16 Ram 1500 build

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revitupmoto33

revitupmoto33

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It's like when women talk makeup and shoes.....just take them right to the store. Same concept right?

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Haha pretty much. It’s definitely a language of its own.
 

hodge-xj

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Haha pretty much. It’s definitely a language of its own.
So, what changes do you need to make to that tire carrier? In all honesty you think a bumper swing would be easier?

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revitupmoto33

revitupmoto33

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So, what changes do you need to make to that tire carrier? In all honesty you think a bumper swing would be easier?

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Was going to move the tire a couple more inches toward the passenger side to open up more room for a jerry can or ice chest mount.
A swingout using the factory bumper would probably be possible as long as you could find a way to reinforce where your hinge would be.
If I had given it more thought before I built my rear bumper I would extend it back about 3” to accommodate a spot to mount a bearing like the one below. Would do one on each side for dual swings and a clamping point in the middle.

51B275F3-7F12-489D-85D1-523869A88676.jpeg
 

hodge-xj

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Was going to move the tire a couple more inches toward the passenger side to open up more room for a jerry can or ice chest mount.
A swingout using the factory bumper would probably be possible as long as you could find a way to reinforce where your hinge would be.
If I had given it more thought before I built my rear bumper I would extend it back about 3” to accommodate a spot to mount a bearing like the one below. Would do one on each side for dual swings and a clamping point in the middle.

View attachment 163031

That's similar to the kit I stumbled upon and was thinking I may try to build one this summer. Still haven't found a clamp setup I'm sold on. This oem bumper dents too easy, so id essentially just make a simple replacement with a pretty basic swing out. Just trying to keep my joke of a bed open in case I wanna throw **** back there. Moving the spare each time is beyond annoying at this point.

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revitupmoto33

revitupmoto33

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That's similar to the kit I stumbled upon and was thinking I may try to build one this summer. Still haven't found a clamp setup I'm sold on. This oem bumper dents too easy, so id essentially just make a simple replacement with a pretty basic swing out. Just trying to keep my joke of a bed open in case I wanna throw **** back there. Moving the spare each time is beyond annoying at this point.

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Just to throw an option out there, what do you think about the hitch mounted swing out tire carriers? There are a number of brands out there so could probably find one that wouldn’t be to hard to duplicate.
The main problem with building stuff for the rams is there doesn’t seem to many options available so everything ive personally done has been trial and error and tends to be costly in material to see what works and what doesn’t. Whereas with my old Tacoma there was everything under the sun available for those so it was easy to fine tons of pictures to see how the named fabrication companies make them and base the design off what you know will work.

For every 1 finished project of mine there was at least 3 that didn’t work lol. $$$
 
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hodge-xj

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Just to throw an option out there, what do you think about the hitch mounted swing out tire carriers? There are a number of brands out there so could probably find one that wouldn’t be to hard to duplicate.
The main problem with building stuff for the rams is there doesn’t seem to many options available so everything ive personally done has been trial and error and tends to be costly in material to see what works and what doesn’t. Whereas with my old Tacoma there was everything under the sun available for those so it was easy to fine tons of pictures to see how the named fabrication companies make them and base the design off what you know will work.

For every 1 finished project of mine there was at least 3 that didn’t work lol. $$$

Never even really ever looked at em! Always thought they were for like subaru foresters and **** lol. I think I've ever seen like 1. I need to look into this more. Material is ridiculous anymore, which is why I tend to not fab much big stuff moving forward. Especially with all the intricate angles newer vehicles have. I know the feeling, I had multiple jeeps and was and to easily blend the designs I liked into something my own. The older I get the more valuable my time is spent enjoying time away from work or being productive, which is why I usually buy what I'm looking for and modify as I want. Just makes it easier.

Storage is one thing I still haven't figured out for this truck. Thanks for the pics!

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revitupmoto33

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Had a bit of time so started the rock sliders version 3.0
My bender was not happy about those back to back bends for the kickout, definitely won’t be putting them that close together again. If my measurements are correct the main tube should have same stickout as the tires with a 3” kicker this time.

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ram1500rsm

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This is one of the versions from Wilco i've been looking at. The only one i can find is the offset version though they used to have one just like it that, but centered the wheel aroud the bumper, Wilco calls it Hitchgate offset now days. They also have a Hitchgate Max, and the Hitchgate Solo. The last is the cheapest at around $800... Damn. I remember when i looked at this options back when i had my FJ and they were $599 for the big version back in 2013. This is what i hate about our offroad market everything interesting has to be built up and i don't have a welder like you guys hahaha

I was looking into a Lincoln V155-S as i don't have 240v in my house and holy crap they're expensive. I'll start looking in Craiglist for something cheap. but i doubt i'll be able to find anything reliable for about $200. I don't want to spend $1k then find out i only used it to weld 2 beads and didn't like it as i don't know how to weld :)
 

ram1500rsm

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Had a bit of time so started the rock sliders version 3.0
My bender was not happy about those back to back bends for the kickout, definitely won’t be putting them that close together again. If my measurements are correct the main tube should have same stickout as the tires with a 3” kicker this time.

View attachment 163163

View attachment 163164
they're coming alone nicely bro.
 
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revitupmoto33

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This is one of the versions from Wilco i've been looking at. The only one i can find is the offset version though they used to have one just like it that, but centered the wheel aroud the bumper, Wilco calls it Hitchgate offset now days. They also have a Hitchgate Max, and the Hitchgate Solo. The last is the cheapest at around $800... Damn. I remember when i looked at this options back when i had my FJ and they were $599 for the big version back in 2013. This is what i hate about our offroad market everything interesting has to be built up and i don't have a welder like you guys hahaha

I was looking into a Lincoln V155-S as i don't have 240v in my house and holy crap they're expensive. I'll start looking in Craiglist for something cheap. but i doubt i'll be able to find anything reliable for about $200. I don't want to spend $1k then find out i only used it to weld 2 beads and didn't like it as i don't know how to weld :)
$800 !!! Holy ****, didn’t think they cost that much, would expect around 5 with powder coating for a box box company like that.
This is my 2nd mig welder, got it or CL for 350 with tank (smaller tank than the one I have now). Old one was 220 this one is 110v, little more practical for me. Does great to about 3/16. I know Home Depot sells the weld pack ones for around 500 new (no tank).
Think I have around 1400 into my tig set up, everything used of course. Would love to have the same tig as the one at the shop (it makes everyone weld like a pro) but I think we spent around 11k for that set up. So if you are feeling frisky check out the miller dynasty 400 with torch cooler.

BEA0E7F0-0B4F-427B-9560-2E16D4B34230.jpeg
 

ram1500rsm

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I'll have to ask an electrician how much will i be charged to install a 240v plug with all the safety stuff.
there are Lincolns 225's for $160-$200 in craiglist but that's 240v and stick welding, would that be simple/easy enough for a newbie to learn ?
 

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I'll have to ask an electrician how much will i be charged to install a 240v plug with all the safety stuff.
there are Lincolns 225's for $160-$200 in craiglist but that's 240v and stick welding, would that be simple/easy enough for a newbie to learn ?
That's what has deterred me from them, they are ridiculously priced. I'll buy a cheaper steel bumper , reinforce a spot for a swing out and fab one up and still be under that price.

As for a welder, exactly what revit said. I don't have 220 in my house. I have a Hobart Handler 135. Regular mig with flux core and it's fine for my every day needs and handles the heaviest steel I'd be welding at home. If I got crazy or fabbed as much as rev, id get a shielding gas tank, but for now much I use it I just deal with flux core and the extra work it takes. Hasn't failed me once, plus it's cheap to learn on a spool of flux core [emoji16]

Tractor supply has the Hobart boxes for good prices brand new. I can't complain one bit about it, it's not quite as smooth nor is the duty cycle as great as a Lincoln or Miller but for what I do it's been great. Stick and mig are 2 very different methods of welding with the same principle. In school we have to learn stick first before they let us get into wirefeed welding. I prefer mig for fab work like this and stick for heavy industrial **** like I see at work.

