Truck mods

JoeChiOhki wrote:
Here's some pics of the setup:

I notice that your front tie downs are fender mounted??? How does that work out?

BTW I really like the vintage look of your rig.

norfla71 wrote:
What I'm adding:

https://kelderman.com/dodge_ram_2003_2009_2_stage_rear_air_suspension
......

That's more or less the same suspension I have on my Kodiak rear end. There are a few things I'd still like to change on it (like replace the factory springs!) but I've been pretty happy with it.

After the Superhitch and tie downs.

I would do Super Springs and a Transfer Flow 60 gallon replacement fuel tank. My two favorite mods for truck camping. Load capacity and fuel range.

What I'm adding:

http://www.carlisuspension.com/dodge-ram/suspension/levelingkit.html
http://www.carlisuspension.com/dodge-ram/components/frontendkit.html
https://kelderman.com/dodge_ram_2003_2009_2_stage_rear_air_suspension

If you haven't upgraded tires a 265 would be a good compromise, tread your choice.

Stock front ends are good for cummuting only; add bigger tires or work the truck and you get slop/wonder. Upgrade the ball joints, end links and track bar. Also, get a steering box brace; got mine a couple of years ago from Custom Diesel for well under $100 shipped.

Finally, do the fuel tank vent mod; my fill time was cut down greatly and my capacity jumped to over 42 gallon. Now, when the nozzle cuts off, I only have about 1/2 gallon left to top off, which I do all the time now.

My GM 2011 was OK from the factory and all I added were tie-downs and Supersprings. Older trucks had more frame flexing and anti-sway bars can help with handling. New shocks like the Bilstein 5100 can help with dampening of the springs with a camper load.

If you have a spare $3000 another option is going to 19.5 rims and tires which will have less sidewall flex and this while making for a harsher ride will reduce sway a little.

OH yeah, the dreaded need vs want! :S

msiminoff wrote:

rooney77 wrote:
It's the stock axle. I assumed it was the 60 since that used to be the common axle.

Dodge stopped using Dana front axles in '02. The stock axle in your truck is an AAM 9.25 without a center axle disconnect… Unfortunately, in stock form it's undersized for our trucks, especially those tiny little ball joints and unserviceable unit bearings. The lousy factory steering linkage doesn't help either. However, if you throw a ton of money at the AAM (ball joints, u-joints, locking hubs, etc, etc) it can be made to do the job well.
A Dana 60 swap would be awesome, both on and off-road... though it'd be a lot of work and very expensive. Not worth the $$ IMO.
True, our Ram trucks are definitely not wheelers… but your rig looks awesome!
-Mark

I had never even heard of the AAM until you posted it. Most of my experience has been limited to ford kingpin axles. Pretty much the newer stuff is an unknown to me. I had heard I had a 70 rear but with this truck I've adopted the "I'm not touching it until it needs it approach" as opposed to my usual "fix it until it's broke" approach.

Thanks for the compliments, I can't take any credit for it. The camper is just how I bought it as is the truck. The wife asked me to run any mods by her, which has really made me realize what's needed vs what I just wanna do. :B

JoeChiOhki wrote:
Here's some pics of the setup:

I have been keeping an eye out for an older Dodge dually like yours. I want to make a camper only rig. Basically pull the bed off and permanent mount the camper. After I rebuild most of it of course. I dig your setup a lot.

rooney77 wrote:
It's the stock axle. I assumed it was the 60 since that used to be the common axle.

Dodge stopped using Dana front axles in '02. The stock axle in your truck is an AAM 9.25 without a center axle disconnect… Unfortunately, in stock form it's undersized for our trucks, especially those tiny little ball joints and unserviceable unit bearings. The lousy factory steering linkage doesn't help either. However, if you throw a ton of money at the AAM (ball joints, u-joints, locking hubs, etc, etc) it can be made to do the job well.
A Dana 60 swap would be awesome, both on and off-road... though it'd be a lot of work and very expensive. Not worth the $$ IMO.
True, our Ram trucks are definitely not wheelers… but your rig looks awesome!
-Mark

Here's some pics of the setup: