Best Mods for under $100 (5th Gen Edition)

[Kickboxer]

I am talking about mudguards. I got the Mopar ones for my recent 2022 Laramie.
I have running boards also, and I found the Mopar flaps a little small to keep rocks
from hitting the rear fender flare, as it started peeling the scratch guard off.
I drive 2 miles of gravel every time I leave the yard.
So, I decided to get the Husky front guards and they are much better, as they are
wider and lower to provide better protection. Only $40 some dollars and made in
the USA.

 

[brian42]

I had this in my center console: https://www.amazon.com/Vehicle-OCD-...upper+console+organizer,gift-cards,138&sr=1-1

I also bought some plugs/caps to put in all my USB (and aux input) ports as 98% of the time it's just my phone and thumb drive plugged in. That's a lot of dust and junk to get collected in the other 8 holes (5 USB-A ports, 4 USB-C ports, and an aux input).

I bought it years ago so obviously they are no longer in business but it was something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Silicone-Lap...-c+aux+input+headphone,gift-cards,197&sr=1-12

 

[Loudram]

Here are some door cup holders. I'm sure they are listed in here somewhere but these are the ones I use. They also have a pen holder which I believe the OEM ones don't have. I keep a glass breaker in there.

ISSYAUTO Car Door Cup Holder Compatible with Ram 1500 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Ram 1500 DT Foam Door Trim Cup Holders Replace# 5YK46TX7AC, 5YK47TX7AC Left & Right https://a.co/d/ce8xieB

 

[Rado]

Here are some door cup holders. I'm sure they are listed in here somewhere but these are the ones I use. They also have a pen holder which I believe the OEM ones don't have. I keep a glass breaker in there.

ISSYAUTO Car Door Cup Holder Compatible with Ram 1500 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Ram 1500 DT Foam Door Trim Cup Holders Replace# 5YK46TX7AC, 5YK47TX7AC Left & Right https://a.co/d/ce8xieB

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I have the OEM ones and they are handy ! Have not used to them for any drinks but they hold other things lol
I like that Tissue Dispenser or what ever that holder is !

 

[Loudram]

I like that Tissue Dispenser or what ever that holder is !

That's actually a small trash can. I was suppose to get the holders according to my build sheet but I didn't.

Car Trash Can with Lid,Car Cup... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BSFLRBSK?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

 

[TestPilot57]

I like that Tissue Dispenser or what ever that holder is !

That's actually a small trash can.

I love my center console. I have a "regular" square tissue box (I have a lot of upper respiratory issues and can't be away from tissues very long...) and a really cool small trash can with a flip lid. Our company buys a lot of stuff from U-Line and when you spend certain amounts you get to select "free" items. We've now gotten 2 of these - my son has the other one in his Ram with the similar (Gen4) console. Probably can buy them on Amazon.

 

[turkeybird56]

Aside from that ridge in the center, I like the low profile look of that deflector.

U can hardly see the ridge, more like a reference point. It is there to deflect.

 

[Rado]

My OEDRO All weather floor mats front and rear ! Under 100$ delivered

 

[ANGLICO]

I was a cheap B^stard. ~ $25 (with tax) on Amazon. I know these (below) are probably on this thread already. I have not started from front to rear, but will do so for great ideas.

Nylon Door Seal Scuff Protectors
` $15 and Bed Stake Pocket Covers ~ $10.......... Most of my truck money for this weekend went into buying the tubing ($ ouch / foot) for extending front and back axle/differential Vents. Done. Next will be the tranny/transfer and vapor tube extension. That's on another thread.

Edit Add = on the installation of the scuff protectors. Easy. All four went on first try with no bubbles. The nylon is thicker than the thin film products so you don't float this in a slurry of soapy water. You position and stick. The nylon is thick enough to hold some shape so it is not flimsy and floppy as you work with it.

Here is the video I followed to apply these right the first time - note, do what he says about cutting the backing so you can peel away both ways = no bubbles. Also, recommend using a dry erase marker (white board marker) to put your dry fit marks on for positioning, before actually sticking them on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTmc_FNg_wg

 

[turkeybird56]

I was a cheap B^stard. ~ $25 (with tax) on Amazon. I know these (below) are probably on this thread already. I have not started from front to rear, but will do so for great ideas.

Nylon Door Scuff Protectors and Bed Stake Pocket Covers.......... Most of my truck money for this weekend went into buying the tubing ($ ouch / foot) for extending front and back axle/differential Vents. Done. Next will be the tranny/transfer and vapor tube extension.


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I won a small $500 contest and used that money to: Buy Weathertech mud flaps, Husky internal mats, and my AVS Aeroskin II deflector for the truck. All I had to do was receive and install appropriately. No bed rail pocket covers for me, since I have a full tonneau cover on the ride. I did get bulbs and change out ALL the interior lighting to LED on the truck from standard halogen, and those bulbs were under $30.00 and found.

 

[ANGLICO]

Here is one more piece of gear I got for the back bumper / tow hitch receiver. I paid $45 for it when I bought it but it is currently listed at $54.

My primary reason for buying this is for a step that can also be used for impromptu reciever mounted recovery towing (not kinetic rope yanking). Looks good, solid and protects the bumper. Also, not as much of a knee knocker as a ball hitch sticking out.

Also, considerations for recovery use. It's rated for 10,000 lbs maximum load... I think I'll stay under that unless its extreme necessity and I carry other options. You can use it with a a hard shackle, but I would recommend soft shackles.

I actually like the industrial appearance/style.

Edit Add: Thanks to a question from @Lordram = This does not interfere with my backup sensors.

I painted the damper bolt rattlecan Rust-oleum black.



https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083HWP5PB?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

 

[Loudram]

Here is one more piece of gear I got for the back bumper / tow hitch receiver. I paid $45 for it when I bought it but it is currently listed at $54.

