Well, it seems it is about the appropriate time to put together a build thread of my own since I have been asking a fair number of questions to this group over the past few months; a special thanks to Oddity for his input and an apology as well since I am copying his front suspension and wheel / tire setup. So here it goes....
STARTING POINT
2011 Ram 1500 4x4 Crew Cab Sport - Bought the truck new and other than the basic cab configuration only cared about two options...3.92's and limited slip, found it, bought it. Over the course of 88,323 miles it has been a great truck in pretty much stock form, only exceptions are ground clearance stock leaves a lot to be desired and I go through rear brakes a bit too often, driver behavior I am sure. Serves as daily driver, bike hauler and camping / road trip vehicle. I was planning to sell the truck and invest in a new 2500 Cummins late this summer but logic set in and decided to see what basic stuff could be done to this 1500 to make it more fitting of what I wanted and dare say needed out of my truck.
MODS TO DATE
I will try to get a better image up, this is the best I could do at 7:15am today.
MODS IN PROGRESS (parts are in the garage waiting to me to get off the computer and install)
MODS PENDING FURTHER SPOUSAL APPROVAL
Having had the suspension, wheels and tires on for all of 18 hours now and having put about 140 miles on the set up since last night I have a few preliminary observations and thoughts...
Overall I am pleased with where the truck is at and will get to work on the Thule Rack install likely tomorrow morning. Thanks to this forum and its members for all the ideas and input.
Cheers,
JS
STARTING POINT
2011 Ram 1500 4x4 Crew Cab Sport - Bought the truck new and other than the basic cab configuration only cared about two options...3.92's and limited slip, found it, bought it. Over the course of 88,323 miles it has been a great truck in pretty much stock form, only exceptions are ground clearance stock leaves a lot to be desired and I go through rear brakes a bit too often, driver behavior I am sure. Serves as daily driver, bike hauler and camping / road trip vehicle. I was planning to sell the truck and invest in a new 2500 Cummins late this summer but logic set in and decided to see what basic stuff could be done to this 1500 to make it more fitting of what I wanted and dare say needed out of my truck.
MODS TO DATE
- Access RollTop Cover - Installed
- Debadged - Side chrome emblems
- Access Rolltop Cover - Removed
- BedRug
- Leer 100XQ Topper
- Go Rhino Dominator II Nerf Bars - Installed
- WeatherTech Floor Mats
- K&N Stock Replacement Filter
- Go Rhino Dominator II Nerf Bars - Removed
- DeeZee Tailgate Assist - Installed
- Cooper AT/3's
- Mopar Front Tow Hook Kit
- DeeZee Tailgate Assist - Broke (major bummer as I liked this thing but not overly impressed with the quality as it sheared off at the 'ballhead')
- Plasti Dip - (Ram emblems, and Sport grill insert; removing this insert was a tedious process)
- Depo Black Trimmed Headlights
- Mopar Suspension - P5155797 (Installed yesterday)
- 35x12.50R17 BFG KO2's (got 5 since I wanted a fullsize spare and will likely start doing the 5-tire rotations on this setup)
- Method NV's in 17x8.5 (after seeing these on Odditys Ram I felt the need to copy his, and they look much better in person than I expected)
- TPMS (ending up getting new sensors for all 5 wheels)
- Pro-Comp Black Spline Drive Lugs (came with the wheel package I bought and look decent)
- Hub-centric Rings (bought in case I run these without the center caps, they will not fit with the Method center caps)
I will try to get a better image up, this is the best I could do at 7:15am today.
MODS IN PROGRESS (parts are in the garage waiting to me to get off the computer and install)
- Thule Rack Kit from Leer
MODS PENDING FURTHER SPOUSAL APPROVAL
- Sliders (not sure which ones but something is needed)
- Spare Tire Mount (just sitting in the bed for now but would like to secure it and still leave my limited bed floor as open as possible, ideas on options are greatly appreciated)
- Recovery Gear (I have the basics such as HiLift, tow straps, jack base, etc. but it is random stuff from my previous rigs and I need to spend some time sorting out what I actually need for various issues that could arise)
- Front Bumper (Kore is the winner thus far but this will likely be towards the tail end of the shopping list)
- Sleeping Set Up (mainly for my two boys as they are still short enough to lay flat in the 5'7" bed and I will stick to the hammock approach)
- STOP and get out and use it! It is easy to get caught up on the "gear" aspects when in reality this is all just a tool to get outdoors with my kids and the dog, something I need to remember from time to time and just go exploring.
Having had the suspension, wheels and tires on for all of 18 hours now and having put about 140 miles on the set up since last night I have a few preliminary observations and thoughts...
- The KO2's ride much better than I expected. Having had XJ's, Rubicon's, WJ's and a Ram 2500 all with MTR'S or BFG Mud-Terrains in the past these tires are a certainly more tame but are better suited for what I need.
- Method NV's…LOVE THEM! I owe the thanks on these to Oddity as he was right, look way better in person.
- Glad I did the rear coils at the same time as with the weight of the topper and the almost 600lbs of wheels, tires and gear I put in it is levels out nicely when loaded.
- Even with the Bilstein's on the front set at 2.8" (max height) I would have liked another 1/2" of lift on the front. I am all for minimal lifts and max tire height but it looks just a bit stuffed for my tastes. Additionally I was able to get the front tires to rub at almost full lock while backing out of a tight space in a bumpy parking lot last night; maybe worst case scenario as even under compression driving forward they seem to clear everything up front…I am still shocked they fit as well as they do.
- Could use some guidance on the rear Bilstein 5100's, we mounted them shock body down and piston to the top but I am not certain if we should have or if I should flip them (open to educated feedback on this one)
- Lost about 2-3 MPG based on my drive home this morning over the course of 120 miles, about what I expected so nothing to complain about here.
Overall I am pleased with where the truck is at and will get to work on the Thule Rack install likely tomorrow morning. Thanks to this forum and its members for all the ideas and input.
Cheers,
JS