Evolution of a 1996 Ram

[BigClay]

I figured I would start a little truck gallery for my old beater of a tow rig that has gone through a couple updates and upgrades over the year. My kids affectionally call it “Big Red”


The day I picked it up. 1996 2500 V10 NV4500 that came with the D80 rear axle.

Bone stock towing my old ZJ

Smacked a tree in the woods so the stock mirrors got replaced with tow mirrors

 

[BigClay]

Added a front bumper and 12k winch

Painted the aluminum wheels

 

[BigClay]

Picked up a truck camper and started realizing I need some suspension upgrades

 

[BigClay]

Upgraded the rear springs and added some airbags

 

[BigClay]

Some changes are on the horizon

Rear dually D80 with disc brakes out of 2001

3rd generation steel wheels with matching 285/70/17 Cooper STT Pros

1996 dually bed that is red, and will kind of sorta match the cab until painting is in the budget

 

[skyhighZJ]

Are you going to swap the front or can you put the spacer/adapters on the front you have?

 

[Chris_Keziah]

Are you going to swap the front or can you put the spacer/adapters on the front you have?

Spacers, pretty much all trucks after the mid 90s used spacer/adapters for the front.

 

[skyhighZJ]

Spacers, pretty much all trucks after the mid 90s used spacer/adapters for the front.

I thought that’s how it worked. I know mine is that way but knew older ones were different hubs between srw/drw front axles. Wasn’t sure where the cutoff was for dodge as the only 2 gen I had was a 2500

 

[BigClay]

I thought that’s how it worked. I know mine is that way but knew older ones were different hubs between srw/drw front axles. Wasn’t sure where the cutoff was for dodge as the only 2 gen I had was a 2500

Yep, adapters on the front. I did learn there are generational gaps in the adapters, I had to find a 95-97 series

 

[paradisePWoffrd]

I'd look into the Ford 60 outer swap for the front while doing the dually. Better brakes and no more unit bearings.

 

[BigClay]

Things are happening...

 

[BigClay]

And the rusty factory gen 3 wheels look a little better

 

[BigClay]

And here I thought I was buying gold colored wheels

 

[rodney eppes]

With the Slide in, I was thinking, "Dually". Good Choice! I Hope, you checked the Ratio's?

 

[BigClay]

With the Slide in, I was thinking, "Dually". Good Choice! I Hope, you checked the Ratio's?

Front is 3.55 rear is 4.10, will that be a problem?

 

[BigClay]

Just kidding yep, both are 3.55

 

[Chris_Keziah]

Just kidding yep, both are 3.55

After hooking to a GN I'm sure 4.10s will be in its future.

 

[BigClay]

She rolls

 

[CasterTroy]

Well THAT took long enough

 

[Croatan_Kid]

That's kinda sexy! With 6 tires, you can throw even more rocks

 

[Chris_Keziah]

That's kinda sexy! With 6 tires, you can throw even more rocks

It's really making me want to black out my wheels on my truck.

 

[Croatan_Kid]

You won't do it!


I was cleaning up a set of 3rd Gen Dodge wheels for my truck yesterday afternoon and was thinking about having them powder coated a nice charcoal gray or something. I think they'd look pretty good against a black truck too.

 

[BigClay]

It's really making me want to black out my wheels on my truck.

I know a guy that has some left over wheel paint!

 

[NickMaul]

Clay you should just hold on to the SRW dana 80 for when you put tons in the TJ


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[Chris_Keziah]

Clay you should just hold on to the SRW dana 80 for when you put tons in the TJ


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I was gonna say that the 80 is way to wide but I just went and measured it and its ~70" wms. Perfect for a 05+ Dana 60.