2001 Ram 4x4 Sport Restoration

[Spike95]

Hi Guys,
I’ve posted a handful of times on here so far, but decided I’d make a thread chronicling the in progress restoration of my truck. I ordered this truck new from the factory 20 years ago in the summer of 2000. Took delivery in August of that year. It has been my daily driver for the majority of thetime since. I recently started contemplating buying something new, but no plans of ever getting rid of the old Ram. I started doing the math, and decided I could make this truck pretty badass for the price of a down payment on something new, and then not be stuck with a monthly note. So I started researching and ordering parts... some of this will be a repeat of what I’ve posted elsewhere.

First thing was refurbing my overhead console. The light switches were loose and weren’t working and sunglasses door was broken off. New door ordered. I opened it up to find the light/switch assembly had broken off the inside of the console. I made repairs with JB plastic weld and straws to reform the spots that the assembly screwed into. Also replaced the wiring harness and switches. For a little improvement, I padded the tips of the switches with tool box liner material. Cuts down on the rattles and makes it feel nicer when you switch them off and on.

 

[Spike95]

I pulled out all of the interior (excluding the dash), and gave it all a good scrubbing. I got a lot out of the carpet. Unfortunately, some of it just seemed to want to spread around rather than just come off, but it’s mostly hidden under the seats. Just nice to know there isn’t two decades worth of trash and grime under there any more.

 

[DodgeLady]

You have inspired me!


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[Spike95]

Continuation of interior... Cleaned and armor-alled the plastic storage trays.
Cleaned, spray painted, and lubed the seat frames.

 

[Okiespaniel]

It really takes a decent carpet machine to pull the crud out.

 

[Spike95]

I got a new driver seat cushion from Geno’s. I highly recommend this cushion. Easily some of the best money I’ve spent on my truck. Definitely superior to the factory cushion foam. Made more difference in my driving enjoyment than I expected. While I had the seat cover off, I stitched up the torn seam from the inside with some upholstery thread. Doesn’t look perfect, but a definite improvement.

Before.


After

 

[Spike95]

some shots of the seats re-installed with the frames painted. Also a new set of Husky floor liners. In hindsight, I kinda wish I would’ve gotten black, but I’m still quite pleased with them.

 

[Spike95]

I had dealt with the stock radio not playing CDs anymore for years, and the radio signal wasn’t that good either. As much as I had wanted to keep it, I finally cut the cord and moved to a new Kenwood head unit. Nothing extravagant, but I’m so pleased with the result. Being able to connect to my phone with Bluetooth is fantastic. I also had one of the original Infinity amps that was going out intermittently, so I bypassed the old amps and wired the head unit straight to the speakers. As a side note, if you’ve never done it, I highly recommend tuning your aftermarket stereo using a pink noise test track and an app such as Spectrum or Dynaudio Meter. Made a huge difference in the clarity of my sound system and didn’t cost a dime. Made my old speakers sound better than I thought they could.

 

[Spike95]

You have inspired me!


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I’m so glad to hear it!

 

[Spike95]

After a good bit of research, I decided to upgrade my steering linkage. I went with the 2008.5+ 3/4 ton Mopar setup. Nobody really lists it as such, but this is a direct bolt on for 2000-2001 1/2 tons. Way beefier than the original setup and changed from a Y-style to a T-style linkage. The price is right at just over $300, too.

 

[Spike95]

I also added a steering stabilizer for my sector shaft/pitman arm (the blue thing). Haven’t had any real serious issues with my steering, but I want everything stout to last another 20+ years.

 

[Spike95]

Since all of the front suspension was about due for a rebuild, I decided to beef everything up there, too. I went with MetalCloak control arms, an adjustable track bar from Rare Parts, new Moog swaybar bushings, and Suspensionmaxx swaybar end links.
Also decided it was finally time for a little lift. I used a Suspensionmaxx 2” leveling kit. I went with them because I had just put a new set of stock length Bilsteins on less than a year ago, and their setup allows you to use stock length shocks.

 

[Spike95]

before and after of the lift.

 

[Spike95]

A nice shot I took this evening at work. It’s so much more stable now that I find myself purposefully driving faster over large bumps! I’m loving all of the steering and suspension work. And I have to say again that the new seat cushion really makes a big difference for the feel of those bumps, too.

 

[Spike95]

The easiest improvement I’ve made to my truck yet. Now my fog lights and brights can work simultaneously for that extra little bit of light. All I had to do was make this little jumper to go in place of the fog lamp relay. Fog lamps still operate totally normally in every other way.

 

[Spike95]

Today’s project. I installed a powered 8 inch subwoofer to take some of the pressure off of my old factory speakers. Made a HUGE difference in the sound. More than enough power for a regular cab pickup and fit perfectly in the space under my middle passenger seat, so I didn’t have to use up any of my cargo area behind the seats.

 

[Spike95]

I put sound deadening under and behind the plastic storage shelves behind the seats. Figured that will help cut down on things rattling around as much while in the trays.

 

[Spike95]

I ran the wires from the stereo to the sub straight down the middle of the floor past the transfer case shifter, so applied some sound deadening there while I had it apart.

 

[Spike95]

:edit: accidentally posted same thing twice.

 

[Joe w.]

Man that's really good work keep posting your progress