Newbie in need of your help

[doughboyrow]

I just purchased a new 2012 Ram 1500 Crew Cab 4x4. I'm really excited to make some modifications. I am completely new to the mod world and really have no idea on what I should do and where to go. I'm hoping the experts in here can point me in the right direction.

I want to lift the truck and add some big agressive looking tires and wheels. I also need to add side steps and toneau cover. I really like the sport hood and would like to add that if possible. As I mentioned before I've never modified any of my previous vehicles but decided to do it this time.

I'm not particularly handy so I not only need product recommendations but places to have the products installed.

My budget is $5K and I live in Dallas.

Thanks to all in advance for any help you can provide.

 

[TXKID]

With 5k you won't be able to purchase a good suspension lift, but you can get a leveling kit and the rcx 1.25" body lift and fit 35" tires.

 

[TXKID]

I wrote that wrong sorry, you can purchase a good lift kit with 5k but you won't have much money leftover for everything else you want

 

[Catchin Zs]

I would check out a Rough Country or Zone Offroad 6 inch so that you will have money left over. I have a Zone and love it. Also, do you think you could do it with a friend who knows what they're looking at? Saves at least 600 bucks. Took me and a friend 12 hours for mine, well worth it in my opinion. I would check out the Bilstein 5100 struts, as they lift the front a little more and correct most of the rake. I would also get an rcx 1.25 inch body lift so you can have some more room if you choose to go with 37's.

Tires: I would look at a set of 37's. Aggresive- Nitto Mud Grappler, Super Swamper SSR's, Mickey Thompson MTZ's. Only downside to big tires is that your truck will be sluggish compared to stock. 35's will not be as bad. An option you could do is to get 4.56 gears, which will roughly be about $12-1300 for everything, but it puts you back in the stock power range because the engine doesn't have to work as hard to roll big tires.

Wheels- What size are you thinking? I love my 17's but others love their 20's. Kmc is my favorite, they make alot of good products.
A Zone 6" with Bilsteins, rcx 1.25 BL, 37" grapplers with a good set of 20's should put you right around 4k minus the labor if you choose to have a shop install your lift parts

 

[0212353]

what color truck?

http://www.ramforum.com/f23/want-sport-hood-21070/

 

[doughboyrow]

Thanks guys for all your input. I'm going to research all your sugesstions and get back to you on my decision. My truck is black.

 

[Catchin Zs]

Not a problem! Need advice just ask.

 

[quietpeen]

welcome to RF, there are many nice lifted trucks on here to give you ideas

 

[T-Rob]

As far as lift and all I'm not a 100% sure do to mine is 2WD however DeeZee running boards look great on them, and tires an rims I would say any KMC Rockstar rims of your choice with which ever size tires you would like I would recomend any mudgrappler tires to give your Dodge that aggressive look, and you might also like to add a set of Bushwacker PocketStyle or Cut-Out Bolt On Look fender flares to keep road grime and such off the sides. If you are looking to add new headlights/taillights then I would check Recon Smoked projector headlights and smoked LED taillights along with a smoked LED third brake light. To improve the sound of your truck look at installing a Flowmaster 40 series, its a real head turner and you will love the sound of it, it's loud enough for you to hear but not so loud that it drowns everything else out, makes for a very enjoyable ride. Your truck looks great by the way, hope this helps if at all.

 

[doughboyrow]

2012 Ram 1500 4x4 "Before" Pics

I took some pics yesterday and wanted to give you guys an idea of the "Before" look.

 

[doughboyrow]

Alright after much research on this board and others here is what I'm thinking about getting.

-6" Rough Country suspension lift ($1,399 + 86 shipping)
-Bilstein 5100 adjustable shocks ($120)
-Nitto Trail Grappler M/T 37x12.5x20 ($1,905)
-Moto Metal M0959 20x9 Black ($809)
Total $4,320

I've decided to do the install myself with the help of my dad and brother. The 2 shops I called to install this exact setup came in at $6,500 adn $7,000.

Let me know what you guys think. Any suggestions or critiques are welcome.

Thanks.

 

[GlOcKnRaM]

I think I need a career change and do what you do! Big money!!....All sounds good to me!

 

[quietpeen]

gonna look great

 

[Catchin Zs]

Alright after much research on this board and others here is what I'm thinking about getting.

-6" Rough Country suspension lift ($1,399 + 86 shipping)
-Bilstein 5100 adjustable shocks ($120)
-Nitto Trail Grappler M/T 37x12.5x20 ($1,905)
-Moto Metal M0959 20x9 Black ($809)
Total $4,320

I've decided to do the install myself with the help of my dad and brother. The 2 shops I called to install this exact setup came in at $6,500 adn $7,000.

Let me know what you guys think. Any suggestions or critiques are welcome.

Thanks.

Should get some HID's and tow mirrors

 

[doughboyrow]

I just went to 4wheelparts and they guy told me I would need an additional 3" body lift in addition to the RCX 6" suspension lift in order to fit 37's on. He said it would be really tight and I would have some rubbing.

I then called rough country and the guy said the 37's would be fine with just their 6" suspension lift as long as I got the wheel backspacing correct. He told me to use +12 offset on a 20x9 wheel.

What do you guys think, I really don't want to lift the truck an add'l 3 inches but I also really want the 37's.

 

[Catchin Zs]

Check out the 1.25 inch body lift from rcx. You'll fit 37's just fine with the 6 inch, but some here like a little more room.

 

[doughboyrow]

Thanks. I think I might just pick that up as well since its only $130 more.

I talked to my dad tonight and he is a little concerned us trying to install this ourselves after looking at the instructions. Anyone have experience putting in the RCX 6" Lift kit and the 1.25" body lift? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Catchin Zs]

Bighorn 4 Life put his 1.25 lift on with some buddies. Don't know of any 4th gen guys that put their suspension lifts on though, not saying none of them haven't but I'm not sure. I put one on my 3rd gen.. took me and a friend 12 hrs

 

[doughboyrow]

Okay, so I've decided to have a local shop install the rough country 6" lift. They are charging me $600 for labor + shop materials (not sure how much this is).

When I asked about pricing for the Blisteins he didn't really seem to understand what I was asking for and I didn't know enough to explain it. From my understading, the Bilstein 5100 adjustable shocks are used to level the front end eliminating most of the factory rake. The guy at the shop kept telling me the RCX kit would level the truck.

My question is what do I tell the guy at the shop? Does the Bilstiens replace something that comes with the RCX kit?

Thanks for your help.

 

[doughboyrow]

A few pics after I washed her. I'm about to order the new wheels & tires. What did you guys do with the stock wheels/tires. These will have less thatn 1k miles on em.