Gray Man build thread ver 2.0

[Gymkata]

It has been a long while since I have updated this thread. I ordered my Icon Vehicle Dynamics suspension on 16 November and supposedly it was finally shipped out on January 31st. They made a slight update to the suspension and were waiting for final testing to be finished before shipping me the updated suspension. I'm excited to finally get it, but am not happy about having paid three grand and not receiving the product for more than 2 1/2 months.

On a side not, the GoodYear Wrangler Adventure All Terrain with Kevlar tires are fantastic. The only down side is they have very stiff sidewalls. Other than that they are quiet and surefooted in dry, wet, dirt & snow. I give them great marks all around.

 

[huff2462]

Truck looks great so far... I'm excited to hear how your lift works out... I've never heard of that brand before but it looks like a great product (despite the 3 month wait)...

-
'13 RAM 1500 Big Horn, 5.7L Hemi, 8-sp trans, 4x4, 3.21 gears

 

[Gymkata]

Well, most of my suspension arrived last night...finally after almost a 3 month wait. Icon Vehicle Dynamics it calling Fed Ex as I type to figure out where the last 2 packages are. The lazy Fed Ex driver dropped 3 out of the 5 packages off next to my garage instead of at my front door in a covered area. He drove off without getting a signature for the delivery or even ringing our door bell. Fortunately my wife was home and saw the Fed Ex truck. Otherwise a $3000 suspension would have been sitting out in the elements begging to be stolen by a passing vehicle. I hope that driver gets in trouble to say the least. They are supposed to drop off packages at the front door, but for some reason that is toooooo difficult for the driver that keeps coming to my house...rant done for now.

I'm not sure when I'll have time to put the suspension on...we are supposed to get a foot of snow tonight. I'll post pics as soon as my truck is riding on a real suspension.

 

[Cruizer]

Well, most of my suspension arrived last night...finally after almost a 3 month wait. Icon Vehicle Dynamics it calling Fed Ex as I type to figure out where the last 2 packages are. The lazy Fed Ex driver dropped 3 out of the 5 packages off next to my garage instead of at my front door in a covered area. He drove off without getting a signature for the delivery or even ringing our door bell. Fortunately my wife was home and saw the Fed Ex truck. Otherwise a $3000 suspension would have been sitting out in the elements begging to be stolen by a passing vehicle. I hope that driver gets in trouble to say the least. They are supposed to drop off packages at the front door, but for some reason that is toooooo difficult for the driver that keeps coming to my house...rant done for now.

I'm not sure when I'll have time to put the suspension on...we are supposed to get a foot of snow tonight. I'll post pics as soon as my truck is riding on a real suspension.

I have that problem with both the FedEx and UPS driver. Drops it at the garage door and they never knock. Can't wait to see it, take some pics while putting it on. I'd like to see how it looks inside the wheel well once it's all today. Should be sweet.

 

[Gymkata]

Ok, turns out I do have all 5 packages. My wife just put two of them in a different location in the garage. I can't believe how huge these shocks are. The shock body is as wide as my fist. I'm still pissed with Fed Ex as I went to the tracking site and found that the driver signed for the packages himself since they required a signature at delivery. I can't believe how many people have no work ethic. Anyway, I'm very excited to see how this suspension works.

Cruizer, I will take a bunch of pics from every angle during the installation...whenever that is.

 

[Gymkata]

Well I can now confidently say that 4WD, 3.92 gears, LSD, and 275/65R20 GoodYear Wrangler All Terrain w/Kevlar tires are a great combination for snow. We got 14" of snow last night. I took the Ram out it in to have some fun. It performed great. The snow is a little compacted in the pictures because the snow turned to rain and made any tire track areas very slick. The tires still did amazing. I think sticking with 275mm tires helps the truck sink and get solid traction vs floating more with wider tires.

 

[lswing]

Excellent!

 

[Cruizer]

That looks like a blast. The pics came out kinda cool.

 

[lswing]

I have the AT/IIs in 275/65/20 on stock wheels. LOVE it, but I did get some spacers for them, as I wanted them flush with my fender flares. Had 295/60/20 Trail Grapplers before (on +18 wheels) and it rubbed a little at full lock. Beefier for sure, but I love the AT/IIs.

What spacers did you go with? Looking good!

 

[lswing]

That looks like a blast. The pics came out kinda cool.

I like the clean parking job!

 

[Gymkata]

Interesting that other have gone with spacers with stock wheels to get "flush" with the fenders. I think the tires are perfectly flush with the fenders as is (at least on my 2014 sport).

