Not another Ram 5500 build
- Thread starter RS59
- Start date
ramblinChet
Well-known member
Awesome - looking forward to pics and details!
Last edited:
Finally got around to getting my 5500 build on here. I will make a list of what I have done and what is being done. Ill skim over the things that have been done by others and go into more detail on the suspension I am building for the truck. Not much available out there for 5500s so ill show you what I came up with.
The build started from a 2012 Ram 5500 4x4 CTD Auto with 84 inch cab to axle. First stripped out the original interior, sound deadened it and installed a black interior from a 2020 Warlock. But with rubber floor from a 5500 ST. Upgraded the audio with a Sony head unit with Carplay and Polk speakers. Stripped the body and frame. After the frame and diffs were sandblasted they were sprayed in Endura. The front fenders bumper and cab were chopped to fit on the AEV flares to let the 335 80 20 Goodyears on Stazworks 2pc Aluminum wheels and DBL design spacers for the rear. Did a offshore Rebel Knock off grill with a factory bumper Linexed and filled with Rigid lights. Built a very simple steel Flatbed 12 ft by 92 inches again coated in linex top and bottom. Sherp Bigair with 5 gallon tank. Custom rear bumper with lights and winch. So because of the lack of Suspension bits for the 5500 I decided to work with a buddy to build a complete custom suspension. 3rd set of coils are going in tomorrow morning. They are a linear coil with approx 2 Inches of lift (no spacer). New front arms that are 1/2 inch longer. Pressed out and used the stock bushings. No Johnnies or Heims. Using Fox 2.5s with remotes and clickers. Again more bushing building and massaging. I am going to put a overland box on the back so at this point just a few mods to the rear springs. Removed 3 leafs and rearked for a 2 inch lift. Hopefully will find out in the AM...
The build started from a 2012 Ram 5500 4x4 CTD Auto with 84 inch cab to axle. First stripped out the original interior, sound deadened it and installed a black interior from a 2020 Warlock. But with rubber floor from a 5500 ST. Upgraded the audio with a Sony head unit with Carplay and Polk speakers. Stripped the body and frame. After the frame and diffs were sandblasted they were sprayed in Endura. The front fenders bumper and cab were chopped to fit on the AEV flares to let the 335 80 20 Goodyears on Stazworks 2pc Aluminum wheels and DBL design spacers for the rear. Did a offshore Rebel Knock off grill with a factory bumper Linexed and filled with Rigid lights. Built a very simple steel Flatbed 12 ft by 92 inches again coated in linex top and bottom. Sherp Bigair with 5 gallon tank. Custom rear bumper with lights and winch. So because of the lack of Suspension bits for the 5500 I decided to work with a buddy to build a complete custom suspension. 3rd set of coils are going in tomorrow morning. They are a linear coil with approx 2 Inches of lift (no spacer). New front arms that are 1/2 inch longer. Pressed out and used the stock bushings. No Johnnies or Heims. Using Fox 2.5s with remotes and clickers. Again more bushing building and massaging. I am going to put a overland box on the back so at this point just a few mods to the rear springs. Removed 3 leafs and rearked for a 2 inch lift. Hopefully will find out in the AM...
Attachments
Porkchopexpress
Well-known member
Wow, impressive. Did you start with a 2012 because of availability or is that a good year for emissions or some other reason?
More pics
I found a 2012 that fit the parameters so started with that.
Attachments
DirtWhiskey
Western Dirt Rat
Love this very much. Subbed.
OverlandFT
Well-known member
Awesome! Did you upgrade the headlights? I've been planning on upgrading mine and I like the look of those.
Also, you said a winch on the rear bumper, but what about the front? The low profile design of the stock front bumper is great, but there's no room for a winch with the intercooler mounted right behind it. I'm planning on going aftermarket (either AEV or Exp One) for the bumper so I can add a winch.
Also, you said a winch on the rear bumper, but what about the front? The low profile design of the stock front bumper is great, but there's no room for a winch with the intercooler mounted right behind it. I'm planning on going aftermarket (either AEV or Exp One) for the bumper so I can add a winch.
Heres a link to the grill. It fit great. Yes I also changed headlights. 2 bulb, non projector ,early Sport black. The Bushings over heims or spherical rod ends? Strictly more durable. Look at the bushings on 200,000 mile 5500 and they are like new. Also no chance of clunking or getting contaminated with road grime. Heims and Johnnies have durability issues in my neck of the woods. There fine in SoCal. IMO Yes front winch. I have putting some thought to a custom front bumper winch mount. The build on that will come pretty soon. Im finishing up the rear bumper/winch mount/ light brackets today. Ill post some pics on that later. https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_id=313378750308&_nkw=Front+Bumper+Grille+w/+LED+fit+for+2010-2018+Dodge+Ram+2500+RAM+3500+Grill
