Turns out I need a real truck. Kindly help me choose one!

[hdas]

This is 110% incorrect. Many Ram HD owners, most in fact, install 37s without any aftermarket bumper. Guys put them on stock Cummins and Power Wagon trucks, so I've got no clue why they would tell you this, it's just flat out wrong.

I see what your are saying, but my interpretation of what they said (and I could be wrong), is that AEV wouldn't do trimming/cutting or other stuff to the stock bumper. It wasn't a general statement about fitting 37's in a 3500. Maybe I worded my comment incorrectly to begin with.

commented on this on the HD thread, but I'll say that their CS is still not fantastic.

Yep, outfitter here in Colorado didn't recommend using them. Seems that they have bad experiences.

 

[UglyViking]

I see what your are saying, but my interpretation of what they said (and I could be wrong), is that AEV wouldn't do trimming/cutting or other stuff to the stock bumper. It wasn't a general statement about fitting 37's in a 3500. Maybe I worded my comment incorrectly to begin with.

For what it's worth, I am running 37s on AEV wheels and I didn't have to trim my bumper at all. My buddy is also running the same. Stock bumpers on both, 0 trimming to the bumper.

If you like the look and want to run the winch, then by all means, but it's not strictly necessary.

 

[No Ma]

We've ended up in a Ram 3500 built along the lines you're considering. We've been off-road traveling and camping for 15 years in Colorado and Utah with built Jeep JKURs and ground tents or off-road trailers. We wanted a rig that could carry a small off-road popup camper but still be capable of running 90-95% of the trails we normally visit these days.

After much research, we bought a 2022 Ram Big Horn 3500 crewcab short bed with SO Cummins. Suspension is 3.25" Carli Pintop. 37" tires on 18" Method HD rims. AEV front bumper w/16.5k Warn winch. White Knuckle sliders. Chassis Unlimited rear bumper and a Rigd Ultraswing tire carrier. FWC Hawk front dinette slide in camper.

The Carli suspension makes the truck the best riding/handling vehicle we've ever had. Very smooth and controlled both on pavement and off-road. I wasn't expecting that from a truck with a 4,009lb payload and rear leaf springs.

Choice of diesel was for low rpm torque on the trail and for the extra miles per gallon. The 31 gallon tank plus slightly better mileage has eliminated the need to carry extra fuel tanks for our travel style. Was the diesel required for our build? No. It was a preference. After 2 years, 15,000 miles and 2 full travel seasons, it's been a great combination for us. I test drove a '22 with HO/Aisin. Drove fine, didn't notice any hard shifting. For our use, including any towing we might do in the future, I didn't see the need for the extra horsepower, torque and expense.

 

[hdas]

Buying the truck is proving to be more difficult than anticipated. Here are the highlights:

1. Exact configuration is near impossible to find. If I order the car, I'm looking at 4-6 months potentially more. I could be patient, but the wife wants to start overlanding in late April.
2. I will use AAA service
3. Some of the dealers in Colorado said they would only do trades within Colorado.
4. The dealer I visited last weekend, salesman doesn't seem interested in following up or asking me what I want. It seems that I need to chase them.
5. Dealing with car sales people is truly annoying.

That's where I am.......And I need to do some research into:

1. How difficult is to install (through a dealer) the Front LED Headlamps to replace the crappy lights these trucks come with.
2. How difficult is to install (through a dealer) the Rear Wheelhouse Liners



These people are not interested in any discount beyond the general $2500 bonus. So I'm looking at 72k.......for a barebones truck missing some comfort and safety features, which is not optimal.

 

[hdas]

We've ended up in a Ram 3500 built along the lines you're considering.

Thanks a lot for you feedback!. If I could ask you, what have been the negatives, or relevant issues you wish were better ? Is there anything you would have bought/configured different in your setup?

