2023 Ram 1500 - Daily to Overland (pic intensive)

[RedApe]

Ok, ok..."Overland" might be a bit of a stretch. This is more like a Sport trying to grow up to be a Rebel. Why a Sport and not just go straight to the Rebel? Well, the deal price we got into the Sport for, with all of the features...I could make a Rebel minus the locker. This just made sense.

Below is a list of what was done, in order, to make "Echo" the way we wanted it (for now) done in a couple of posts.
2023 Sport, Hemi eTorque, 3.92:1, Night Pkg, all black, leather.

Modification 1:
Falken Wildpeak AT4W in LT275x60x20 on RTX Dallas 20x9

Quick review:
- Very comparable to Toyo AT3 or Nokian Outpost
- Heavier tire than the other 2
- Road noise comparable 1:1 with the other 2
- Not as good as the competition in pure winter conditions, better than both in deeper snow
- track VERY predictably
- Wear seems as I would expect -- I'm at 15,000Kms now, and they are holding up well.
- Clear and void rain very well, better than the other 2.

Source: Purchased at https://1010tires.com

 

[RedApe]

Modification 2: Tuxmat floor mats
Having run both Huskyliner and Weathertech, and seeing a number of reviews by some of my prefered auto-journalists, I decided to try out the Tuxmat offering.
Living in Calgary, AB: wee see all of the possible weather combinations, of which Tuxmat seemed to fit everything I was looking for.
- High walled protection
- easy to clean
- stain proof

Quick Review:
- doing everything I wanted/expected...including the easy to clean/stain proof.

Source: TuxMat | Car Mats That Actually Cover Your Ride, Not Just Pretend

 

[RedApe]

Modification 3: Box step.
Wow, ok, one of my favorite yet, making the "Nick Nack" category.


Quick review:
- 40+ something year old knees, which act like they are 65 year old knees on some days, LOVE this add on.

Source: Amazon

 

[RedApe]

Modification 4: Spray in box liner



Quick Review:
- it works.

 

[RedApe]

Modification 5: Level and lift kit
I wanted the front end to sit mostly level, as many of us do. However, I do tow a small trailer, and intended to get a canopy (see below) so I knew I needed to do something with the rear to prevent sag.
- Bilstein 5100 at position 5 for ~2.2" lift
- 1" heavy duty coil rear
- 2-4" Upper control arms, tubular


Quick Review:
- This was a FANTASTIC move
- Ride is very well balanced front to rear (may swap in the 5100 rear shocks in future -- I can feel the difference in dampening, slight odd bounce at times
- Canopy went on today, rear gap is 0.75" higher in rear from front -- perfect.

Source: Bilstein Car Shocks - Car & Truck Suspension Shock Absorbers

 

[RedApe]

Modification 6: Cap-It "Bulldog CS" fibreglass canopy.
Add ons include 3 port DC charging block, LED interior light, roof rack rails for a future add on Alu-Cab cross bars and platform style rack.

Modular vs 'Glass: Was very torn on this decision. RSI/Alu-Cab ($7000+ CAD) being the "reputable" brands, some in between new comes like Westin and Rough Country now competing, and some cheaper brands seemingly available at 7-Eleven next to the Texaco engine oil display made making shopping that market very...complicated. I think, at this point, there were 2 requirements that steered me to the more traditional:
1) Warranty, even on RSI, was 12 mo, from what was being offered here.
2) My wife liked the LOOK of the traditional -- and afterall, it's HER truck.



Quick Review: To come later..hasn't been ON for 24 hours yet.

Source: Cap-It Canada