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revitupmoto33

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I'll have to ask an electrician how much will i be charged to install a 240v plug with all the safety stuff.
there are Lincolns 225's for $160-$200 in craiglist but that's 240v and stick welding, would that be simple/easy enough for a newbie to learn ?
Stick welding is a beast of its own, I know a couple guys that can make it look good, I am not one of them lol. Only use stick for heavy duty jobs at work but have found an electrode I love for stainless steel (308L) looks purty and very forgiving. As for garage fab I personally wouldn’t use it. One of my buddy’s prefers flux core over gas, cheaper yes but more clean up. Easiest process for someone with limited or no experience would be mig.
 

hodge-xj

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Stick welding is a beast of its own, I know a couple guys that can make it look good, I am not one of them lol. Only use stick for heavy duty jobs at work but have found an electrode I love for stainless steel (308L) looks purty and very forgiving. As for garage fab I personally wouldn’t use it. One of my buddy’s prefers flux core over gas, cheaper yes but more clean up. Easiest process for someone with limited or no experience would be mig.

Stick with 7018 and fresh, thick steel is a dream. That being said I don't think any of us are using 1" steel to fab anything lol. I have yet to play with stainless as I need to reup my AWS certs. Lame.
I deal with the flux core clean up as I'm usually grinding my welds smooth as is so it never bothers me. Just a bit cheaper to waste some rolls of flux core and than step into some mig and be amazed at how Purdy those welds stay with a fresh tank.

Buy me a plane ticket and ill come out for a welding party! Lol

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revitupmoto33

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That's what has deterred me from them, they are ridiculously priced. I'll buy a cheaper steel bumper , reinforce a spot for a swing out and fab one up and still be under that price.

As for a welder, exactly what revit said. I don't have 220 in my house. I have a Hobart Handler 135. Regular mig with flux core and it's fine for my every day needs and handles the heaviest steel I'd be welding at home. If I got crazy or fabbed as much as rev, id get a shielding gas tank, but for now much I use it I just deal with flux core and the extra work it takes. Hasn't failed me once, plus it's cheap to learn on a spool of flux core [emoji16]

Tractor supply has the Hobart boxes for good prices brand new. I can't complain one bit about it, it's not quite as smooth nor is the duty cycle as great as a Lincoln or Miller but for what I do it's been great. Stick and mig are 2 very different methods of welding with the same principle. In school we have to learn stick first before they let us get into wirefeed welding. I prefer mig for fab work like this and stick for heavy industrial **** like I see at work.

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The way I look at it is, If i could buy the tools and material for the same price as what the thing is I want then buy the tools. Cost the same and you keep the tools so future things cost less. With every type of welding process their is a learning curve, I also took 1 semester of welding at a local CC about 14 years ago. Started off with oxyacetylene and stick. The more projects you do the better your welds will get. I taught myself how to tig weld because I wanted to start working with aluminum, same principal as oxyacetylene, dip and move.
 

hodge-xj

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The way I look at it is, If i could buy the tools and material for the same price as what the thing is I want then buy the tools. Cost the same and you keep the tools so future things cost less. With every type of welding process their is a learning curve, I also took 1 semester of welding at a local CC about 14 years ago. Started off with oxyacetylene and stick. The more projects you do the better your welds will get. I taught myself how to tig weld because I wanted to start working with aluminum, same principal as oxyacetylene, dip and move.
That's my thoughts, if my return on investment is worth it I'll make it. Otherwise I'd rather minimize effort and modify as needed. My father was a pipeliner so I learned how to stick metal together young. Never knew much about it in terms of science but knew how to adjust as I went. Now I'm in the iron workers and the union gives us booth time for all processes except tig so I'm extremely fortunate. Spoon fed all the info I need in a booth is what dreams are made of. In the end it's still an art and practice is the only way to get good, no matter what process it is.

Ram1500rsm get a mig box and start making **** on etsy!

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revitupmoto33

revitupmoto33

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With the added wt. no airbags?
Never been a fan for bags unless it’s for towing.
The icon extended coils and the remote res shocks being valved specifically for my setup it handles the weight with ease. Fully loaded and a full 15 gal water tank it handles like a dream in the dirt.
 
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revitupmoto33

revitupmoto33

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Version 3.0 sliders temp mounted. More width, more kick out and more rise to the outer rail :headbang:
Paint tomorrow perhaps.. Ordered some of that steel-it stuff to try out on these.

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