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Messages - Flyin6

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51
Build Threads / Re: Don's 2024 Ram 3500
« on: March 29, 2024, 08:17:44 PM »
Next I added that block from the spacer stack I did not install earlier back into the block on the overload spring. That helped some as well. I am now fully engaging most of the spring pack with the camper sitting there.

52
Build Threads / Re: Don's 2024 Ram 3500
« on: March 29, 2024, 08:16:12 PM »
While I had the springs all expanded, I popped out the factory scuff pad on the bottom leaf and installed a poly bump stop about 3/4" tall.

Letting the air out of the bags, I saw a slight improvement over the same pack without the spacer:

53
Build Threads / Re: Don's 2024 Ram 3500
« on: March 29, 2024, 08:14:17 PM »
I kicked around and found one good leak in an airbag fitting. It was a metric crap-ton of work to get that thing back out, repaired and back in. I cleaned the fitting then used old-school Teflon tape and fixed that leak. On the passenger side, I can't find a leak, but the bag lost pressure overnight so something is going on there...

Fixed, and 100 psi of air in the bags the suspension stood right up:

54
Build Threads / Re: Don's 2024 Ram 3500
« on: March 29, 2024, 08:09:13 PM »
As I have posted previously, you’re not gonna find a wider rim unless you increase the wheel diameter.
There are a few tire brands that make a 255/80/17 that give you a 33” tall tire and keep you in the 10” wide range. Load range D or E being your capacity requirements.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Concur...

That's where Kyle is, checking out the 255R80 in E range 10 ply.

Probably where I'll land and I don't think I'll be opting for a wider wheel at the moment.

55
Build Threads / Re: Don's 2024 Ram 3500
« on: March 29, 2024, 08:00:55 PM »
Well, Jared, you make a convincing argument, and I am heeding your advice, sort of.

I have my tire guy looking into this. Right off he said I could go to a 255/80 in several brands to get a bit taller. I was thinking something like a BFG AT, but I need to do more homework.

My conditions are way different than yours. I think I will flirt with the max GWT for sure. I had a max payload of just under 5,000. The camper weighs 3,400 and then there's 45 gal of water, her and I and she is now filling that camper with a kitchen, dry goods, and a hundred other things. I'm sure she will add 200 lbs. all said and done. I want to add a bumper and winch and a toolbox, and I have already bolted on 100+ pounds of airbags and sway bar stuff.

But it is not as hot here and I do not drive 80. Temps will be 10f-20f cooler than the Texas and I drive 70-73ish.

I am wondering about this front tire issue. Can't say I have run into that before. But I have never owned a dually before with that strange wide stance.

I'll report what Kyle comes up with for a good tire choice, and I should stay with the stock skinny wheels as the aftermarket stuff is just too expensive. I may have to run a rear spacer, Dunno, but if that's what it takes to get a better/best tire, then I will consider it.

For now, I'll bust out and over to West (by God) Virginia on the tires I have with these suspension improvements and see how all that works. That will give me another 500 miles of highway and a bunch of back-country driving.

56
Build Threads / Re: Don's 2024 Ram 3500
« on: March 29, 2024, 01:59:45 PM »
Cheap
That's what I was thinking, but guess what? According to my tire store, the Nexens are one of the pricier tires! Kyle said they are upscale tires over many of the routine tires we see. They are one of the more expensive of his offerings, and he does sell them occasionally. His tire shop is not affiliated with any tire manufacturer. Almost everyone shows up with their own tires, and he just installs them and maintains them.

57
Build Threads / Re: Don's 2024 Ram 3500
« on: March 29, 2024, 12:54:32 PM »
Tires were in the mix anyway for an upgrade, right?

I think the rear end would love some synthetic oil too and sure the stock stuff has all the break in it needs.
Good idea JR. I'm already looking for that finned cover.

I will be using the camper/truck for a trip over to W VA in a little over a week. I am now concerned that those tires will be safe for that??? I wonder why Dodge put them on the truck to begin with???

