My 2006 megacab 1500

[Jamesq87]

Since I’ve already done the front, it was time for the rear. I lengthened (quite a bit) and routed the rear axle vent hose through the hole in the bottom of the bed that goes into the area behind the tail light. Now it won’t be too short and it should be a lot less likely to get splashed.




I have the appropriate shackles on the way now for the rear and they should be in next week while I’m working. I’m going to run them at the 2” lift position and hopefully get them installed this coming weekend.

There hasn’t been much to do this weekend. It’s rained constantly. Maybe next weekend I can also pull my driveshaft and replace my transfer case seal finally.


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[Jamesq87]

Bought the oil catch can that I’ve been watching. I’ll be doing new spark plugs soon. Can’t have the truck down for long though. I’ve got to look up prices because I want to also do wires.




Plans when I get home this weekend:
Replace transfer case seal and change fluid
Install 2” lift shackles


The catch can will arrive next week while I’m gone so that will be a project for another weekend. I have been working with a new realtor this week and my offer on the house was accepted so I should be busy hauling stuff with the truck and pulling a trailer soon[emoji322]



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[Jamesq87]

Finally replaced my transfer case seal and the fluid. The hardest part was getting the fluid into it. They really need a filler port under the hood instead. Never done one but it was pretty identical to the rear seal on a 2wd transmission which I’ve done multiple times. ‍

Now tommorow I can do the shackles on the rear and I’ll be picking up a new welder unless something goes wrong. I have some future project ideas in mind.


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[chrisp2493]

I think I better check my transfer case seal soon. Heard bad thing happen when you let it go

 

[Jamesq87]

I think I better check my transfer case seal soon. Heard bad thing happen when you let it go

Nothing like driving with low or no fluid and exploding your transfer case on the interstate [emoji1]
Yes, I would recommend it. The seal cost me about $43 at the dodge dealer and is easy as hell to put in if your mechanically inclined and have some patience. Hardest part is getting fluid in but they have this nifty thing I got that screws onto a gallon or quart bottle and you pump it into there. It flows a lot per pump too.


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[Jamesq87]

2” shackles are in. Just a tip, remember to unbolt the bottom of the rear shocks before trying to jack the truck up to get pressure off the upper bolts. Otherwise, it just jacks up the whole truck and you get pissed until you realize that you missed them [emoji23] It’s hot down here already and I was getting pissed then I realized I was a ******* for that.







The jack isn’t tall enough? Hold my beer and watch this ****..




It’s now roughly 4.5” front and 4” rear. It’s gonna be a little before I lift it further,BUT I plan on a set of skyjacker coils and probably leaf springs. I can to go up a total of 3/3 when I finally add more for a total of 7.5/7” lift.


Height reference


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[Jamesq87]

Got my catch can mounted, but found out during the install that not only do those barb fittings not fit snug in the supplied hose, but the hose is WAY smaller than the 3/4”ID hose that’s stock. No way to connect without some adapter fittings. I feel like I’m missing something here... I contacted the seller and asked what the deal is. Kinda bummed because I was excited to hook it up and see the results eventually





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[Jamesq87]

Solved.. seems kinda ghetto to me but apparently this is how you’re supposed to use the hose. I’m adding hose clamps on the ends that go to the catch can.



And yes, my engine bay could use a little cleaning.



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[Jamesq87]

Not dodge related, but my dodge is in it so it counts [emoji23]
Finally tried my paint gun. This is the first time I’ve done painting so im super happy. This was a test though. This fender is being sold and a brand new one is coming in for me to paint and go on my other truck. Show season is creeping up and I’ve got to get it painted so I can trailer it with the dodge.

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[chrisp2493]

Painting is pretty fun as long as you got a decent spay area setup. For spraying outside yours doesn’t look too bad

 

[17CrewCab1500]

When you do plugs on that motor, make sure you use factory style Champion plugs. Do NOT use platinum's etc.

Also, when you paint, make sure no cars/trucks are parked that close to your area! haha

I've been doing paint for over 20 years. You don't want that overspray on there!

 

[Jamesq87]

Painting is pretty fun as long as you got a decent spay area setup. For spraying outside yours doesn’t look too bad

Thanks. I was worried I would mess up and throw money down the drain as far as paint went. I bought just one quart or whatever size it is Incase I sucked at it. Now that I feel confident, I’ll order 3 more once this one is gone. I practiced on that one but I have a brand new fender being shipped. I’m putting all new panels on that truck and painting them before hand. It’s got to hurry up and get painted so I can wet-sand and get the interior back together and clean up the rear wiring and suspension so it can be put on the trailer.



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[Jamesq87]

When you do plugs on that motor, make sure you use factory style Champion plugs. Do NOT use platinum's etc.

Also, when you paint, make sure no cars/trucks are parked that close to your area! haha

I've been doing paint for over 20 years. You don't want that overspray on there!

That’s after I got back from eating. Before I started spraying, I backed my dodge into my Uncles yard next door.

I bought just the champion copper plus. I read those were the oem plugs and worked best. I have no performance mods done to the engine, just looking to get some mpg back and help keep the truck running smoothly. It runs fine now, just I’m sure the plugs are due for replacement.

