2014 RAM 1500 Express Crew Cab

[Superbee68]

If you live in an area that they salt the roads, watch your oil pan. Had to replace mine after 3 years. It rotted out. Dodge told me that they change like 4 or 5 a month.

 

[bruiserRAM]

Should be in the mail in the next few days...

 

[Apiazza]

I don't want to jack your thread, but wanted to say thanks for the guidance. I'm very pleased with the setup. 17x9x-12 with 35x12.5

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[ram1500rsm]

I don't want to jack your thread, but wanted to say thanks for the guidance. I'm very pleased with the setup. 17x9x-12 with 35x12.5

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Nice, the combo came out great...,what flares are those? and what about the light bar in the front? I’ve been thinking I need a bigger one, nothing like seen pictures to grab more ideas

 

[Apiazza]

Nice, the combo came out great...,what flares are those? and what about the light bar in the front? I’ve been thinking I need a bigger one, nothing like seen pictures to grab more ideas

Oh man, you found the two cheapo items on the truck lol

Flares are actually from Ebay. Made by a company called k2motor. I wanted to try them out. Only $100 for the set. Figured if they suck they are simple to replace with quality ones. So far very impressed with them. Fit was actually really good. I didnt have to modify them at all. The front did take a bit of muscle to make everything line up but nothing I couldnt do myself.

Lights are all from anibus tactical supply. The front is 32" 13k lumens straight bar in the spot light configuration. Great for country roads in the dark like I drive every day. It has saved me from hitting a few deer this year alone because I was able to see them much earlier. I also have two small 6" lights mounted under my rear bumper for help loading and unloading my trailer at the race track. Front and rear lights are all wired independently with two switched just under my headlight controls. Only issue I've had is one of the rear lights has a bad seal and moisture has entered and shorted a couple LEDs. I bought them at a local outdoor show on discount so I might pick up a new set this year of they are there again. (https://www.anubistacticalsupply.com/products/32-inch-light-bar?variant=6020649058331)


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[ram1500rsm]

Fabricated a little mount for my firestick antenna and ran the coaxial inside the truck. I picked a generic Antena bracket from my local 4wp along with 18" of coax, then an L bracket and some screws from Lowes. Drilled a couple of holes in the back of the bed, and couple of holes in the bracket. I think i'd liked the L to be a tad wider but oh well, i wanted to mount my antenna today so i think it came out ok.

2019-01-19_03-47-59 by RAM RSM, on Flickr

2019-01-19_03-48-14 by RAM RSM, on Flickr

Making sure the gate will close
2019-01-19_03-48-28 by RAM RSM, on Flickr

And a close up of how the cable runs, gates open and close without issues and the cable doesn't get crushed in any way
2019-01-19_03-50-31 by RAM RSM, on Flickr

Used 3 washers behind the bracket to make up for the gap
2019-01-19_04-34-01 by RAM RSM, on Flickr

2019-01-19_03-50-43 by RAM RSM, on Flickr


I havent decided if i'll run the cable like this, or maybe underneath the lip, for now this will do, but i'll fix it in a couple of days
2019-01-19_03-48-44 by RAM RSM, on Flickr

Didn't have to drill anything else, i just used this hole to get the coax through
2019-01-19_03-48-59 by RAM RSM, on Flickr

then underneath towards the storage box
2019-01-19_03-49-14 by RAM RSM, on Flickr

Shaved the corner and got the cable inside
2019-01-19_03-49-29 by RAM RSM, on Flickr

2019-01-19_03-50-05 by RAM RSM, on Flickr

Covered everything and that was it
2019-01-19_03-50-18 by RAM RSM, on Flickr

I've had this plug and play setup in about 5 vehicles now, i'll store everything in the console or whetever it fits when not in use
2019-01-19_03-49-53 by RAM RSM, on Flickr

Final product
2019-01-19_03-51-11 by RAM RSM, on Flickr

2019-01-19_03-49-43 by RAM RSM, on Flickr

2019-01-19_03-51-27 by RAM RSM, on Flickr

Then did a little of SWR tuning, and ended up with 1.3 SWR on channel 1 and 1.4 SWR on channel 40.

 

[hodge-xj]

Did any progress ever come with the gas tank skid? There's minimal protection under these things.

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[ram1500rsm]

No i still have it in my garage, the local shop i tried to use told me a lot of fabrication will be needed to get it installed and that they could do it but it was going to be very expensive for what it was. i'd like to get a 2nd opinion but i need to find something close to me.

 

[hodge-xj]

No i still have it in my garage, the local shop i tried to use told me a lot of fabrication will be needed to get it installed and that they could do it but it was going to be very expensive for what it was. i'd like to get a 2nd opinion but i need to find something close to me.

That sucks but at least they were honest and didn't stick you a huge bill. I really wonder how much fab to will take? Does the rebel have a gas tank skid?

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[ram1500rsm]

Put the shocks through it paces yesterday around Joshua Tree to complete the break-in procedure. they're everything i needed and everything i was expecting for their money, the truck felt like a beast going through the whoops all i can say is ******** i need a front belly skid now

Untitled by RAM RSM, on Flickr

Untitled by RAM RSM, on Flickr

Untitled by RAM RSM, on Flickr

No issues with the truck going 50-60mph with the tires contacting anything, i got scared a couple of times as things as speed in the desert appear too quick sometimes, i was expecting a big hit from the bumpstops only to be met with a cushy transition instead. no issues with slow crawling either, the shocks are very controlled when the truck goes out of a bolder, this trail didn't have huge rocks, but there were rocky sections sections where i had to manouver slow to avoid hitting the rocker panels or the bumpers, i think my next mod will be rock sliders for sure.

