Tow rig / expedition vehicle

[Greg]

Good thread, I'd love to do some stuff like this to my dodge.

Only reason I've finally decided to take the plunge & beef up the Dodge is because I missed out on having a exploration/camping/expedition rig this year. I just about bought another rig (Codys ZJ) that could fill the void, but I really don't need another rig around here. So I decided to outfit the Dodge to pull double duty. Hopefully it will handle the offroad stuff well & still tow like a champ.

That's Slick! I like that bumper, looks very clean and stout.

Have you thought about doing some kind of cool rear tire carrier as well? Maybe even a pre-runner style or something. That could help keep a little bit of weight out back and put some pressure on those stiff leafsprings.

Hadn't thought about it, but that's not a bad idea. I think there's enough room under the bed for a 315. I'd like to add some kind of shell over the bed eventually, for keeping gear dry, having a place for the dog, etc. But I do like having an opened bed for hauling the mtn bikes & motorcycles. One of those Can-Backs would be neat, but they're $$$$.

I hope you're going to color match it! Looks slick!

Probably not, I like the black.

 

[mbryson]

......One of those Can-Backs would be neat, but they're $$$$.....

The Bestop softtop shells are respectably priced. I was quite tempted then I got instant gratification out of a fiberglass unit on KSL.com

 

[Brett]

Probably not, I like the black.

Ewwwww

 

[Greg]

The Bestop softtop shells are respectably priced. I was quite tempted then I got instant gratification out of a fiberglass unit on KSL.com

Oh yeah? I'm not familiar with the... guess I'll have to do some searching. Thanks for the idea.

 

[mbryson]

Oh yeah? I'm not familiar with the... guess I'll have to do some searching. Thanks for the idea.

http://www.bestop.com/index.php?s=53

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=BST-76302-36&N=700+115&autoview=sku

$600

 

[Greg]

http://www.bestop.com/index.php?s=53

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=BST-76302-36&N=700+115&autoview=sku

$600

Those are... kinda ugly. Thanks for the links though! The Can-Backs list for $1100 & look better IMO. I'm still undecided on the shell/topper, time will determine that one. Once we need room for kids or more passengers in the cab, the dog will go into the bed. A fiberglass shell would be more weather resistant, but a PITA to put on/take off.

 

[mbryson]

Those are... kinda ugly. Thanks for the links though! The Can-Backs list for $1100 & look better IMO. I'm still undecided on the shell/topper, time will determine that one. Once we need room for kids or more passengers in the cab, the dog will go into the bed. A fiberglass shell would be more weather resistant, but a PITA to put on/take off.

That's what I thought as well. ...and then a shell magically appeared on KSL.com. I took the shell.

I'm probably getting a gooseneck from my aunt, so I'll be wondering what to do now as well. (I should just buy a Kenworth or Peterbilt and tow both my camp trailer and my jeep trailer)

 

[burke]

I would get some beefy sliders.

 

[mbryson]

I would get some beefy sliders.

An 8000 lb tow rig needs beefy sliders?

 

[Cody]

I'm glad you're doing this. You live so close to the wheelin we do that it's a shame you can't make it out more often.

There are a few spots where getting the dodge through would be tricky. I guess the only concerns I would have if I had a nice truck is the length and width. My length almost slid me off of a switchback this weekend--I couldn't imagine a long truck coming down that int he snow.....and also my sides took a beating from trees and they will only be worse for the dodge. Maybe a set of those armor/skins things that people have would be a good idea to keep the pain in good shape. Otherwise you're probably going to get some major pinstriping on some of the tighter backcountry roads you might find yourself on.

I hear there is a snowflake potentially for sale....could be cheaper than risking body/paint damage to your pretty truck.

Just playing the devils advocate. I think you should build something so you can come wheelin when the RMETJ isn't practical.

 

[burke]

If i was wheeling my wifes daily driver/tow rig I would invest in some sliders. But hey thats just me...

 

[Greg]

I would get some beefy sliders.

If i was wheeling my wifes daily driver/tow rig I would invest in some sliders. But hey thats just me...

Yep, I'd build some beefy sliders before getting too crazy with the truck. Probably use 1 5/8" .180 wall DOM. More than likely most of the trails will be pretty mild & not require rock sliders. Adding them will be far down the road.

