gun45boat's Build - 2004 Ram 2500 "rock crawler expedition build"

[gun45boat]

Wheeled the shit out of it this weekend with a few buggies> Getting prepped for Harlan run. Crushed the oil pan and the tranny pan. Causing a leak in the oil pan (gusher). Vise grips and a Hammer fixed the issue enough to drive back 100 miles to ORlando CUstom skid are being built as I post this. along with a new oil pan and tranny pan.. LOL

[VA_Wagon Man]

Post up pics of your pan skid plate, we all would be interested in it. Ask whoever is doing your skid if they would be interested in making them and a ball park price. Thx.....

Sent from the middle of nowhere.

[05PWrockcrawler]

Dammit!! Beat it up pretty good. Wish you had that on video. Be interested to see what you build and how you attach it.

[Wyocrawler]

Saw your build on expo. Read the whole thread in one sitting. Your truck is outstanding! There is nothing I don't like, except that I don't own it. Lol

[gun45boat]

Thanks. Yes. As soon as we get the new parts in the mail (ie: oil pan, Tranny pan) Staying stock as I try to do. I will be building the front half of the skid ... The rear skid is built with 1/4" thick steel and spans the entire back half of the vehicle. It is stout as shit, and has taken a BEATING.... During the build, I was going to build a front skid, but thought to myself "there is no way a rock is going to find its way behind my front axle, and infront of the rear skid, TALL enough to hit my f$%KING oil pan" LOLOLOL

Here is what happened: I was challenged to conquer a rock strewn' hill that is basically vertical and about 200ft long (straight up) with a 2' ledge covered with rocks on the top. I saw 2 rock bouncer buggies hit it, and they both struggled but made it!!!!! I had a few beers in me at this point, and I looked down from the top, and said F it,,, I am doing this. Knowing I was not going to make it, at least I wasnt going to pussy out and not try it. So off I went and believe it or not, this damn truck made it all the way to the top (but not to the top) I was 3 tires on the ground> the passenger side front was up in the air about 4' > the truck was basically vertical> and I just could not make it over the top. I would back up 3ft and go for it>>> back up and hit it with everything she had, even feeling as thought the rig was going to come over and flip backwards>>> But every full throttle assault I did, it seemed as though I was almost there.

The 3rd attempt, I backed up 3ft (like the first 2 atttempts and 3ft was all I could back up before I went rolling down the hill) THis was a situation where once you are commited, you CAN NOT back down without rolling over> SO If you dont make it and give up>> You have to pull cable over the top. I kept saying to myself that if she would just have enough ass to hit 2nd gear and hold it I would have enough wheel speed to launch over the top and beat this hill... But she would only pull 1st, and it took a while for it to hit the rev limiter.

So here goes. I hit the button to open the NOX bottle>> Armed the ZEX system, and purged it.... (Just an FYI, I have not yet done a NOX spray from a lower RPM at WOT, so I didnt know what was going to happen, But I needed everything I could get at the start of the Rev to have it hit 2nd gear to beat the hill) So I hit the throttle and instantly the NOX started blowing through the system, went through 1st gear in about 2 seconds, she hit 2nd gear and instantly redlined and hit the rev limiter.... I WAS AN AMAZING DIFFERENCE IN POWER!!!!!! and the truck reacted VIOLENTLY>>> Launching itself off the top of the ledge, both front tires about 5' in the air.... I let off the throttle> and when the front end came down> i landed on a rock right on its belly>> Perfectly in place, to perfectly crunch my oil pan and tranny pan.LOL GO Figure!!!!! People couldnt believe that the truck made it up "bounty hill" as there was a crowd of Jeeper's watching. I was shocked also!!!!