I think my rear shocks may be maxed out now that I went 4” lift on the rear. I hear some noise and it feels like they fully extend and “snatch” when I go over stuff. I’m going to check next weekend when I get home from work and see how much movement they have. I only get the weekends home so I’m really busy with fitting all my errands in and projects. My replacement fender needs painting on the dodge too. I may remove it and get the factory color so I won’t have a black fender.


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[17CrewCab1500]

What kind of paint are you using? 2 stage (Base/clear) or just a single stage?

The only way you're going to get somewhat good at it is to practice. So, what I did when I was learning, is buy 'oops' paint the paint supply has, I didn't care of the color - I could get a gallon for $5.00 sometimes! Just go out there and practice. You can use the same fender over and over again. Just sand it up a bit to help.

Slow down more with the clear. That will get you the gloss.

I had a 2007 Ram 1500 Megacab like yours. I threw on Carli Suspension and what not. The best thing I ever did to that truck was a Superchips with a shift schedule. Man, it felt like that truck went from 100 horsepower to 600 horsepower!

 

[Jamesq87]

What kind of paint are you using? 2 stage (Base/clear) or just a single stage?

The only way you're going to get somewhat good at it is to practice. So, what I did when I was learning, is buy 'oops' paint the paint supply has, I didn't care of the color - I could get a gallon for $5.00 sometimes! Just go out there and practice. You can use the same fender over and over again. Just sand it up a bit to help.

Slow down more with the clear. That will get you the gloss.

I had a 2007 Ram 1500 Megacab like yours. I threw on Carli Suspension and what not. The best thing I ever did to that truck was a Superchips with a shift schedule. Man, it felt like that truck went from 100 horsepower to 600 horsepower!

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Single stage. All I have to do is mix the paint and activator to a certain ratio. My only complain is my throttle response lags when I hit the pedal. It doesn’t rev up like my other trucks. I got a new welder recently and plan to design me a rear bumper to replace the beat up factory one.


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[Jamesq87]

So weekend plans for the dodge currently:

Replace tracbar bushings (Warranty)
Install steering box brace
Make rear shock extenders from metal I already have, until I order longer shocks (S10 is taking priority with new body panels and paint $&&)
Replace spark plugs (Depending on how much time I have)

I’m anxious to check my oil catch can and see if there’s even any film in it. I’m curious to see even some sort of validation that it’s working. I know there won’t be much since I barely drove. Soon once I get the s10 decked out with new body panels and painted, I’ll order rear shocks from rough country to match my front shocks.


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[Jamesq87]

Not any film on the catch can that I can tell. I’ve only driven about 200 miles though. I suppose I’ll notice something at my next oil change.

Made one shock extenders bracket. It didn’t come out as smooth as I thought but it went well for shade tree fabricating. I used basic tools to make it.









My welder was getting great penetration, and I actually had some spots where it tried to burn up the material. My wire started not wanting to feed smoothly and it messed up the quality of my weld bead but it’s plenty strong. Need to be cleaned up some and painted but it’ll do. I’m contemplating getting some round stock to reinforce the lower part of it.

My stock rear shocks are DEFINITELY over extended without the brackets.. wouldn’t you agree? [emoji23]




Oh, and did you know Christmas comes in March? Gonna mount them with the white letters facing out. I think my current ones have white letters so I’ll get the tire shop to flip the front around before moving them to the rear.







And not to get top off topic, but my other project I’m trying to paint before show season. The new drivers fender came in and my new hood is on the way. Ordering the passenger fender tommorow.





The dodge is getting put to the side for now while I focus on painting the other truck and installing parts. I already have 4 shows in mind to tow it to with the dodge. [emoji846]


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[Jamesq87]

Finished both shock extenders and put them on. I bought some conduit (round stock was overpriced and not needed for strength) I just threw them on without paint for now. I’ve been working 24/7 every day so I didn’t care right now, just wanted to stock breaking my back everytime my shocks over extended and snatched over bumps. Problem Solved too. Test drove it and A-OK[emoji108]





Warrantied my tracebar bushing kit. New one was a bit of a mother to get between the “ears”. Definitely no play now.







That’s all for today. Probably have my new front tires mounted and balanced next weekend. For now, it’s lunch time then working on the s10.


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[Jamesq87]

I think I need supervision when going to harbor freight[emoji23]
I went by for some discs for my angle grinder and I decided to try this electric train horn kit. It’s actually not bad. It’s no pneumatic train horn kit by any means, BUT it’s noticeably louder than the stock horn and it doesn’t sound ***** like some kind of Prius anymore. Eventually I’ll do a pneumatic one because I want to run some onboard air.




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[Jamesq87]

Finally got my new front tires mounted and balanced, and swapped the fronts to the rear. My old tires were so ****** plus the right one had a crack in the sidewall from dry rot that leaked a good bit over a weekend.

The bad tire is getting made into a tire swing when I get a home and the other one will be used on my spare wheel. And yes, I’m missing some lugnuts. I’ve got to buy more. The truck had security ones and the tool broke so I had to get them chiseled off.

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