58
Build Threads / Re: Don's 2024 Ram 3500
« on: March 29, 2024, 12:52:28 PM »
Don, i have the same truck as yours just a 2015. Its a 3500 dually. I usually just lurk reading all the info this site has. I have to jump in with a warning. We care about you and your families safety. Don’t over estimate those Nexen tires. They are total garbage and i am surprised there has not been a class action lawsuit yet. They are SO DANGEROUS.
My truck weighs 10,000-14,000 daily. I have had six of those Nexens either break belts, bulge sidewalls, or simply blowout. The fronts are not up to the task. Even at 80 psi cold they look like they need air.
When i got the truck i went directly to discount tire to trade them in on some better tires. Discount has always done this. This time they declined due to liability. They told me the tires were dangerous. So i ran them trying to not be wasteful. None made it to 19,000. Just look up the reviews in the forums to see how they are working out.
I know you plan to swap them so just monitor them. With a slide in camper those fronts are going to be hurting. And, a failure there could be catastrophic.
Holy crap, I had no idea!
I have a trusted tire guy here. I'll call him right away. So any suggestions for a larger diameter tire that would fit my current wheels? Or do I have to jump in and do it all right away???

59
Build Threads / Re: Don's 2024 Ram 3500
« on: March 29, 2024, 10:51:04 AM »
I purchased a couple of energy suspension pads to replace the factory-installed scuff pads. The idea is to close up some of that clearance to the 4th spring leaf.
The top pic shows the spacing on the overload with 80 psi air in those airbags.

And, I have a problem. For some reason, both bags lost pressure overnight! I do not know why, but the fact that both did so is troubling. Why is it that seemingly, nothing you buy these days works very well? I consistently have to fix things that are new or that are supposed to "work well" to fix some problem???

60
Build Threads / Re: Don's 2024 Ram 3500
« on: March 29, 2024, 10:49:14 AM »
So, there you have it, the rear sway bar installed and ready for service!

61
Build Threads / Re: Don's 2024 Ram 3500
« on: March 29, 2024, 10:48:11 AM »
I may be adding one of those finned rear diff covers to dissipate heat since this truck will spend its life pulling or hauling a bunch of weight for many hours at speed. The Hellwig bar has ample clearance.

The end links fasten to upper mounts which simply clamp/sandwich around the frame. Simple and clever design!

62
Build Threads / Re: Don's 2024 Ram 3500
« on: March 29, 2024, 10:45:52 AM »
No assembly pics, but the kit relocates the brake lines and fits very well.

63
Build Threads / Re: Don's 2024 Ram 3500
« on: March 29, 2024, 10:44:47 AM »
I know they do, and I'm not liking that much!

But first things first.

The suspension was the first big need, so I'll concentrate on that to where I have a good safe dual-use dually. One to drive around without a load, and one capable of driving around the back roads without falling on its side!

This brings up my next modification, a Rear sway bar.

I opted for a 1 5/16" Hellwig sway bar kit. The last time I did this I just created my own from a used F350 rear bar and added that to my Chevy. It worked very well on that 6" lift with a 37" tire truck. This truck, however, will never be lifted that far. I can see going with that Carli leveling kit I used on my 2022 Ram 35oo, but that's it. Also, with this being a dually, I do not see it with huge tires. I am unsure what the OD is for this Nexus 235R80/17, but it can't be very tall. I may look into something in the 33" range on a slightly wider wheel. I am also not keen on the two-wheel concept. It seems like the front wheels are different than the rear outboard wheels and they are very different from the dual inner wheels which are steel! I can see a change coming there, and my preference would be to switch up to an all-steel wheel setup a little bigger in diameter with a 33"-34" tall tire.

I have a pretty deep for a Cummins, 4.10 gear. These trucks come with a 3.55 to a 3.73 and that is just fine. The 4.10 feels over-geared to me so a slight reduction is in order. It has gobs + gobs of power so a slight cut will not affect me I am thinking. It may even help the mileage some. BTW, that is running in the mid-15 MPG range. That is 2-3 mpg worse than my single rear wheel 3500 with 3.73 gears.

64
Faith Discussion / Re: 100 days of prayer and fasting
« on: March 29, 2024, 10:25:33 AM »
Day 78

65
Faith Discussion / Re: 100 days of prayer and fasting
« on: March 28, 2024, 11:22:14 PM »
Day 77

66
Build Threads / Re: Don's 2024 Ram 3500
« on: March 28, 2024, 10:26:09 AM »
I attached the airlines, which are 1/4" nylon and inflated the bags to 80 psi. They lifted that heavy truck and camper up easily. I will adjust the pressure until I reach the stock height.

