Well Ive started doing some prep work on the Ram in anticipation of phase 2. The stock brake pads are horrendous on this truck, especially after going up to 40s. So I decided to try out new pads before blowing a whole *** on a big brake kit. My original intent was to run EBC Yellowstuff because they seem to get good reviews from truck guys. I couldnt find them in stock anywhere so I wound up with Hawk Super Duty pads. First impressions are very good, especially for only $200 for a whole set front and rear. Initial bite is WAY better than stock, under normal driving conditions they behave normally and are quiet with nice pedal feel, good enough that I think Ill be happy with just the pads and not have to spend $2000 on SSBC calipers. Though I really loved them on my RV, that thing stopped faster than most sports cars. I havent towed anything or had any super hard breaking events so time will tell but so far so good.
Next up I got a water tank from Trail'd. It mounts in the stock spare location, its 15 gallons and has two separate 3/4" threaded bungs for drain/fill. I picked up a couple ball valves that thread into place for easy drain/fill. Im going to be using this as a grey water tank. If you can read between the lines you know where this is going...
I had to modify the truck slightly to make it fit by cutting off some metal that is used to keep the stock spare in place. Essentially half of a steel wheel, seems completely unnecessary.
Bye bye
New tank in place. I do need to fab up some bump stops for the tank to snug up against. Its secure but has a slight wobble that I want to get rid of before its full of 15 gallons and Im bombing down dirt roads.
Next in line was airbags. Im going to be adding about 2500lbs to the back of the truck so I picked up these rad airbags from Full Travel Bags. (If you arent familiar, these are what CJC sells) They mount using a quick release for the air line and the bags so you can easily swap them out for the stock bump stops or aftermarket ones that mount to an additional sliding plate they provide. The bottom of the bag is completely free so you dont lose any flex and the bags have their own internal bump stops as well.
Here are some stock photos from CJC showing how the bags and bumps swap in and out. Its pretty slick, you dont even need to jack up the truck or take the wheel/tire off to swap them out.
The compressor I used is the WirelessOne system from Airlift. I mounted it underneath the driver side rock panel. Its up well above the lowest point of the truck so it wont get messed up offroad and there is still plenty of room for my Amp Powersteps to tuck up. Im contemplating making some kind of splash shield to try keeping away mud and road grime. They claim this is where its supposed to be mounted so we will see, hopefully it lasts.
I have a few more things to do like relocate the spare from the bed to the back of the truck. Ive already got something in the works for this, just waiting for it to show up. And lastly removing the Leer topper and Bedrug. Not sure if Im going to keep these or list them for sale. Probably sell them, so if anyone is interested in a nearly new Leer 100XR in silver for a Ram with 6'4" bed and a bed rug, make me an offer! All of this is being done because my new camper is almost ready. Immediately after selling our RV this fall I placed my order for a new Alaskan Camper which will be ready for pick up mid December.
My actual unit, Alaskan 650si. Nearly complete, just waiting on QC.
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