My First Build

[Dave Snyder]

Started with tires since I needed them anyway. Went with the General Grabber A/T. They seem like a good tire. Quieter than I thought they would be on pavement. The ARB differential breather kit is on order. Not planning on going swimming with the truck but I figure better safe than sorry.

 

[MazeVX]

Nice truck and excellent tire choice.
I wish you lots of fun on the trails!

 

[Dave Snyder]

Thanks.

 

[Dave Snyder]

Finally got the ARB Differential Breather Kit installed. Naturally because it's a Ram there were issues with the install. The front differential wasn't a problem, the fitting screwed right in. Good thing I decided to replace that pathetic little breather tube that was there. The rear differential was another matter. It had a larger fitting so I had to get creative with a couple of fittings. I mounted the breather itself in the engine compartment below the driver's side hood hinge.

 

[Dave Snyder]

So after having to take over a year off from pretty much everything due to shoulder surgery I'm mostly ready to get back at it. Upgraded to a K&N air filter today, I have an AL Offroad tailgate panel on order, and I'm probably ordering an A.R.E. MX series cap for the truck this week. I'm torn between a Decked drawer system and building something myself. I like the amount of storage I'd get with the Decked system but I've seen a couple awesome builds on YouTube lately that would be cool but wouldn't give as much storage. Also considering a Frontrunner rack for the cap if it will fit. Waiting on confirmation from Frontrunner on that. Because the MX series is a mid rise cap it's possible the roof tracks may have a narrower spacing than a cap that's level with the cab roof.

 

[DirtyPawz]

I have the Decked System. I’m still waiting for my ARE MX HD topper. They are 16 weeks from the time you order to delivery. I’m at 17 weeks…. Still waiting.

 

[Dave Snyder]

I have the Decked System. I’m still waiting for my ARE MX HD topper. They are 16 weeks from the time you order to delivery. I’m at 17 weeks…. Still waiting.

Wow! Not going with the HD version but I guess I better order this week.

 

[DirtyPawz]

If you are Miltary/Veteran they also give 10% off.

 

[Dave Snyder]

Ordered the cap for the truck today. They're telling me it's 12 to 15 weeks out. Fingers crossed it's not longer than that. Be nice to have it before the snow flies again.

 

[Dave Snyder]

Took the air dam off the front bumper today and gained 4 inches of clearance. We'll see if it affects my mileage.

 

[Dave Snyder]

Doing some minor upgrades while I'm waiting for the new truck cap to arrive. Upgraded the tailgate today with an AL Off-road Trailgate. So much nicer to get in and out of the bed now.

 

[Dave Snyder]

So after almost loosing a taillight to an errant branch I decided to add Taillight guards to the build. Won't offer much protection during a full on rear end collision but they should offer some protection from flying debris.

 

[Neon Paradise]

So after almost loosing a taillight to an errant branch I decided to add Taillight guards to the build. Won't offer much protection during a full on rear end collision but they should offer some protection from flying debris. View attachment 235063

Looking very good! To me, they add a bit of safari cred to the rear of the vehicle lol. Mine were an absolute pain to get on. The two rear mounting brackets weren't bent right and I had to bend them to form manually with a mallet like a caveman.

I'm going to have to replace the mounting hardware on the forward mount of my tail light guards. The bolt and washer have rusted very quickly.

 

[Dave Snyder]

So after almost loosing a taillight to an errant branch I decided to add Taillight guards to the build. Won't offer much protection during a full on rear end collision but they should offer some protection from flying debris. View attachment 235063

Looking very good! To me, they add a bit of safari cred to the rear of the vehicle lol. Mine were an absolute pain to get on. The two rear mounting brackets weren't bent right and I had to bend them to form manually with a mallet like a caveman.

I'm going to have to replace the mounting hardware on the forward mount of my tail light guards. The bolt and washer have rusted very quickly.

Thanks! The install wasn't too bad. Had to do a little bending so the tailgate would clear on one side but not much.

 

[Dave Snyder]

So funny story. When I got my truck I took the 12 volt receptacle out since I hadn't use it in the last four trucks I had and installed a dual USB port in it's place. Low and behold when I bought My GMRS radio from Midland what does it come with? A 12 volt plug. Rather than risk voiding the warranty by cutting it off I decided to install an auxiliary power panel from Blue Sea that gives me a 12 volt receptacle, two more USB ports, and a voltage monitor. Plus it's switched and has a built in circuit breaker. Got it installed today along with the radio. To mount the radio I got a Ram Tough Wedge mount from Midland that slips between the drivers seat and the center console and has a bladder that you inflate to help keep it in place. So far it seems to be a pretty good option for a micro mobile radio. For now the mic is in one of the cup holders in the center console until I figure out where I want to mount it.

 

[Dave Snyder]

Made some progress on the wiring today. Got the buss bars and the circuit breaker installed and the VoSwitch controller mounted. Still need to run wires through the firewall and connect to battery positive.

 

[Dave Snyder]

Got the powered accessory mount installed today. Not quite done with the electrical but this is probably all I'm going to get done before my surgery Friday.

 

[Dave Snyder]

Taking advantage of my surgery being re-scheduled to September and continuing to chip away at the electrical. Found a convenient spot to mount a boot on the firewall and ran the control wire for the VoSwitch into the cab. There was already a hole in the firewall behind the plate. Just had to drill the proper size hole in the plate and mount the boot. Unfortunately I forgot to take before photos. Still need to run a couple more wires before I take the dash apart and hook everything up. Also installed a couple of 67 Designs arms and phone holder. The holder for the InReach Mini is made by JeepUniq. All of the mounts will eventually be 67 Designs.

 

[Dave Snyder]

Finished up with the wiring for now. Installed the keypad for the VoSwitch and Installed the fuse block in a pull out tray I wasn't using for anything else. It's out of sight and easily accessible. Put blank labels on the keypad until I actually hook something up to it. The Front Runner rack for the truck cap came Friday. Still waiting for the cap to show up.

 

[Dave Snyder]

Added another 67 Designs phone holder on the passenger side and added a Magnetic Mic mic holder. I was going to get more 67 Designs arms to mount a mic holder but I figured it would clutter up the dash once I get a tablet mounted too. That and the mic is more accessible mounted on the console. I also replaced the RAM arm on the radio with a 67 Designs arm. I love the 67 Designs stuff. More adjustability and much cleaner looking.