Why Mod your truck? The results...

[NapaRam]

We all have different reasons for modifying our trucks and not everyone on the forum does it to the same level of course. Some do it to add performance, some to add missing features, some just because it's fun to do and you have to spend your money on something lol!

When I bought my 15 Express at the end of 17 I had no idea this forum existed or what sort of journey modifying my truck would take me on. Now almost 2 1/2 years and some 50 mods and accessories later (no I am not going to list them all!) I am nearing the end of my journey. When I started I knew NOTHING about RAM's and had really never worked on cars or trucks in my life. It's been a fun and rewarding journey to say the least made possible by all the great people on this forum without whom none of it would have been possible. While I still have a few things to add I thought I would share some before and after pics to perhaps inspire others to take the plunge and see just want can be done to customize your ride!

I will post after photos in the next post since only 5 pics are allowed per post. But here are the pics I took the first time I saw the truck on the lot.

 

[NapaRam]

and here is what she looks like today! Highlights for me are: Limited steering wheel, Premium Cluster, 8.4" Carplay Deck with Navigation and Travel Link, New grille with front camera using the cargo cam feature and projector headlights and of course the custom all leather Clazzio seat covers. I did ALL Of the work myself except changing out the steering wheel since I didn't have the right tools and a buddy helped me with installing my Bilstien 4600 shocks and new headlights and grille otherwise it was all me.

Since I couldn't afford to buy my dream truck outright I had to build it one mod or accessory at a time and boy am I glad I did! Good luck to all of you that are on the same journey!

 

[JohnnyMac]

Looks great man. Feels good to have an investment of blood, sweat and tears in it eh? Not just a plain old cookie cutter off the lot truck.

 

[Ohio5pt7]

I'll get pics later but I've done a little. Mine started off as a basic 18 express. Mods so far. Swap chrome headlights for black quads, chrome and paint matched handles, 3" front level 2" rear, TBC, PC, vararam, .50 cal antenna, x pipe, muffler delete, 5" tips, smoked led tails, smoked led 3rd brake light, 5% tint on back 15% on front, katskinz, rgb ambient interior lighting, tow mirrors, rgb rock lights not installed. Most of these were very budget friendly because I bought a lot of it here. Phase 2 becomes very expensive lol.

Coming soon $howbuild: 6" lift w/powder coating , 3" body lift, either 24x14 or 26x14 wheels, ram air style hood, overkill fab grill, custom bumpers, retrofits, LT's (possible), edlebrock eforce or a turbo.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk all grammar errors brought you by fat fingers and auto correct.

 

[NapaRam]

Looks great man. Feels good to have an investment of blood, sweat and tears in it eh? Not just a plain old cookie cutter off the lot truck.

Thanks. That's how I feel exactly. Feels great to have a truck unique to you.

 

[NapaRam]

I'll get pics later but I've done a little. Mine started off as a basic 18 express. Mods so far. Swap chrome headlights for black quads, chrome and paint matched handles, 3" front level 2" rear, TBC, PC, vararam, .50 cal antenna, x pipe, muffler delete, 5" tips, smoked led tails, smoked led 3rd brake light, 5% tint on back 15% on front, katskinz, rgb ambient interior lighting, tow mirrors, rgb rock lights not installed. Most of these were very budget friendly because I bought a lot of it here. Phase 2 becomes very expensive lol.

Coming soon $howbuild: 6" lift w/powder coating , 3" body lift, either 24x14 or 26x14 wheels, ram air style hood, overkill fab grill, custom bumpers, retrofits, LT's (possible), edlebrock eforce or a turbo.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk all grammar errors brought you by fat fingers and auto correct.

Sounds like you are well on your way all great mods! Didn't see tailgate assist listed or are those not needed on 18's?

 

[Ohio5pt7]

Sounds like you are well on your way all great mods! Didn't see tailgate assist listed or are those not needed on 18's?

I've never had a issue so hasn't crossed my mind.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk all grammar errors brought you by fat fingers and auto correct.

 

[Ricks Ram]

With me it all started off pretty basic with my Express and went totally out of control. I don't go to the Ford or Chevy forums so I don't know if they have the same type of mod community that we have but I kind of doubt it. I basically just enjoy figuring stuff out. I won't list everything I've done either but there really isn't much more I can add to truck. The Alfa OBD was also a major breakthrough with adding options. Without it a lot of the things we do and have figured out wouldn't be possible. I will say out of the tons of options I've added or enabled on my truck my favorite is probably the push button start with proximity entry. It's a totally different truck from the day I took it off the lot.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[ram1500rsm]

Mine is bone Socal stock

 

[NapaRam]

I've never had a issue so hasn't crossed my mind.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk all grammar errors brought you by fat fingers and auto correct.

It's nice to have a shock on the tailgate so it opens slowly it's a great mod for the price. I thought maybe that might be standard on 18's.

 

[NapaRam]

The Alfa OBD was also a major breakthrough with adding options. Without it a lot of the things we do and have figured out wouldn't be possible."

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

I couldn't agree more. Alpha is a game changer for RAM owners. With it I have: Changed the settings on the turn lights to LED, Enabled global window down and the factory alarm, Added the cargo camera for a front camera, Enabled Travel Link, ATC climate controls and the Trailer Brake Controller settings on the 8.4 radio. If you want to mod your truck to another level it really is essential as RAM owners we are lucky to have such a great tool.

