NRALIFR
Let’s Go Girls! [End of Quote]
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Joined: 11/27/2005
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Looking forward to watching the build. That’s going to be a great towing/hauling truck!
![[emoticon]](https://forums.goodsamclub.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/smile.gif "smile")
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Pete_k
Stantonville Tn
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Joined: 03/18/2004
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Glad you found this truck. Sure tough finding a 4500 or 5500 these days. Dealer close to us, had a 4500. Guy paid $4500. over MSRP for that one.
2022 Ram Big Horn DRW
2016 Eagle Cap 1200
2012 Landmark Key Largo
2005 Chevy Kodiak c5500 Cummins 5.9/Allison Trans
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EYEMLOST
See Above
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Joined: 03/20/2021
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Subscribed!
Definitely looking forward to the build.
1998 FWC Grandby
1994 Ford Bronco 5.0 XL 4X4
Sky's ORD 6" Lift / Sterling 10.25 Dually 5.13 Gear Detroit Locker / '99.5 Front F-350 Leaf Springs at Rear / HMMWVtires
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n0arp
FT
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Joined: 08/20/2016
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Not a lot of progress on the truck today, but while I had the camper off the truck I decided to fix the sag just forward of the rear passenger side wing. It was drooping about 3/4", which I assumed was due to a broken frame weld. I patched it temporarily on the road a while back by welding together a 90 degree brace to support it on the outside, to keep it from getting worse.
Upon investigating, I found a warped/twisted portion of frame rail instead of a broken weld. I reinforced it by bolting on a length of 1/8" steel angle (all I could find on labor day weekend) and we'll see if it holds. Might need something stronger. I straightened out the diamond plate (bent from the sagging) to the best of my ability, but need a new piece for it to look perfect. I don't know that I care - but will probably replace it at some point because this isn't our forever camper and will eventually be on the market, and aesthetics matter.
On the truck front, I installed the window visors and Midland MXT275 GMRS radio from my old truck. I also checked to see how the SuperSprings pack from the old truck would fit the new spring pack, but without making some custom (easy to do) brackets, they won't fit without adding a ton of preload. I'm hoping I won't need them anyway.
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My wife drove the truck today for the first time and she felt it drove a lot like the old one, but with much more responsive steering -- something I didn't notice so much in my initial drive, but is very apparent now that it's on my mind.
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n0arp
FT
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Joined: 08/20/2016
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Dropped it off this morning to have this installed:
![[image]](https://imgur.com/2TuOz7N.jpg)
Requested 48" toolboxes in front of the tires, and 18" toolboxes behind, on each side if they can fit them.
Having them push the toolboxes out to 97" door to door (edge of the rub rails) for reasons to be explained later...
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zb39
slippery rock
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Joined: 10/26/2009
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Looking good. I doubt you will need to modify the suspension. I understand a heavy TC. How is your jeep at 6K?
2017 Host mammoth, sold
49 states, 41 National Parks, 7 Provinces
2019 2 door Rubicon 6 spd.
2019 Berkshire XLT 45B
2022 Host Cascade
2021 Ram 5500 Air ride
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n0arp
FT
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zb39 wrote:Looking good. I doubt you will need to modify the suspension. I understand a heavy TC. How is your jeep at 6K?
Jeep weighs 5560 with a full tank of fuel. It's a 2020 JLUR, MetalCloak Gamechanger 3.5 suspension + all their steering upgrades, some heavy steel armor, winch, etc. Sitting on 37x13.5 Cooper STT Pros (LRE). Plus whatever we store in it... it can hit 6K pretty easy.
Also 5.13s and RCV shafts, but those don't add much weight if any.
It would be the "Trailer Axle" in this weigh-in. I wanted an actual weight for the Jeep so it was empty of all cargo. It usually has 150+lbs of recovery gear, tools, and other junk in it. If we're in a hurry and don't pack up the truck fully, we'll throw a few hundred pounds of whatever in the Jeep, pushing it over 6K.
![[image]](https://imgur.com/zGPlMD3.jpg)
Also are the reasons we are moving from a 3500 to a 5500...
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Are you running the Kelderman front+rear on your 5500? How do you like it with the Cascade?
* This post was
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edited 09/08/21 10:31am by n0arp *
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zb39
slippery rock
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Joined: 10/26/2009
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Yes, 4 link in rear and replaced coils with bags in front. I LOVE it. Best mod I have ever done.
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n0arp
FT
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zb39 wrote:Yes, 4 link in rear and replaced coils with bags in front. I LOVE it. Best mod I have ever done.
Which leveling system do you have?
I had their rear suspension w/ mechanical auto leveling on my old 2500, and it was great, but I didn't bother with it on my 3500 because I was skeptical of how it would handle the big camper.
I'm considering it again on the 5500, and looking at the 3H air control system, since I think I could use that to level all four corners individually when parked (within limits, of course) sort of like a class A or fifth wheel with hydraulic leveling.
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zb39
slippery rock
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I have the 3H and it levels the camper very well. Also great for loading and unloading and dumping tanks.
It handles the weight extremely well. The unloaded ride is awesome. Very comfortable.
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