I'm glad you're doing this. You live so close to the wheelin we do that it's a shame you can't make it out more often.

There are a few spots where getting the dodge through would be tricky. I guess the only concerns I would have if I had a nice truck is the length and width. My length almost slid me off of a switchback this weekend--I couldn't imagine a long truck coming down that int he snow.....and also my sides took a beating from trees and they will only be worse for the dodge. Maybe a set of those armor/skins things that people have would be a good idea to keep the pain in good shape. Otherwise you're probably going to get some major pinstriping on some of the tighter backcountry roads you might find yourself on.

I hear there is a snowflake potentially for sale....could be cheaper than risking body/paint damage to your pretty truck.

Just playing the devils advocate. I think you should build something so you can come wheelin when the RMETJ isn't practical.

I just hope it's worth while. I think it will be, it makes more sense than buying another rig. I honestly don't know that I'll be putting the Dodge in sketchy situations with snow on the ground. It will probably avoid nasty trails w/ snow. Too many chances for sliding into something, for the reasons you've pointed out.

I think I'm done with Jeeps for now... even more so another XJ. They're not bad for what you can pick them up for, but too much to maintain for me. I'd love to build a FJ60 with a Cummins 4BT, but that's much more $$ and time than I have right now.

 

[CoreyT]

I've been checking out KORE, Carli & Lorenz... Lorenz doesn't list the cost & prices help a lot with the decision. Each of those guys build for desert racing, which made me wonder how well the springs would be over slower, rocky roads that I'll be traveling.

Here is some reading on some of the starter type systems:
http://www.dieseltruckresource.com/dev/showthread.php?t=163566&highlight=suspension+comparison
http://www.dieseltruckresource.com/dev/showthread.php?t=160302&highlight=suspension+comparison
http://www.dieseltruckresource.com/dev/showthread.php?t=172115

The remote res. shocks are hard for me to justify really. Unless I was doing more high-speed stuff, I think a quality Bilstein would do the job. What front coils did you end up with? Good to hear you like the Carli mini-packs, a full set of leafs would be nice, but lots of $$$. I'd like to get a quality 3" suspension & keep the total price around $1500. No way could I spend $4-5k on a suspension.

After a lot of research I ended up buying coils, shocks, shock towers and track bar from Thuren Fabrication. I bought the rear mini packs and sway bar endlinks from Carli. The coils I bought were 3" lift and 320 lb/in rate, probably too soft with just the Bilstein 5100 shocks but perfect with the Kings. If I were you I would just buy the Carli starter kit (approx. $1250 last time I checked) and add the Thuren track bar. That setup would have probably been adequate for me, but I wanted to try the nicer shocks. The truck handles great at speed on rutted/bumpy roads and corners way better than stock on pavement, plus it's also cool to know that I could jump my truck if I wanted to. I'm into the whole suspension a lot less than $4-5k.

Interesting about the BFG A/T's & death wobble, I hadn't heard that before. You're talking about the '03+ Rams, not the older ones?

I've also run BFG's with good results on a '00 PSD, but I've just heard from a lot of different people that on the 3rd gen Dodges they have problems. A lot of people run them without problems though. Wouldn't hurt to try them and see. I think a lot of the problems come from improper caster and worn front end parts that are magnified by the soft sidewalls of the BFG's. Also, you should be able to fit the 315's on your truck without a leveling kit with only minor rubbing unless you flex it a lot. I ran 35/12.50's with no lift for a couple of months until I could afford my lift parts. I never rubbed and my wheels have similar specs to your H2 wheels.

 

[Greg]

Here is some reading on some of the starter type systems:
http://www.dieseltruckresource.com/dev/showthread.php?t=163566&highlight=suspension+comparison
http://www.dieseltruckresource.com/dev/showthread.php?t=160302&highlight=suspension+comparison
http://www.dieseltruckresource.com/dev/showthread.php?t=172115

After a lot of research I ended up buying coils, shocks, shock towers and track bar from Thuren Fabrication. I bought the rear mini packs and sway bar endlinks from Carli. The coils I bought were 3" lift and 320 lb/in rate, probably too soft with just the Bilstein 5100 shocks but perfect with the Kings. If I were you I would just buy the Carli starter kit (approx. $1250 last time I checked) and add the Thuren track bar. That setup would have probably been adequate for me, but I wanted to try the nicer shocks. The truck handles great at speed on rutted/bumpy roads and corners way better than stock on pavement, plus it's also cool to know that I could jump my truck if I wanted to. I'm into the whole suspension a lot less than $4-5k.

