Advocate I
the 2001 Tahoe was long in the tooth. It served me extremely well and continued to be extremely reliable. I had the means to keep it on the road for a very long time coming. But, it didn't tow well enough.
I love my WJ, but a trips to Moab, Idaho, and Washington State also showed me it was not a good long hauler for my 6'4"+ frame. Way too cramped for long trips. So I needed an upgrade that could comfortably tow the WJ now and again. Not enough frequency to justify a 3/4 ton, but needed a stout 1/2 truck.
I tried twice to purchase used Ford F150s in exactly the options and config I wanted (5.0, 4x4, supercab, split bench, locking diff, etc). Couldn't find anything on this coast, so used "one of those online companies". The first F150 looked good but careful inspection showed evidence of undisclosed collision repair, and most forward features on the computer didn't work. A scan showed serious computer issues. Also there was a sound coming out of one timing chain area that a 5.0 shouldn't make. The "On-line company" honored the warranty, and I chose to exchange for another F150 from them. On the day it was supposed to be delivered, received a 3 week shipping delay notice. So something happened to it in shipping and they needed to fix it, but couldn't or wouldn't say what. Once again, albeit a pain in the ass that dragged way out (2 1/2 months!), got full refund of down and shipping costs.
Lost lots of lost time with a big roadtrip coming up. Sold Tahoe to first looker for what I wanted, so was without a full size rig.
Near to me this RAM 1500 was sitting on a dealer lot. My lady actually liked it and kept prodding me that direction. The test drive sold me. 2021 RAM Big Horn/Lone Star with Hemi, 8 speed trans, and 3 1/2 lift already installed, tow package and trailer brakes, 3:92 gears, 39K miles on odometer. Lone Star package gave full skid plates. Cab was bigger than I wanted and bed shorter, and no locking rear diff, but I drove it home. Bed has a roll up cover and Dual Liner bed protection. Lift is the ReadiLift 3 1/2 with Falcon shocks, with rear 3 mode selectables. Includes geometry corrected upper front A arms, so not just a puck lift. Bolt striping hints that it was competently installed. 325 tires were way too wide for stock rim, previous owner must have swapped out wide aftermarkets before trading it in.
Immediately began outfitting it for a 4 state road trip (California, Nevada, Oregon, Idaho) for family events. On the long trip to Idaho I was more comfortable than I have ever been over 20 years driving a handfull of different vehicles making that trip. Still adjusting to taking a 20 year leap in technology though, and somehow it is considerably bigger than the Tahoe so still getting used to where the tires and edges are! It works as daily driver, hauling people, hauling cargo, pulling trailers, hunting truck type offroading, and so on. And MPG average is about the same as Tahoe, a little less in town and a little more highway. All good!
Immediate outfitting for basic service:
Anti Theft device. I had an 03 Silverado stolen before, a few months after it was paid off. This one will be harder to get.
Consul Vault. For the, ah, valuables when you can't have 'em on ya.
Go Rhino D6 steps. The drop down tube steps that were on it had to go. The new ones provide full ground clearance and can take a bump or scrape. Under no illusion they are rock sliders, but not asking that from them.
Full size spare matching wheel- Ebay, some place in Santa Ana CA and only 75 bucks, free shipping. A deal!
5 Toyo Open Country A/T 3 tires, LT 285/70 18. A "plus 1" size.
Rough Country rear fender liners (really Ram?).
Rear under seat cargo holder, Molle panel. From e-bay, DatinMetalFab. I love it.
Kit bashed 2 fire extinguisher holders to create 1 bracket with 2 straps, mounted to Molle panel with 2.5 lb fire extinguisher.
Purchased 2 IFak bags and made a first aid and trauma kit. Mounted to underseat storage panel.
OffRoam phone/device holder. Mounts in AC vent corner, no holes or damage. Works very well.
Power Mountain Tall Boy Jack (didn't want to share bottle jack kit with WJ!).
Breaker bar and 6 point socket for lugs.
Underseat storage crammed with all the other usual basics.
Cabela's magnum dry bag/duffle (for water tight storage of anything in the bed).
Everything that we kit in the WJ cargo area and roof can go in the bed (mess kit, cooler, chairs, tent, gas and water cans, etc).
View attachment IMG_0335.JPG
View attachment IMG_0334.JPG
View attachment IMG_0332.JPG
View attachment IMG_0331.JPG
View attachment IMG_0329.JPG
Sorry Tahoe, but glad you went to a good home and easier life!
