Arctic Ram

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calebwat

New member
Hello all. I am new to the forum but thought this would be a good place to track my build out of my 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 for a run up the coast from Seattle, WA to Deadhorse, AK that I am planning for either next summer or the following summer. This will be my first overland adventure off the major interstates so I am very excited. I bought a used ram and have been fixing it up for the trip so far this is what I have done.
  • New Engine 5.7 Liter Hemi
  • New U-joints
  • New fusebox - fixed a short
  • New hub assemblies
  • CB Antenna and wiring

Plans so far will include the following:
  • AT Flip Pac
  • Rancho 4 in. lift
  • 35 Inch Toyo Mud Terrains
  • Some sort of heavy duty wheels (Open to suggestions, I like black)
  • Misc. Expedetion gear (Open to suggestions here as well)
  • GPS Head Unit, 2 meter radio install, cb in dash install, and iPad dash mount for tunes!

I will post pictures soon as my current setup is mostly stock so you can see progress as I go along.
 
M

milo12

Adventurer
Sounds fun. Someday I plan to do the same trip.

I think you have a good start and the only thing I would be concerned about is the Rancho 4 inch lift. Rancho is better suited to cruising malls, it is not a well built off road lift.

I would not do a lift at all. Just do a level kit with new front springs, NO spacers. I recommend Carli or Thuren, both proven in race conditions. Then buy the best shocks you can afford, Bilsteins are popular.
 
F

Fish

Adventurer
+1 to what Milo said.

Plus -- keep the stock wheels. They have a great deal of backspacing. Most aftermarket wheels don't have as much backspacing, so the tires stick out further. If you have the aluminum ones and like black scuff them up and either rattle can them or powdercoat them.

What type roads are you expecting to be on? Gravel? Fire roads? Two track? Or something more technical?

There are a number of folks on here with significant Dodge experience who can offer suggestions. I'm certainly no pro, but you can look at the link in my signature for the specs on my truck. As Milo suggested, I'm running Carli front springs and KORE/Deaver rear springs with Bilstein 5100 shocks (for now) and Bridgestone Revo 2 tires in 315/70-17 on stock wheels.
 
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calebwat

New member
Backspacing

Thanks for the thoughts. Wouldn't more backspacing cause tire rub with 35s? The leveling option would be less expensive. I will be mostly on gravel and fire roads not rock crawling. I have the 20 inch stock rims.
 
C

calebwat

New member
Just checked out carli suspension. Unfortunately none of their kits are built for 2004 ram 1500s. Any other recommendations?
 
bftank

bftank

Explorer
you might call them instead of just looking at their website, these guys know there dodges and most of the stuff that goes in the heavier stuff fits the 1500. if they don't i am sure they could recommend something.

i would definitely ditch the 20's. go for a black 16x10" steely, cheap and if they get bent can be hammered back. fullsize spare.

if money is a problem you might do the leveling kit, for now to afford some of the more essential things. carli and thuren are expensive, but the best.

i would suggest you add airbags to the list for the rear to handle the flippac. i've had good luck with firestone. plumbed separate from each other, helps with sway.

an air compressor would be nice, but...

with the added weight you might lookinto some power upgrades. exhaust and programmer. not necessary, makes the trip less stressfull though.

good cb like a connex or galaxy and antennae.
 
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calebwat

New member
Here she is.
web.jpg


Work is moving ahead on the in dash cb install. I have removed the plastic shelf underneath the climate controls. I will dremel the bezel to fit the cb and make some sort of mounting bracket. Guess the next step will be to purchase a cb unit.
web.jpg
 
C

calebwat

New member
More comprehensive list and links to planned upgrades!

Ok I thought I would take the time to make a comprehensive list of planned upgrades of what I am leaning towards to let all of you try and convince me to do something different :)

Suspension and Tires/Wheels:
Fabtech 6"
Rancho 4"
Kore Leveling Kit
Firestone Air Bags
Tough 17" Wheels recommend some. I checked with Rickson and they can't make them for my rig.
Toyo Open Country MTs

Performance:
MagnaFlow Exhaust
AEM BruteForce Intake
Maybe a chip but I have no experience here so recommend one.
Dual Battery (no clue on this one but with a winch, cb, gps, etc. I think I need to do this)

Exterior:
Road Armor Lone Star Front Bumper
Aluminess Rear Bumper with tire carrier and gas can holder
Warn Winch 16.5
AT FlipPac
Line-X the bed
Some Rock Sliders Maybe custom fabricated not sure yet. Recommendations?

Interior Cab:
CB Radio
GPS
New drivers seat. Old one is very uncomfortable may just see if I can get one out of a junked new ram.
iPad Mount custom fabricate (I will post pics when I do this)
JL Audio stealth box

Interior FlipPac:
Custom Cabinets from Adventure Trailers
Water Tank and sink from Adventure Trailers
Custom bench seat that folds into bed (I don't want to have to put the FlipPac up in winter conditions)
Engle 45 Fridge
Grill
Stove/Oven

I am sure this could even be more comprehensive but that is a good start.
Tell me what I should change?
 
Last edited:
C

calebwat

New member
She had 119k miles on her and I don't know how the previous owner handled oil changes. Long story short after a tow she now has a new engine and I know how this owner will take care of her moving parts.
 
angusdevil

angusdevil

Adventurer
Before I had my 05 2500, I had an 04 1500 4wd. I've researched the suspension until I was blue in the face.... and some more. Sadly, there aren't too many options out for you. YOUR BEST BET is....

- Fabtech 6" lift
- CST upper control arms
- Kore CV's
- Moog lower ball joints (yes there are better out there but for what you're doing, you wont need them)
- Shocks are up to you with how much you want to spend. With the whitebody route, they are a dime a dozen and pretty much all the same.

This setup WILL take a beating and give you the best quality without doing a complete custom build.
 
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calebwat

New member
Suspension sucks for this year and model ram :(

So for what I am doing I am considering just putting in a leveling kit, 35 inch toyo open country mts, new shocks bilsteins HD/rancho/tough country, and firestone airbags in the rear to handle additional weight of the flippac and gear.

For at the worst dirt roads/mud but no rock crawling what do you guys think?
 
bftank

bftank

Explorer
i like it, keep it simple.

your winch might be a little over kill. you might consider going with a smaller 9500 with a portable mount so you can use front to rear. or even an 8274. and just carry some extra line with you in case you need to double up.

i vote for bilstein 5150's.

wheel wise i still recommend a steel one over aluminum as most aftermarket rims are prone to cracking, unless you spend big money. something like this would look mean and down to business.

http://rockcrawler-mrt.com/offroad wheels 17 inch.html
 
angusdevil

angusdevil

Adventurer
bftank nailed it! If you're not going to be doing any abusive offroading, a level kit, tires, steel wheels, better shocks and bags will be a great setup.

Are you putting together an a spare parts bin? If so, I'd pick up an extra outer tie rod and an idler pulley. I would also suggest taking off the sway bar, it helps a ton with the articulation and handling off-pavement.
 
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