IRSmart build log, “Big Red”

[IRSmart]

This serves as a build log for my 2018 Power Wagon, Big Red. I will provide pictures and links for as much as I can.

I factory ordered my truck in December of 2017 and it showed up February 6, 2018. It had 2 miles on it, and as of this posting it has 41k miles. I ordered it with every available option except RamBoxes, trailer tow mirrors, running boards and a tonneau cover. This is a copy of the window sticker:



And here is a complete listing of each modification I have done, down to the smallest detail. Updates to this list will be featured later in this post as this build will surely never be complete. (Last update 7/23/20, see below posts for more updates):


Exterior:

• AEV premium front bumper
• AEV raised air intake w/Ram Air
• Go Rhino Sport Bar 2.0
• Wilco Offroad Tire Gate Prerunner
• Demon skull rear window decal
• Distressed flag sunroof vinyl
• 20% front window tint
• Conquered Trailz stickers

Lighting:

• DDM Tuning Plus 55W 5500k HID low beams
• DDM Tuning SaberLED ProX 55W 6000k high beams
• Morimoto LED fog lights
• Kohree 7” square dual beam LED lights
• HazardSky Fabrications off-road light spacers

Performance:

• aFe Momentum GT sealed cold air intake
• Mufflex muffler delete
• Resonator delete

Armor Upgrades:

• Carli front differential guard
• Purple Cranium rear differential guard
• White Knuckle Offroad custom rock sliders w/kick out delete
• Dethloff Mfg engine skid
• Maple Offroad skid plate
• Maple Offroad HD cross members

Off-Road Vehicle Upgrades:

• MasterPull Superline Black Dyneema 3/8” x 100’ 29.7k lbs synthetic winch rope
• Warn Epic Sidewinder 18k lb winch hook
• Warn Epic Series 1.5” fairlead
• Warn Epic Series 18k lb bumper-mounted shackles
• Warn wireless winch controller
• Hitch mounted Warn Epic Series shackle
• ARB twin air compressor
• Relocated breather tubes

Off-Road Recovery Gear:

• SXMA 8 gallon fuel tank
• Hi Lift X-Treme 60” jack
• Daystar jack handle keeper
• Step 22 Gear Hi Lift jack cover
• Hi Lift Loc Rac truck bed mount
• Hi Lift base
• Husky axe
• Kobalt shovel
• Quick fist mounts
• Swing Case passenger side tool box
• MasterPull Superline Black Dyneema 3/8” x 75’ 29.7k lbs synthetic winch rope extension
• MasterPull 7/8” x 30’ Super Yanker dynamic recovery rope
• Warn Epic Series 30k lb tree saver strap
• 10 ton snatch block
• Warn Epic Series shackles x2
• Machete 18”
• Staun tire deflators
• Custom air up hoses
• First Alert 2.5 lb ABC fire extinguisher
• Kolemo quick release adjustable fire extinguisher mount
• Survivewear survival first aid kit

Electronics:

• Pioneer backup camera
• TailgateCamera.com wiring harness
• ValentineOne radar detector
• Blendmount radar detector mount
• AEV switch pod
• OTRATTW custom Contura XIV switches
• AEV Procal
• Auxiliary under hood fuse box
• Daystar firewall grommet
• Garmin dash cam Mini

Communications:

• Firestik CB antenna mast
• Firestik spring
• Firestik fire ring antenna cable
• Cobra 75 WX ST hidden CB radio
• Custom handheld mic windshield mount
• Vertex vx3200 programmable GMRS/FRS radio
• Larson whip GMRS/FRS antenna
• Larson antenna spring
• Tram NMO antenna mount & cable
• Relocated AM/FM antenna inside the cab

Wheels/Tires:

• Pro Comp Xtreme MT2 37”x12.5”x17”
• BORA 1” wheel adaptors
• Power Stop extreme duty pads & slotted rotors

Suspension/Steering:

• Thuren 1.5” lift springs
• King 2.5 front reservoir shocks w/SS shafts, stage 3
• King 2.5 rear reservoir extra travel shocks w/SS shafts, stage 3
• XHD front sway bar links
• Thuren extended rear sway bar links
• Thuren front and rear track bar
• King steering stabilizer
• 2019+ Mopar updated drag link
• Dethloff Mfg rear sway bar spacers

Misc:

• WadeStar side blind spot mirrors
• Grip tape on rear bumper pad
• 3rd brake light relocated to Go Rhino bar
• Dog River Tools bed rail tie downs
• Ram’s head mid-80’s Dodge hood ornament transfer case shift knob
• Back seat mod

 

[IRSmart]

The day she got dropped off. Shorty antenna (since removed) was on before it was even PDI’d



Swing case installed, where I keep my recovery gear



closeup shot showing my custom sliders. I purposely got them without the kick out panels because I don’t like how they look.



Some of my trail badges. I’ve since added two more, visible in some other pics



Some might see this tacky, but this is an authentic mid-80’s hood ornament converted to be my transfer case shift knob.

 

[IRSmart]

Tools mounted to the back of the bed using the Hi Lift bed mount (which I do NOT recommend for this location) and Quick Fist clamps. If you look closely, you can also see the three red LEDs I added to the Go Rhino bar to act as my new center high mount brake light. I disabled the factory third brake light LEDs and wires these three to the wire under the bed meant for toppers/caps, so it functions 100% just like the OEM brake light...except you can see it lol



beauty shot right after the AEV bumper went on.



Install pics from the wheel adaptors. Studs had to be shortened to fit.




Current beauty shot, right after the Thuren suspension went on.

 

[IRSmart]

Love the Thuren suspension! Taken before I put the stickers on the shocks, which obviously add horsepower



Install pics of my Tire Gate and backup camera. I love it, it makes a huge statement in person.

 

[IRSmart]

Not one of my proudest mods. Needed a new engine at 40k. Got a little too much water into the intake, which leads me to the next post...




Found these rings on Amazon. Can never have too many tie down points, especially since I effectively eliminated the possibility of tying anything to the tailgate, back, or right side of my bed.

 

[IRSmart]

Water preparation time! Relocated all my diff, evap system, transfer case, and transmission breathers. Also installed an AEV snorkel system.

 

[IRSmart]

Couldn’t resist some on board air. ARB compressor installed behind the drivers fender (VERY tight clearance here), and a quick disconnect under the hood.




AEV switch pod and my custom switches from OTRATTW.com



Back seat mod seems like as good a place as any.

 

[IRSmart]

My Kohree 7” dual beam pattern cube lights with the custom Hazard Sky Fabrications light spacers to help shorten the shadow the truck casts (they actually made a huge difference).




Saw this graphic online and I had to have it lol

 

[IRSmart]

And yes, if you’ve made it this far, my truck is not a pavement princess by any means. I’m over $20k just in trail repairs. This thing gets used. I’m the “hold my beer” guy lmao







Until next time, Ram brethren!

 

[BigLazer4u]

Beast

 

[IRSmart]

This is all @BoldAdventure ’s fault. I was gonna leave it stock, but he has to keep putting these damned videos out...

 

[BigLazer4u]

This is all @BoldAdventure ’s fault. I was gonna leave it stock, but he has to keep putting these damned videos out...

You gave me some really good ideas, I like skid plates you put under it. I will be ordering those, thanks for the links. Awesome post

 

[danoday]

Awesome. Thanks for sharing.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-N910A using Tapatalk

 

[IRSmart]

Ok maybe not strictly part of my truck, but when you have a trailer that needs a paint job, a Power Wagon, and some spray paint, anything is possible lol

 

[BigLazer4u]

Water preparation time! Relocated all my diff, evap system, transfer case, and transmission breathers. Also installed an AEV snorkel system.

View attachment 209171
View attachment 209172
View attachment 209173
View attachment 209170
View attachment 209174

did you notice any better MPG or power when you installed the cold air intake Momentum gt? I am ordering this exact one except it’s for the 19-20 wagons. Just want to make sure you don’t have Any complaints before I do.

 

[IRSmart]

did you notice any better MPG or power when you installed the cold air intake Momentum gt? I am ordering this exact one except it’s for the 19-20 wagons. Just want to make sure you don’t have Any complaints before I do.

Not really sure, I have a 1 mile drive to work so my computer says I’m getting 7 mpg lol

Edit: I read your post as asking about my snorkel. No, with the CAI I noticed exactly zero difference in throttle response, sound, performance, or fuel economy. It was like I took $250 and duct taped it under the hood. It was a complete waste of money, but I got it used so I didn’t blow a ton on it. But it is a sealed unit when mated to my AEV snorkel, so my water protection is higher than if I would have put it with the OEM air box.

 

[BigLazer4u]

Not really sure, I have a 1 mile drive to work so my computer says I’m getting 7 mpg lol

Edit: I read your post as asking about my snorkel. No, with the CAI I noticed exactly zero difference in throttle response, sound, performance, or fuel economy. It was like I took $250 and duct taped it under the hood. It was a complete waste of money, but I got it used so I didn’t blow a ton on it. But it is a sealed unit when mated to my AEV snorkel, so my water protection is higher than if I would have put it with the OEM air box.

Sounds good, I will not be buying that then lol. thanks for saving me some money!

 

[crazy jerry]

ive got 2017 and want to ditch the winch cable for something like the masterpull 3/8 rope. ive just recently started digging into to how i can do it. you have any pointers and what parts i need besides the rope ? any idea how much lighter the rope setup is?

 

[Tracy in IL]

simply, WOW!!

 

[tomb]

Beast

So where is the bed-I assume you must have sold your house to make all of this happen!!!LOL