In the snow pictures if you look closely you can see that the snow in the center is slightly lower than the snow on the sides. The bumper is so low on the sport is was scraping the snow behind it as I backed up. Now to be fair the snow was relatively deep.

BTW, is there anybody here interested in buying a grey 2014 sport bumper? I am considering buying an aftermarket prerunner bumper.

 

[Gymkata]

Also, it is a sad day for me because I just gave my 1997 Ram 1500 to my buddy. It has been in my family since January 1997, since the day after I left my Dad's Jeep Cherokee with $400 parts value on Mt Hood, OR in one of the worst days for accidents in the history of the mountain (35 accidents in a 2 mile stretch). It had been sitting doing nothing for the last 8 months and he is going to help me install my Icon suspension in exchange (I realize he is getting the better end of the deal, but I'm better off than him and wanted to hook him up...especially because he is an ardent Ram fan and currently owns a 2007 Ram 2500 Cummins that he is forced to sell due to finances...that and he has helped me install a few other things previously and is a long standing S2KI friend).

 

[Slidder]

I ordered Matte Black Plastidip a few days ago. I am going to do my factory wheels once I get the lift on and new tires. I also plan to do the emblems that I decide to leave on. At this point I think I will take off the Hemi and 1500 emblems and just leave RAM on the sides. What do you guys think?

I think I have narrowed down my tire choice to the Toyo AT II tires. I'm still not sure which size I want to go with. I have narrowed it down to 275/65R20 & 295/65R20, which I will mount back on my OEM Sport 20x9 +19 wheels. I don't think the smaller size will look to small, and I know it will reduce fuel economy less than the 295mm wide tires, which are 1" taller and 0.8" wider. What do you guys think?

I will update this post with pics & reviews once I get this stuff done.

Regardless of the tire size, you will love the Toyo's. I've had different sizes on various trucks and now have them on my 2014 Rubicon and just bought new ones for the 2014 2500 I got a week ago. They are the best all around tire especially running them in snow and ice. If they ever stop making them I may stop driving.

 

[Gymkata]

Regardless of the tire size, you will love the Toyo's. I've had different sizes on various trucks and now have them on my 2014 Rubicon and just bought new ones for the 2014 2500 I got a week ago. They are the best all around tire especially running them in snow and ice. If they ever stop making them I may stop driving.

I ended up getting GoodYear Wrangler All Terrain w/Kevlar tires (275/65R20). While I love Toyo, they are harder to find/order. I may get the 295/65R20s in the future, but since the current GoodYears are guaranteed for 60k miles it may be a minute before I get new rubber. I can definitely say though that these GoodYears are the best A/T tires I have ever had for wet/packed snow/ice...bar none. Then again the only Toyos I have tried are the M/Ts.

 

[Slidder]

I ended up getting GoodYear Wrangler All Terrain w/Kevlar tires (275/65R20). While I love Toyo, they are harder to find/order. I may get the 295/65R20s in the future, but since the current GoodYears are guaranteed for 60k miles it may be a minute before I get new rubber. I can definitely say though that these GoodYears are the best A/T tires I have ever had for wet/packed snow/ice...bar none. Then again the only Toyos I have tried are the M/Ts.

The new 2500 I just got. It came with Goodyear tires. Don't recall if they were A/T's or what. Anyway, I took one look at the tread design, pulled the wheels and tires (Toyo) off of the 1 ton and had the dealer put them on the 2500. I will say that a few years ago I ran with Goodyear and never had a problem

 

[Gymkata]

The new 2500 I just got. It came with Goodyear tires. Don't recall if they were A/T's or what. Anyway, I took one look at the tread design, pulled the wheels and tires (Toyo) off of the 1 ton and had the dealer put them on the 2500. I will say that a few years ago I ran with Goodyear and never had a problem

My 1500 came with cheapest model Goodyear A/S tires available (SR/A I think). The new Goodyear ATs I bought are a night and day difference.

 

[surfinca79]

Have you plasti-dipped your wheels yet? Pics?

 

[Gymkata]

No, not yet. I'm waiting until after I install the suspension. I have been incredibly busy lately and haven't had time...that and it feels like we have had a snow storm every weekend for the last several months.

 

[Gymkata]

With the crazy winter weather and a very busy schedule, I haven't been able to install the suspension yet. I am going to have a buddy come over and help me install it on Saturday, 22 March. I will be sure to include lots of pics of the the install and after pics.

 

[Gymkata]

Ok, here we go. My buddy is coming over tomorrow to help me install the Icon Vehicle Dynamics Stage IV suspension. She's all ready for us, sitting on jack stands over night in anticipation.