Best Mods for Under $100

[NormB]

So had a little bit of extra time today





And something to speed up oil changes [emoji106]

While speeding up a semi-annual activity, maybe, I’m not a fan.

Ever pull a magnetic drain plug and find metal shards? Shavings?

Now, while this won’t automatically cause distress, panic, and a pressing need to pull the engine to check for cam, follower or main bearing wear, it might be an indication somethign may fail catastrophically.

A warning only.

I was reassured when I drained the TH400 turbo transmission in my HMMWV and found the magnet in the sump pan to be clean as a proverbial metaphor.

Several years of changing oil in the engine leaves me - marginally - reassured there’s nothing wearing out too fast in the 6.2L diesel (but I’m still looking for a spare, just in case. Insurance policy of sorts).

NB

 

[Sparky853]

I’ve got the same one and love it. I’m gonna have to rebuild it because I lifted the truck. So I’m gonna weld up a lower piece to extend it.


I love my truck!
Blue Mule 18 Ram 2500 4x4 C/C Off Road.

Works good so far. Angle will be wrong when I lower the air suspension, but figured I need it more when truck is at normal height. Will have to test it and see.

Sent from my VKY-L09 using Tapatalk

 

[NormB]

I read an instructional on how to 'properly' adjust your mirrors to eliminate blind spots. To my surprise, it worked. It's a little different than what feels natural, but I'm glad I didn't go buy different mirrors or a convex mini mirror.

A quick web search for "mirror adjustment" showed many summaries, all the same.

Try this: https://scripts.mit.edu/~birge/blog/how-to-correctly-set-your-cars-sideview-mirrors/

 

[NormB]

I had to look that up to see why anyone would want to mount a goat! LOL

Don't ask, don't tell.

Some people are "born that way," I'm told.

 

[NormB]

Is the reception comprised with the shortie antennas?

In a word, yes. Always.

Yeah, that was two words, but pick one.

Ideally, for EM signal transmission you need a good broadcast signal, through an antenna of the appropriate length to match the wavelength of the frequency you're broadcasting.

then you need propagation - signal goes through vacuum best, air second, rocks worst at most radio frequencies.

THEN you need a receiving antenna of the appropriate wavelength to match that of the transmitter. Or a fractional wavelength.

Say, you're transmitting FM at 100 mHz, you need a 3 meter antenna for best reception. a 3 meter antenna will give you CLOSE to a 1:1 correspondence of signal reception (SWR or Standing Wave Ratio). A HALF-wavelength antenna will work, with fewer decibels signal reception, a quarter-wavelength antenna will too, and so on. Mfrs frequently try and beat the physics of this fact with coils. Like taking a 3meter length of 16 gauge wire and coiling the first 2 meters into a single layer coil, or "choke." This too will work, and it's how most car antennas (and a lot of ham and CB radio antennas are made). When properly "tuned" (standing wave ratio is as close to 1:1 as possible), we put 'em on our trucks.

Sometimes, the shorty antennas WILL work, within a reasonable broadcast range and that's why most radio stations broadcast in the tens of thousands of watt range for best long-range signal reception (usually line-of-sight), so a pocket AM/FM radio will work just fine.

That's part of the story anyway.

Yeah, I'm a ham, been licensed most of ten years, grew up around it. May not be explaining it as well as I'm trying, but hopefully you're getting the idea.

Norm

 

[dirtyd1833]

Christmas present - Traxion tailgate step.

Sent from my VKY-L09 using Tapatalk

I have been thinking about one of these, only problem is I haul my four wheeler back there every now and then. I guess I could just open the ladder, load the quad and then "close" the ladder up against the side of the quad with a bungee.

Sent from my SM-N950U1 using Tapatalk

 

[Sparky853]

I have been thinking about one of these, only problem is I haul my four wheeler back there every now and then. I guess I could just open the ladder, load the quad and then "close" the ladder up against the side of the quad with a bungee.

Sent from my SM-N950U1 using Tapatalk

It also comes off with just a couple pins to remove.