Those little tires look positively lost in those cavernous wheel wells.

I really need to do something about that! (No I really do not need to do it...but I want to ;-)

67
Build Threads / Re: Don's 2024 Ram 3500
« on: March 28, 2024, 10:23:00 AM »
With the vehicle raised slightly, the bag assemblies slip into place with minimal effort. The brackets are well-engineered and very sturdy in my opinion.

68
Build Threads / Re: Don's 2024 Ram 3500
« on: March 28, 2024, 10:20:59 AM »
After removing the factory bump stops, you next build up the bag assemblies. The installation is pretty simple and only takes a couple of hours

69
Build Threads / Re: Don's 2024 Ram 3500
« on: March 28, 2024, 10:19:38 AM »
These bags are well made and hefty. I like the Pac-Air because the endcaps are solid 3/4" thick aluminum. Others use crimped on sheet metal plates

70
Build Threads / Re: Don's 2024 Ram 3500
« on: March 28, 2024, 10:17:58 AM »
Here goes the airbag installation. I chose the Pac-Air bags in their larger-than-standard 7500 lb size. The 5,000 kit which I have always used uses a 5" air bag, whereas the 7500 system uses a 6" bag. I ran the Pac-Air bags on my Duramax for over 10 years with only a couple of failures caused by rubbing in that case.

71
To monitor the level of the propane I installed this cool monitor system that attaches magnetically to the bottom of the tank and then relays information to my cell phone.

72
Then to keep the bottle from sliding all over the place, I fashioned up two simple spacers that drop into place once the bottle is in there and severely limits movement...Propane compartment: Check!

73
To do this, I had to relocate the bottle bracket up a little higher.

I coated it liberally with 3M cavity wax. That stuff allows zero moisture penetration and remains somewhat flexible.

74
While I continue to go over this new Palamino, I can see areas that need addressing if this camper is to survive some of the places I envision taking it. First up, the 30 lb propane bottle compartment is a simple sheet metal affair. The floor is really flimsy and is already starting to deform a little. I can just imagine what it might look like after three thousand miles of Alcan highway and roads in AK. My solution was to add a section of 3/4" furniture-grade plywood to it.

75
I added this surge protector to my shore power cable. This one is highly rated and provides all sorts of additional information such as Trump's latest poll numbers and the size of the local invader population.

76
General Maintenance, How to/DIY projects / Re: Which headlights?
« on: March 27, 2024, 09:19:30 AM »
I purchased these:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BYNBPYHM?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Keep in mind, these are just an experiment. I see my end state in something like the Morimoto. I am hoping to be pleasantly surprised and to get something in the headlights before my shortly upcoming trip up into the hills of West Virginia.

77
Faith Discussion / Re: 100 days of prayer and fasting
« on: March 26, 2024, 09:41:39 PM »
Day 75

78
General Maintenance, How to/DIY projects / Re: Which headlights?
« on: March 26, 2024, 11:57:00 AM »
https://www.morimotohid.com/Morimoto-Ram-HD-19-XB-Hybrid-LED-Headlights?quantity=1

^^^^^^^^^^I LIKE those!

So, here's what I did. I researched and discovered that some LED bulb manufacturers now make exact-fit bulbs that place the filament in the same location as the Halogen bulb they replace. This is supposed to correct this "Halo" and scatter effect of the earlier LED bulbs. They are supposed to seamlessly replace the factory halogen bulbs without altering the light pattern. (Read: Non-offensive to other drivers. They are brighter than the factory halogens but not searchlight bright, which is unnecessary.

I ordered a set of those to swap into the housings I have in my truck. It was a lot less expensive than the replacement housings, so I thought it was worth it to give them a try. If they do not work, then something like the Morimoto housings would be appropriate.

80
Faith Discussion / Re: 100 days of prayer and fasting
« on: March 25, 2024, 08:55:01 PM »
Day 74

81
Build Threads / Re: Don's 2024 Ram 3500
« on: March 25, 2024, 05:31:37 PM »
Sway bar showed up today. If we have no rain it will go on tomorrow.

