) Lift the truck stupid high - not gunna do that. I want to keep it as low as possible.
2) Keep a modest 3” lift and have 0 offset wheels and deal with radius arm rubbing on the tires. There are some arms that might fix this, I ordered some from Thuren as an option to have.
3) Keep a modest 3” lift and have (TBD) offset wheels and deal with your tires rubbing on the back of the front metal fenders in flexed turns. I am not super interested in trimming the fenders, but it might be on the table. Doing it in a way that looks good is the hard part.
I already have the Yukon hubs in and the center axel delete kit completed, which was done in the event I wanted to do 37” down the road. You need the good quality parts to support the beefier meat.
Anyways, I have not been able to find much info at all on 2nd gens doing hydro assist steering And how they build the system - so I’ll likely be building from scratch. The work will start next weekend most likely so I’ll post pictures as I go.
vintageracer
To Infinity and Beyond!
What do you capabilities do you expect to gain after this new round of SPENDING that you do not already have???
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