HMC8403
Active Member
It has actually been a month since I exchanged my 2019 Limited Lemon for a 2021. I didn’t want to do a writeup until I did a few mods and make her a little more me. Quick recap: my 2019 went through 2 radios, a 12” screen, rear camera, tail gate handle and some other things that I can’t remember due to traumatic amnesia. The exchange occurred about 13 months from the original purchase date. Once approved by the lawyers, I placed a factory order and about 10 weeks later she arrived. It cost me the difference in MSRPs and got a few options that the ’19 didn’t have (Tech, Night Ed, MFT, 33gal); boy am I glad that I did.
The first thing I did to the ’21 was transplant my Blackvue Dashcam and K40 360. I am not crazy about the performance of the K40 but I own it and don’t feel like paying another $2,500 for something better. I also installed the Tazer DT that I ordered in a Group-Buy last November and has been sitting in my garage waiting to be used.
Next was a set of Toyo Open Country AT3s 285/55R22. I was on the fence between those and the Nitto Grapplers; and 285s or 33/12.5R22. The biggest reason I went with the Toyo was the many neg reviews regarding the Nitto’s handling in rain. Also I was looking for more height and did not care about width. Since the Toyo’s were installed I did drive in a couple heavy downpours, I intentionally took a few hard turns and the grip felt solid. I also ordered some Gorilla black security lugs but haven’t installed them yet.
I was never crazy about the OEM Tonneau cover but it wasn’t a priority. I was shopping around and waiting for a good military discount to show up. Then I came across a posting from @Santa selling a PowertraxPro MX still sealed in box, the deal was too good to pass up. The transaction with him went smooth; we even exchanged numbers and text each other once in a while talking about our rides. Installation wasn’t too hard; after reading other posts regards the covers, I made some of my own tweaks. When installing the silver bed rails, I did apply a bead of caulk along the rail to help prevent water from leaking between the rail and bed-wall. Then when sliding in the bottom Retrax rail, I wedged some pipe insulation between the rail and the front wall. Not sure is it helped but haven’t noticed any water in the bed yet. I also programmed the unused Homelink buttons to operate the cover. While researching the cover, I did come across and order handle and grommets that turns the bed divider into an extender.
My last mod I had planned was for Tint, PPF and a black roof wrap. A buddy took me to a place that gave me dealer/wholesale pricing. Did ceramic tint on the front doors, one shade lighter that the rear since even meter-maids issue tickets to parked cars in Chicago. Installed PPF to the full front, lights, partial fenders and hoods, fender flares, mirrors, rocker panels, rear bumper, tailgate, door edges and handle cups. I was originally going to wrap the roof with a glossy black. While at the shop I noticed a sample of black Llumar PPF; it has a much deeper color and shine. I stopped the install and had them order the black PPF. The roof was finally completed today and she looks great. They also applied two coats of ceramic and 1 of topcoat.
Even though my first Ram was a Lemon, I am so glad I stuck with the brand. It has only been a month but the 2021 is turning out to be the truck of my dreams. Sorry about the pics, I'm not much of a photographer.
The first thing I did to the ’21 was transplant my Blackvue Dashcam and K40 360. I am not crazy about the performance of the K40 but I own it and don’t feel like paying another $2,500 for something better. I also installed the Tazer DT that I ordered in a Group-Buy last November and has been sitting in my garage waiting to be used.
Next was a set of Toyo Open Country AT3s 285/55R22. I was on the fence between those and the Nitto Grapplers; and 285s or 33/12.5R22. The biggest reason I went with the Toyo was the many neg reviews regarding the Nitto’s handling in rain. Also I was looking for more height and did not care about width. Since the Toyo’s were installed I did drive in a couple heavy downpours, I intentionally took a few hard turns and the grip felt solid. I also ordered some Gorilla black security lugs but haven’t installed them yet.
I was never crazy about the OEM Tonneau cover but it wasn’t a priority. I was shopping around and waiting for a good military discount to show up. Then I came across a posting from @Santa selling a PowertraxPro MX still sealed in box, the deal was too good to pass up. The transaction with him went smooth; we even exchanged numbers and text each other once in a while talking about our rides. Installation wasn’t too hard; after reading other posts regards the covers, I made some of my own tweaks. When installing the silver bed rails, I did apply a bead of caulk along the rail to help prevent water from leaking between the rail and bed-wall. Then when sliding in the bottom Retrax rail, I wedged some pipe insulation between the rail and the front wall. Not sure is it helped but haven’t noticed any water in the bed yet. I also programmed the unused Homelink buttons to operate the cover. While researching the cover, I did come across and order handle and grommets that turns the bed divider into an extender.
My last mod I had planned was for Tint, PPF and a black roof wrap. A buddy took me to a place that gave me dealer/wholesale pricing. Did ceramic tint on the front doors, one shade lighter that the rear since even meter-maids issue tickets to parked cars in Chicago. Installed PPF to the full front, lights, partial fenders and hoods, fender flares, mirrors, rocker panels, rear bumper, tailgate, door edges and handle cups. I was originally going to wrap the roof with a glossy black. While at the shop I noticed a sample of black Llumar PPF; it has a much deeper color and shine. I stopped the install and had them order the black PPF. The roof was finally completed today and she looks great. They also applied two coats of ceramic and 1 of topcoat.
Even though my first Ram was a Lemon, I am so glad I stuck with the brand. It has only been a month but the 2021 is turning out to be the truck of my dreams. Sorry about the pics, I'm not much of a photographer.
