Ram V10 tow rig

BigClay

BigClay

Knower of useless ZJ things
Joined
Sep 24, 2008
Location
Winston-Salem
I thought I would post up some of the things I have done to my tow rig over the years. The old girl is a 1996 2500 Dodge Ram 4wd with the 8.0 V10.

I will spare you with stock pictures because who hasn't seen a stock 2500 Ram?

3rd Gen flip up tow mirrors were first.

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17" wheels were next along with some 285/70/17 Treadwright Warden A/T load range E tires

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Then a pair of Carr steps

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Then not much else changed because the V10 blew up on me towing to Harlan last year so after a new block and and a complete rebuild there wasn't a lot of extra cash left until recently.

Just put on a Backwoods bumper stuffed with a XRC12 winch and two Hella 500s

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This truck is my tow rig and it also sees some old logging roads, so I think the front tow points and winch will be some good insurance.
 
IMO, those 17" wheels look huge on that truck compared to a 16.

I looked at the Backwoods bumpers some time ago for a previous truck. What is your opinion on the quality? Also, how much does it stick out and hang down compared to a stock bumper? It seems to be difficult to find a low profile winch bumper for the 2nd gen.
 
The winch may come in handy but that bumper looks very gaudy on that size tire/suspension...seems a little big for the truck.

But on the upside you don't have to worry about hitting cows,deer, Hondas or Toyotas!
 
The 17s are big, and I had to trim the inner fender to clear the tires at full lock.

As far as the Backwoods bumper, it is beefy and very well constructed. This is the slimmest one I could find for the 2nd Gen, I actually bought it because I didn't know it had the plate below the fairlead. I thought the bumper stoped right below the fairlead, so I am not happy with that part, but I can live with it.

The front is sagging a little more than I want to, and I am thinking of either replacing the front springs with new OE, or putting in a front leveling kit.
 
Looking at these pictures does it look like a 1" or 2" leveling kit would be the way to go?

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I personally would leave it like that so that when you are carrying a load or towing it will sit right.
 
That is true, but I am just thinking of how it looks 90% of the time when not towing or loaded down
 
jcramsey said:
looks good...how do you like the Treadwrights?
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Thanks! I have been very pleased with the Treadwrights. Balanced up well, and have had pretty good wear so far.
 
Looking at shocks yesterday I came across the fact that there were different shocks for the front of 8800 pound GVWR trucks and lower GVWR trucks. My question is, for a particular series of truck (say like mine, a 1996 2500), what range of GVWRs are there? What makes the differences (axles, motor, etc)?

I checked my door frame tag and mine is indeed 8800.
 
So I have been having problems with my brake lights staying on after my foot is off the break pedal. I think it is the brake light switch at the the top of the brake pedal so today I take off the plastic cover to see. So what do I see when I take off the cover... This...

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Apparently the PO had the same problem and instead if replacing the $10 part decided to use a bungee cord
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I'd have to modify that bumper man it's got a huge double chin hanging down lol
 
Lol yea you might not fit in my new rig hahah
 
So did you replace the bungee? I think the bumper might not look so ridiculous with a 2" leveling kit, I personally cannot stand a raked truck. I'd rather see it squatted with a trailer than sitting rear high all the time...
 
braxton357 said:
So did you replace the bungee? I think the bumper might not look so ridiculous with a 2" leveling kit, I personally cannot stand a raked truck. I'd rather see it squatted with a trailer than sitting rear high all the time...
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Bungee is gone, ordering a stop light switch today to fix the problem. I still may do a 1" level, but I like a rake more than I like the front end sky high and the tail end sagging.
 
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