Good 4x4s are built, not bought, a wise man once told me. Having built several nice Mopar street machines, and briefly campaigned a Ramcharger mud drag truck, it was time to enter the 21st century. Y'know, computers, fuel injection, catalytic convertors, all those things that make us "old school" guys cringe.
Having no money due to child support, no real place to wrench, and no time with two jobs, I still purchased GWR in June of 2000. I needed a truck, and wanted something to take me off roading. Its truly one of my better investments, and no doubt a long term one.
Its easy for some to simply toss a bunch of bread to some dude in a shop to turn out your dream in a flash, so you can trade it off in a few years for the next shiny piece but thats not my style. Every part save for the first front spacer install was done by me or with some kind soul lending a hand(or a driveway). To those unselfish folks, I extend my eternal thanks.
Every cut, bruise, and sore muscle was a labor of love, and more importantly, education. This truck is the extension of my mechanical creativity, my daily transportation, and my get away! It's truly an extension of who I am.
From brakes to front link replacement, water pumps to differential covers, tune ups to stereos, I've done it all. I truly feel at one with my Ram, and we've had one hell of an adventure together. Ride along....if you dare!
But, before we went to Table Mesa, we c...
2/8/2004 Views: 331
Comments: 1
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My day at Table Mesa Road 02/04/04
2/8/2004 Views: 260
Comments: 3
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My day at Table Mesa Road 02/04/04
2/8/2004 Views: 511
Comments: 3
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My day at Table Mesa Road 02/04/04
2/8/2004 Views: 226
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This shot was taken by my friend Rich, ...
10/12/2003 Views: 361
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We installed a Lindstad Track Bar, Roug...
10/12/2003 Views: 374
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Sharky's Benefit, White Tanks OHV area,...
9/1/2003 Views: 424
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Flexing a mite, at Sharkey's benefit.
9/1/2003 Views: 351
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On the way to Crown King
9/1/2003 Views: 172
Comments: 1
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Trucks at Chuys 8/24/03
8/25/2003 Views: 432
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Get together at Chuys 8/24/03
8/25/2003 Views: 309
Comments: 1
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Right before we got muddy, we got dusty...
3/1/2003 Views: 574
Comments: 5
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Latest mud bath 2/17/03
2/18/2003 Views: 213
Comments: 1
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Playing at 107th Ave
2/18/2003 Views: 202
Comments: 1
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Going up to 4 peaks
2/18/2003 Views: 185
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Lake Saquaro to 4 Peaks by F40 trail
2/18/2003 Views: 178
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Trip to 4 peaks , we are at the observa...
1/18/2003 Views: 232
Comments: 2
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Trip thru Box canyon to martinez cabin ...
11/19/2002 Views: 217
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Trip thru Box canyon to martinez cabin ...
11/19/2002 Views: 221
Comments: 2
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Not quite enuff lift to go over,still l...
9/26/2002 Views: 379
Comments: 1
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Rock climbing on 11 mile wash
9/26/2002 Views: 197
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Tryed to climb a big granite boulder, a...
9/22/2002 Views: 354
Comments: 2
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Found a a puddle of pigmud (phew) to p...
9/17/2002 Views: 264
Comments: 2
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Found a a puddle of pigmud (phew) to p...
9/17/2002 Views: 260
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At the top is a series of holes that at...
9/13/2002 Views: 289
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Some where in Northwest Phoenix
9/1/2002 Views: 373
Comments: 1
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Note the flex :)
9/1/2002 Views: 350
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My White '00 Quad Cab in its natural en...
6/2/2002 Views: 284
Comments: 1
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Clean up at Saguaro Lake (Jeeps can't...
6/2/2002 Views: 384
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Flexin' and stretchin' on the Agua Fri...
6/2/2002 Views: 220
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Hmmmm, I can't remember! Somewhere out...
6/2/2002 Views: 191
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This is when I nailed my rocker panel :...
9/26/2002 Views: 238
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So I cursed, moved over, tryed again an...
9/26/2002 Views: 149
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....and put her on the skidplate, note ...
9/26/2002 Views: 196
Comments: 1
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....and put her on the skidplate, note ...
9/26/2002 Views: 196
Comments: 1
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Phooey, well lets try an impromptu ramp...
9/26/2002 Views: 207
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2nd trip, with the spacers to Saquaro L...
9/26/2006 Views: 47
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First big offroad mod....leveling space...
9/26/2006 Views: 70
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This is the first time I ever drove my ...
9/26/2006 Views: 43
Comments: 1
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| My Current Mods |
[Search] |
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BDS suspension
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Add-a-Leafs
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3/1/2004
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Installed into an offroadster spring pack with the cargo leaves cut down so they are extra spacers. See urethane bushing install.
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e bay
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Billet Aluminum Grill Insert
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11/22/2005
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Got a good buy on it...what a PITA to install....I also need a new shell.
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ebay
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Billet Fuel Door
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11/22/2005
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May repaint body color someday...bling bling!
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Ebay
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Billet Oil Cap!
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5/2/2006
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Found this on ebay, don't know how rare it is but it looks awesome!
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ebay
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Billet Third Brake Light Cover
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11/22/2005
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Got this off ebay and painted it body color as well as the silver trim on the original lens. Replaced all my burnt out bulbs too. LOL
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GTS Products
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Bugshield with fender guards
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11/26/2005
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Maremont Muffler
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CatBack exhaust system with dual tips
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9/5/2004
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Like to thank Rich "Big Mutha" Watson for helping me hang my pipes that I purchased from my Checker Store.
