2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Upgrades

[DBeeman]

I love to hunt, and as such, I spend a fair amount of time off road. I was considering buy a Jeep Rubicon, but I don't know that I want the payment, especially since I have a 4 wheel drive already. So I am wondering a few things. Has anyone upgraded their front and rear gear sets, and possibly added a locker? Mine are open, and are currently 3. 54s. Also, what is the ratio of low range? I need to upgrade the fuel system, install at least a fuel guage, replace the shocks, get the steering fixed(hasn't been right since I had the ball joints replaced, also had steering box replaced at shops suggestion, made slight difference, but still wanders), thinking about installing straight 4" exhaust, and eventually some transmission upgrades. I love my truck, it has just under 95K miles on it, and other than a valve going bad in the transmission, and the VP44 going out(under warranty) at 70K(+-5k), I have had very few issues. I don't want to go rock crawling, but I would like to be able to venture into real off road territory with more confidence.



Dave

 

[HHhuntitall]

LOL! I've got some trucks that spend more time off road than on! The only upgrades they get are some springs to hold up the weight of the steel bed and trip feeder. If you've got limited slip in the rear, you're gonna do pretty good unless you go swamp boogying. Most all the work trucks around here have 35's, and locking hubs or solid axle shafts to do away with the CAD.



Your low range ratio depends on your t-case..... do you have a 241DHD, or DLD with 5 speed or auto? Normally they're a 2. 73:1, IIRC.



A lift kit with longer springs for more droop and slightly longer track bars are benificial if you're going over a lot of rough territory... ... but a lot of that can be overcome by driver selection of lines of approach and knowing when to call it quits.....



Check out this guy's site, he builds a lot of stuff for the Dodges, and has raced his professionally with nothing more than some suspension upgrades... . Dodge Ram Suspension Lift Kits | Truck Leveling Kits - KorePerformance.com



Now that I look at your sig, for a 2002, you might need to take a look at Carli: Dodge Ram Suspension, Dodge Suspension and Ford Super Duty Suspension Systems - Carli Suspension, Inc

Note that I only list these sight for you to get an idea of what you can do with your Dodge. If you don't want to get that rough off road, you can still do a lot with your stock suspension..... I abuse mine all the time... .

 

[griggsd]

Open diffs need to go first, start with the rear and then do the front. Many options ranging from ltd slip to full lock, I chose ARB air lockers ($2-3K for both, installed), no complaints in over 100K of operation; detroit lockers are completely reliable also and less expensive. Handy to have on-board air either way. Next is suspension, KORE is what I'd recommend, have it's predecessor T-Rex on my truck; again no complaints in 100K of operation and hard use; completely changes the performance envelope of the truck.

 

[DBeeman]

Thanks guys, I guess I will be saving my pennies to get this started.

Dave

 

[HHhuntitall]

... still a lot cheaper than a Jeep Rubicon!!! My dad bought a 4 door late last year, and he could buy a bottom of the line with rubber mats and manual windows for around $500 more than a used one... . and get to pick the color! And he's already bent the front axle tube in 15k miles!! I think you're doing the right thing keeping your Dodge... . JMO.

 

[DBeeman]

I was not getting rid of my truck, and after further reflection, I would rather improve my truck than be saddled with another payment.

 

[DBeeman]

So, would $5K be a reasonable amount to start with? I want to improve the fuel system, I am thinking the FASS DDRP, and I really want to get rid of the steering wander. Then I think the lockers, exhaust, and suspension. I am not into rock crawling, but I do want to be able to move through the muck and snow without having to worry when things get a little dicey. I have the standard 47RE transmission, and stock tranfer case, I wish the ratios were better, i know I could swap in a 4:10 gear set with the lockers, but I am thinking the transfer case/transmission would be about $10K on their own. Not really looking for much more power/torque, just the offroad capability.

 

[Nyoest]

Definitely resolve any steering problems now before you upgrade the suspension, just makes sense. I think you would be amazed at what a leveling kit , 35's and lockers will do. We had a 22" snow fall here this winter and in the wife's 01 with 235/75/16 disco st's I was pushing snow with grill. Ya I said the wife's, i run all terrains on mine and wasn't even about to attempt it.

Hows about a good winch and tires and see how far you can take the stock setup? Food for thought.

IMO you dint need to go wild your hunting not wheeling.

 

[Road Dog]

I love to hunt too but I wouldn't take my dually deep into the woods. The front is too heavy for soft wet dirt roads and the body will take some damage as the road get narrower and narrower. I'd just get an older Jeep YJ/TJ and call it good. It's easier to pull out when you get stuck too.

I did have a 1/2T QC SB which was great fun and having a box to load the deer was a bonus but heading down unknown roads was always a little unnerving because the road will peter out and you're looking at backing up a mile or two to turn around.

You can always use 4LO offroad instead of regearing. A locker or limited slip in the rear is a must.

Don't forget the winch.

 

[SRath]

My vote is for the locker. the limited slip will just let you get in far enough to really be in trouble when it stops helping. Get one tire the least bit off the ground, such as crossing a small washout, and you're done. Get one front front and one rear both off the ground, which is easily done when crossing said washout at an angle, which you must do to keep your entry and departure angles mild enough for the overhang on a pickup (unlike a Jeep) and you will be embarrassingly stuck for no good reason with any limited slip. Been there; done that. Sucks.



I'll take a 2wd with a rear locker over a 4x4 with a limited slip any day.

 

[Missouri Mule]

DBeeman, I take it you had an alignment done after you got the new ball joints.

Track Bar mite be bad (causes wandering when bad) and it is easy to check. Have someone turn steering wheel while you are looking at track bar bracket/bolt on frame (driver's side) if it is bad the bolt will be pulling away from frame.

 

[DBeeman]

Thank you gentleman. MM I did have an alignment on my truck after the ball joints, but I will check out the track bar. In a weak moment, I bought the Rubicon, 4:1 gears in the transfer case, lockers front and rear, 4:10 gears in the diffs. It is just easier to negotiate the trails with the Jeep, let the truck do what it was meant to, haul stuff.

 

[KMSCD]

For your steering: check out Borgeson's steering shafts and AGR for upgraded gearboxes (getting ready to install their Rockram system on my beast) and power steering pump. I had their gearbox put on shortly after my swap in '08. I steer my truck with my pinky finger. Eventually, it loosened up (probably had nothing to do with the bigger tires and wheels and stock pump ) I suspect because the pre-load fell. So I had the box rebuilt, installed their upgraded pump and getting ready to install the Rockram system.

Borgeson Universal Company :: Dodge Truck 1979-08
Dodge Applications - AGR Performance - MB Motorsports