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#11 Geologist

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Posted 20 March 2021 - 01:21 AM

Will you re-gear for the 37's?


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#12 Lighthawk

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Posted 21 March 2021 - 06:17 AM

Time for me to show my cards.  I've placed an order for a 3500 4x4 Tradesman CC with the Hemi 6.4 in the 6.5' bed.  Thanks to RamblinChet for helping with the specs.  We'll be moving our 08 Hawk to the new truck after a few last summer trips with our current Tundra/Hawk setup.  


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2021 RAM 3500 Crew 4x4, 6.4 hemi/8 speed trans with 4.10 gears, Timber Grove bags, Falken Wildpeak 35" tires.

OEV Aluma 6.75 flatbed, Bundutec Odyssey camper on order for 2024

For this year we're still using our 2008 FWC Hawk with victron DC-DC charger, 130w solar, MPPT controler

with 2000w inverter and external 120v output and 12v solar input with 100w portable solar.   http://lighthawkphoto.com


#13 ski3pin

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Posted 21 March 2021 - 12:10 PM

Time for me to show my cards.  I've placed an order for a 3500 4x4 Tradesman CC with the Hemi 6.4 in the 6.5' bed.  Thanks to RamblinChet for helping with the specs.  We'll be moving our 08 Hawk to the new truck after a few last summer trips with our current Tundra/Hawk setup.  


Congrats on the new truck! :)


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2003 Ford Ranger FX4 Level II 2013 ATC Bobcat SE "And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years."- Abraham Lincoln  http://ski3pin.blogspot.com/


#14 Wandering Sagebrush

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Posted 21 March 2021 - 12:39 PM

Time for me to show my cards.  I've placed an order for a 3500 4x4 Tradesman CC with the Hemi 6.4 in the 6.5' bed.  Thanks to RamblinChet for helping with the specs.  We'll be moving our 08 Hawk to the new truck after a few last summer trips with our current Tundra/Hawk setup.  

Sounds like you’re getting a great truck, congrats!


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#15 Lighthawk

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Posted 27 March 2021 - 09:07 PM

Wow.  This stuff is way over my head, Chet!

I felt pretty good about replacing my Sprinter antenna this morning, which was half a dozen connections, but all OEM plug & play.

Side note: I'll be listing my 2016 4x4 Sprinter in July to finance the new truck.

 

I'll have to see how I like my stock headlamps on the RAM I've got coming.

I've reached a stage where I try hard not to do night driving on trips anyway.

 

I'm pretty sure I won't have stock fog lamps, so will probably need to add those.


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2021 RAM 3500 Crew 4x4, 6.4 hemi/8 speed trans with 4.10 gears, Timber Grove bags, Falken Wildpeak 35" tires.

OEV Aluma 6.75 flatbed, Bundutec Odyssey camper on order for 2024

For this year we're still using our 2008 FWC Hawk with victron DC-DC charger, 130w solar, MPPT controler

with 2000w inverter and external 120v output and 12v solar input with 100w portable solar.   http://lighthawkphoto.com


#16 Lighthawk

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Posted 29 March 2021 - 02:46 AM

 

 

What options are you planning for your truck?

 

Thanks Chet

 

I still haven't seen the actual truck, but our plans for summer/fall is to equip the RAM to carry our current Hawk camper.

It will be strangely comforting to have our old camper experience on a new, larger truck.

 

Immediate needs will be installing the wiring for to help keep our Renology 100ah battery juiced up.  I need to learn more about DC to DC chargers.   We'll also need some forged eyebolts and plates, for the new truck.  Relocating the backup camera needs to be done.  I'm keen on having it mounted to the truck, so I can switch between camper mounted or running unloaded.

 

I'll be adding fog lights since the Tradesman skips those, and figure out how they will be switched.  We got the auxiliary switch option.

We live in snow country and having lights mounted low makes a difference driving home from town on winter evenings.

 

Interior will need to be reconfigured to accommodate the dog, occasional grandkids and carrying a pelican box full of camera gear.

Our current 1st gen Tundra has the rear seats removed completely, but I don't plan to do that with the RAM.

 

Since we still have our current rig, we won't be in a big hurry to get our camper mods done immediately.  It will be interesting to do a few shakedown drives though.  We ordered mid-April, so I'm not expecting the new truck until May.   