Still waiting on the new 7500 lb airbags (6" instead of 5,000 lb 5" bags)

82
Build Threads / Re: Don's 2024 Ram 3500
« on: March 25, 2024, 01:56:13 PM »
Is the inner fender liner really not 100% coverage?


What about the flip in and jobs you had installed on the other trucks that seemed to sit under the spring or inside the spring pack?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Those are called "Stable-Lift" and I purchased a set for the first single-wheel 3500. But they will not work on these heavier DRW springs with that crazy-looking traction bar thing.
I wondered the same thing about the wheel well liners. Seems like they are saving on plastic or something!

83
General Maintenance, How to/DIY projects / Re: Which headlights?
« on: March 24, 2024, 11:41:10 AM »
Here's my next question:

Is there an LED or KID bulb out there that fits the factory reflector housings so that it does not scatter light in that halo ring and blind oncoming drivers?

84
General Maintenance, How to/DIY projects / Re: Which headlights?
« on: March 24, 2024, 11:28:25 AM »
I know what you're talking about. There are so many "blue halo" headlights all outside factory-designed reflectors that it is getting difficult to drive at night out there...

85
Build Threads / Re: Don's 2024 Ram 3500
« on: March 24, 2024, 11:25:49 AM »
So you gained just under an inch. But now you are on the overloads sooner.
Correct. I mean to engage them sooner. The factory setup has you squatting 3" before you even engage the overloads. Now I am into them after an inch or so of travel. I now have them in their "good" working range. People who do this report a marked increase in stability.

86
Faith Discussion / Re: 100 days of prayer and fasting
« on: March 24, 2024, 11:23:13 AM »
Day 73

87
General Maintenance, How to/DIY projects / Which headlights?
« on: March 23, 2024, 06:22:38 PM »
I continue to put together the list of what I feel needs to be changed on my new Ram dually.

It does not have LED headlamps like my 22 Ram Laramie did.

I do not like these much lower powered yellow headlights as much.

So I think I may be on the warpath to upgrade.

Here's what I am considering:

1. Possibly upgrading to the factory LED headlight bezel assembly. I do not know just how involved that might be...

2. Tossing in some bright LED bulbs and pi$$ off everyone I meet,, but keep myself happy.

3. Toss in some brighter Halogen bulbs. Two things here. I like the yellow color of the Halogen much better than the bluish LED bulbs. Secondly, I have two-220 Amp alternators, so when I am not making money generating power for the local grid, I can certainly run a whole bunch more light bulb.

Thoughts?

88
Build Threads / Re: Don's 2024 Ram 3500
« on: March 23, 2024, 05:44:14 PM »
I had to jack the truck up a little to open up the spring to allow me to insert the new blocks. Afterward, the truck sat a bit taller @ 42 1/2"

With the new blocks installed on all four corners the top spring engaged much earlier and the truck did not squat as far. Final height, Laden, was     39 3/4".

So we took 3/4" out of the 3 1/8" squat for a current squat of 2 3/8".

89
Build Threads / Re: Don's 2024 Ram 3500
« on: March 23, 2024, 05:40:25 PM »
These replacement "pucks" can be adjusted for three different heights. For the rear of the spring, I removed one block and for the front, left the whole three-part block intact.

You can see a dramatic difference here:

90
Build Threads / Re: Don's 2024 Ram 3500
« on: March 23, 2024, 05:37:13 PM »
And here you can see what i am talking about, the stock setup:

91
Build Threads / Re: Don's 2024 Ram 3500
« on: March 23, 2024, 05:36:30 PM »
I plan to build the new setup around the unladen height, trying to keep everything near the higher number.

Next, I removed the factory wheel well liners. Those things are really in there as if Mopar did not intend for them to ever come out!

92
Build Threads / Re: Don's 2024 Ram 3500
« on: March 23, 2024, 05:34:23 PM »
With the factory spring pack unmodified with the camper sitting in the bed the wheel arch is sitting at 39"

With the camper jacked up and detached the arch rises to 42 1/8"

The camper squats the factory springs 3 1/8".

93
Build Threads / Re: Don's 2024 Ram 3500
« on: March 23, 2024, 05:31:56 PM »
Today I started to address the stock rear spring pack.

