2016 Big Horn Mod/Build thread...

New to me 2016 Big Horn, the package comes with a few niceties over a base model, but I found a few things I wanted to upgrade right away. Only had it a few weeks now, but so far am happy to back in a truck again! .

Purpose: Light Off-Roading/Trail Use/Hunting/Fishing/Towing Bass Boat, etc.

Year: 2016
Model: Big Horn
Transfer Case: 4x4
Engine: 5.7L Hemi
Gears: 3.21
Exterior Paint: Maximum Steel Metallic

Mods:

* Bilstein 5100 Front/Rear, 2.8 Front
* ICON 1.5" Rear Coil Springs
* BFGoodrich A/T KO 35x12.50R20
* American Outlaw Lonestar 20x9 +10
* Amp Research Power Step and Bed Step
* Pedal Commander
* VaraRAM CAI with Outerwears Pre-Filter
* Billet Tech Catch Can
* Swapped to OEM Ram Projectors
* Swapped to OEM Sport LED Tails
* Swapped to FLow Thu Center Console
* Upgrade to Premium Cluster
* Added SmartBeam Mirror
* Upgrade to Power Fold/Memory Mirrors
* Added Factory Rear View
* Added Homelink to OHC
* Added Mopar Integrated Trailer Controller
* Added Mopar Push to Start, Remote Start, & Proximity Handles
* 4th Gen Aux Panel
* Roadwire Leather Seats
* Extang Solid Fold 2.0
* Line-X Bed Finish
* BedRug Mat
* Bull Rings
* Husky X-ACT Mats
* Mopar Deluxe Splash Guards
* Mopar LED Bed Lights w/Rigid Bed Switch
* LED Cargo and License Plate bulbs
* LED Blue Interior bulbs
* AlfaOBD Mods: Too many to list .

Audio Mods:
* Upgrade RA2 to 8.4 RA4 w/NAV
* Axxess AX-DSP
* JL Audio RD400/4
* JL Audio RD500/1
* JL Audio 12w3v3-2
* Fox Acoustics Rear Passenger Side Box
* Alpine Type R S69.2 Door
* Kicker KS-35 Dash

So for some simple things like better mats, I went with the Husky X-Act Contours over the WeatherTec's or OEM Slush mats. I like that the Huskys are rubber and more pliable than the WeatherTec's, which are more of a rigid mat. Makes pulling out an cleaning/reinstalling a bit easier.








(EDIT - Re the below Tyger Top info - I've since changed to a hard folding top - the Solid Fold 2.0. Details futher down in the thread. I've left the Tyger Top info her for reference.)

I looked at several truck bed covers - I had a paint to match fiberglass ARE on a previous truck, but truth be told it was more of a pain. Always worried about scratching it, it was heavy, hard to removed so limited carrying. This time I was leaning towards a hard folder, but apparently no one can make one that doesn't leak at the hinges sooner or later. Not wanting to spend $1000 on a leaky top, I decided to just grab an inexpensive soft trifold (the Tyger/Amazon/MaxMate) for the time being. I also looked at camper tops, and that might be an option, but for now this will do. It's basically the same as every other soft folder out there, aluminum frame, clamps up front and quick release clamps in back. Has great reviews on Amazon as well. I usually avoid the "cheaper" options when it comes to buying, but in this case I decided to give it a try. Worst case Amazon has a great return policy if I have problems with it.






Then I added the BedRug - also had this on a previous truck, and loved it. I had the full model before, but since this truck had a Rugged Liner, I decided to try the liner version, which is basically the bottom section only. Much easier install since you don't have to mess with all the little velcro bits. It actually comes with plastic push pins but I didn't bother since it's under a tonneau. The tailgate section still uses the velcro to attach, though.






I decided to add some steps - all my previous trucks have had them, and the Big Horn was just tall enough to be almost awkward getting in and out. Since I was pleased with the Tyger cover, I decided to give the steps a try as well. Same as the top, plenty of great reviews on Amazon, and 1/3 the cost of the Mopar Steps.