 

[Ohio5pt7]

With me it all started off pretty basic with my Express and went totally out of control. I don't go to the Ford or Chevy forums so I don't know if they have the same type of mod community that we have but I kind of doubt it. I basically just enjoy figuring stuff out. I won't list everything I've done either but there really isn't much more I can add to truck. The Alfa OBD was also a major breakthrough with adding options. Without it a lot of the things we do and have figured out wouldn't be possible. I will say out of the tons of options I've added or enabled on my truck my favorite is probably the push button start with proximity entry. It's a totally different truck from the day I took it off the lot.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

Did you do a thread on the push button start?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk all grammar errors brought you by fat fingers and auto correct.

 

[Ricks Ram]

Did you do a thread on the push button start?

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk all grammar errors brought you by fat fingers and auto correct.

No @Jimmy07 was the one who figured that one out. He did a thread on it but I can't post links for some reason with Taptalk. You should be able to find it in the 4th Gen DIY section. It's a little involved but doable. You will need to build the harness and install a new RF hub plus proximity door handles, 2 interior antennas, two door antennas plus push button and the program the new fobs and all the correct codes with the Alfa Tool. I can't believe how quickly I got spoiled to never taking my key out of my pocket.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[Ohio5pt7]

No @Jimmy07 was the one who figured that one out. He did a thread on it but I can't post links for some reason with Taptalk. You should be able to find it in the 4th Gen DIY section. It's a little involved but doable. You will need to build the harness and install a new RF hub plus proximity door handles, 2 interior antennas, two door antennas plus push button and the program the new fobs and all the correct codes with the Alfa Tool. I can't believe how quickly I got spoiled to never taking my key out of my pocket.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

Truck looks good btw. I seen you have a couple other mods I'm considering the evic and 8.4 lol. Also thinking about a heated steering wheel.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk all grammar errors brought you by fat fingers and auto correct.

 

[Ricks Ram]

Truck looks good btw. I seen you have a couple other mods I'm considering the evic and 8.4 lol. Also thinking about a heated steering wheel.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk all grammar errors brought you by fat fingers and auto correct.

Thanks, You will need to add the heated seats in order for the heated wheel to work if you don't already have them. The heated wheel is controlled through the heated seat module. There really isn't any limit now on what you can do. It just all depends on how far you want to go and what you want to add.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

[Ohio5pt7]

Thanks, You will need to add the heated seats in order for the heated wheel to work if you don't already have them. The heated wheel is controlled through the heated seat module. There really isn't any limit now on what you can do. It just all depends on how far you want to go and what you want to add.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

I have heated seats but I think it was aftermarket dealer installed. It's just a switch on the side of the seat not on the dash like I'd expect with the newer trucks.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk all grammar errors brought you by fat fingers and auto correct.

 

[bigred90gt]

With me it all started off pretty basic with my Express and went totally out of control. I don't go to the Ford or Chevy forums so I don't know if they have the same type of mod community that we have but I kind of doubt it.

I can’t speak to Chevy, though I imagine they are the same, but I have had several fords and have been a member of a huge forum like this one for a long time. I can tell you that yes, they absolutely do. I would guess that every manufacturer and nearly every model has a forum and a section for mods. I know I also had a Hyundai Genesis Coupe and that forum was the same.

I have only done minor stuff so far, and unfortunately with the way the economy is going, I’m not sure if I will have a job much longer. I’ve added bigger all terrain tires, a bed cover, exhaust, led fog lights and chrome TYC projectors with HID. I bought some Alpharex projectors, but after a couple months I went back to the TYC. AlfaOBD was nice to get rid of the octopus mess of a harness I was using for my HID and fog lights.

 

[hemihustlin]

I'll get pics later but I've done a little. Mine started off as a basic 18 express. Mods so far. Swap chrome headlights for black quads, chrome and paint matched handles, 3" front level 2" rear, TBC, PC, vararam, .50 cal antenna, x pipe, muffler delete, 5" tips, smoked led tails, smoked led 3rd brake light, 5% tint on back 15% on front, katskinz, rgb ambient interior lighting, tow mirrors, rgb rock lights not installed. Most of these were very budget friendly because I bought a lot of it here. Phase 2 becomes very expensive lol.

Coming soon $howbuild: 6" lift w/powder coating , 3" body lift, either 24x14 or 26x14 wheels, ram air style hood, overkill fab grill, custom bumpers, retrofits, LT's (possible), edlebrock eforce or a turbo.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk all grammar errors brought you by fat fingers and auto correct.

I was wondering if you could post a photo of where your x pipe meets your stock downpipes? I am trying to decide if I should attempt this myself or bring it to an exhaust shop.
I have access to a a welder and can weld ok but I like nice pretty exhaust welds lol
thanks

 

[Ohio5pt7]

I was wondering if you could post a photo of where your x pipe meets your stock downpipes? I am trying to decide if I should attempt this myself or bring it to an exhaust shop.
I have access to a a welder and can weld ok but I like nice pretty exhaust welds lol
thanks

Here ya go

 

[Ricks Ram]

I can’t speak to Chevy, though I imagine they are the same, but I have had several fords and have been a member of a huge forum like this one for a long time. I can tell you that yes, they absolutely do. I would guess that every manufacturer and nearly every model has a forum and a section for mods. I know I also had a Hyundai Genesis Coupe and that forum was the same.

I have only done minor stuff so far, and unfortunately with the way the economy is going, I’m not sure if I will have a job much longer. I’ve added bigger all terrain tires, a bed cover, exhaust, led fog lights and chrome TYC projectors with HID. I bought some Alpharex projectors, but after a couple months I went back to the TYC. AlfaOBD was nice to get rid of the octopus mess of a harness I was using for my HID and fog lights.

Are they able to enable options and add factory features in the BCM like we can with the Alfa? That's the main thing I was unsure of. Before the Alfa tool we were very limited on what we could do.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk