Atl-atl's 08 Dodge Ram RCLB 2500 4x4 thread

[Atl-atl]

I posted over in the introductions forum and was pleasantly surprised at the amount of response so I figured Ill post up a build thread over here. I like to call my build threads "documentation" threads because I wind up including all sorts of random interesting life happenings. Most of my life revolves around cars Jeeps and trucks so it should all fit here just fine.

Well this is my first pickup. 2008 Regular Cab Long Bed, 2500 HD, 4x4, 5.7, auto, 152,000 miles, 1 owner vehicle with full service records! Its exactly what I've always wanted, other than the unicorn Jeep Comanche I don't think Ill ever find. Sure I would have liked a CTD, especially up here at elevation but I just couldn't justify the $5-8000 premium for something I really don't need. It had SXT stickers on the bedsides but its a total base model. Only option is auto trans. Manual everything else and rubber floor mats. I love regular cabs, everyone else also seems to love them but not that many people seem to buy them, most likely for practicality sake. This truck will be my daily driver/work truck(I'm a superintendent) and tow rig for my VW that is constantly under the knife. When I started the thread for my VW I thought it would be simple mods, nothing major, fly under the radar etc. but things don't always work out that way! It now makes just shy of 400 wheel horse and will be getting crazier this winter. The same thing just might happen to this truck although I actually need this truck for work so I cant do anything too ridiculous... I will be wheelin it even though its a fullsize truck, at least until I get another Jeep.

Since its a regular cab gasser its very light compared to most of the 3/4 ton trucks out there. Because of this it sits really friggin high. My buddies 07 CCSB CTD with a leveler and 35s sat lower than I did on 33s!

There are a few things about the truck I don't know. I haven't had the time to research some stuff so maybe people will have quick answers. What does the SXT package give you? What axle ratio does this truck have? My power steering pump is slightly whiney but the fluid looks fine and I can steer the truck with one finger, everything else is very tight in the steering system. Are power steering pump failures common with these trucks? I plan to do all the mods and maintenance I can do by myself. I did everything on my VW except the custom turbo fabrication.

When I bought it there was already a spacer leveling kit installed with some crappy white body aftermarket shocks, a brake controller, fire extinguisher and hard wired power inverter in the cab. It also has a horrible plastic bedliner that is warping and will be replaced with Line-X and a low profile toolbox in the near future. I'm starting to put together my mod ideas and have started a list below. For now its pretty mild but in the week that I've owned it I have done some decent modding already.

Current mods:

Spacer leveling kit
Crappy white body shocks
Pro Comp Xtreme AT 35x12.50 17's
3M 15% tint all around
Hardwired power inverter in the cab
Trailer brake controller
Fire extinguisher


Future mods:

Fancy remote resi shocks
Swaybar disconnects
Nav dash bezel and Nav head unit with backup camera
Power door locks conversion with keyless entry and alarm
Replace the cracked windshield and add tint strip along the top
Line-X
Low profile tool box
Some sort of black aluminum wheel with at least 37s if not bigger ;)
Programmer for tire size correction etc.


When I brought it home it looked like this.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7299/10847939266_2d523e4671_b.jpg


Later that afternoon it looked like this.

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3785/10734500016_b2d582dc7c_b.jpg


A couple days later it looked like this.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7319/10789647166_91013ea722_b.jpg


And finally today it looks like this. 35" Pro Comp Xtreme ATs installed this morning.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7424/10846082784_5393afd71c_b.jpg





If anyone is interested here is my Golf R. Link to build thread (http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?5711363-Atl-Atl-s-quot-documentation-quot-thread.)

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Dyno Vid

91 octane...yes 91 octane, no meth, 5000 feet above sea level, GT2871R. Thanks go to Gabe and Hollywood at Bluewater Performance and Jeff at United Motorsport.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EylGQ39qyM0&feature=em-upload_owner


http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3752/9406728236_2d3efa1ba5_b.jpg

[Rick]

come on out......I"ll get out just about anywhere.....I understand you dont want to beat it up but there are a few trails that your truck would do just fine(China Wall) We aren't here to beat up your truck, just have a good time!!!!

[Atl-atl]

come on out......I"ll get out just about anywhere.....I understand you dont want to beat it up but there are a few trails that your truck would do just fine(China Wall) We aren't here to beat up your truck, just have a good time!!!!

