New owner. Few questions.

[mattman_13]

Picked up my 2012 yesterday. Its my first new vehicle and I have a tendency to go overboard with mods. The real world has hit and I'm just wanting to do a few odds and ends to make it seem more mattmanish..

Its a 2012 big horn, black, hemi, 4x4, quad cab.

I've been searching that i can fit 35s with just a leveling kit if I watch for width. Nitto has a 295/65 20 (35.47x12.13). Wondering if that would work, and which is the best level kit to go with?

Whats the install for the leveling kit like? I've put lifts on my jeep and friends vehicles

Will my gearing and truck be able to handle 35s?

Which factory dvd nav do i need to be on the lookout for for the 2012?

What do i need to calibrate my truck for the bigger tires?

My goal is to just have a nice truck on 35s with the stock chrome 20s, do the muffler delete, cold air intake, and put in a factory dvd nav. Maintain the warranty and the ability to take it to stock easily. Its gotta ride like it does now because that one thing i think the dodge had over the competition. I drive 5-9hrs at a time going places for work.

I just lost a bunch in mods when i traded in my diesel truck so im trying to avoid that frustration again with this new truck.

Thanks for any replies!

 

[Sagebrush2500]

Welcome and congrats on the new truck! There are threads rich with information on each of your questions from guys who've done these with their own trucks.

 

[Thor09]

Congrats on the new truck Matt! It is true, you can run 295/65-20 trail grapplers with just a leveling kit. Look up Musclemckeester (Kevin) because he ran these with a 2" front level before he lifted it. They can run on stock 20s. In some cases you may need 1/4" wheels spacers for the front but they're not expensive and easy to use. You're gears will be fine, I ran 37s on my 09 with 3.55s.

My opinion for leveling kit is the Bilstein 5100 adjustable shocks. Rather than put a spacer on top of your strut to achieve lift, you replace the struts with these ones. They run about $100 a piece or if you want to save money, there are numerous other leveling kits out there a little cheaper.

Installation for a leveling kit basically includes removing the strut, placing the leveling kit spacer on top and reinstalling. You'll need an alignment afterwards. As for the Bilstein 5100s, you remove the strut, remove the factory coil, then put the coil on the new strut and reinstall.

As for calibrating the speedo, tuners are just now being released from a few companies.

I attached a few pics of my truck with Bilstein 5100s with 35x12.50-17 tires before I lifted it, hope that helps!

 

[MADDOG]

I see some of your questions have been answered so I'll take a shot at some of the others.

A set of 3.55's or up will handle 35's with no problem. Not sure what gears you have? Go here:

http://www.ramforum.com/f8/how-my-truck-equipped-dodge-ram-build-sheets-15829/

The OEM head unit with NAV offered on the Bighorn is the 430N. You might want to compare it with the 730N found in the Laramie package to see if it has options you'd rather have vs. the 430N.

Tire size calibrations can be done with a tuner. Rumor has it that one will be available for your truck after SEMA.

As far as a muffler delete, I'd recommend you try a freer flowing unit vs. deleting it all together. Some backpressure must be maintained in the exhaust system on a gas powered vehicle to avoid a loss of torque.

Welcome to the forum!

 

[mattman_13]

Wow fast responses and answered everything...
Thanks everyone. musclemkeester is the truck I have been looking at and searching information for.

It's a whole new world going from the straight axle turbo diesel to the hemi. During the test drive the dealer thought i was crazy.

The back pressure was my main concern and was hoping that the cat with the resonators. Used to being 5" no muffler, no cat, straight piped haha

 

[MADDOG]

Oh, don't get me wrong. You can straight pipe it but ya may not like the results.

 

[mattman_13]

No. I asked your all's opinion for a reason and respect the answers. I'm definitely ignorant towards this motor and this style of suspension so any help is greatly appreciated. I'll be looking into an actual muffler that's as loud as i like now. Haven't entirely ruled out the muffler delete but if it has any room for concern it's going to be thoroughly researched.
Drove the truck all night to my job about 500miles away. It's crazy how great this thing rides.
Thanks again!

 

[Trupiano]

Congrats on the truck, and welcome to the forum!

 

[mattman_13]

Thanks! I've never been one to like brand new vehicles till these trucks came out.

Update is I'm probably gonna go with the mufflex 14" kit, K&N intake and order them this week. Then start trying to gather up the center piece and stereo till the tires are wore out then go to 35s and the level it then.

 

[arod412]

put up pics when you have it set...i have the same exact truck and i need ideas... i want a lift, but i don't know how big... but i want to keep the stock 20"

 

[Graygoose]

oh without a doubt FUKKEN wax,.....it's.....wait........


sorry, had too..welcome to the site!

 

[quietpeen]

Thanks! I've never been one to like brand new vehicles till these trucks came out.

Update is I'm probably gonna go with the mufflex 14" kit, K&N intake and order them this week. Then start trying to gather up the center piece and stereo till the tires are wore out then go to 35s and the level it then.

that's the same setup i have and love it

 

[mattman_13]

I ordered the K&N and ended up going with the dodm80 against the general consensus...BUT I got that in order to make my own bolt in set up with a single straight through muffler. Been doing a bit more research on back pressure and etc gonna try to keep gas velocity high but add a bit off muffle. Plus I cant stand not having something to tinker and the bolt in 30 minutes or so wont satisfy me... lol.

It was a huge relief when I went to load the new truck up with stuff from the diesel and realized I DIDNT need it. It was all tools and spare parts for deisel maintenance haha.

The gf is getting me the rough country level kit for my birthday. I'm thinking it will look okay with stock tires and then going with the 275/65/20 toyos (34.1x11x20actual).

The fukken wax is being looked into. As the dealer did an awful job cleaning it before they gave it to me so my first day home will be spent cleaning and waxing

Do you all have a consensus on bed liners? I had a rhino liner in the ford and loved it. It's also the closest dealer to me as well.

Included is pic of new truck and the last pic of the ford before i traded it in
Thanks everyone!

 

[Thor09]

I had a plastic bed liner that came with my 09 but everything slide around like crazy. I got this one Line-xed and its been worth every penny. I'm hauling something weekly and the non-slip surface works great.

Good looking truck. Sounds like you'll have a pretty sweet setup with it leveled and some 34s!