The Dodge build-up

Couple of weekends ago Me and 2 buddies went the 60 miles down the Padre National sea shore for 3 days of fishing and camping. Trip was great, fishing not so much. Truck performed great even though our kayak trailer, with minimal ground clearance, turned into a 1500 lbs rake in the soft stuff.

Our rig minus 1 buddy and his yak:
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg115/BroncoJo/9.jpg

4 HID's in action, not so sure why the beach made the outside lights look so blue:
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...oncoJo/4-1.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...oncoJo/5-1.jpg

And finally arriving 60 miles down the beach to our camping spot. In hindsight the night trip to somewhere we've never been before and high tide probably wasn't the smartest idea.
Setting up camp 4:30 AM
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg115/BroncoJo/6.jpg

Excellent fishing 6:00AM
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...roncoJo/11.jpg

Cody passed out 7:00 AM
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg115/BroncoJo/7.jpg


After catching a little shut eye in the morning we were able to get camp set up and the yaks out. Cody got a small jack, Josh a couple 5-6 foot shark and I got to take pictures...
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...roncoJo/13.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...roncoJo/12.jpg

The next day we got to do a little back dune exploring, nothing exciting but still pretty cool
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...roncoJo/19.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...roncoJo/21.jpg

Killer evening conditions we got to enjoy :
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...roncoJo/16.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...roncoJo/15.jpg

Mansfield Jetty from our camping spot:
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...roncoJo/17.jpg

And yes we were able to catch a few trout to cook.... 2 trout.
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...roncoJo/14.jpg

The End:
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...roncoJo/22.jpg


We did redeem ourselves on the way home though:
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg115/BroncoJo/8.jpg

Here is a tease while I try to convert some video files:

Texana Ranch
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...oncoJo/air.jpg

Nice, how was the landing?

about like sitting on a pillow, I should have stayed in the throttle but being the only one out there I was pretty conservative.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BroncoJo

Here is a tease while I try to convert some video files:

Texana Ranch
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...oncoJo/air.jpg

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**** yes this is going to be awesome! cant wait to get out there

The Texana Ranch is exceptionally hard on tires or maybe the grabbers aren't quite as tough as I thought. I think both me and Tommy were surprised by the wear

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...o/IMAG0184.jpg

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...o/IMAG0183.jpg

(Looks worse in person)

Meh, nothin the yukon cant handle!

Well I'm still not sure if I have an injector problem or just the cp3 being loud. The injester have been tested good in the truck and I have fresh oil in it and I'll monitor the level to see if there is any increase.


Until then I think I'm going to truss the front axle, Should I make a jig to keep try to prevent axle warp? or what's the best way to ensure there is no axle warp?

posting here so I can watch them later. I'm having a hard time figuring out why everyone has such a hard on for the 6" kits and might make it my next mission to build a better handing 3" lift kit.

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...S/IMG_0932.jpg

Do it

So I just can't quite bring myself to build a trail rig and think it's about time for stage 2 on the dodge.

Stage 2 goal: improve tow-ability, recovery and protection

Stage 2 parts list:
-4.10 gears and rear locker (detriot or yukon)
-Winch (Warn 12,000 lbs VR series)
-2.0 hydro-bumps for the rear
-rear air bags
-Dynatrac ball joints
-New spicer u-joints
-Premium Dimpled brake rotors and pads

Stage two plan of action:
-secure parts
-truss the front axle
-instal gears, locker, ball joints and u-joints
-either new front bumper or modify existing to fit winch
-rear bumper and bottom bedside trim
-low-profile sliders
-fuel tank skid plate
-relocate batteries
-new intake
-Finish it back on a set of 37 inch Toyo's

If you find any good deals on parts please pass them along, or just tell me I'm dumb :flipoff2:

Just took advantage of the veterans day sale on brakeperformance.com. Got premium dimpled front and rear rotors with the upgraded pads for $470 shipped.

Where do you work?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Seth

Where do you work?

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Soon Halliburton ;), this list is pending selling of the f-350

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JB

It needs a winch. Big truck +big built bumper with no winch = lame.

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Told you so.

I think I'm going to simplify stage to by not doing the gears and locka and staying with 35's.

New plan:
brakes
airbags
winch
rear bumper maybe sliders

New brakes:
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...o/IMAG0385.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JB

Told you so.

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Ok so you were right about one thing :flipoff2:

New filter and brakes! I really need to clean my wheels...
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...o/IMAG0398.jpg
http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...o/IMAG0399.jpg

So I picked up a pair of pliers in my grabbers and being that they are pretty worn I ordered some new shoes in the 37 inch flavor... My truck is getting pretty beat up and might take this opportunity for a bit of a face lift.

Would some titanium OEM style headlights and a black grille be too much bro? (current grille is ****ed up)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/06-08-DODGE-...ht_3464wt_1340

and

http://www.ebay.com/itm/06-08-Dodge-...ht_2935wt_1106



How about some new glass (fenders and bedsides) ?

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/g...s_ram05_07.jpg

Just stay the **** away from chrome, black grill sounds good! Mesh might be a bit much, though. Lights look clean, too.

or save a little more and buy a winch :flipoff2:

You've got plenty for a winch!!! ;)

Do I even need to respond to this? I thought you had some semblance of taste

those headlights are ghey, grille is ghey. Since when are you form over function? Who gives a **** that your grille is peeling? It's not a sema truck.

Oh, and badass on the 37"s

Quote:

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Originally Posted by JB

Do I even need to respond to this? I thought you had some semblance of taste

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Damn that's all I get out of you? :flipoff2:

If I did (small chance) any of that it would have to be an impulse buy and not thought out...

I think the headlights look pretty clean, not to bro, but I am no fan of the black mesh grille

might as well get this one

06-08 Dodge Grill

Yeah you need the one with the big star on it. It's the coolest.

I say save your money on the headlights and do your own. As for the grille, the only thing wrong with yours is the chrome is peeling right? If that's the case I'd take it off, sand the f**k out of it, and take it to a body shop here in town and have them sand it spray it black or color match it to your truck.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by hudhawk

I say save your money on the headlights and do your own. As for the grille, the only thing wrong with yours is the chrome is peeling right? If that's the case I'd take it off, sand the f**k out of it, and take it to a body shop here in town and have them sand it spray it black or color match it to your truck.

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If I could find just a black replacement grille I would buy that and be done. Sanding all the chrome off and painting would be way too much work / money than it's worth. I'm not completely serious about the head lights and don't like the "smoked" lenses but do kinda like the titanium housing...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BroncoJo

If I could find just a black replacement grille I would buy that and be done. Sanding all the chrome off and painting would be way too much work / money than it's worth. I'm not completely serious about the head lights and don't like the "smoked" lenses but do kinda like the titanium housing...

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The smoked lenses are stupid, the titanium background is cool. Just do what I did to my headlights. Did them over a year ago and still no chips or leaks.

Get some night runner lenses like my sisters truck :flipoff2:

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/...14796328_n.jpg

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Deluxe

Get some night runner lenses like my sisters truck :flipoff2:

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That would hurt if it wasn't coming from a jeeper, JK :flipoff2: :flipoff2:

your sister is a night runner?

I thought this was a "build" thread, not a " i want to spray paint my headlights" thread

Take all your pennies and trade your truck and buy a raptor. That's where this is heading anyway.

They don't make a diesel raptor so that would mean he can't black smoke everywhere he goes.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by stx4wheeler

Take all your pennies and trade your truck and buy a raptor. That's where this is heading anyway.

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Are you kidding? Raptors only have 2.5 inch shocks...

He already has a raptor