How to build a Ram for the next 20 years...

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If I could make the following changes, I think my Ram would be pretty reliable for the next 20 years:

• Rip out the ECM and replace all the gauges with Autometer
  
• Rip out the electronic fuel pump and replace it with a mechanical pump
  
• Rip out the RWAL and replace the drums with discs
  
• Rip out the 99 airbag steering wheel and replace it with a pre-98 for the “real” horn buttons
  
• Rip out the floor console and put shift boots from a pre-98 on the shift levers. Then, rip out the center seat and replace it with a 2001 Suburban console.
  
• Replace the front axle with a Dynatrac with locking hubs and monster brakes. Although, I would settle for just a rotor and caliper replacement.
  
• Replace the control arms with tubular, polyurethane bushed and adjustable control arms without adding a lift kit. I would settle for urethane bushing in the factory control arms.

Dang, sounds like I should have bought a 98’ 12valve for starters #ad


Anything else you guy’s think should be replaced?


Items I would like to add in the next five years:

• 900 ft-lb clutch
  
• Hadley/Grover Airhorns
  
• 8” wide wheels
  
• CB
  
• Front and rear bumpers
  
• CD player
  
• Diamond plate tool chest
  
• Pop-up-Hitch
  
• Spray in bed liner
  
• Another set of Hella 500’s
  
• Two optima batteries
  
• Quickair II compressor

243

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99 QC 2500 ST 4X4 SB 24V/5speed 3. 54/LSD Driftwood/Agate
Walker 21468, VDO, Bridgestone 285/75/16 MT's, RS9000's, Hella 500's

-- email address removed --

[This message has been edited by 243 (edited 12-21-2000). ]

 

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Like I've said before, it's not what you buy, it's what you build. When I bought my truck three years ago I wanted a dually. Now I want a single wheel, but I don't want to trade mine in. I wonder if I can convert a 3500 to a single wheel without changing the rear axle. I think the front would just need new rotors, and I would need a whole new bed.

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98. 5 3500 QC 4x4, Driftwood/Mist Grey, 5 spd, 3. 54, 19. 5 Alcoa's, Ranchhand bumpers, DeeZee toolbox, "Scotty Air", TST PowerMax2, VA, 275's, Autometer Gauges, Centerforce clutch, Upgraded fuel lines (JRE and Aeroquip), MagHytec Diff Cover, PacBrake, Cowl Induction Hood

 

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Jeff Clark
I dont think you need a whole new bed, I think they just add fiberglass fenders on to a standard bed. A liitle bit of hole filling and paint and you have a 2500 bed

[This message has been edited by Deezul 1 (edited 12-21-2000). ]

 

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Deezul, I have looked into that. They radius the wheel well for tire clearance and they also cut a HUGE hole for the fill tube under where the filler door would be on a 2500. It could be patched, but it is right in the crease. I could find a wrecking yard with a good bed and swap even at least so it would only costme the re-painting of a bed.

 

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Why do want adjustable, tubular control arms? The factory lower arms are adjustable for caster using the eccentric. What benefits are you going to see with poly bushings on this truck?


Brian

 

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Jeff - it's a long shot but maybe you could find someone that has a 2500 of the same color that wants a 3500 and you could swap axles and the bed - you never know. It would save both of you some $$. You might try the classifieds on the site.

-Steve

 

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I've thought of that too, Steve. I would like to keep the Dana 80. I don't know about width. I have a friend with a 2500 4x4. I need to measure the width on his and compare to mine. If they are the same or close, I can just swap beds and front rotors and bolt up some wheels.

 

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If you find someone with a 5 or 6 speed you'll get the Dana 80 as well (a Dana 80H actually - a Dana 80 housing with Dana 70 axleshafts, I believe it's the same as the 3500 except for width). The automatic 2500's get the Dana 70.

-Steve

 

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Brian-

Adjustable control arms would not be a benefit if you keep the eccentrics. I had not planned to. The polyurethane bushings would be an improvement on our trucks because the axle can move backward and forward a 1/4" each side with the rubber bushings. This is enough to cause an already "wandering" truck to be even worse. Unfortunately, nobody makes replacement bushings.

243

 

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jeff clark, why do you need new rotors? take the front tire off and look to see if there is not a spacer bolted on that allows the dually wheels to work, unbolt the spacer and put on regular wheels. That is the way my 97 is.

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1997 3500,4x4,slt,club cab,4. 10 limited slip,5 spd,BD exhaust brake & 60 lb sprinds,no cat,no muffler,110 gal. fuel tank, work truck-hauls a D5 dozer,310backhoe,and everything on the farm

 

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Jeff, I think on 98 and up they are one piece. I know they are on Chevy and I think Dodge is the same way. I may be wrong, and if I am then I won't need new rotors.

 

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I want a true crew cab 4x4 and 400hp #ad

 

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Originally posted by Jeff Clark:
Like I've said before, it's not what you buy, it's what you build. When I bought my truck three years ago I wanted a dually. Now I want a single wheel, but I don't want to trade mine in. I wonder if I can convert a 3500 to a single wheel without changing the rear axle. I think the front would just need new rotors, and I would need a whole new bed.

Anyone ever run a single wide wheel/tire combo on the rear of a dually?

 

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I've thought of that also. I could lift the truck, put 35's under it with a wide 35 in the back. Problem is I don't know if the widest 35 available is wide enough. I have seen it done on a Ford with 44's.

 

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jeff clark the rear is wider on a 3500 vs the 2500 .

 

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Jeff-

The easiest solution would be to swap out your bed and axle with someone that wants a dually. You will still get the D80 center section with a 2500.

The other option would be to have your rear axle narrowed to the correct width and swap the bed at a wrecking yard.

243

 

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If the rear axle is wider than the front, I'm OK, as long as the rears don't stick out too far. I was concerned taht the axle was narrower and I would end up looking like a Chevy with the front tires sticking out further than the rear.

 

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Hopefully in less than a month, we will all know what the next generation Ram will look like. If they'd only go back to Job-Rated and custom build us what we all want, then it would be a perfect world.

Happy Holidays!!!!!

 

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Jeff, maybe someone has put a flat bed on and has a 2500 bed in your color that they are willing to part with.

 

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Jeff, I second the post above. Check with a truck utiliy body dealer. They usually have a few truck bed lying around that have been replaced by various utility bodies.