Mopar. Dodge. Ram.
I've been a fan for years. When I decided to sell the Tacoma, the decision was made to purchase something with better fuel economy, and better payload. We looked at all options and I test drove a 2016 Power Wagon. I liked it a lot but despite the lockers and swaybar disconnect the payload was not what I needed for the "end state" of this build. Additionally, the estimated fuel efficiency was less than the diesel powered 2500 so the idea struck me that maybe we could build a "Better Power Wagon" by taking a diesel Ram and adding lockers, sliders and some well thought out suspension modifications for the best of both worlds. A Torque Wagon.
After talking to @Mike and @BlkWgn and @Mr. Leary about pros and cons - my decision was made to actually sell the Tacoma this time and make the jump to a Ram 2500 4x4 Cummins Turbo Diesel.
Ram offers the 2500 series trucks in a variety of trim levels ranging from the spartan, work truck edition Tradesman all the way up to the lofty, leather clad Limited edition. After copious study of all things Ram and with an eye towards doing it right the first time, we decided on the Big Horn trim level as it afforded a good level of "luxury" while also not inflating the MSRP disproportionately. The next trim level up, Laramie, adds about $10K to the price for example and although leather is nice I didn't feel like there was that much value added from one trim level to the next to warrant the cost.
So the search for a Big Horn diesel began and ultimately led us to Planet Dodge in Flagstaff, AZ where we found a new one with the right options for about $12K under MSRP, making it both possible to afford this truck and worthwhile to make the road trip from SoCal and back to buy the truck.
Here are the first few images of this build, Savannah has dubbed this truck "Rocky Ram" - here she is on day one:
For posterity, here's the window sticker on this truck.
TRUCK BUILD DETAILS:
2016 RAM 2500 BIG HORN 4X4 Cummins Turbo Diesel
SUSPENSION AND GEARING:
Icon Vehicle Dynamics Stage 4 suspension (2.5 inch lift), Air Lift 5000 airbags, rear coil spacers etc by CJC Offroad
BF Goodrich 37x12.50R17 All Terrain KO2's
Unique 297 steel wheels (297-8980), 17X9, 5 inch backspace, zero (0) offset, 8 lugs on 6.5 pattern (8x165.1)
Nitro-Gear 4.30 HD ring and pinion
ARMOR:
Buckstop Bumpers "Boss" front bumper
White Knuckle Offroad Products Rock Sliders (HD)
CAMPER/CARGO:
2016 Four Wheel Campers "Hawk" flatbed
AT Overland aluminum tray conversion
AT Overland fiberthane composite storage boxes
LIGHTING:
Rigid Industries RDS 30" Midnight light bar
Rigid D2 fogs (front)
Rigid R2-46 combo driving (front)
Rigid SR-Q flush mount backup lights (rear)
POWER AND ACCESSORY CONTROL:
4x4 sPod
DIESEL POWER TUNING:
Edge Juice with Attitude CTS2
XTRAS:
ARB CKMTA12 onboard dual air compressor
WARN 16.5 Ti winch, WARN synthetic line and accessories
Recovery gear by Factor 55, Bubba Rope and HiLift
BLING:
American Expedition Vehicles Ram raised air intake system
MAINTENANCE RECORDS ETC:
-U-Connect 8.4 flashed to software version 16.09.09, AUG 2016.
-Oil changed to Valvoline Premium Blue Extreme 5W40 full synthetic. Air filter changed. 11K miles, DEC 28 2016
-BFG All Terrain KO2's. 11K miles, DEC 2016.
-Nitro Gear 4.30 HD ring and pinion install, ARB Air Locker (rear), synthetic gear oil. 11,700 miles, 19 JAN 2017.
-Wiper blades, 22 inch. 20 JAN 2017.
-Front and Rear Differential fluids changed, Valvoline Synpower 75W-90 synthetic gear oil. 14.2K miles, 30 JAN 2017.
-Fuel filters changed (front and rear) FRONT HOW TO - REAR HOW TO - 15.5K miles, 1 APR 2017
-BFG five tire rotation after 5K miles. Done at 16,319 miles. 22 APR 2017.
-Oil change with Valvoline Premium Blue Extreme 5W40 full synthetic. Air filter changed. 23842 miles, SEP 19 2017.
PART NUMBERS AND HOW-TO INFO:
2016 RAM 2500 DIESEL FUEL FILTERS!
Ram uses two fuel filters on these. This is a good thing with today's varying diesel fuel quality when travelling. The rear filter by the tank is there to separate water from the fuel prior to it getting to the fuel filter at the engine. This two stage process keeps your injectors and other bits happy on the 6.7 liter Cummins.
Fun fact: Maintenance on a diesel truck is a LOT more expensive than a gasser. The dealer wanted about $380 to change these out (parts and labor), I bought both filters a O'Reilly's for less than $100. I recommend genuine MOPAR or WIX filters. Here are the filters on AMAZON.
Mopar PN's are 68157291AA and 68197867AA
TOOLS: You need a LISLE 14600 29 mm socket or 1 1/8 socket for the filter, channel locks, a drain pan and length of 3/8 hose, and a large filter wrench.
PPE: Nitrile gloves, eye protection.
Here are a couple resources to break it down for the DIY types like me.