Sounds great Ill be out as soon as possible.

ps. are you the previous owner of this truck??? :D

[Atl-atl]

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7375/10841275966_b5fe9b8f79_b.jpg


http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3713/10841539523_e792c7d09e_b.jpg

[xaza]

Looks like some fun rides. You have your Golf built right to where I am trying to get my Grand Cherokee. I love how build threads start out saying they are going to be mild and then you end up with 400 hp in a go cart :D I believe the comment about Rick was just because he wheels a big Dodge pick up but I may have missed something.

[Rick]

ps. are you the previous owner of this truck???nope,never owned your truck

[Atl-atl]

Looks like some fun rides. You have your Golf built right to where I am trying to get my Grand Cherokee. I love how build threads start out saying they are going to be mild and then you end up with 400 hp in a go cart :D I believe the comment about Rick was just because he wheels a big Dodge pick up but I may have missed something.

:thumb:

Now it all makes sense!

[ctracy5]

That golf is awesome

[Atl-atl]

That golf is awesome

Thanks! It will be even more awesome this spring. Plan is for slicks, cage, seats/harnesses and possibly a bigger turbo and built bottom end! Hopefully 450 at the wheels on pump gas and still spooling below 4000rpms so I can run it around some road courses in obscene fashion next year.

[Max]

It looks like you need an avatar :)

If you want I can crop one down to size for you. Or you can save one yourself here: http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/profile.php?do=editavatar

Let me know which picture you like.

[Atl-atl]

It looks like you need an avatar :)

If you want I can crop one down to size for you. Or you can save one yourself here: http://www.frontrange4x4.com/forums/profile.php?do=editavatar

Let me know which picture you like.

I will get an avatar rolling soon, thanks for the offer to help.

[Atl-atl]

Since people love pics, here are some from my last XJ at NAXJA Winterfest 2012. Boy do I miss this truck. '99 4.0 aw4, HP30, 231 with SYE, 2 front driveshafts, shaved 29 spline 8.25, 4.56s, locked front, warn manual hubs, lots of trimming, 5" of lift with 33s.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7048/6964686221_f1db25fcc3_b.jpg

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[carpenle]

Thanks for the Pics! I really like both the dodge and previous xj.

[Atl-atl]

Thanks for the Pics! I really like both the dodge and previous xj.

:thumb:


Side note. Finally sold the topper off my truck, for an absolute steal of $50 to a guy with a sweet lowered 90s Chevy 3500 crew cab dually 454.

Also contacted someone on here about fabbing up the first part for my truck. Details when I hear back from him. ;) Things should start progressing now that I've finished moving and sold the topper.

[Atl-atl]

Just realized I never posted pics with the topper on and the truck loaded down. All my worldly possessions fit in the truck in one trip!

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5506/11063913623_6f3e58e639_b.jpg

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2822/11063758905_018ec64af4_b.jpg

[Rick]

for an absolute steal of $50Damn,that was a steal

[Landmissile]

And finally today it looks like this. 35" Pro Comp Xtreme ATs installed this morning.

Dang! That truck soaks up 35's like they're stock. What size are the factory tires?

[Atl-atl]

Dang! That truck soaks up 35's like they're stock. What size are the factory tires?

I think stock is 245-70-17, its tiny. On stock offset wheels you can fit 37s on a 100% stock 2003-08 truck and flex them without much rubbing, really just on the control arms at lock. Gigantic fender openings is an understatement. I plan to run at least 37s in the somewhat near future if not bump up to something even bigger and trim my fenders. Fullsize guys seem to be afraid to trim but not me, I come from the land of XJ's where trimming is necessary to fit 31s. I haven't done much research on what my axles can handle as far as tire size is concerned and I also don't know what gears I've got so I might have to factor in a gear swap if I go bigger than 37s. For now it pushes the 35s around with no problems at all and gets decent gas mileage. I think I could live with 37s and my current gearing.

[Rick]

Fullsize guys seem to be afraid to trim but not me,:tisktisk: aint skeered

[Landmissile]

On stock offset wheels you can fit 37s on a 100% stock 2003-08 truck and flex them without much rubbing, really just on the control arms at lock. Gigantic fender openings is an understatement.

No doubt. And I thought it was easy to put large tires on a JK.

[Patrolman]

Nice ride!

[Atl-atl]

:tisktisk: aint skeered

Good! Me either. Time to get this show on the road haha.

BTW I really like your rear bumper is it custom? Id love to chop out some departure angle like you have. The one thing I never did to my XJ but always wanted to do was a "cut-n-fold" of the rear 1/4 panels.


No doubt. And I thought it was easy to put large tires on a JK.

I feel like with minor trimming, proper bumpstops and scooting the front axle forward just a tad, like 1/4" to 1/2" one could fit 40s on a truck with stock suspension or just a leveling kit up front. I just might have to try.


