Gymkata's 2014 Gray Man build thread

[Gymkata]

So, I was going to wait until the Ram EcoDiesel came out...but I have to commute a bunch for the next 8 months and didn't want to buy winter wheels and tires for my Lexus ISF...or add a bunch of miles and wear and tear on the car. So...

I am the proud new owner of a 2014 Ram 1500 Sport Crewcab 4x4. It is Granite Crystal Metallic, and has leather, the convenience group, remote start & security group, 3.92 gears, LSD, 32 gallon gas tank, Nav, Tow Package, and a spray in bedliner...plus a few others.

While I would love to have a Ramrunner or even a Ford Raptor, I felt a more reasonable and "slightly" less expensive vehicle was in order. I am already creating a laundry list of mods, first of which is a suspension and slightly larger tires.

Here is my short term mod list (unless you guys have suggestions that change my mind):

- Icon Vehicle Dynamics stage III suspension (2.5" front, 1.5" rear)
- Icon Vehicle Dynamics tubular uniball upper arm system
- 285/65R20 BFG A/T T/A KO tires (34.7" x 11.5")

BTW, I did a quick search and couldn't find any real reviews of the ICON system for the Ram 1500. If anybody could point me in the right direction regarding this I would appreciate it.

 

[Gymkata]

Here are pics of the proposed suspension.

 

[TRXHemi]

Sweet ride dude!!

 

[Gymkata]

Thanks...haven't even had a chance to open her up yet. I test drove the same setup with 3.55 gears, and after driving mine there is a notable difference with the 3.92 gears...love it.

 

[Yo Nadz]

ISF's are the sheeit. Traded my is350 in for my Ram and told myself I'd have a ISF in the future. Hopefully my promise hold true.

 

[Warmage]

godly ride , i demand more pics of the sexy color

 

[Gymkata]

^^^Thanks...I will try and get some good pics soon.

On a side note, I was originally going to have the dealership install a 2" Mopar Bilstein suspension, but decided against it after they wanted to charge me about $1000 installation (and that is after haggling the number of labor hours). I decided that for that kind of money I can do it myself. I installed an Old Man Emu suspension on my wife's Jeep Grand Cherokee a few years ago and that wasn't too bad. I'll take the installation money and put it into the suspension itself.

 

[Gymkata]

ISF's are the sheeit. Traded my is350 in for my Ram and told myself I'd have a ISF in the future. Hopefully my promise hold true.

Yes, the ISF is a blast. It has lots of power, gets decent fuel economy, handles very well, and has a bulletproof reliability record. I hope to keep her for years to come.

 

[iHAVEaBIGhorn]

Love the gray paint...I was very close to pulling the pin on the same truck, but the Wife interfered - something about my present truck only being a year old!!

When the gray is polished and you stand about ten feet away...the "depth" in the paint is surprising.

Awesome truck - enjoy!

 

[argray90]

Good looking truck!

 

[RedDevil73]

Thanks...haven't even had a chance to open her up yet. I test drove the same setup with 3.55 gears, and after driving mine there is a notable difference with the 3.92 gears...love it.

Now that I've had the larger, heavier tires & wheels installed I really wish I had the 3.92. Feels like I'm driving through window-high jello sometimes.

Or maybe it's the Flowmaster muffler I had installed at the same time and the louder exhaust is just making me think the truck is having to work harder to accelerate...

 

[RamHemi5.7]

sweet truck! Im assuming that all 2014 sports come with the 8 speed, correct?

 

[WhiteExpress]

Looks like a great build. I don't know of any forum members with the Icon suspension.
I think it's a fairly pricey setup.

 

[Gymkata]

Yes, all 2014 Sports come with an 8 speed transmission.

Yes, the Icon system is a bit pricey, but I'm willing to bet the performance is phenomenal. The stage III suspension and uniball arms will cost over 3 grand. I may still just buy the mopar 2" Bilstein kit. We'll see.

 

[Caldwell]

The Icon Suspension set up is a little pricey however the money is well spent from what I have read / seen. Properly weight rated springs ( Front / Rear ), properly valved shocks ( Front / Rears ), and the uniball upper control arms - its more money sure but I think the overall driving experience will be so much better then just throwing a set up bilstiens up front and calling it a day. It will have better overall ground clearence, and better articulation with the uniballs in place. KUDOS to you sir for wanting to spend the money on some proven parts. I would go that route if I had the money for it.

even if you went with bilstien shocks all around, and the uniball control arms that would be a nice component set.

You have a beautiful truck sir !

 

[Thor09]

Wow I've never seen that color before, great looking truck man. I like your plans too

 

[RAMAlaska]

Question, are the 2014 Sports not shipping with the Sport, R/T hoods? Or did you have them take it off?

 

[WhiteExpress]

Sport Hood is an option.

 

[Burla]

That truck is badass. My only issue with putting on that lift is it is a big investment when you are kinda hamstrung on the week front suspension of the 1500. If you had a solid axle I would say hell yah. For that kind of Money I'd SAS that bad boy.

 

[Gymkata]

Thanks for the input everybody. I've been going back through all sorts of threads looking at mods. Is the general consensus around here that ARH long tubes are the best way to go when factoring in power added and quality?

Edit...
After some limited research, my initial engine performance upgrade plans are:
- Moe's Performance 87mm Ported Throttle Body
- ARH Stainless Longtubes
- DiabloSport Trinity Tuner with HemiFever custom tune
- Suggestions on the best CAI ???

^^^What do you guys think. I want to be able to put it into fuel economy mode for crappy commutes and have lots of extra power for when I want it. I want a low rumble, but not much increased exhaust decibals. I realized in the last few days that I like the fact I can talk over BT without any noise issues with the stock exhaust.