Install was straightforward, the front set of holes were threaded, but I had to use the backer plates for the middle and rear set. Hardware was impressive as well. The only thing kinda chintzy were the mount covers - they are plastic and secured with a plastic pushping/rivet thing... Don't think they would last very long so didn't bother installing them. That and they only come to back of the cab, they don't extend back to the rear like the OEM steps do, which would be nice for reaching items in front of the bed.

One thing my Big Horn lacked was a backup camera. Truth be told, none of my previous trucks had one, but my last car did, and once you get used to one it's kind of a jolt not to have it, especially with a tall rear end. I looked at a few options and in reality the OEM kit turned out to be very close to getting an aftermarket setup price wise, so I ordered the kit from my local dealer and had them install it. Thus I was able to get the lines in sync with the steering which a lot of the non-oem kits won't do, for basically the same price.

Once installed, the image was really small. I had the RA2 audio, and had been thinking about upgrading it - but as soon as I saw the small backup camera image, it pushed me over the edge to upgrade. The RA2 is a wide sceen and the image is square, kinda like watching SD tv on HDTV with the black bars .

EDIT - Longer writeup on the install and impressions here https://www.ramforum.com/threads/ra2-to-ra4-8-4an-upgrade-kit.124804/




So I grabbed the 8.4 upgrade kit from infotainment.com. It was fairly expensive to be sure, but they do offer a mil discount, and with trading in my ra2 and also not having to purchase a window hang GPS, it offset the price quite a bit. I'll do a longer write-up on the install, but short version is I am very happy with the new setup. You can for sure get a better/nicer audio setup for the price by going aftermarket, but I'm not looking to go boom boom, just want a nicer audio experience while keeping all my truck/uconnect/etc functions in place.

Also, I love free mods . This was a great one I stumbled across, removing the "what were they thinking" vinyl stickers on the B-Pillars. Took about 5 min to remove, and then maybe an hour cleaning up with mineral spirts. GooBGone might make quiker work of it, but i didn't have any on hand. Or course it was like 101 that day so I took a few breaks too lol. Looks so much better IMO with the painted pillars.




Next up I'm replacing the stock speakers. Nothing fancy, just dumping the paper cones and upgrading to Kicker/Pioneer's...

Good progress! Gave me an idea on that tonneau. Might be selling my across the bed box in favor of a tonneau cover and some in bed boxes.

Will the Tyger setup fold from the front, or just from the rear?


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78Staff said:

I decided to add some steps - all my previous trucks have had them, and the Big Horn was just tall enough to be almost awkward getting in and out. Since I was pleased with the Tyger cover, I decided to give the steps a try as well. Same as the top, plenty of great reviews on Amazon, and 1/3 the cost of the Mopar Steps.

Install was straightforward, the front set of holes were threaded, but I had to use the backer plates for the middle and rear set. Hardware was impressive as well. The only thing kinda chintzy were the mount covers - they are plastic and secured with a plastic pushping/rivet thing... Don't think they would last very long so didn't bother installing them. That and they only come to back of the cab, they don't extend back to the rear like the OEM steps do, which would be nice for reaching items in front of the bed.

Click to expand...

i love all your upgrades! awesome job man!!

Nice truck. Looks like some well thought out upgrades.

4eyedconekiller said:

Good progress! Gave me an idea on that tonneau. Might be selling my across the bed box in favor of a tonneau cover and some in bed boxes.

Will the Tyger setup fold from the front, or just from the rear?


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Click to expand...

Only from the front - the front fold's require rails to be installed on the siderails, and are a bit more money as well. Extang makes one (which I did look at) and well as Gator I think - probably a few others. I almost bought the Extang one - eMax I think it is, but decided to just go with the basic one off Amazon while I figure out if I want a hard folder or topper.

tidefan1967 said:

Nice truck. Looks like some well thought out upgrades.

Click to expand...

Thanks! Hopefully speakers will go in this evening, if the weather allows. So hot lately I haven't wanted to do anything out there lol.

Good deal. Thanks for getting back to me... I’ve got a couple weeks before I can take delivery of my truck (it’s in the shop). Trying hard not to have a mod list too long by the time it gets here, lol.