My primary reason for buying this is for a step that can also be used for impromptu reciever mounted recovery towing (not kinetic rope yanking). Looks good, solid and protects the bumper. Also, not as much of a knee knocker as a ball hitch sticking out.

Also, considerations for recovery use. It's rated for 10,000 lbs maximum load... I think I'll stay under that unless its extreme necessity and I carry other options. It will take a hard shackle, but I would recommend soft shackles.

I actually like the industrial appearance/style.

I painted the damper bolt rattlecan Rust-oleum black.

View attachment 530215View attachment 530216View attachment 530217

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083HWP5PB?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Does that interfere with the back up sensors?

 

[ANGLICO]

Does that interfere with the back up sensors?

Nope. Does not interfere with the sensors. I actually did not buy a wider step because of that.

I should edit that into my post. Great catch.

 

[ANGLICO]

Well, I have not installed them yet, but I actually found a pair of Ditch Light Brackets for under $100 as a Black Friday deal for $80 at American Trucks.

All the prices I was seeing on Amazon, Walmart.com and others were over $100 for Gen 5 2500 and 3500.






https://www.americantrucks.com/morimoto-ram2500-4banger-led-a-pillar-mounting-brackets-baf034.html

​

 

[Tulecreeper]

Well, I have not installed them yet, but I actually found a pair of Ditch Light Brackets for under $100 as a Black Friday deal for $80 at American Trucks.

All the prices I was seeing on Amazon, Walmart.com and others were over $100 for Gen 5 2500 and 3500.

https://www.americantrucks.com/morimoto-ram2500-4banger-led-a-pillar-mounting-brackets-baf034.html

​

You're going to get the purist "Generation" people all spun up. Apparently, the term "Generation whatever" only applies to the new body styles and since the 2500 and 3500 still have the old body style you can't call them 'Gen 5'. Or so I've been schooled several times on here.

 

[brian42]

I think the "preferred" term is Gen 4.5.

 

[ANGLICO]

You're going to get the purist "Generation" people all spun up. Apparently, the term "Generation whatever" only applies to the new body styles and since the 2500 and 3500 still have the old body style you can't call them 'Gen 5'. Or so I've been schooled several times on here.

9 mm or .45 or yah.... .45 or 10 mm......... LOL I hear ya.

Don't care.

All I know is it was really hard to find an inexpensive set of these that fit the new hood, post-2018 ....... whatever body style or generation it is.

So, something changed in the hood hinge placement and sheet metal.... don't argue over **** that isn't worth arguing about. LOL. Hugs and kisses!


Best to everyone.

 

[ANGLICO]

Well, I have not installed them yet, but I actually found a pair of Ditch Light Brackets for under $100 as a Black Friday deal for $80 at American Trucks.



All the prices I was seeing on Amazon, Walmart.com and others were over $100 for Gen 5 2500 and 3500.



View attachment 532302

OK. They are installed. Ditch Light brackets and two lights. Solid! Easy one person installation.

One hinge at a time.

Just make sure to put some witness marks on your hinges and hood prior to cracking the nuts loose. Makes it simple to align each side back up and keep your seam line where it needs to be. Aligned right back up.

I have these lights extended as far out and back as they can go. 1/4 inch clearance from the windscreen with the hood open.

I have more than ample auxiliary LED up front, so these are angled as actual Ditch Lights (about 30 degrees off to the side and slightly down). I have enough switches left on my dashboard Auxbeam control pad to assign one left and one right. That way I can use one side at a time, or both if I want to.

 

[tron67j]

I was a cheap B^stard. ~ $25 (with tax) on Amazon. I know these (below) are probably on this thread already. I have not started from front to rear, but will do so for great ideas.

Nylon Door Seal Scuff Protectors
` $15 and Bed Stake Pocket Covers ~ $10.......... Most of my truck money for this weekend went into buying the tubing ($ ouch / foot) for extending front and back axle/differential Vents. Done. Next will be the tranny/transfer and vapor tube extension. That's on another thread.

Edit Add = on the installation of the scuff protectors. Easy. All four went on first try with no bubbles. The nylon is thicker than the thin film products so you don't float this in a slurry of soapy water. You position and stick. The nylon is thick enough to hold some shape so it is not flimsy and floppy as you work with it.

Here is the video I followed to apply these right the first time - note, do what he says about cutting the backing so you can peel away both ways = no bubbles. Also, recommend using a dry erase marker (white board marker) to put your dry fit marks on for positioning, before actually sticking them on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTmc_FNg_wg


View attachment 530159 View attachment 530156

View attachment 530160

How are those stake pocket covers holding up? My 2018 didn't come with any, which is really a mystery why they wouldn't. Anyway, need to buy some since I am installing a new hard tonneau cover this weekend. My old one, which still works great, covered the pockets but the new one won't.

 

[kdoublep]

OK. They are installed. Ditch Light brackets and two lights. Solid! Easy one person installation.

One hinge at a time.

Just make sure to put some witness marks on your hinges and hood prior to cracking the nuts loose. Makes it simple to align each side back up and keep your seam line where it needs to be. Aligned right back up.

I have these lights extended as far out and back as they can go. 1/4 inch clearance from the windscreen with the hood open.

I have more than ample auxiliary LED up front, so these are angled as actual Ditch Lights (about 30 degrees off to the side and slightly down). I have enough switches left on my dashboard Auxbeam control pad to assign one left and one right. That way I can use one side at a time, or both if I want to.

Putco makes an A pillar bracket that is much easier install and no clearance worries. I used on mine. I just had to drill the holes for mounting light to bracket out a bit bigger.