I appreciate any insight you could share. Thanks

 

[Todd780]

View attachment 799480

Buying the truck is proving to be more difficult than anticipated. Here are the highlights:

1. Exact configuration is near impossible to find. If I order the car, I'm looking at 4-6 months potentially more. I could be patient, but the wife wants to start overlanding in late April.
2. I will use AAA service
3. Some of the dealers in Colorado said they would only do trades within Colorado.
4. The dealer I visited last weekend, salesman doesn't seem interested in following up or asking me what I want. It seems that I need to chase them.
5. Dealing with car sales people is truly annoying.

That's where I am.......And I need to do some research into:

1. How difficult is to install (through a dealer) the Front LED Headlamps to replace the crappy lights these trucks come with.
2. How difficult is to install (through a dealer) the Rear Wheelhouse Liners

View attachment 799481

These people are not interested in any discount beyond the general $2500 bonus. So I'm looking at 72k.......for a barebones truck missing some comfort and safety features, which is not optimal.

Wow. Didn't think it would be that hard to find an in stock truck right now.
Just out of curiosity have you searched for a Tremor with the 6.7 diesel? Or are you set on the Ram?

 

[PirateMcGee]

Crazy money just to go places base model stock trucks drive around on all the time.

This is a long thread but why diesel? They are so heavy offroad on an already heavy truck...

 

[hdas]

Just out of curiosity have you searched for a Tremor with the 6.7 diesel? Or are you set on the Ram?

We are set on the Ram. I'm not opposed to it, but my wife heard the story of our friend who had one and sold it because of many issues, and that has colored her opinion strongly.

 

[hdas]

This is a long thread but why diesel?

In a nutshell: Torque, fuel economy and robust engine.

 

[PirateMcGee]

In a nutshell: Torque, fuel economy and robust engine.

Fuel savings is non existent. Most places it's more expensive fuel and maintenance costs out weight it. I would really reconsider the diesel if you are planning on any sort of wet conditions. The weight makes a huge difference.

 

[hdas]

base model stock trucks

A truck that was 50k in 2019 is 75k now. That's just the reality.

 

[Todd780]

We are set on the Ram. I'm not opposed to it, but my wife heard the story of our friend who had one and sold it because of many issues, and that has colored her opinion strongly.

To be honest that could be said for any make and model of vehicle. But if you're digging the Ram, that's cool. They are nice trucks.

 

[Todd780]

A truck that was 50k in 2015 is 75k now. That's just the reality.

It's crazy. When I build and price my 22 as a 23 model. The exact same truck has a $10,000 higher MSRP. Up 10G's! In one year!!

 

[hdas]

t's crazy. When I build and price my 22 as a 23 model. The exact same truck has a $10,000 higher MSRP. Up 10G's! In one year!!

Yeah, and I meant to write 2019 not 2015

 

[UglyViking]

View attachment 799480

Buying the truck is proving to be more difficult than anticipated. Here are the highlights:

1. Exact configuration is near impossible to find. If I order the car, I'm looking at 4-6 months potentially more. I could be patient, but the wife wants to start overlanding in late April.
2. I will use AAA service
3. Some of the dealers in Colorado said they would only do trades within Colorado.
4. The dealer I visited last weekend, salesman doesn't seem interested in following up or asking me what I want. It seems that I need to chase them.
5. Dealing with car sales people is truly annoying.

That's where I am.......And I need to do some research into:

1. How difficult is to install (through a dealer) the Front LED Headlamps to replace the crappy lights these trucks come with.
2. How difficult is to install (through a dealer) the Rear Wheelhouse Liners

View attachment 799481

These people are not interested in any discount beyond the general $2500 bonus. So I'm looking at 72k.......for a barebones truck missing some comfort and safety features, which is not optimal.

I'd strongly consider looking at Mark Dodge, Dave Smith, or even Granger. Most likely, even with the flight there and drive back, you'll end up thousands ahead vs buying local.

At this point, you shouldn't be paying anything close to MSRP for these trucks.