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Sure - I was really torn because I wanted a hard folder, but I just couldn't find one that didn't have complaints about leaks or build quality, etc. If I had to pick one (hard fold) I would probably go with the Undercover Flex Elite. But the soft fold is working fine, reasonable quality and hasn't leaked a drop. The rear corners stick out a bit but i think that occurs with most soft tops due to the RAM funky tailgate design.

Well the speakers are in - Pioneer TS-A6966R's in the doors and Kicker KS's in the dash. Note these are not the "shallow" Pioneer 6x9's that Crutchfield recommends for our RAM's due to the front door, but the next series up. They are shallower than say the Kicker KS 6x9's but deeper than the specific shallow mount speaker Pioneer offers...if that makes sense. So they fit without spacers, but it's close.

Anyway, short version, they sound OK. Not an earth shattering difference, to be honest. Better, yes. Reality is I only spent about $100 for all six speakers so can't expect too much, but... well I'm on the fence. I actually installed the 6x9's first as the 3.5's were coming today, so I was able to hear the setup with stock dash speakers, and then again after installing the Kicker KS 3.5's. As most have noted, the Kickers can overwhelm the rest of the speakers due to being 4ohm instead of 8ohm, but a couple ticks to the rear on the Fader fixed that right up.

A side note, those front 3.5 forward screws are pesky. Having this - https://www.sears.com/craftsman-3-pc-socket-cap-set/p-00943303000P or something similar made it much easier to deal with.

And, oddly enough, on the rear doors I was missing one torx screw/base on each door, in the same location on both. It didn't look like anyone had been in the doors before, but who knows. Just seemed odd that it missing from the same location on both doors. I'm sure I can find some replacements, but the whole setup is kinda rinky-dink, I may look to see if there is anything else that will work better.

I also put the tweeter and logo "up", which now that I am thinking about it might be a mistake, as this puts the wiring connectors on top, where they are more exposed to the elements should any water get past the windows seals, etc.

So, thinking I might should have gone with Kickers KS's all around, but at $70 vs $200+, I figured I would try the Pioneers first. I can always return them to Amazon, but I'll roll with them for a bit and see how they settle in. I just don't know that spending another $125 on KS 6x9's would make any difference, since I am keeping the RA4 head unit?


EDIT - Yeah I'm going to cop to being the boy who called wolf - I had dinner and decided to drive around a bit and play with the settings, EQ, fader, etc and tried a few different sat channels, and overall they are definitely an improvement. I even found a hippidy hop channel to play some bass lol. Before I was stopping around 14-15 on the vol dial, but now i can run it up to 20 easily without any issue, and a bit more even. I think I've settled on 4 clicks back from center, and -2 on Treble, 0 to -2 on mids, and bass is level or plus one or two depending on the genre. I'm already rattling the panels a bit so no need to go further unless I mat the doors. For what I listen to I think these are going to be fine.

Last mod for a while, other than upgrading the jack, that is .

Installed the 7" Cluster today - I'll say while pretty straightforward, it wasn't as simple as all the vids make it out to be. Old cluster came out easy enough, and I was able to install the new one without removing the cable clip attachment, so no loose floppy cable to deal with later. But the rear cluster cover screws didn't' line up exactly at first - took some shifting and some pressure on the surround to get those screws aligned and started. Took me a bit to figure it out, but once they were in everything else was fine.

Did have a oh crap moment as when I re-connected the battery and started it up, the cluster came up fine but the 8.4" didn't come up, and I had blowing air but no AC. I was thinking how the you know what could I have messed that up, I wasn't near any of those cables. But I shut it off and restarted and everything came up fine. Maybe it was relearning or resetting from the battery disconnect, not sure. Anyway have shut it off and back on a dozen times or so since while running errands today, and no issues.