Front filter change (basic video)
Front and Rear filter change (detailed video)
I hate the seat belt chime. Here's how to turn it of on 2009-2017 Ram trucks
I've been a fan for years. When I decided to sell the Tacoma, the decision was made to purchase something with better fuel economy, and better payload. We looked at all options and I test drove a 2016 Power Wagon. I liked it a lot but despite the lockers and swaybar disconnect the payload was not what I needed for the "end state" of this build. Additionally, the estimated fuel efficiency was less than the diesel powered 2500 so the idea struck me that maybe we could build a "Better Power Wagon" by taking a diesel Ram and adding lockers, sliders and some well thought out suspension modifications for the best of both worlds. A Torque Wagon.
After talking to @Mike and @BlkWgn and @Mr. Leary about pros and cons - my decision was made to actually sell the Tacoma this time and make the jump to a Ram 2500 4x4 Cummins Turbo Diesel.
Ram offers the 2500 series trucks in a variety of trim levels ranging from the spartan, work truck edition Tradesman all the way up to the lofty, leather clad Limited edition. After copious study of all things Ram and with an eye towards doing it right the first time, we decided on the Big Horn trim level as it afforded a good level of "luxury" while also not inflating the MSRP disproportionately. The next trim level up, Laramie, adds about $10K to the price for example and although leather is nice I didn't feel like there was that much value added from one trim level to the next to warrant the cost.
So the search for a Big Horn diesel began and ultimately led us to Planet Dodge in Flagstaff, AZ where we found a new one with the right options for about $12K under MSRP, making it both possible to afford this truck and worthwhile to make the road trip from SoCal and back to buy the truck.
Here are the first few images of this build, Savannah has dubbed this truck "Rocky Ram" - here she is on day one:
For posterity, here's the window sticker on this truck.
TRUCK BUILD DETAILS:
2016 RAM 2500 BIG HORN 4X4 Cummins Turbo Diesel
SUSPENSION AND GEARING:
Icon Vehicle Dynamics Stage 4 suspension (2.5 inch lift), Air Lift 5000 airbags, rear coil spacers etc by CJC Offroad
BF Goodrich 37x12.50R17 All Terrain KO2's
Unique 297 steel wheels (297-8980), 17X9, 5 inch backspace, zero (0) offset, 8 lugs on 6.5 pattern (8x165.1)
Nitro-Gear 4.30 HD ring and pinion
ARMOR:
Buckstop Bumpers "Boss" front bumper
White Knuckle Offroad Products Rock Sliders (HD)
CAMPER/CARGO:
2016 Four Wheel Campers "Hawk" flatbed
AT Overland aluminum tray conversion
AT Overland fiberthane composite storage boxes
LIGHTING:
Rigid Industries RDS 30" Midnight light bar
Rigid D2 fogs (front)
Rigid R2-46 combo driving (front)
Rigid SR-Q flush mount backup lights (rear)
POWER AND ACCESSORY CONTROL:
4x4 sPod
DIESEL POWER TUNING:
Edge Juice with Attitude CTS2
XTRAS:
ARB CKMTA12 onboard dual air compressor
WARN 16.5 Ti winch, WARN synthetic line and accessories
Recovery gear by Factor 55, Bubba Rope and HiLift
BLING:
American Expedition Vehicles Ram raised air intake system
MAINTENANCE RECORDS ETC:
-U-Connect 8.4 flashed to software version 16.09.09, AUG 2016.
-Oil changed to Valvoline Premium Blue Extreme 5W40 full synthetic. Air filter changed. 11K miles, DEC 28 2016
-BFG All Terrain KO2's. 11K miles, DEC 2016.
-Nitro Gear 4.30 HD ring and pinion install, ARB Air Locker (rear), synthetic gear oil. 11,700 miles, 19 JAN 2017.
-Wiper blades, 22 inch. 20 JAN 2017.
-Front and Rear Differential fluids changed, Valvoline Synpower 75W-90 synthetic gear oil. 14.2K miles, 30 JAN 2017.
-Fuel filters changed (front and rear) FRONT HOW TO - REAR HOW TO - 15.5K miles, 1 APR 2017
-BFG five tire rotation after 5K miles. Done at 16,319 miles. 22 APR 2017.
-Oil change with Valvoline Premium Blue Extreme 5W40 full synthetic. Air filter changed. 23842 miles, SEP 19 2017.
PART NUMBERS AND HOW-TO INFO:
2016 RAM 2500 DIESEL FUEL FILTERS!
Ram uses two fuel filters on these. This is a good thing with today's varying diesel fuel quality when travelling. The rear filter by the tank is there to separate water from the fuel prior to it getting to the fuel filter at the engine. This two stage process keeps your injectors and other bits happy on the 6.7 liter Cummins.
Fun fact: Maintenance on a diesel truck is a LOT more expensive than a gasser. The dealer wanted about $380 to change these out (parts and labor), I bought both filters a O'Reilly's for less than $100. I recommend genuine MOPAR or WIX filters. Here are the filters on AMAZON.
Mopar PN's are 68157291AA and 68197867AA
TOOLS: You need a LISLE 14600 29 mm socket or 1 1/8 socket for the filter, channel locks, a drain pan and length of 3/8 hose, and a large filter wrench.
PPE: Nitrile gloves, eye protection.
Here are a couple resources to break it down for the DIY types like me.
Front filter change (basic video)
Front and Rear filter change (detailed video)
I hate the seat belt chime. Here's how to turn it of on 2009-2017 Ram trucks