It has four main leaves, three that are military wrapped and a fourth which is almost touching in the front and is touching in the rear. Load the thing at all, and you really have four springs. Beneath that is a super thick spring that looks more like an old-school traction bar which is touching and wrapped with the spring in the rear and sits 3" below the spring in the front...Classic anti-wrap bar.

Above all that is a two-leaf overload spring pack that is several inches from touching anything when the vehicle is unladen and barely touches the stock pads with the camper sitting in the bed.

That is what I am going to address today. I want that spring pack to engage much sooner so I plan to extend the factory bump stops a bunch. Actually I will replace them altogether with these:

94
D.O.T. / Re: SpaceX launch
« on: March 23, 2024, 08:55:28 AM »
Curious about the endstate of both the booster and the starship sections. The last velocity I saw at 1km altitude of the booster was approximately 600mph, so that for sure turned into small pieces of scrap (Sad eyes emoji)
But the starship itself was still cooking well over mach 10 when the data stream ended. Did it survive to contact with the water or break up during low re-entry?
I am so much wanting SpaceX to be successful...Huge fan here!

95
Faith Discussion / Re: 100 days of prayer and fasting
« on: March 23, 2024, 08:13:22 AM »
Day 72

96
D.O.T. / Re: SpaceX launch
« on: March 22, 2024, 12:01:21 PM »
^^^^^^^Incredible!!!!!!!!!!!

97
Adventure / Re: 2025 Alaska trip
« on: March 22, 2024, 11:59:04 AM »
Im here!

September is the start of winter up there SO if you are dead set on going then I recommond taking a set of chains for all your rigs just to be safe.  I was there most of Aug and snow was flying here and there toward the end of the month.

Its Alaska so weather can change pretty quick, (shamless plug) Starlink has a mobile system that works really well so you could always have the best weather info and you can make calls thru the wireless side of that unit.

All of you will be fine as long as your rigs a solid and prepared.  Nobody shooting at you, no IED, no landminds it will be fine.

it will be a great trip!
Hey Phil!

So, are you coming?

Shawn is leaning toward September, and I had suggested July, but only as an opening suggestion. I feel September may be too late to enjoy pleasant temps, but what about mid-Aug to say the 1st week in September? I think Shawn wants to be free of the no-see-ums and black flies, get some good fishing in, and see far fewer two-legged pests. All that works for me, but we really need more opinions from those who have some experience before making a solid decision.

Duane has a friend who moved to Wyoming from Alaska. Duane said he would reach out to him to see what he says.

Oh, and I plan to mount a Starlink antenna on the camper...Maybe before the Wyoming/Montana trip in July. Those things just make too much sense not to have one.

98
D.O.T. / Re: WDYDT (What Did You Do Today)
« on: March 22, 2024, 09:16:14 AM »
I may just do that if this appeal doesn't go anywhere

Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk


As long as you play ball on their field, they can always control who or what shows up. I'd lawyer up ASAP. These bureaucrats are not improving with age.
I did it with my appeal. Leaving the Army I could not hear well, and I had broken my back twice on deployments. Both knees were shot (In special ops we ran 5-7 miles almost every day and hours in the gym) I suffered spinal compression when the helo I was in crashed in Korea... The VA gave me 0% disability...ZERO!
The first attorney got that to 30 then to 50%. The second one got me to 80% with payments and benefits set at 100% because of the combat-related issues. Three months flash to bang with an attorney, with back pay.
Just sayin...

99
Faith Discussion / Re: 100 days of prayer and fasting
« on: March 22, 2024, 09:10:34 AM »
Day 71, prayers sent...

100
D.O.T. / Re: WDYDT (What Did You Do Today)
« on: March 21, 2024, 08:47:46 PM »
Went to the local VFW service unit for help with my VA appeal on my disability. Quoting an old saying that an uncle had said, " they have more red tape than Carter had little pills "

Why does this process have to be so hard?

Done venting. Hope you have a great day

Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk


Just get an attorney. Doing that will get it done quicker and you will get to the real decision much faster. The VA wants to get rid of the attorneys, so those claims are processed faster. Plus an attorney can hurt a VA processor. The Attorney studies the law and the regulations, whereas the adjudicators at the VA come and go. Those folks know they are not all that safe when working with an attorney.
So, like I said a paragraph ago, just hire an attorney.

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