2004 Hemi Ram 2500

[jforse]

Well I'm a little pissed at my truck right now. While doing front brakes we realized the upper ball joints were shot. So if you going to do uppers might as well do lowers! ($230 MOOG) In the process of tearing the truck down we could not get the damn wheel bearing off of this thing. We even used the trick where you stick a bolt in the wheel bearing and use the trucks power steering to brake it loose. That was a no go. Had to beat them off with a 5lbs sledge. ($440 Timken bearings) After the axle shafts were pulled we found a bad passenger u-joint. Might as well do the driver side as well. ($100 new joints) I had picked up the 08-up steering upgrade when I bought the truck from the dealer. ($350 Mopar) While trying to pull the old pitman off the steering box I broke one puller and then with the second pitman the output shaft of the steering gear broke.($600 Mopar) None of the auto parts store has a replacement and they will not take my old gear as exchange since the shaft is broke. It would have been almost $500 for a autoparts store rebuilt unit. At this point what is another $100 to have a brand new one.

So if your keeping track;

Front end parts $1720
Bilstien Shocks $350
Level kit $100
Wheel/tires $2000
Fog lamps $130
PW winch mount $150
Superchips $360
Floor mats $200
Radio $230
Speakers $350
Intake $250
Headlamps $100
Brakes $600

Total to date----> $6540.00 OUCH!!

I still need to change dif fluid and t-case fluid. Swap in new plugs and get an alignment. Looks like I wont be getting a soft topper or camper this year, and the truck has been in the garage for the last month!

[Halligan]

Well the good news is the front end will be good to go for awhile after that. Also the truck looks good. FWIW, I've decided when my ball joints go I'll replace them with Carli joints which are supposed to be real durable. As for the front wheel bearings I'm leaning toward a free spin kit when the time comes. That should save a little in the MPG department and be a more serviceable. Neither upgreade is cheap but hopefuly it will be a one time upgrade.

[jforse]

I looked into the Carli joints but they are far too expensive. As well as the free spin kit. They are nice quality pieces but not needed on my rig. Lifetime replacement warranty on the joints is good for me!

[jforse]

I need to pick up a Ram Power Wagon factory winch or Warn M12000. I already have the mount.

[xdbx]

IIRC, a 15000 or 16.5 will also fit. Just remember to spool it in the right way since the fairlead is opposite of most mounts.

[jforse]

IIRC, a 15000 or 16.5 will also fit. Just remember to spool it in the right way since the fairlead is opposite of most mounts.

Do you know if the Warn VR12000 will fit?

[xdbx]

Physically, I'm not sure. But I can say you should be able to look up the diagram of any winch and find the bolt to bolt dimensions. Any "large frame" winch will match the mount you've got.

[jforse]

Bolt pattern is the same. Just ordered one up. Should be here in about a week.

Here is an update picture.

photo.JPG

[LimaMikeMike]

[QUOTE=jforse;1086675]Do you know if the Warn VR12000 will fit?[/QUOTE

It will fit no issues, I had the exact same set up on my 04 Hemi.

[jforse]

[QUOTE=LimaMikeMike;1087347]

Do you know if the Warn VR12000 will fit?[/QUOTE

It will fit no issues, I had the exact same set up on my 04 Hemi.

Thanks!