Don's 2024 Ram 3500

[JR]

That LS looks good in there. I liked the nittos on the Tahoe, but now they are $300+ each! Got the 4 prinx for $700 delivered.

I was using valvoline before, but found the Lucas a bit cheaper by the gallon when I got for the excavator and have stuck with it. Has a great rep.

[stlaser]

My best guess is that limited slip is in fact a torsen helical cut gear locker. I’m sure Tate will chime in but if it is then it’s a beast…..

[Flyin6]

My best guess is that limited slip is in fact a torsen helical cut gear locker. I’m sure Tate will chime in but if it is then it’s a beast…..

Yea, as per our conversation last night, this is interesting.
Tate, you hearing this?
I see that for 3500 only, Ram is requiring you to add a friction modifier. When I looked at that huge diff, I thought the clutch packs must slide down in there somehow, but I have to agree with Shawn, it reminded me of a Torsen.
Someone??? Let's solve this mystery.

[Flyin6]

That LS looks good in there. I liked the nittos on the Tahoe, but now they are $300+ each! Got the 4 prinx for $700 delivered.

I was using Valvoline before, but found the Lucas a bit cheaper by the gallon when I got for the excavator and have stuck with it. Has a great rep.

JR-I was using Simple Tire forever, but lately, as in my last couple of sets of tires, Walmart is coming in cheaper. These Toyos of mine which are tall/skinny and would be ideal for the Tahoe were $273 ea.

[JR]

AAM is known for a truetrac LS, bet thats it. But that would not require a friction modifier being all gears?

Yep, I have gone off brand the last couple times, so far so good.

[Flyin6]

AAM is known for a truetrac LS, bet thats it. But that would not require a friction modifier being all gears?

Yep, I have gone off brand the last couple times, so far so good.

That's what is confusing me, why use a friction modifier in a gear type diff? More to come, I need to research my build tag and consult with the Mopar folks to determine what I have.
All indications are it is the new 12" AAM.

[JR]

Might just be a typo?

[Flyin6]

OK, nothing heard from Tate on the diff question...

Off to get the tires installed...

Stuff just keeps showing up:

[Flyin6]

New tires are installed.

We used the balance beads
and
Whew...$356 to swap the seven tires out with the beads!!!!!

Here's a before and after:

[Flyin6]

And here's how we got there. I used the same shop I have been using for a couple of years now, Crittenden Tire and Lube. It is run by an ASE and seasoned mechanic, Kyle.

[Flyin6]

The hubs on this new 3500 are enormous. This thing is built for hard work and longevity.

I count 12 axle retention bolts. I want to say my older 11.5" AAM had 10, am I correct? Someone check me out on that.

[Flyin6]

We are going up in size from a 235/80R17 to a 255/80R17.

30.something to 33.1" OD

[Flyin6]

They fit the front fender well, and I will be staying with the stock wheel (for once)

[Flyin6]

The rear axle is all business and looks beefy without the tires obscuring the view.

[Flyin6]

And the slightly larger tires do a good job of filling up those wheel wells.

[Flyin6]

And there you are, ready to get started on the suspension mods

[JR]

Wheels look pretty good, I like the black. Wells are filled nicely too.

[Sammconn]

Looks good chief!
They still look small by your normal oil change standards but do a good job.
Very nice fit though.
And the wheels do look sharp.

That cost was a large part of my tire machine purchase.
I think I’m nearing even on it now. Even done some legit repairs for a select few.

[oklawall]

Looks 100% better than stock

Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk

[Flyin6]

^^^^^^^^^^OK, them's some gud comments. At least for the popular herd, I must be doin' something right for once ;-) ^^^^^^^^^^

[Flyin6]

Today I got after the Carli suspension parts I just purchased from Tater. Most of the stuff was delivered, enough to get the front end almost completed.

The idea is to level it, the same as I did on the 2022 single wheel 3500

Carli lifts the front 2.5" and the rear 1" to level everything.

Here are some before and after shots

[Flyin6]

I call it 40 7/16" before the Carli springs
and
I measured it at 43" even afterward.

Carli says their springs lift it 2.5", I actually measured a 2 7/16" lift.

Pretty close

I started by jacking the thing up and pulling off the wheels on the front.

[Flyin6]

After removing the front cross bar, and disconnecting the shocks, the front can be lowered enough to pull the springs out.

[Flyin6]

Panhard or front centering link or whatever it is called has to be setup and adjusted. It is a bit of a process, but I had done one earlier on the blue truck, so this one went together faster.

[Flyin6]

Factory vs Carli springs:

[Flyin6]

In went the springs and shocks along with the new Panhard and except for the axle side Panhard attachment it all went on fairly quickly.

[Flyin6]

The front end is mostly done. I'll have to bolt on the front steering stabilizer if/when it comes in. But for now, I am front-end complete. On the backside tomorrow.

[stlaser]

Looks good 

[oklawall]

Looks good

Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk

[Sammconn]

Moving along!
Hope you get the nice ride you’re after first round this time.

Just caught the 12 bolts in the rear axles.
I think it was 8 in the 11.5, so that one has been beefed up considerably.

[cj7ox]

Looking good, Big D!

[Flyin6]

Moving along!
Hope you get the nice ride you’re after first round this time.

Just caught the 12 bolts in the rear axles.
I think it was 8 in the 11.5, so that one has been beefed up considerably.

It is apparently. I chatted with Tate this morning about it. He sent me some detailed information about that axle.
We can settle the argument about which kind of differential is in there. It is a two-piece differential with internal clutches preloaded by some Belville washers. Apparently, it is possible to rebuild it. There are 30, 32 and 33 spline axles depending on what truck you are driving. The dually gets the mutant strong stuff. That is why everything seems so darned oversized in the pics of my truck axle.

[Flyin6]

Today I got after the rear suspension (again).

Before adding the Carli stuff, the rear is about level with the front.

[Flyin6]

They sent me the rear shocks, lift blocks and U-Bolts.

The shocks have a lot of gas pressure. I'm talking getting a jack to compress them!

[Flyin6]

As is usual, the dog chose a spot that was in the way of everything...

I throw boxes and trash on him thinking it will startle him, but he never moves...

[Flyin6]

Very quickly, I noticed the warehouse guys sent me the wrong U-bolts, so I had to go out and have some made up for me. Having to take a couple of hours to chase down the U-bolts effectively killed any chance I had of finishing the install today...

In the box, you can see the Carli-supplied U-bolt, and the one I just took off my truck. They are the same length!

So is life, no big deal.

[Flyin6]

After the U-bolt thing, I was able to proceed, and managed to get the first, then the second Lift block installed with the new hardware.

[Flyin6]

I had to attend a fire department board meeting, so I did not finish.

Chatting with the guys at the truck shop, they told me that my airbag leak issue is being caused by leaking swivel fittings. They do not use them but have some better stationary solid brass fittings. They just gave me two of them for no charge. How cool is that?

So here is the resting condition as of COB, today. I'll get on the bags tomorrow and hopefully, have it ready for the alignment shop.

[JR]

Getting there. Dodge has always had solid running gear. Some of the earlier auto trans were not up to snuff and not a huge fan of the AAM front axle.

Stock wheels look good too.

Doing steps on it too? I sold my powersteps as I prefer the side protection of the stationary.