Bill Swails' EarthRoaming Ram
Old Photos taken before Bill had his new new camper built.
On the edge
Follow Bill's travels around the world at EarthRoamer.com
 
 
Original Truck Details: 
  • 1998 2500 HD 4X4 with the Cummins ISB TurboDiesel
  • Quad Cab / short bed
  • Automatic transmission
  • 3.54 gears
  • Tow package
 
Bill and Stock Ram

 

Additions (as of 1999):  

  • Denver Off Road 1/2" and 3/8" plate aluminum front bumper
  • Warn 12,000 lb. winch with winch cover
  • additional bumper brackets
  • Bumper shackle brackets
  • Denver Off Road 1/2" plate aluminum rear compartment bumper
  • Warn XD 9000 rear winch
  • Edelbrock IAS Performer Shocks
  • Fourwheel Camper slide in popup truck camper
  • Micky Thompson 16x8 forged aluminum wheels
  • 255/85R16D BFG Mud Terrain's
  • Diamond Truck Body utility bed
  • Stull billet grill
  • Mag-Hytec rear differential cover and tranny pan
  • PIAA 80XT off road lights
  • PIAA 910 Driving light
  • PIAA 1500 fog lights
  • Warn winch cover
  • Dynamat hoodliner from Summit racing
  • Replaced the floor padding with Dynamat padding
  • OEM Vinyl floor carpet replacement
  • Husky floor mats
  • Xenon front fender flares
  • TST auto tranny kit (BD TC, Transgo Shift Kit and heavy duty rebuild kit)
  • Horton fan clutch
  • Edelbrock IAS Performer Shocks (purchased/installed by Pep Boys)
  • Air Lift super duty 5,000 lb air springs (purchased/installed by Four Wheel Parts Wholesalers)
  • Skyjacker front springs
  • ARB air lockers front and rear, 3.73 gears
  • Tuffy security console
  • Full gauge set
  • Thompson Compressor, 1/3 HP, .95 CFM @ 100psi, continuous duty
  • QuickAir 2.5 gal air tank
  • Grover twin air horns (same as the big rigs use)
  • 25 gal Auxilary Plastic Fuel tank
  • Additional factory electric lift pump to transfer fuel from the auxiliary tank to the main 34 gallon factory tank.
  • Modified Summit Racing aluminum battery boxes mounted to the frame under the quad cab
  • 4 battery Optima yellow top deep cycle batteries
  • Truck-Lite rectangular LED Tail and Brake lights
  • EGT, oil, tranny and diff temp gauges
  • Turbo boost pressure gauge
  • Auto meter gauges (9 gauges)
  • Painless wiring LEDs and switches
  • Battery holders for frame mounting
  • Aero tank rear seat storage tray
  • Recaro AM-55 heated/ventilated seats with integral seat belt and electronic shock absorber system

Modified: 

  • Removed the cup holder, ash tray and cigar lighter from the dash - where the switch/gauge cluster will be installed

Comments:

With the hoodliner and interior "dynamat/rubber bed mat/vinyl floor/husky floor mat" combo, the truck is noticeably quieter both inside and out. It's no luxury car, but a definite improvement. It would be nice to use a decibel meter to compare it with a stock truck. 

Added Xenon fender flares on the front. Great fit and much improved rock protection from the BFGs. 

I'm not sure the Air springs will be the final solution, but I'll give them a try. I like the idea of being able to level for camping, and jacking the rear up temporarily to improve breakover and departure angles.

Autometer ultralight gauges EGT, Boost Pressure, Oil Temp, Trans Temp, Water Temp, Oil Pressure, Air Tank Pressure, Voltmeter) mounted to a custom 1/4" plate aluminum gauge/switch panel



 Bumper/Winch 
 
 Utility Bed 

  
Fuel Tank  
 
Rear Bumper  


Rear Disc Brakes 

Sources/Services:

Advanced Air Products

Denver Kenworth

Denver Off Road 

Denver Utility Trailer

Discount Tire

F&M Racing

1400 Motors Dodge

Four Wheel Parts Wholesalers

Mag-Hytec

Scotty's Auto and Truck

Summit Racing

TST

Tuffy Security Products

 
NOT your typical RV park!
 Bill has long-range plans for his Ram:

Bill is building this truck for an extended around-the-world expedition. He is a mountain climber, has 4X4 trail experience (remember boys and girls, if you haven't been stuck you are not trying hard enough!), and has personal contact with other travelers who have considerable expedition experience (recognize that couple with the F250?).
 


All photos by Bill Swails
   EarthRoamer@aol.com
 

Back to Dodgeram.com
 

This page, including all typo's, was posted by Dave Fritz

Last update: February 13, 2001