 

Thanks again for sharing your thoughts and specific mods.  I've been combing the RAM forums and soaking it all in.


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2021 RAM 3500 Crew 4x4, 6.4 hemi/8 speed trans with 4.10 gears, Timber Grove bags, Falken Wildpeak 35" tires.

OEV Aluma 6.75 flatbed, Bundutec Odyssey camper on order for 2024

For this year we're still using our 2008 FWC Hawk with victron DC-DC charger, 130w solar, MPPT controler

with 2000w inverter and external 120v output and 12v solar input with 100w portable solar.   http://lighthawkphoto.com


#17 Lighthawk

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Posted 31 March 2021 - 03:42 PM

Thanks Chet

 

I have been reading about adding fog lights and getting a "sales code" from the dealer.

I did bite the bullet and order an OBDLink MX+ to help out.   I've got an error message on my Sprinter, so I'm hoping to get a two-fer.

 

Thanks for the link on relocating the OEM backup camera.   It's a but cheaper than the one I've found, so far:

https://camerasource...ate-camera.html

 

Yeah, I've joined hdrams.com and have been lurking there.

 

Once I get the truck in May (assuming parts weren't on the Ever Given!), my first steps will be getting forged eyebolts installed, relocating the camera and possibly that Victron you're looking at. 

 

I haven't done the research on the camper wiring yet.  We've got a Renology 100ah battery currently, and the IOTA-30 charger that came with our 2008 Hawk.  I bought the dongle for LiPo charging.  I've also got 120w panel on the roof and a Morningstar MPPT controller.

 

My wife's eye's glaze over when I explain to her why I need to spend money on these things, but she loves the camping and exploration!  


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2021 RAM 3500 Crew 4x4, 6.4 hemi/8 speed trans with 4.10 gears, Timber Grove bags, Falken Wildpeak 35" tires.

OEV Aluma 6.75 flatbed, Bundutec Odyssey camper on order for 2024

For this year we're still using our 2008 FWC Hawk with victron DC-DC charger, 130w solar, MPPT controler

with 2000w inverter and external 120v output and 12v solar input with 100w portable solar.   http://lighthawkphoto.com


#18 Lighthawk

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Posted 03 May 2021 - 06:39 PM

Nice work, Chet!

 

Thanks for detailing your build.


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2021 RAM 3500 Crew 4x4, 6.4 hemi/8 speed trans with 4.10 gears, Timber Grove bags, Falken Wildpeak 35" tires.

OEV Aluma 6.75 flatbed, Bundutec Odyssey camper on order for 2024

For this year we're still using our 2008 FWC Hawk with victron DC-DC charger, 130w solar, MPPT controler

with 2000w inverter and external 120v output and 12v solar input with 100w portable solar.   http://lighthawkphoto.com


#19 Lighthawk

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Posted 15 May 2021 - 01:21 AM

Keep 'em coming, Chet!

You are doing a service by documenting your build.

 

Going back to your post about wheel flairs.

Looks like your dealer did the same as mine, with Firestone Transforce AT tires.

My build was ordered to include the OWL off road tires.   :(

 

I went to my dealership in Auburn, CA and inspected my new RAM 3500 crewcab this week.  It's a great truck.

Everything seemed to match my expectations, but the tires.  For complicated reasons, I can't wrap up my 

purchase until a home refi closes escrow, so it was only a visit, and I didn't take my shiny (soon not to be) truck home.

 

The tires are E rated, but have rather poor reviews.  I'm used to BFG AT tires, so I'm not expecting much from these 

alternates.  

 

Meanwhile!  The Tunda/Hawk is being loaded tonight for another local adventure!!  :D 

Birding and scouting for spring porchini is on the docket.  


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2021 RAM 3500 Crew 4x4, 6.4 hemi/8 speed trans with 4.10 gears, Timber Grove bags, Falken Wildpeak 35" tires.

OEV Aluma 6.75 flatbed, Bundutec Odyssey camper on order for 2024

For this year we're still using our 2008 FWC Hawk with victron DC-DC charger, 130w solar, MPPT controler

with 2000w inverter and external 120v output and 12v solar input with 100w portable solar.   http://lighthawkphoto.com


#20 metres

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Posted 28 May 2021 - 09:56 PM

Really appreciate this post! Thanks for sharing - very useful for me, as I consider upgrading from F150, 5.5' box to 1-ton, 8' box, crew cab.


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