New 2019 2500 Cummins (not a PW) - too big?

[Dragon_Runner]

I have done some mild off road adventures in our 4Runner (stock suspension, AT3Ws, rock sliders) in AZ such as Broken Arrow, but have this 2500 RAM CTD to play with also. I was in Arches last week and tried to do “Eye of the Whale” trail, when a Jeep came opposite direction and suggested I turn around. Not being too familiar with the trail I did so. I then took Salt Valley rd to the Tower Arch trail. I got up the first big hill then turned around - mostly because 1) I don’t have sliders on this truck, 2) it was only an hour to sunset, 3) I was solo.

In any case, it got me to wondering what the challenges are going to be with this rig. I know the 4Runner’s pros, RE weight, wheel base, clearance. But the RAM weighs in at 4900#s on the front axle, and 8k lbs overall. I have 35s on, and clearance isn’t bad at all, but 149” wheelbase is tricky too.

anyone who’s done eye of the whale or tower arch have any insight as to whether those were kinda the limits for this rig? I use TrailsOffroad.com and these trails were only listed as “moderate” versus “extreme” or “severe” so wasn’t thinking they were limiting...

thanks!

 

[Explorerinil]

You have a very capable rig with lots of aftermarket support. Eliminate low hanging fruit such as the stock tube steps if you got them and factory air dam. Plan on dragging the rear trailer hitch a bit. I would get some sliders and a carli leveling kit or some thuren springs and call it a day.

 

[JESSE A]

No way I think you picked the perfect platform. We have the same truck lol! I think with a few mods you'll love, we have taken ours all around the country and do so many trails. The torque is insane, 90% of the time you will no even need lockers. Here's what we have done to our truck.

 

[aaaslayer]

I drive a 2015 Ram 2500 Cummins, long bed 8 foot with crew cab 4 doors. It's a **************************. I know it has limitations, high center, it's too big for several trails here in Socal. I take it to the desert mostly. For smaller trails in the mountains, I wouldn't dare take the truck, it would fall off the mountain on those narrow trails. I use trailsoffroad.com too to get an idea of whether a trail can accommodate my truck or not. If it can't, i have a JKU Rubicon for that. Just know your limitations so you don't high center or get stuck somewhere.

 

[GeorgeHayduke]

Another 2500 owner here and mine will go anywhere it fits. The biggest challenges are often passing other vehicles on tight trails. The RAM crew cabs have shorter wheelbases than competing full size rigs, so you’re as good as you can there. Agreed with earlier comments about swapping tube steps for sliders and look into some mild Carli or Thuren lifts with bigger shocks to control the weight of that Cummins. The intercooler hangs a little low, watch out for damage there.

Focus on adapting your style to your strengths: you can run way bigger tires than your 4Runner with stock axles, carry way more payload with less compromises to comfort or mileage, the longer wheelbase is more stable at speed or when towing, and you’ve got the torque to idle over most obstacles.

 

[Dragon_Runner]

The intercooler is probably gonna stop me from deleting the air dam - unless there’s a nice aftermarket armor for it?

for all those that replied - thank you! Also, without bead locks what’s a good pressure to avoid breaking a bead? Again, ~ 5000 lbs on the front axle has me hesitating toair down time 20-25...

 

[Explorerinil]

The intercooler is probably gonna stop me from deleting the air dam - unless there’s a nice aftermarket armor for it?

for all those that replied - thank you! Also, without bead locks what’s a good pressure to avoid breaking a bead? Again, ~ 5000 lbs on the front axle has me hesitating toair down time 20-25...

On my cummins truck I ran down to 35 psi and was fine, I’m sure you can go lower but I was being cautious. The air damn has little effect for protecting the intercooler, just make sure if your in brush a stick doesn’t ram through it.

 

[jupp0r]

Also, without bead locks what’s a good pressure to avoid breaking a bead? Again, ~ 5000 lbs on the front axle has me hesitating toair down time 20-25...

Depends strongly on the tires you have. I've been running 16psi on my Power Wagon with 37x13.5R17s when it's a slow trail. Stock I wouldn't go lower than 25psi.

Generally, the higher the air volume the lower you can go. E rated vs D rated helps too because the more rigid side wall keeps the bead in place.

 

[JESSE A]

The intercooler is probably gonna stop me from deleting the air dam - unless there’s a nice aftermarket armor for it?

for all those that replied - thank you! Also, without bead locks what’s a good pressure to avoid breaking a bead? Again, ~ 5000 lbs on the front axle has me hesitating toair down time 20-25...

CJC offroad just came out with a skid you might want to checkout.

 

[Dragon_Runner]

Thanks I will look it up (CJC).

@jupp0r I have 285/75/18 AT3Ws in E range. I don’t want to use power wagon info since the CTD puts an additional 1000 lbs on the truck... but I figure 30 is safe.

All - where’s your go-to for deals on gear? There’s a group-but thread on 4Runner sites or usually a “2020 Black Friday Deals” thread or similar...

 

[Regcabguy]

CJC offroad just came out with a skid you might want to checkout.

I have a 4450# front axle load and aired down to 25# in Utah. No issues at all. If stock you have 8" wheels which should work out fine.

 

[UglyViking]

I'm new to the offroading with a 2500 crew but I've got a 19 2500 CTD and so far it hasn't stopped me with trails in the north east. The fact it's new has kept me off a few tight trails mainly due to the fresh paint. That said, I think the power wagon in moab crew will tell you that you could take these trucks more places than you might expect.

 

[Dragon_Runner]

CJC offroad just came out with a skid you might want to checkout.

that’s a nice plate! $300 is steep though for a small plate... maybe they’ll put out a sale soon. Or I’ll find a combo front skid with the inter cooler.

 

[dstefan]

Tower Arch has a pretty long down hill stretch of linked ledges. Tacoma on mild lift handled it fine with a bit of spotting amidst a few jeeps. At minimum, I’d guess perhaps drag your butt a bit depending in hitch and departure angle. Think a full size could do it …. Coming out there’s a lot of fun windy sand washes, so there’s that …

 

[Dragon_Runner]

Tower Arch has a pretty long down hill stretch of linked ledges. Tacoma on mild lift handled it fine with a bit of spotting amidst a few jeeps. At minimum, I’d guess perhaps drag your butt a bit depending in hitch and departure angle. Think a full size could do it …. Coming out there’s a lot of fun windy sand washes, so there’s that …

yes thank you for a trip report. I entered from the north on Salt Valley road and we crept uphill about 2/3s then turned around and came back. Did it get more challenging after that?