The best part of the story, is I let the rig, Idle down a bit to cool off at the top of the hill. for about 3 minutes then shut it down.(at this point not realizing I have a trickle of oil pouring from my oil pan) . As I walked away (cracked a beer, and high fiving a few of my buddies) the Hemi BACKFIRES (FAWKING LOAD AS HELL) and a poof of blue smoke rises up from the engine compartment. (put yourself in the moment, as you are about 30ft from your truck when it does this, and the thoughts that go through your mind as you approach the dodge to investigate,) We walk over and pop the hood to find that the power steering top had loosened up and dropped oil on the manifold (Maybe too much pressure from the PSC steering) anyways, I will say this SO FAR!!!!!!!!!! Dodge has made one HELL of an engine!!!!!!! This Hemi (so far) has taken an absolute BEATING!!!!!! and is still running>>> I have taken it upon myself to try to blow this engine up to make room for the Stroker 6.1L engine. But am not going to do it untill this engine folds HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!

Yes I will post pics of the skids, and will try to make up some molds to make a few more of them if you all are interested??

Thanks WYOcrawler for the props> the build threads are not very informative and the pictures suck... I just didnt take the time to do a correct build thread. But thanks for the thumbs up:)

[gun45boat]

OH<<<<AND YES..... WE got the video, and it is being cut up as we speak...

[TrueCowboy426]

I definitely want to see a video of that!!

[05PWrockcrawler]

Awesome!!!! Man I want to wheel with you. I'm going to have to put some nitrous on the Dodge now. Can't wait to see the video!!!!!

[RustyPW]

[05PWrockcrawler]

This thread is killing my bank account but gets me excited every time I go to check it out. Keep it going. Wish I had another $10,000 to dump into my truck and it still wouldn't be enough to do everything I want to do to it still. Dropped $7500 into it in 3 months and still looks stock lol.

[gun45boat]

WEll. I have read your thread, and you are doing everything right. You are building your rig from the inside out, which IS the correct way to do it.. Bullet proof the drivetrain, then worry about the externals later. The RCV's are a HUGE investment, but the correct one. My stock shafts (which are tough,,,,and the same shafts on a powerwagon) would have EXPLODED going up "Bounty Hill" even if they made it to the top. The shafts would have blown up at the top when I sprayed it to get over.... The rear diff just keeps taking the abuse like a whore on a street corner.

When I removed the bed on my build, that is when the fab work started.. I was reluctant to remove the bed at first (because I had not ordered the material to do anything on the truck) It was the best thing, because I got to stare at it for 3 weeks, and sleep on ideas for a long time before I decided how I was going to do the rear, and how much I wanted to pull it in.... SO after I pulled the WB in and got the fuel tank off the ground and mounted behind the cab, THAT is when all the ideas started to come together.. I wish more people wheeled PW's in Florida, I would LOVE to get my hands on a 4 door, and FAB the fawk out of it.

[VA_Wagon Man]

You could use mine if i was closer!

Sent from the middle of nowhere.

[gun45boat]

ALright. The oil pan arrived and will be on today with a fresh oil change.

I ordered up a Trans-go shift kit, along with a new pan, filter kit (2 filters), and a crap ton of ATF+4 for the 545RFE transmission that is in the dodge. I am also going to fab a drain bolt into the transmission pan so that I can service the oil, without having to drop the pan. Hopefully it will shift firmer, with more precise shifting. I also heard that you can flash a 545RFE 5 speed w/OD to a 6 speed (ie:645RFE). I dont know if this is true, but I got a tech friend that works at the Dodge dealer who is going to investigate.

The new skid is going to be a bolt on unit that extends from the center crossmember towards the front, then after it passes the front of the oil pan, it will lift up, then tie into the front crossmember just behind the winch, for a TOTAL coverage of the Transmission and oil pan. It will be bolt on. It will also have the holes cut for the oil drain and a hole cut for my trans pan oil bolt. I am going to make a wood "mold" and keep it in the shop just in case anyone of you want to get a carbon copy of the skid plate. Pics will be added this week with the final product.

[VA_Wagon Man]

Sounds good, I'll be watching.

Sent from the middle of nowhere.

[05PWrockcrawler]

Sweet. I think the shift kit should help out a ton. Keep it up

[gun45boat]

******UPDATE>>>******

Opinions on the Trans-Go shift kit. Had to pull the valve body and the pistons to get the new parts installed. Messy fawking job, figured since I had to put a new pan on, and new filters and fluid etc.

