Time off can get expensive $$$! New MODS!

[MichaelWright]

Well, it took a week, and it is almost done. I was at a truck stop, 2-3 weeks ago, in Tekonsha MI, I-69 & SR60. I finally saw a Ram that I liked, It was a silver 03 or 04. She was standing tall! It was all the inspiration I needed.



I finally found the cap, a Leer XQ100. This is a really nice cap, and fits the truck like a glove. Not a cheap cap, dollar wise.



I ordered the Mickey Thompson wheels, only to have them installed and now rubbing the mud flaps. Leveling kit needs to go, must go higher!



So, the lift research begins. Break out the tape measure to see how high I can go. Building new garage, it needs to fit. Research begins, wound up with the Tuff Country 6 inch lift. It took 2. 5 days to install, due to wrong Bilstein 5100's sent. This is not a driveway install, as some will say. It was a real bear, it still took around 16 hrs real labor time (charged 647. 00 for install and alignment). I had it installed at Belle tire (Scio TWSP/Ann Arbor), where they (Dave) has done a few lifts. Dave had my leveling kit installed in about 2hrs this past winter, the 6in was a different deal. I purchased the lift from Jack-It (jack-it.com). Dual steering stabilizer just arrived, will put on tomorrow, it needs it.



Test drove it, went to lowes in Jackson. Good looking blonde babe in a durango ooohhhing and awwwing over my new ride. Had wife on the phone. End of story.



Took to Blue Beacon Truck Wash, this thing stands over 7' tall. They do a good job.



Back to Belle tire for a quick re-tourqe and home to the little woman (5ft short). She can get in ok, but that first step out can get funny. Says she does not want a ladder!



Mike



P. S.



How do I put pictures into the members gallery? And on this post!? I have it down to 95k, and still says it is to big! What is the secret? I loaded them over at DTR with no problem. Help me out!



PICS HERE: The Truck, well some of it.

 

[CLAYTON]

That's a good lookin truck. Wish I could lift mine but the 5th wheel trailer won't allow it. Guess I could put a lift on the trailer too

 

[MichaelWright]

Thanks! Ain't it COOL!!!!! (patting ones self on the back). The wife thinks I'm "Nuckin Futs"!



Mike

 

[SRadke]

Wow, that picture on the DTR is tiny! I'll attach it below but you'll need a magnifyer. Set up a readers rigs gallery and put them in there. Then you can link to them or paste in the forum codes to make them show here.



-Scott

 

[MichaelWright]

I would like to know HOW to get into the readers rig gallery. What am I missing? Where is the hidden link? I posted at the DTR site with ease. Whats the deal here? Someone please fill me in.



Mike



ps



All you have to do is click on the pic over at dtr and it will enlarge. Heck I couldnt even get a pic on this site. I shrunk it down to 95k, still said it was to big! I tried it on 2 different computers, with 2 different operating systems, Mac OSX and Windows XP Pro. No go.

 

[EEngel]

Lift

Mike,



Very nice looking ride. Is your wife related to mine? They sure seem to think the same.

 

[MichaelWright]

Eric,



Has your wife said anything about a sleeping bag?



Mike

 

[SRadke]

I don't remember exactly how to set up a readers rigs gallery but to acess/channge mine I click the "readers rigs" link at the top of the page and then click where it says "manage" in blue letters at the top right of the gallery lists. Hope this helps.



-Scott

 

[truckstom]

That is one COOL lookin' truck... asked the wife could I get a new one and fix it like that... . told her I'd even get a red one (her fav. color)... ... . I got the LOOK... ... ... ... ... ... . oh well, I ain't even done with this one yet... .

 

[Punkineater]

The truck has definite potential, but two things I'm not particularly fond of:



1- You need to get the rear leveled up with the front. Looks like you're always haulin a load.



2- Never been a fan of the spacer lifts. They are cheap $$ wise, but they don't do anything to add travel to the suspension. However, if you plan on mostrly street driving then that lift should work well for you.



At any rate, you get that rear leveled up and it will look sharp.

 

[MichaelWright]

Thanks for the compliments!



As far as the rear end sag, that's the cap. It annoyed me after it was installed, prior to the lift. it's taller towards the cab and shorter at the back, gives it the illusion of the "sag". I think that Leer made the cap for non leveled trucks, to give them a leveled look. I put a level on the bed rail (on level grond), the bed is almost level, just a tad higher in the rear then towards the cab. An annoying optical illusion.



As far as the suspension, it rides nice, there was a littlle float in the front, but the dual stabilizers have cured most of that. I will get some pics up, the dual stabilizers look really mean. I can live with the front, but need rear springs, I don't care much for the blocks. I am getting a little axle wrap on hard launches, which I expected.



I really don't care for the spacer lift, but it was more in my budget, and I got the Bilsteins. I am putting a garage in at the moment, so $$ are a little tight. I figure I can get through the summer with this set up just fine, then I will start swapping springs. But, all in all, it did get me higher to cure the rub in the front (the only reason I went higher). Besides, this truck is not going off road, strickly pavement. I have a Toyota Tacoma for the off road stuff, with a real suspension.



Again thanks for all of the compliments!



Mike