Nice ride!

Thanks!

[Rick]

BTW I really like your rear bumper is it custom?Yeah,the rear panels are cut to fit it

[Atl-atl]

Yeah,the rear panels are cut to fit it

Did someone local build it?

[Funrover]

Sweet!

[Rick]

Did someone local build it?http://randyellisdesign.com/

[Atl-atl]

http://randyellisdesign.com/

Darn I was hoping it was a production piece!

[Atl-atl]

So I found this website for Dodge truck info. If your rig is 98 or newer you click on "equipment listing" underneath "your vehicle" on the left. Type your VIN into the box and it gives you the trucks entire build sheet!!! Super cool, found out my truck has 3.73s and a limited slip in the rear + tow package, t-case skid plate, snow plow prep package that includes a beefier battery and alternator. Might have to add a second battery and some multi-mount connections so I can do more "activities!" Since I don't have the 4.10s but do have the LSD I guess 4.56s and a front locker are in my future.

http://www.ramtrucks.com/webselfservice/ram/index.html

[mattzj98]

So idk if anything about your truck Is different from mine, but mine fits 35s bone stock with no problem.. i do plan on putting a leveling kit eventaully... nice rides! I'll hopefully see ya on a race track! And trails..

[Atl-atl]

So idk if anything about your truck Is different from mine, but mine fits 35s bone stock with no problem.. i do plan on putting a leveling kit eventaully... nice rides! I'll hopefully see ya on a race track! And trails..

Yeah it fits 35s stock no prob, lots of guys run 37s stock. This is why I plan to do minor mods and bump up to something like a 40.

[mattzj98]

Nice, they look good with big tires

[Cr33p3r]

Nice rides!

[Atl-atl]

Nice rides!

Thank you

[Atl-atl]

Took a bit to get it all installed and take pics but here are the "bed mods" I did this week. Some day Ill get rid of the terrible plastic bedliner and get an actual spray in one. Its towards the top but not the first thing on the list right now. Picked up the toolbox off craigslist for $150. Probably a little steep considering this particular one is only $279 new but whatever, saved $150. The black is peeling a little but the locks are in good shape and I got both keys and the tool tray. The Fabtech spare tire mount I also picked up off craigslist, $100. Its definitely used and has paint chips etc. but whatever its cool/cheap/works. I put a rubberized padlock on it so it should be going anywhere. I do need to replace the hardware with stainless at some point though.


http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3710/11537821924_ee33edf237_b.jpg


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Made sure to leave plenty of room to go bigger. ;)


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[Atl-atl]

Went to Copper yesterday. There was about a foot of fresh snow. It was a beautiful day to ski!

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5548/11778603003_def480baa7_b.jpg

[Atl-atl]

Well I haven't been on here in months. I apologize for that! Work has been crazy busy and I haven't been doing much to the truck except using it hah. I did replace a rear driveshaft u-joint and did front brakes. She needs some more maintenance and will be getting some mods in the very near future. For now here are some pics from a camping/rafting trip with some mild offroading I did over memorial weekend outside of Kremmling Colorado. Right on the Colorado River in a fairly remote campsite my buddies and I frequent. You need ATV's or a decent 4wd vehicle to get all the way down to the river. Some mild wheeling was great fun! The scenery here is absolutely incredible. Unfortunately it was cold and raining the entire weekend.

These first two panoramas were taken from exactly opposite viewpoints.

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5114/14280106061_cbdae1d5ec_b.jpg

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[Atl-atl]

Haven't been on here in forever. Busy with work but now that winter is near I will be doing a lot to the truck. Started chipping away at the list this week.

Chopped my exhaust tip, looks much better.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7516/15076427213_d80ac6ec74_b.jpg

Going up fro 35s to 37s.

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[Atl-atl]

Many long awaited updates are on the way!

Picked up some stock Ram 2500 wheels off craigslist. Was going to powder coat them black and put them on my truck but I decided to keep the black steelies and just repaint them. Aluminum wheels wound up getting my old 35s mounted on them and they are for sale right now! Haven't posted them for sale here yet but they are on craigslist. PM me if you're interested, they are cheap and I don't have room so talk to me.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7565/15751375471_b95aac6d6a_b.jpg

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Swung by my buddies shop and got to practice my long lost tire mounting skills.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7541/15565050240_7184d8ff02_b.jpg


Scuffed up my wheels and laid down three coats of 97 cent gloss black spray paint. Turned out pretty well if I do say so myself! :P

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