Sent from my VKY-L09 using Tapatalk

 

[HandyAndy09]

While speeding up a semi-annual activity, maybe, I’m not a fan.

Ever pull a magnetic drain plug and find metal shards? Shavings?

Now, while this won’t automatically cause distress, panic, and a pressing need to pull the engine to check for cam, follower or main bearing wear, it might be an indication somethign may fail catastrophically.

A warning only.

I was reassured when I drained the TH400 turbo transmission in my HMMWV and found the magnet in the sump pan to be clean as a proverbial metaphor.

Several years of changing oil in the engine leaves me - marginally - reassured there’s nothing wearing out too fast in the 6.2L diesel (but I’m still looking for a spare, just in case. Insurance policy of sorts).

NB

Well that’s why I send my oil to lab for analysis , I believe that should find any metals in it before it even shows on magnet.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[dirtyd1833]

Bed lights... two 5' long LED strips and a switch wired into the trailer harness.

Sent from my SM-N950U1 using Tapatalk

 

[KnurledNut]

Bed lights... two 5' long LED strips and a switch wired into the trailer harness.

I like the rigid strip. Where'd you find them?

 

[dirtyd1833]

I like the rigid strip. Where'd you find them?

They are not rigid, same stuff you can buy by the foot. LEDs in silicone with an adhesive backing.

Sent from my SM-N950U1 using Tapatalk

 

[drprymer]

As stated before the $20 tailgate assist hands down is the best thing you didn't think you needed



Also for $60 bucks can't go wrong with a catch can

 

[WhiteKnight]

$8 Screen protector from Amazon
Backseat mod (I'm destructive so decided to cut instead of use washers and my god is it amazing!)
Map Lights, Backseat light upgraded to LEDs
Green LEDs for the front seat foot area.

Gonna rebadge with matte black with white accents. (EDIT: Debadged, decided it looks sexy as is and will probably leave it that way!)

this thread does cost a lot of money! lol

 

[Shawn Burns]

As stated before the $20 tailgate assist hands down is the best thing you didn't think you needed

View attachment 150701

Also for $60 bucks can't go wrong with a catch can

View attachment 150702
View attachment 150703

I don't know if it matters, but, your tailgate assist strut is mounted upside down. I watched a video to make sure I did mine right.

 

[tnmotown]

Replaced all 4 door speakers for just over $100 ($109 shipped from Crutchfield)
MUCH better sound quality.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/157147535@N07/shares/WV56h7

 

[NapaRam]

Hey guys just added this:

TruXedo® Tailgate Seal

found it at Cabelas. Trying to keep the dust at bay in the bed when going off road. For $25 I thought I'd give it a try!

 

[NapaRam]

All you guys with bad or sore backs listen up! Give one of these a try! https://www.cvs.com/shop/homedics-t...-cushion-with-heat-prodid-946666?skuid=946666 plugs into your 12 volt outllet and you've got a heated massaging seat! Not even the limited trim level has that! Great for those long trips or driving home after a long day of work! Get one you won't regret it!

 

[mike19950]

As stated before the $20 tailgate assist hands down is the best thing you didn't think you needed

View attachment 150701

Looks like Rachel Ray likes it too!

 

[dexter]

I have been thinking about one of these, only problem is I haul my four wheeler back there every now and then. I guess I could just open the ladder, load the quad and then "close" the ladder up against the side of the quad with a bungee.

Sent from my SM-N950U1 using Tapatalk

Get a 3 step stool from Home Depot ... much more useful.

 

[Addicted2fishing]

Replaced all 4 door speakers for just over $100 ($109 shipped from Crutchfield)
MUCH better sound quality.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/157147535@N07/shares/WV56h7

Are they component ? We have tweeters right ? Lol. I was thinking about speakers but that rabbit hole leads to dark dark places ha ha ha. Last time I did audio it ended up being a full blown system with a sub that took up the whole trunk of my ****** Mazda


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk