Just Ordered 2018 RAM 3500 - What Should I Modify First?

**BikePilot** · 3 Weeks Ago

Hi all, I just ordered a 2018 3500 Mega Cab with the Aisin and 28k miles on it.

It's a big horn with auto-level rear suspension.

I should have the truck in a couple of weeks, and I'd love advice on setting it up for my use case.

I kept the last truck for 20yrs and may keep this as long as I want to get it dialed!

I'll be towing an enclosed moto trailer primarily, and occasionally an equipment trailer with my skid loader (16k lbs total), and maybe a toy hauler in the future.

I also do a fair bit of remote tent camping that requires substantial off-roading.

My dirt bike spots can also require up to 40 miles of rough dirt road to get to the trail head.

It will not be a daily driver (I have a diesel A6 for that).

The use will be in CO and UT--lots of hills, snow, and thin air!

Currently, I have to pass emissions every 2yrs.

I'm thinking:
- Suspension: (thuren king 3.0 front, 2.5 rear, track bar, sway bar. I will measure for spring height when I get the truck)

- Wheels: Method HD 701 (18x9, 18mm offset)--open to ideas here!

- Tires: leaning toward 37x12.50s but undecided. The extra clearance and squish of 37s vs. 35s would be nice on the rocky dirt roads/trails I frequent, but too much towing comprise? Also, I think 35s might let me keep a full-size spare in the stock location; 37s, I assume, means spare in the bed.

- Re-gear: thinking 4:10s would cover 35-37" rubber nicely, but maybe 4.30s?

- Tune: I don't want to stress the emissions by tuning with it intact. How much work would it be to flash a stock tune and re-install a DPF every 2yrs? I don't need huge power, but I will probably want more pep and response. I want to be able to avoid smoke (even if avoiding means I'm thoughtful about the use of the skinny pedal).

- Reliability: Should I do anything with the grid heater? I still need to be able to start in really cold weather (it was -30 f at my house a little while ago). Anything else to get in front of?

- Protection: rock sliders (maple off-road?), not sure what else.

- Onboard Air: I'd love to find a place to mount a tank and arb twin or similar for filling tires, but I might throw a small gas compressor in the bed for big trips.

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**Chrisn162001** · 3 Weeks Ago

Suspension: Carli or Thuren, I would stay 2.5s; you don’t need 3.0s unless doing high speed off-road.

Sliders: Maple or white knuckle, depending on where you are at shipping, can make a big difference in price between the two companies.

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**BikePilot** · 3 Weeks Ago

Thanks!

I'm in Colorado and will look into shipping options.

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**BikePilot** · 3 Weeks Ago

Here's a picture as it sits now.

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**AK Bob** · 3 Weeks Ago

On the tuning, reinstalling the DPF and SCR and then returning to stock tune can be accomplished in one day.

The time-consuming part is getting the emissions readiness monitors to reset.

In some cases, it can take up to 1,700 miles.

See post 50 in this thread.

https://www.igotacummins.com/threads...ive-Cycle-Help

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**BikePilot** · 2 Weeks Ago

The truck came in, and I just test-drove it.

Overall pretty good, and I think I'll bring it home in a couple of days unless you all tell me I shouldn't!

Are these hours relative to miles normal?

Seems like a lot of idle time.

29k miles, 900 hours, of which 242 are idle.

The only other concern is the steering wheel alignment is off a little.

The tires are new, so I can't tell if it's wearing anything funny.

The ride was rough and jiggled/bounced after hitting cracks in the road, but it had 80psi in the tires, so normal there, I think.

No vibration or indication of anything out of balance.

I'll replace the shocks, springs, wheels, and tires anyway, so it does not matter too much!

It's a 2018 Big Horn Megacab 3500 4x4 with all the options I'd want (HO Cummins, auto-level rear suspension, nav, heated seats, and wheel, 5th wheel prep, dual alts, etc.), 29k miles, $47k.

Fair deal?

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