Dodge Ram 3500 QCSB Buildup

[bigdieseltruck]

Been lurking on this site for a while now, checking out all of the very cool vehicle builds and getting some good ideas. I figured I would post my rig, a 2006 Dodge Ram Short Bed Quad Cab with Cummins Turbodiesel, 6 speed manual, and manual transfer case (all my vehicles are manual). Don't really have definite travel plans with the truck yet, but I do take it out to PA when I go off roading with a buddy. There is talk of a trip out to Moab with some local Jeep guys, so I may end up offering to tow some rigs out there with it.

My goals are low CG with decent suspension travel and load carrying capability (I am learning that these are mutually exclusive). The suspension is still stock, as I am still working on the armor. Near-term plans include a Softopper bed cover (better than a soft tonneau or hard cap IMO).

TRUCK WHEN NEW TO ME (bought used with 9,000 miles):

TRUCK NOW (minus front diff guard):

What do you guys think? Potential?

-Chris

 

[AZCPP]

Hey Chris,
Welcome! Nice Dodge as well! Looking at the pictures it looks to me like it has a front leveling kit of some type in it. Just an observation. I like the bumper, I've been thinking about a RanchHand bumper for my new M-cab.

 

[bigdieseltruck]

Hey Chris,
Welcome! Nice Dodge as well! Looking at the pictures it looks to me like it has a front leveling kit of some type in it. Just an observation. I like the bumper, I've been thinking about a RanchHand bumper for my new M-cab.

The suspension is actually completely stock. Also, you can't go wrong with a big steel pipe bumper. Wildlife that likes to jump out in front of you, be damned!

 

[jasonL_031]

nice ride what diff gaurds did you end up getting i'm looking for some for my power wagon.

 

[Rockcrawler]

Nice truck! Who makes the bumper.

Chuck,

I was thinking the same thing about the leveling kit. Might just be how the truck is sitting in the pics.

Kyle

 

[bigdieseltruck]

nice ride what diff gaurds did you end up getting i'm looking for some for my power wagon.

I have a Defiant front diff guard (http://www.defianttruckproducts.com/) that is skid plate shaped and protects the whole front and bottom of the diff as well as the tie rod and can act as a base for a dual steering stabilizer system (yet to be installed on mine).

For the rear, I plan on getting the newly released Rockcrusher diff cover made of high strength steel. It replaces the flimsy stock one.

-Chris

 

[bigdieseltruck]

Nice truck! Who makes the bumper.

Chuck,

I was thinking the same thing about the leveling kit. Might just be how the truck is sitting in the pics.

Kyle

Bumper is from Bodyguard (http://www.bodyguardtruckaccessories.com/) and has protected my front end once in a parking lot (some moron in a SUV backed into it while it was parked), and once when pushing the truck around a tree when off roading.

-Chris

 

[Zorro]

Looking good!
Doesn't the 3500 ride harsh? Heck I didn't even know Dodge made SRW 3500s ...

 

[02TahoeMD]

Very nice rig. I love a 6 speed, sometimes wish I could have one for my Tahoe. Welcome aboard, keep up the good work.

 

[AZCPP]

I've been checkin out these bumpers for my QC and my wife reminded me that if I put one on the truck will no longer fit in the garage.... DANG! As it is there is only 1" in the front and 2" in the rear, pretty tight!

 

[805gregg]

Wow, nice bumper and reasonable prices, thanks for the link.

 

[Rockcrawler]

I've been checkin out these bumpers for my QC and my wife reminded me that if I put one on the truck will no longer fit in the garage.... DANG! As it is there is only 1" in the front and 2" in the rear, pretty tight!

That's the same issue I have with my Quad Cab in my garage and the main reason I haven't done anything about it yet... I guess when I get a new house with a bigger garage etc...

 

[jasonL_031]

i just park my power wagon in my back yard lol. its way to big to fit in my garage lol. thats why i cusom built my gate to fit my power wagon lol.

 

[AZCPP]

OOPs! I meant my MegaCab not QC.

 

[bigdieseltruck]

When I was shopping for new trucks, my wife and I liked the Megacabs. The thing was we felt we didn't need the bigger back seat and the longer wheelbase as well. When I found this truck with the 5.9L I had to jump on it. Now we have a baby boy on the way and still feel that a quad cab will serve us for the forseeable future. For road trips we will take her new car (Jetta TDI) since it is currently getting better than 40 mpg hwy.

-Chris