WOW!!!!!!!! It has completely awaken my transmission!!!!!!! WAY FIRMER LAUNCHES off the light... Firm shifts (but not teeth rattling) NO slow 2nd to 3rd shift, and INSTANT throttle response for downshifting... and NO slow OD shifting, It is a FIRM shift from 5th to Overdrive. DEF WORTH THE $49.00 for the kit!!!!!!!!!!!! Feels like it is a fresh transmission!!!!!!!

Finished everything today including the Front skid for the transmission and the oil pan. Just didnt take the "final" shots of the "bolted in" to the front crossmember. Made of 1/4" thick steel with supports and holes cut to drain both the Transmission and engine oil pan.

[05PWrockcrawler]

Very nice who did you order it from? I need to do something I hate the way my tranny shifts.

[gun45boat]

This place has all the goods for the 545RFE transmission at KILLER prices. Filters/ shift kits/ performance clutches/ etc.

http://www.cascadetransmissionparts.com ... ftkit.aspx

Also, I wanted to include some pics of how we installed our PSC Hydro steering used with the Thuren Steering kit. This was difficult to design and incorporate BUT WAY WORTH THE TIME.. If you install it just like these pictures, you will be golden and get the ram out from being in the dirt.

[05PWrockcrawler]

Cool thanks for the info. So many wants so little cash. Thanks

[gun45boat]

I finally blew the engine in the ram (HELL YES) Lets just say that I held down the NOS button for WAY longer than I should have LOL.... Ordered a 5.7 block based 392cu (6.4L) Stroker engine from Hendricks motorsports. Should be in the shop in a few more weeks. Very excited to have 465hp 450tq on pump gas with all forged internals... Built for NOS.. I will keep you posted:)

[cruz]

WOW!

Is it a complete engine, or long block, or ? . How much $ ? More details please.

[05PWrockcrawler]

Awesome let me know how that thing does.

[gun45boat]

After a shit ton of research, I decided to stick with the 5.7 block, and Stroke it to 392ci (6.4L) because I will be able to use all the stock wiring harnesses, and computers. Although I will have to re-tune the stock computer for the misc higher compression/more fuel/ and the different parameters of the Stroker.

This is the engine I am going with which matches my VIN# non-VVT/mds Computer system etc.etc. Since my Ram is an 04, it makes it a little easier to work with. I am ordering the TALL BLOCK with the heads etc.


*****BUT you must understand, that getting a Balanced and blueprinted engine is expensive!!!!!!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Reman-Chrysler- ... 32&vxp=mtr (JUST LIKE THIS ENGINE<<<BUT WITH MORE HEAD WORK!!!!)

I called Hendricks and talked to them, and went with the ported and polished heads with the ARP studs larger Valves, and ALL FORGED internals, but I wanted to keep the HP down at the low end (NOT at the upper end of the RPM's) I want all my power to start as low as possible. Hendricks claims that their 6.4L Stroker TALL BLOCK will safely rev at the 8500k mark, But I would like to keep all my power at the low end of the RPM's I am excited to see what the outcome of this engine will be naturally aspirated, and I cant wait to see what NOS will do to this engine. (after it has broken in LOL)

WE are going to pull the old engine next week, and get her prepped for the Stroker. I will post pics, and let you know how everything goes with the new programming.

[05PWrockcrawler]

Yes pics and documentation on this will be great. Have over 150,000 on mine and power is lacking. Will have to replace mine in the near future. I can only shine the cost through Hendricks! They do awesome work but aren't cheap. Are you pulling the computer and sending it in to get reprogrammed? Who are you sending it to. This is gonna be an awesome build. Over 450 HP naturally aspirated would be nice.

[05PWrockcrawler]

Any more info on the engine swap? Interested to see what all you needed to make this thing work besides the engine. Like computer, programming, injectors, and rough cost of build. I know it's a small fortune. Hope you got some pics also. Thanks and keep this thread going. Love this truck.