Power's build thread

Power247 · Mar 8, 2014

So the beauty is my second Ram. My first Ram was pretty much an impulse buy. I had a '04 Titan that had the intermittent brake control problem that I needed to get rid of and my local Dodge dealer made me a sweet deal on my '09. I didn't do much to her (info in sig), at least not enough to warrant a build thread. :shrug:

Then in July of 2013 the same Dodge dealer made me an equally sweet deal on my dream truck. A brand new True Blue 2012 2500 CTD Big Horn with power package. I love this friggin truck!! Have been slowly doing things to her since I brought her home.

Current Mods:
SoftTopper canvas camper shell http://www.ramforum.com/f41/softopper_install_review_pics-35535/
DPF Delete w/SIMS (backup)
Edge Insight CTS
H&S XRT Pro w/MCC custom tunes by Double R Diesel
1" rear drop (moved spacers to top of leaf pack)
LED Fogs (replaced with Morimoto LED projectors 12/26/2016) http://www.ramforum.com/f41/09-12_1500_10_heavy_duty_morimoto_led_fogs-93224/
CREE LED reverse lights
LED Tail lights
LED 3rd brakelight
Complete Infinity speaker upgrade and sub install Power's Budget Audio Build
305/70/17 Nitto Terra Grapplers
DDM Projectors retrofitted into dual headlights http://www.ramforum.com/f41/my_first_retro-70008/
20" LED light bar mounted in bumper (removed 12/26/2016)
Bestop Bedstep
AMP PowerSteps
LED strips lights under truck
Westin light bar and LED pod lights

Future Mods:
??????

Power247 · Mar 8, 2014

Pics from when I first brought her home

Power247 · Mar 8, 2014

My first mod... SoftTopper canvas camper shell

Full write up here

Power247 · Mar 8, 2014

All geared up for our first camping trip with the new Ram.

Power247 · Mar 8, 2014

Mod #2 - Removed DPF, installed SIMS, Edge Insight CTS and straight pipe exhaust @ 5500 miles.

Added RaceME tuner about 2 weeks later.

Power247 · Mar 8, 2014

Mod #3 - Lowered the rear of the truck ~1 inch using the 'reverse level' method.

Basically unbolt the axle from the spring pack and move the desired # of spacers from between the axle and leaf pack to the top of the spring pack and reinstall factory hardware.

Before heights:
Front wheel well - 39 3/4
Rear wheel well - 42 1/4
Bumper - 27 1/2"

After heights:
Front wheel well - 39 3/4
Rear wheel well - 41 1/4
Bumper - 26 1/4"

Statcher1 · Mar 8, 2014

Looks good man. But something about that soft topper. Makes it look like your frame is bent in the middle. To me at least. Lol

Sent from the Rocket in my Pocket

Power247 · Mar 8, 2014

Thanks man!
And yeah... It kinda does from that angle. LOL!!

sent thru a cloud of smoke

Statcher1 · Mar 8, 2014

Power247 said:
Thanks man!
And yeah... It kinda does from that angle. LOL!!

sent thru a cloud of smoke

That was the first thing that popped in my head when I seen the pic from the back. How does that top do on the road?

Sent from the Rocket in my Pocket

Power247 · Mar 8, 2014

Very well actually. It's water tight and barely moves at all, even at highway speeds.

sent thru a cloud of smoke

LB3711 · Mar 8, 2014

nice. now you need more mods

WhiteExpress · Mar 9, 2014

It's a beautiful truck. Once the weather clears up, I'm quite tempted to do the reverse level too. I might remove the over-load all together.

Power247 · Mar 9, 2014

Thanks guys!
@ WhiteExpress. It is a pretty straight forward job. Total time was about 2 hours which included several trips from the driveway to my workshop in the back yard for tools and cleanup. Once we finished the drivers side the passenger side only took about 15 minutes. You definitely want a second set of hands too. I normally do my mods alone but I was happy to have help on hand for this one.
If you remove the overload you need to leave a spacer or 2 or add airbags. Otherwise you will be riding nose high.

sent thru a cloud of smoke

Cruizer · Mar 9, 2014

Now I'm jealous, your truck has a sunroof. Was the one major option I didn't get.

So does that soft shell fold down or something? Would be cool if they collapsed into a tonneau cover.

Truck looks great. Very clean. What kind of mileage you get out of that 6.7L?

Power247 · Mar 9, 2014

Cruizer said:
Now I'm jealous, your truck has a sunroof. Was the one major option I didn't get.

So does that soft shell fold down or something? Would be cool if they collapsed into a tonneau cover.

Truck looks great. Very clean. What kind of mileage you get out of that 6.7L?

Thanks Cruizer!! This is my first vehicle with a sunroof. I really like it but would not be a deal breaker on my next truck.

The cover collapses down so it can be stored or easily removed. It would be really cool if in would turn into a tonneau cover.... Hmmmm... LOL!

It was pretty dismal when I first brought her home but after removing the emissions stuff and tuning I get 17 around town and 21 on the highway if I keep it under 75mph.

sent thru a cloud of smoke

Power247 · Mar 22, 2014

Started the audio upgrades last weekend. Full write up is Power's Budget Audio Build

Started with soundproofing the rear of the truck and mounting the amp.

Yesterday I replaced the dash speakers with some Infinity Reference 2 ways.

Hopefully will be able to start on the sub boxes next weekend if the weather holds out...

Cruizer · Mar 22, 2014

You should do the flip down back seat mod while you're back there. Be easier access to the amp if ever needed.

Is "budget" AKA for cheap ass, lol? If so, everything I do is budget. :laughing1:

Power247 · Mar 22, 2014

Cruizer said:
You should do the flip down back seat mod while you're back there. Be easier access to the amp if ever needed.

Is "budget" AKA for cheap ass, lol? If so, everything I do is budget.

I will have the back seat flip down as part of this. I am waiting to see if I will need to add spacers under the seats to clear the subs. If I add spacers I won't need to cut the tabs. Should have that part figured out in the next few weeks.

As for 'budget'... pretty much what you said... There are lots of audio build threads out there where guys spent thousands of dollars. Those days are over for me but having a nice sounding sound system can easily be done for a modest price... I hope...

Cruizer · Mar 22, 2014

I just like to find the best deals possible. Biggest bang for the buck.

Can't wait to see it finished. Then you should stop by so I can hear it, lol.

Bully's Performance · Mar 22, 2014

sweet looking ride!

Power's build thread

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