Well my truck has basically been sitting since I got the Charger. I went out the other day and the sun has basically baked the paint on my truck to the point it is starting to chip off and the clear coat on my canopy is peeling. I was planning on getting a different rig and making that into my mountain rig but the wife talked me into just working this truck over for now.
Here is the run down of what I have already done to the truck (1995 Ram 1500 4x4 with 360 Mag, standard cab, short box):
- Rhinolined the bed
- A canopy on the short bed
- Smittybuilt brush beater on the front (wrap around head light guards as well)
- KC Day lighters up front
- CB with single antenna
- about a 1.5 inch lift, tweaked shocks and springs for offroad
- skid plates for engine and transmission
- Toyo Mud Terrain tires
What I have planned for the immediate future:
- Rhinoline the bumpers and rocker panels
- Paint over the burnt white paint with the Blitz Black I have on hand (cheap and tough)
- build a rack that goes over the canopy and extends over the cab. Also have side bars to mount additional equipment maybe mounts for gas and water cans.
- cables from the brushbeater to rack corners
- additional lighting mounted to the top rack
- switch from single antenna to dual antennas mounted to the rack frame
- beef up the skid plates
- do the intake plenum pan gasket repair (has never been done so figure it needs done might be why its losing oil)
- Have a local shop work me up a new dual exhaust
- build a rifle storage tray into the bed of the truck and add a couple cargo boxes.
I will have to take some pics of the truck, I actually don't have any of it currently.
I also need to change the windshield as it has a nasty crack (though may wait until next spring for that) and need a new dash as mine has a nasty crack that formed. Needs a few other things fixed that are small. I also need to work on the transmission (doesn't always like to reverse on the first try).
I think you're overdoing the antennas. No need for two unless you want to propagate down the highway.
yeah may not go with the two, was a suggestion from father in law that was a trucker. He has volunteered to help get that part dialed in so we will see.
I did have a buddy offer me some shop space to do the painting so that may get done here soon (hopefully before winter hits). The rest will be an over winter project as baby will allow. The rack will be interesting as it will be my first real welding project so wish me luck there lol.
Around here if you get up in the hills it is normal to run into trails that suddenly get very tight so running things like the cables to divert branches and the like are a good idea. One of the guys suggested was expanded steel mesh on the sides of the rack to cover where the side windows are for the canopy. I may need to beef my springs up even more...
Alright here is a pic of the truck I grabbed while on lunch.
Basically where it is silver that will be Rhinolined, the white will all be Blitz Black.
Oh also thinking maybe a roll up awning or something off the side of the rack for instant cover could be nice.
And yes I know the one KC light is pointed down.
Lose the "brush guard." They do nothing to help in an impact and can actually make it worst. They'll bend back and hit your hood/lights. Get/make a real bumper and go from there. I know it sucks (they're expensive) but that's the way to get real protection.
thatsnowinnebago wrote:
Lose the "brush guard." They do nothing to help in an impact and can actually make it worst. They'll bend back and hit your hood/lights. Get/make a real bumper and go from there. I know it sucks (they're expensive) but that's the way to get real protection.
Actually have the planned for a "next stage" but it will be a build at home project after I get some good practice in welding. For now it does help with the whole protecting the front end from the branches and the like that could damage my front end in the mean time.
I also found that Amazon has the Herculiner kits for $69 delivered. Says that it comes with enough to do a full 6 foot bed.
