(Click for larger images)

This is my over saturated photo appearing on the August page of the 2007 TDR calendar!

I bought this truck as-is from a body shop, which had already done some work to it including a little frame pulling, some front end parts, a new driver door, mirror, hood, front bumper parts, grille, lights, windshield, left fender (defective) and another bed, which also needed work. I replaced both front fenders among other things and finally got it painted after almost four years! I put 265k miles on the truck from February 2005 to July 2007 transporting Jayco RV's from the manufacturer in Indiana to dealers all over the US and Canada. The RV picture above was in Beach, ND on the way to an Ellensburg, WA dealer.

More truck related pictures

main modifications page

(Many of the items listed below can be seen with pictures and full descriptions at the link above)

Original specifications

• 1998 Dodge Ram 2500 4X4 Quad Cab SLT
• Cummins Turbo Diesel (215 HP 12 Valve)
• 5 Speed - 3.54 gears Dana 60/ Dana 80
• Camper/Tow Package
• Long bed

     Upgrades and modifications I have made (Below are links to manufacturers, places to buy and or pictures of my installs)

• Installed grease fittings in front wheel bearings and lower ball joints
• Built custom control arms using Johnny Joints
• Windecker Machine Steering Brace (DSS)
• ARP head studs 12 valve p/n 247-4203
• Putnam XDR class V receiver hitch 15k alone and 16k with weight distribution.
• Upgraded steering from inverted "Y" style to heavy duty crossover style setup used in '98 and '99.
• APC headlight wire harness - Powers the headlights directly from the battery through a pare of relays taking the load off of the light switch, which saves the switch from possible meltdown and makes the headlights a little brighter. This harness can be purchased here according to your headlight type, which in this case is 9004.
• Mopar splash guards
• Tekonsha Prodigy brake controller
• Bestop extendable power towing mirrors
• Air Lift rear air bags
• BD Exhaust Brake
• B&W turnover ball gooseneck hitch
• B&W Companion 5th wheel hitch
• South Bend Clutch - MU 13"-1.375" Con OFE
• NV5600 6-speed transmission conversion
• BFG 33x12.5x16.5 A/T KO Tires on 9.75x16.5 aluminum wheels - I also have a set of 265/75R16 load range E tires on stock 2001 Dodge Ram 16x8 alloy's. I had to have the outer edge of the rear brake drums turned down a little in order for these wheels to fit. Some trucks also need some minor grinding up front on the steering arms but mine didn't.
• Amsoil air filter (EaAU4510) installed inside my home built cold air induction box
• Auto Meter  Ultra-Lite Gauges (Pyrometer, boost, fuel pressure)
• DT Pro Fab Trac Bar
• Tuff Country 2" leveling kit
• Rancho RS9000 rear and RS9000X front shocks
• Optima red top batteries
• Amsoil bumper to bumper
• Amsoil bypass filter (BMK-11 mount with spin on filter BE-100)
• 4" Jardine exhaust system
• Killer Dowel Pin retained (tab method)
• Fuel gauge sender custom fixed
• Custom ground stock fuel plate in stock position (less than perfect trace of a TST #5 plate)
• AFC  housing full forward with medium AFC spring from PDR
• Timing set at 16º
• 300+ RWHP

     Links

• Killer Dowel Pin retention instructions (tab method)
• Killer Dowel Pin retention instructions (drill jig method)
• Turbo Diesel Register The #1 resource for Dodge Diesel owners.
• Diesel Ram Forums
• Dodge Ram Tech
• Performance Diesel Research
• TST Products, Inc.
• How I built my stacks (took them off later after deciding they weren't for me but they did sound AWESOME)
• Modifications and fixes page with lots of pictures

       Wish List (not really in order)

• Larger turbo, maybe
• ATS  3 piece exhaust manifold
• 3000 RPM Governor Spring Kit
• Traction bars
• BD 2WD Low kit (Allows you to disengage the front axle so you can use low range in 2 wheel drive, which is good for backing trailers among other things).