All functions work/read/etc as expected, and is sure is much nicer than that 3.5" cluster. Plus real (well real as you can get these days) voltage and oil gauges . Only thing I don't have is the ECO/MDS indicator like the 3.5" display had - not a big issue to me, but odd that it doesn't have it. (EDIT - I did have it, you have to turn it on in the Radio Settings)




Now that I've added a few creature comfort upgrades, I'm getting the Big Horn how I like it. Only thing missing from previous vehicles is HomeLink, which I probably won't worry about unless I run across a deal. The other thing is my Towncar would automatically release the parking break when putting the trans in Drive. It was a completely unnecessary but crazy useful feature that I do miss . I'm still shifting from P to D then back to R when backing up, I had gotten so used to having that lol.

Next up is a good jack and jackstands, then I'm going to let my wallet rest for a while!

Well I changed a couple things - my desire for a hard folding top finally won over so I replaced the soft tonneau with a Extang Solid Fold 2.0 - I looked at several tops but really didn't want a rail system in the bed, so that limited choices pretty much to the Solid Fold and the Rugged Liner (and the Lund Trilogy, which is just a re-branded Rugged Liner). Both would probably work fine, in fact my local shop was keen on the Rugged Liner, but I went with the Extang due to being made in USA vs China for the Rugged Liner.

I also had them install 2 pairs of Bull Rings, the nice low profile ones.








I also changed over to the Molded Splash guards from the rubber model - partly due to the front rubber model not being available for a few months, and partly due to the fact they just plain look better imo. I still need to add some 3m tape under the edge but overall I like the look, and they are mopar branded front and rear.

Got the Line-X done - it's a bit coarser than I expected, but that may be b/c I just got the standard, not the premium. Since it will be under a tonneau 99% of the time, and I'll have a bedrug liner mat on it as well, I figured it wasn't worth the extra $130.

Oh I also found a homelink enabled overhead console for a decent price that arrived today so I swapped it out as well. I actually thought I would just pop the homelink module out of the "new" one and mount to my existing, but since the holes for the homelink buttons were not cut in mine I had to just swap out the whole panel, minus the trim ring. Kind of disappointing as the "new" one had a few marks on it and mine was pretty clean - but otherwise it was straightforward swap. The light harness wire has very little slack so was a bit tight getting that one off and on. But it's plug and play swap, commands show up in EVIC and buttons programmed with no issue.

I also do not have a sunroof, but I assume the buttons existing there won't cause any issue.

I will say pulling and replacing the console in the roof is somewhat dis-concerning - you have to pull on it pretty hard to get it to pop loose - almost feels like the entire headliner will come down with it

Bilstein 5100's installed Front and Rear, with UCA's. Truck sits nice and level, like a truck is supposed to look.

Great build log!

MarshRam said:

Great build log!

Click to expand...

Thanks! You can probably see where I "borrowed" it from




Quickie mod - Added 4ohm resistors to the Kicker KS 3.5 speakers and put them back in the dash (had removed them since they were so bright initially (4 vs 8ohm issue). Followed @PowrRam's excellent writeup here - How To: 4 Ohm Resistor Upgrade For Aftermarket Dash Speakers

Definitely makes a difference. Take away the "Front or nothing" sound you get when installing 4ohm speakers up front, allows the fronts to blend back in with the rest of the speakers like it's supposed to sound.

78Staff said:

Thanks! You can probably see where I "borrowed" it from




Quickie mod - Added 4ohm resistors to the Kicker KS 3.5 speakers and put them back in the dash (had removed them since they were so bright initially (4 vs 8ohm issue). Followed @PowrRam's excellent writeup here - How To: 4 Ohm Resistor Upgrade For Aftermarket Dash Speakers

Definitely makes a difference. Take away the "Front or nothing" sound you get when installing 4ohm speakers up front, allows the fronts to blend back in with the rest of the speakers like it's supposed to sound.

Click to expand...

I noticed you weren't too jazzed with the pioneer door speaker upgrade, which are what I have.. I had to replace my headunit recently. In the process I didn't reinstall the amp to the door speakers and also am still without hookup for my highs in the dash.

But, the system sounds way better than it did when I had everything hooked up. The other aftermarket headunit was crap. Not sure about your stock unit, but that might be the culprit.