Enthusiast II
Just starting my rig build. She's a full size solid axle rig. Going to needs some tips and tricks for building the truck that I want. Who else out there has full size rigs?
Full Size Overland Rigs
- Thread starter 4runnerOffroad
- Start date
Member III
steering box brace and make sure all your control arms are in good shape . Basic maintenance and a good set of tires .
Influencer I
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The 5 link Dodge front end can really take some abuse, and with sway bar disconnects gives amazing flex. Chrysler engineered some AMAZING suspensions in the 90s and early 2000s. Also looks like your rear end is sagging a bit, perfect excuse to do a shackle flip. That will net you a little bit of lift but more importantly better flex out of the rear springs.
Also the key to making a Chrysler auto live is two simple things, ONLY run Chrysler ATF (current stuff is ATF +4), and NEVER idle it in park for more than a few minutes. The clutch packs are not very tolerant to non synthetic oil, or running without the additive set that the Chrysler spec oil has. Also the oil passages in the Chrysler over drive autos are smaller than a Ford or GMs (one of the off roader/ towing tricks is to drill them out) so running the full synthetic oil is even more critical as it will flow through tight areas better. Finally Chrysler autos dont circulate fluid in Park. This means that oil just sits in the torque converter building heat. This means the fluid and transmission will warm up faster so cold performance is better, but if you idle too long you will burn the fluid. Follow those two rules and a Chrysler auto can live every bit as long as a Ford or GM. My 93 Dodge with a 48RH behind a Cummins with tuned pump and 75HP injectors lived for 230K miles, and thats with lots of towing. Even when I swapped the trans it was still working well, but I had to tow 16K lbs from Delaware to Idaho. I had the cash to swing a trans so I did for insurance.
Also the key to making a Chrysler auto live is two simple things, ONLY run Chrysler ATF (current stuff is ATF +4), and NEVER idle it in park for more than a few minutes. The clutch packs are not very tolerant to non synthetic oil, or running without the additive set that the Chrysler spec oil has. Also the oil passages in the Chrysler over drive autos are smaller than a Ford or GMs (one of the off roader/ towing tricks is to drill them out) so running the full synthetic oil is even more critical as it will flow through tight areas better. Finally Chrysler autos dont circulate fluid in Park. This means that oil just sits in the torque converter building heat. This means the fluid and transmission will warm up faster so cold performance is better, but if you idle too long you will burn the fluid. Follow those two rules and a Chrysler auto can live every bit as long as a Ford or GM. My 93 Dodge with a 48RH behind a Cummins with tuned pump and 75HP injectors lived for 230K miles, and thats with lots of towing. Even when I swapped the trans it was still working well, but I had to tow 16K lbs from Delaware to Idaho. I had the cash to swing a trans so I did for insurance.
Influencer I
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We walk around light at #9500+. Its just a rig, fuel it up and go drive it until you find something that absolutely has to change.
Full size is alright with me lol. We regularly tow our tent trailer (named notaxpo). I would say the one thing SUVs have on out trucks is covered storage. But a quick trip to a camper shell shop can fix that !
We throw the family of 5, 2 dogs, and all the gear in and go! I can fit a full size mattress in the back, and my wife and I wake up with great views!
I see that you are in FoCo, we hit up Vedauwoo and Deadman Road a lot this past summer, no issues with either!
I post a lot on IG: i_sleep_around
I see that you are in FoCo, we hit up Vedauwoo and Deadman Road a lot this past summer, no issues with either!
I post a lot on IG: i_sleep_around
Influencer I
Dead man has alot to offer. Has a bunch of trails I take my 1500 with a three inch lift and 33 inch tires. Fun area. Vedauwoo is cool. Super easy to get intoWe throw the family of 5, 2 dogs, and all the gear in and go! I can fit a full size mattress in the back, and my wife and I wake up with great views!
I see that you are in FoCo, we hit up Vedauwoo and Deadman Road a lot this past summer, no issues with either!
I post a lot on IG: i_sleep_around
Makes for alot of traffic but its easy to hid as well!
Influencer I
. Start of bald mtn road in red feather.
Nothing wrong with Full Size action on the trails!
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Influencer II
Pretty sure there is already an existing full size overland rig thread....
This is our first post and here is our 2016 Ram 1500 Outdoorsman Ecodiesel
Influencer II
Here is my setup with a lil before and after..... 
Influencer I
Influencer I
Do you like the eco diesel? Are you running stock size tires? I looked at the eco before I bought my hemi and figured the hemi still would out preform the eco diesel. I suppose my 20 mpg is worse compared to it. Nice set up!
Member III
Okay, here is my full size, overlanding rig. 99’ Dodge 2500 Cummings with 5speed manual. And my 1965’ 10 foot Alaskan Camper. I get 18 miles to gal. on trips, so works well to travel. Spoils you fast having a comfortable and safe place to sleep while outback! Benz.
