ram 2500 slt to Limited trim, how difficult it is?

[Alex_cad]

Hey everyone,

I have a 2018 Ram 2500 Limited — beautiful truck with very low miles. Unfortunately, it has an irreparable title and a seized engine after taking an unexpected swim in a lake.

I’ve had this truck for quite a while now, and my original plan was to find another one from an insurance auction and swap the cab. Easier said than done! Over the past two years, I’ve been searching for a same-color, higher-trim (Laramie–Limited) donor truck with no luck.

At this point, I’m ready to settle for any trim level, just to get the project moving. So here’s my main question:

If I pick up, say, an SLT, how difficult would it be to get everything working properly after swapping the cab and interior from my Limited?

I’ve done interior upgrades before on my 1500s, but this seems like a totally different animal. From what I understand, I’d need to reprogram or deal with:

• Lighting systems
• Heated/cooled seats
• Keyless entry
• Dual-zone climate control
• Sunroof integration

Is there anything else I should expect to run into?


Would love to hear everyone’s thoughts or experiences with something similar.
Thanks in advance!

 

[Grams]

Whatever amount of work entailed…. it is clearly a questionable intention as to reliability…. and after you’ve put all that money and work into it…you most certainly will run into numerous and irritating problems that will likely destroy any pleasure you may have derived from the attmpt.
You wil then have a white elephant on your hands.

Take the ins money and go find a new truck with which you’ll fall in love. IMO

 

[SitKneelBend]

Hey everyone,

I have a 2018 Ram 2500 Limited — beautiful truck with very low miles. Unfortunately, it has an irreparable title and a seized engine after taking an unexpected swim in a lake.

I’ve had this truck for quite a while now, and my original plan was to find another one from an insurance auction and swap the cab. Easier said than done! Over the past two years, I’ve been searching for a same-color, higher-trim (Laramie–Limited) donor truck with no luck.

At this point, I’m ready to settle for any trim level, just to get the project moving. So here’s my main question:

If I pick up, say, an SLT, how difficult would it be to get everything working properly after swapping the cab and interior from my Limited?

I’ve done interior upgrades before on my 1500s, but this seems like a totally different animal. From what I understand, I’d need to reprogram or deal with:

• Lighting systems
• Heated/cooled seats
• Keyless entry
• Dual-zone climate control
• Sunroof integration

Is there anything else I should expect to run into?


Would love to hear everyone’s thoughts or experiences with something similar.
Thanks in advance!

I tend to agree with @Grams , you might have better luck getting a new to you truck at a lower trim and adding in parts from your salvage that still work too.

 

[Sandevino]

These are high volume production trucks so the project is doable and parts are plentiful, albeit expensive if you have to buy new. You need to grab EVERYTHING from the donor truck(s) to make the project a success. The swap is relatively straight forward.

 

[Alex_cad]

Just pulled the trigger on a rolled over 2018 SLT 2500 with a few extras — heated seats and the 8" radio ect.
That means the Limited seats will be 100% working.
I found a writeup here how to make a push button and keyless entry upgrade, so shouldn't be an issue.
My biggest fear now is getting the dual-zone climate control to work.
Has anyone activated dual climate on a lower-trim truck before?
Do you guys think I should document everything and post the whole process here? or it has no value to the forum?

 

[Alex_cad]

that's what i got my self into

 

[SitKneelBend]

Just pulled the trigger on a rolled over 2018 SLT 2500 with a few extras — heated seats and the 8" radio ect.
That means the Limited seats will be 100% working.
I found a writeup here how to make a push button and keyless entry upgrade, so shouldn't be an issue.
My biggest fear now is getting the dual-zone climate control to work.
Has anyone activated dual climate on a lower-trim truck before?
Do you guys think I should document everything and post the whole process here? or it has no value to the forum?

It's doable, but you'll need a conversion harness from M2Mods (forum member @Mpgrimm2 )

Definitely document. It'll help you too when you hit a roadblock.

 

[2016 2500]

Just pulled the trigger on a rolled over 2018 SLT 2500 with a few extras — heated seats and the 8" radio ect.
That means the Limited seats will be 100% working.
I found a writeup here how to make a push button and keyless entry upgrade, so shouldn't be an issue.
My biggest fear now is getting the dual-zone climate control to work.
Has anyone activated dual climate on a lower-trim truck before?
Do you guys think I should document everything and post the whole process here? or it has no value to the forum?

in order to use dual zone you need to do something with the blend doors, or something. SitKneelBend is right M2Mods can get you a harness to work and has the writup (i think) that tells you what needs to be done. I with his wire harness have the single zone auto temp control working in my truck. it works well.

 

[Daw14]

Just pulled the trigger on a rolled over 2018 SLT 2500 with a few extras — heated seats and the 8" radio ect.
That means the Limited seats will be 100% working.
I found a writeup here how to make a push button and keyless entry upgrade, so shouldn't be an issue.
My biggest fear now is getting the dual-zone climate control to work.
Has anyone activated dual climate on a lower-trim truck before?
Do you guys think I should document everything and post the whole process here? or it has no value to the forum?

Documenting this could be of a lot of help to others who may be sitting on the fence because of uncertainty.
This could allow folks a chance to see something new.

 

[MADDOG]

Documenting this could be of a lot of help to others who may be sitting on the fence because of uncertainty.
This could allow folks a chance to see something new.

I totally agree. I say document it and post it here while you are in progress with the work. It will add quite a bit of time to the project, however, but it will be appreciated by the next person looking for info on how they can upgrade their truck.

 

[SitKneelBend]

I totally agree. I say document it and post it here while you are in progress with the work. It will add quite a bit of time to the project, however, but it will be appreciated by the next person looking for info on how they can upgrade their truck.

Time well spent. I often use the forum as my memory by making posts and referring back to them when my buffers are full!