Untitled by RAM RSM, on Flickr

Untitled by RAM RSM, on Flickr

Untitled by RAM RSM, on Flickr

All in all, it was a beatiful day in our Southern Cali desert
Untitled by RAM RSM, on Flickr

Untitled by RAM RSM, on Flickr

Untitled by RAM RSM, on Flickr

Untitled by RAM RSM, on Flickr

Untitled by RAM RSM, on Flickr

Untitled by RAM RSM, on Flickr

Untitled by RAM RSM, on Flickr

Untitled by RAM RSM, on Flickr

 

[hodge-xj]

Jealous of all that play area you have! It's -18* here today plus wind. Send some warm my way! What sliders you looking at?

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[ram1500rsm]

White knucle or Gor Racing, the last are a tad cheaper, and i think they'll have to be welded. i'll call them today to find more about those.

 

[hodge-xj]

White knucle or Gor Racing, the last are a tad cheaper, and i think they'll have to be welded. i'll call them today to find more about those.

Haven't seen the latter. Started looking into protection ideas myself, on the fence about available options but I need something for sure as well.

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[hodge-xj]

Just watched a video of the WKORs. I was unsure of their mounting platform under full vehicle weight, i was worried theyd deflect a bit being sandwiched against the frame. I just watched a power wagon drag itself the full length of the rig and the sliders hardly deflected. For the price and being removable down the road without having to cut from the frame, these look pretty legit.

How's your clearance under the oem bumper for the most part on the 315s? Catching that on anything on your trips?

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[rwreuter]

Did you upgrade your upper A-arms?

 

[ram1500rsm]

Just watched a video of the WKORs. I was unsure of their mounting platform under full vehicle weight, i was worried theyd deflect a bit being sandwiched against the frame. I just watched a power wagon drag itself the full length of the rig and the sliders hardly deflected. For the price and being removable down the road without having to cut from the frame, these look pretty legit.

How's your clearance under the oem bumper for the most part on the 315s? Catching that on anything on your trips?

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I haven’t measured approach angle but it’s not super bad considering how low the plastic bumper hangs down, I felt the chin spoiler yesterday scraping the sand going fast, so that’s something else I need to address eventually.

Also I’m at Firestone shop right now fixing my alignment, the rocks threw out the toe, and one of the upper bushings of the new sway bar links got chewed up lol, I’ll throw one of the good ones I have from the stockers and call it a day for now, funny thing Firestone wants $120 for one link and $70 for install, with tax that will $200 for a dam thing that cost $40 hahaha.

 

[hodge-xj]

Did you upgrade your upper A-arms?

He's got the zone UCAS.

I pulled that lowest plastic air dam off, otherwise I haven't hit anything yet myself. I am contemplating a simple tube style bumper with a possible winch mount. But I haven't needed a winch in so long I can't really say it's necessary per se. Plus every single jeep and yota buddy I know has one so I may save and just make phone calls. I can't find anything I like for bumpers that's affordable, everything is like 2k or mountedon like crap.

I'm not surprised your alignment was out, lol. Hopefully its not every time you go out. I can't believe they wanted thatwas much!!!!

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[ram1500rsm]

Did you upgrade your upper A-arms?

Yep i got the Zones.

 

[ram1500rsm]

He's got the zone UCAS.

I pulled that lowest plastic air dam off, otherwise I haven't hit anything yet myself. I am contemplating a simple tube style bumper with a possible winch mount. But I haven't needed a winch in so long I can't really say it's necessary per se. Plus every single jeep and yota buddy I know has one so I may save and just make phone calls. I can't find anything I like for bumpers that's affordable, everything is like 2k or mountedon like crap.

I'm not surprised your alignment was out, lol. Hopefully its not every time you go out. I can't believe they wanted thatwas much!!!!

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I've been looking around for tube bumpers, but the full front tube bumpers since i have the Express/Sport bumper model are very expensive, i like the Addictive Dessert designs unfortunately i don't like the $2300 tag for the winch option.
I'm trying to find a shop that can do metal fabrication with good prices, i'll keep looking as i'm not in a rush, or i must say i'm still broke from the Black Friday/Christmas shopping

 

[hodge-xj]

I've been looking around for tube bumpers, but the full front tube bumpers since i have the Express/Sport bumper model are very expensive, i like the Addictive Dessert designs unfortunately i don't like the $2300 tag for the winch option.
I'm trying to find a shop that can do metal fabrication with good prices, i'll keep looking as i'm not in a rush, or i must say i'm still broke from the Black Friday/Christmas shopping

I have the tradesman with the 2 piece, but the options aren't much better. The ones that do look ok from A.D.D only mount with 2 bolts per side! Not gonna cut it if I get hung up. I'd like to stuff a winch, id rather not need it than be stuck without one. I'm thinking I will prob build my own, it's been a minute since I played around fabbing things so I need to get back to it. I really liked the idea behind the road armor one that's a plate center and tube outer section, wasn't super gaudy, so I may go for a hybrid like that. 2k plus is a lot of coin for a bumper. Body armor had one i didn't mind, but again, cheesier mounts and wasn't too sold on the look. I want to avoid a big plate bumper on this truck they get heavy and ugly quick.

I feel you on letting the wallet cool down, my suspension snowballed from 500 to a 1500 expense quickly. Plus the lady needs a ring, so I have to reel back on spending. Might do a Minotaur style stock chop, reinforced with a hidden winch for now.

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