I love my WJ, but a trips to Moab, Idaho, and Washington State also showed me it was not a good long hauler for my 6'4"+ frame. Way too cramped for long trips. So I needed an upgrade that could comfortably tow the WJ now and again. Not enough frequency to justify a 3/4 ton, but needed a stout 1/2 truck.
I tried twice to purchase used Ford F150s in exactly the options and config I wanted (5.0, 4x4, supercab, split bench, locking diff, etc). Couldn't find anything on this coast, so used "one of those online companies". The first F150 looked good but careful inspection showed evidence of undisclosed collision repair, and most forward features on the computer didn't work. A scan showed serious computer issues. Also there was a sound coming out of one timing chain area that a 5.0 shouldn't make. The "On-line company" honored the warranty, and I chose to exchange for another F150 from them. On the day it was supposed to be delivered, received a 3 week shipping delay notice. So something happened to it in shipping and they needed to fix it, but couldn't or wouldn't say what. Once again, albeit a pain in the ass that dragged way out (2 1/2 months!), got full refund of down and shipping costs.
Lost lots of lost time with a big roadtrip coming up. Sold Tahoe to first looker for what I wanted, so was without a full size rig.
Near to me this RAM 1500 was sitting on a dealer lot. My lady actually liked it and kept prodding me that direction. The test drive sold me. 2021 RAM Big Horn/Lone Star with Hemi, 8 speed trans, and 3 1/2 lift already installed, tow package and trailer brakes, 3:92 gears, 39K miles on odometer. Lone Star package gave full skid plates. Cab was bigger than I wanted and bed shorter, and no locking rear diff, but I drove it home. Bed has a roll up cover and Dual Liner bed protection. Lift is the ReadiLift 3 1/2 with Falcon shocks, with rear 3 mode selectables. Includes geometry corrected upper front A arms, so not just a puck lift. Bolt striping hints that it was competently installed. 325 tires were way too wide for stock rim, previous owner must have swapped out wide aftermarkets before trading it in.
Immediately began outfitting it for a 4 state road trip (California, Nevada, Oregon, Idaho) for family events. On the long trip to Idaho I was more comfortable than I have ever been over 20 years driving a handfull of different vehicles making that trip. Still adjusting to taking a 20 year leap in technology though, and somehow it is considerably bigger than the Tahoe so still getting used to where the tires and edges are! It works as daily driver, hauling people, hauling cargo, pulling trailers, hunting truck type offroading, and so on. And MPG average is about the same as Tahoe, a little less in town and a little more highway. All good!
Immediate outfitting for basic service:
Anti Theft device. I had an 03 Silverado stolen before, a few months after it was paid off. This one will be harder to get.
Consul Vault. For the, ah, valuables when you can't have 'em on ya.
Go Rhino D6 steps. The drop down tube steps that were on it had to go. The new ones provide full ground clearance and can take a bump or scrape. Under no illusion they are rock sliders, but not asking that from them.
Full size spare matching wheel- Ebay, some place in Santa Ana CA and only 75 bucks, free shipping. A deal!
5 Toyo Open Country A/T 3 tires, LT 285/70 18. A "plus 1" size.
Rough Country rear fender liners (really Ram?).
Rear under seat cargo holder, Molle panel. From e-bay, DatinMetalFab. I love it.
Kit bashed 2 fire extinguisher holders to create 1 bracket with 2 straps, mounted to Molle panel with 2.5 lb fire extinguisher.
Purchased 2 IFak bags and made a first aid and trauma kit. Mounted to underseat storage panel.
OffRoam phone/device holder. Mounts in AC vent corner, no holes or damage. Works very well.
Power Mountain Tall Boy Jack (didn't want to share bottle jack kit with WJ!).
Breaker bar and 6 point socket for lugs.
Underseat storage crammed with all the other usual basics.
Cabela's magnum dry bag/duffle (for water tight storage of anything in the bed).
Everything that we kit in the WJ cargo area and roof can go in the bed (mess kit, cooler, chairs, tent, gas and water cans, etc).
View attachment IMG_0335.JPG
View attachment IMG_0334.JPG
View attachment IMG_0332.JPG
View attachment IMG_0331.JPG
View attachment IMG_0329.JPG
Sorry Tahoe, but glad you went to a good home and easier life!
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