I've also run BFG's with good results on a '00 PSD, but I've just heard from a lot of different people that on the 3rd gen Dodges they have problems. A lot of people run them without problems though. Wouldn't hurt to try them and see. I think a lot of the problems come from improper caster and worn front end parts that are magnified by the soft sidewalls of the BFG's. Also, you should be able to fit the 315's on your truck without a leveling kit with only minor rubbing unless you flex it a lot. I ran 35/12.50's with no lift for a couple of months until I could afford my lift parts. I never rubbed and my wheels have similar specs to your H2 wheels.

Wow, good info there. Thanks for sharing, I really appreciate the links. I read them all! I love the first article, very well-written & not biased. I think you're right, the Carli starter system looks like a better choice for my needs. $1250 isn't bad, better than the $1500 for the KORE & Carli will ride better. The Thuren trackbar seems like a good addition too.

Sounds like you really researched the parts before buying, I bet your truck is a pretty fun to drive. You have any pics of it?

I'm going to try the 315 BFG's & see how they work on the truck, if they're causing more issues than they're worth, I'll go for something different. I ordered a 2" spacer for the front-end in the meantime, until I can afford the suspension.

 

[CoreyT]

I'll post some pics when I get a chance. Let me know next time you're in UT and you can take a ride in the truck and see what you think. Your truck will look 10X better when you get the leveling kit and new tires on. I still like walking out to parking lots and seeing my truck. It's not huge (3" lift and 35's) but I just think it looks balanced. The other nice thing is that with the 315's your RPM's will drop by a couple of hundred and your motor will be a lot more efficient on the freeway.

 

[SAMI]

I came across this today over on Expodition Portal, and thought of this thread... looks purty neat:busted:

"Ford has developed a Powerstroke with a very capable off-road package, but for reasons unknown is limiting its USA sale to corporations who will use it off-road only (like a mining company).

The Severe Off-Road Package starts with a F250 or F350 SRW diesel, then adds a small lift to the suspension, aggressive tires, ARB-style front and rear bumpers, sliders, and extra undercarriage skid plates. Central Tire Inflation System and beadlocked rims are optional.

SORP sounds like a great solution for someone who doesn't want to take 6 months building up a standard pickup.

Does anyone know why Ford wouldn't make the SORP package available to the general public? "

 

[mbryson]

I came across this today over on Expodition Portal, and thought of this thread... looks purty neat:busted:

"Ford has developed a Powerstroke with a very capable off-road package, but for reasons unknown is limiting its USA sale to corporations who will use it off-road only (like a mining company).

The Severe Off-Road Package starts with a F250 or F350 SRW diesel, then adds a small lift to the suspension, aggressive tires, ARB-style front and rear bumpers, sliders, and extra undercarriage skid plates. Central Tire Inflation System and beadlocked rims are optional.

SORP sounds like a great solution for someone who doesn't want to take 6 months building up a standard pickup.

Does anyone know why Ford wouldn't make the SORP package available to the general public? "

Not enough margin and people will whine that it doesn't have heated seats?

 

[SAMI]

i saw single cab short bed dodge ram yesterday with a shell last night.. i had to double take because my glimpse was quick, and it looked like some type of a dodge '4runner' type vehicle... it inspired me.. i think that'd be a killer little exploration vehicle..

-Jason

 

[shibdr1]

on tires. I have toyo open country m/ts and they rock my world. not much noise on the freeway. and wonderful amazing offroad performance. I've seen em on a lot of trucks too. maybe these are something to look into, eh?

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Those are... kinda ugly. Thanks for the links though! The Can-Backs list for $1100 & look better IMO. I'm still undecided on the shell/topper, time will determine that one. Once we need room for kids or more passengers in the cab, the dog will go into the bed. A fiberglass shell would be more weather resistant, but a PITA to put on/take off.

The Best Top softoppers are pretty ugly, and not nearly as functional as the Canback. However, Canback was recently bought out by some new company, they are re-tooling and redesigning all of their tops, as of late they still don't have anything to ship. They were supposed to have the Taco one by Fall 07', I called a couple weeks ago and they are saying March 08' at the soonest. :-\