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Spectre Products
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Chrome differential covers
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11/26/2005
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Both diffs were done, the front D44 getting a stone guard
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Owner added mod
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Chromed stock valve covers
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5/2/2006
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Had a set chromed locally...not the best job for a "show quality plater", but they'll work for now. Reason? Emissions compliance.
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APC (American Products Company)
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Clear corner lenses
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7/4/2005
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Clearance priced at Desert Rat...yeah right! Still higher than ebay!
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Dodge/FTW member
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Color matched Sport Tailights
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11/26/2005
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Got a set of Sport color matched tailights for next to nothing. definetly the mod with the best value!
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PML Inc.
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Deep Sump Transmission Pan
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8/16/2007
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Added with a much needed and expensive transmission rebuild. Bought used, it had to have a crack welded up before it could be installed.
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Unknown Fabricator
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Differential Rock Guard
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11/26/2005
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Installed with Chrome cover
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Mopar Performance Parts
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Dual Roller timing chain set
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5/3/2006
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Done by Owner
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Emblem and decal removal
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11/26/2005
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Got a hair up my tush one evening and removed all the side emblems, decals, and rub strips. I love the clean look!
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Dodge
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Factory Tow Hooks
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11/26/2005
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Had to add these, a snow run in early 2002 proved thier nesessity. (In other words, I got stuck)Laying in the snow wrapping a strap around the front axle is no fun!
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CSK auto and Radio Shack
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Fire Extinguisher and C.B. mount
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11/27/2005
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Rather than Pad my list by adding each one, I'll count this as a single mod because both were required pieces of safety gear by the off road club I joined.
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GTS
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headlight covers
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8/22/2006
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Another great e bay find for those "mall crawling" moments! Maybe a good trail mod to protect those cool lamps.
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Hi Lift Jack Co.
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Hi Lift and Mounts
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11/26/2005
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Spectre Products
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High flow air filter
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3/23/2006
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This mod really sucks...errrrr flows. Definetly an improvement over the stock K&N filter on my FIPK system. Sadly no mpg increase, but it added a few ponies AND you can HEAR it.
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K&N Filters
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K&N FIPK
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5/30/2005
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Painted shield to match body color and tube silver to reflect heat. EDIT: would not recommend for offroad use, comes loose too often.
I had the cracked intake tube replaced under warranty..the new tube still comes loose but is thicker and can be tightened down more. I'd like to hear from anyone who has solved this irritating and engine endangering issue.
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SkyJacker
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limiting straps
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7/1/2006
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Bought these from Kevin at MAX4X4 in Phoenix...Check it out at MAX4X4.com!
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Westin Automotive Products
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Nerf Bars
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11/27/2005
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Edit: Westin doesnt sell replacement bars...to bad because mine look like crap having been used for rock rails. Bad advertisement for Westin!
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Owner added mod
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Painted Brake Calipers
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11/27/2005
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My cheesiest mod for an offroad vehicle, but wth, I thought it looked great...now...not so sure, but they're red!
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Hughes engines
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Plenum Plate
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5/2/2006
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Got rid of those oily plenum blues!
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Ebay
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Polished stainless Air filter shield
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12/10/2006
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Replaced all that silly sheet metal that K&N uses, which is only marginaly effective in Arizona's heat.
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Owner added mod
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Polished throttle body
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11/18/2006
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I polished and blueprinted a core throttle body and installed a new TPS and IAC. Results are improved throttle response and midrange power.
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Explorer Pro Comp
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Pro Comp 3000's
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3/1/2004
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My first real "offroad" mod, along with a 2 inch leveling spacer on the front. (long replaced)
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Daystar
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Rear Bumpstops
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7/7/2006
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My thanks to MAX4X4 for supplying the pieces.
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Fairbanks Shift kit
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Shift kit
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2/8/2007
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Also installed new shift selenoid, OD selenoids, and a new pressure switch.
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Various Ebay stores
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Subwoofers and poweramp install
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11/23/2005
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Installed a MTX thunderform with 2 10s under the rear seat, and an Alpine mono power amp under the center console. Not a BOOM you can hear a mile away but the kick drum and bass guitar sure stand out better. Rock ON!
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APC
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Super Street Driving Lights
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11/26/2005
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Over Thanksgiving I bought a set of the driving lights from APC. While they enhance my vision, the are horribly unreliable, getting waterlogged easily and blowing pricy silverstar bulbs. Edit: In 2005 I switch to generic white bulbs with new O ring seals and have better success.
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J&K Products
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Sway Bar disconnects
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11/26/2005
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Adapted a set of XJ Jeep discos to the Ram, which worked perfectly for my application!
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Rough Country
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Three inch lift front supension components
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2/26/2005
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Also added longer front bumpstops and will be adding sway bar disconnects soon along with some limit straps! This netted me 4 plus inches over stock with the "offroad" factory springs.
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Delta
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Tool Box
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11/26/2005
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Lindstad
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Tracbar
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3/1/2004
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Installed Rough Country relocation bracket, and a pair of off roadster front springs.
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Hayden
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Transmission Cooler
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7/4/2005
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Got rid of the hokey check valve too!
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B & M Performance Products
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Transmission Temperature Gauge
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7/4/2005
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Mounted to the steering column like in the 60's...everyone has 'em on the A pillar!
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Daystar
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Urethane Bump stops
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3/23/2006
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Yup added those pretty red longer bumpstops up front to keep things from bottoming and binding.
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Cant remember
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Urethane spring bushings
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11/26/2005
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My coolest mod, adapting Chevy rear spring bushings to replace the dry rotted ones in my rear springs. Awesome!
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GTS Products
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Vent Shades
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11/26/2005
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Anything to Block that afternoon Az sun!
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Best Buy
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Window Tint
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11/26/2005
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Another way to cut down the blazing Arizona sun
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