to start.. the reason it's a progress thread and not a build thread is simple.. i'm not going to throw tens of thousands at the truck and build it into this custom machine. but i do plan on making progress to give it some custom touches and better performance. i guess the reason i'm doing this is i need a place to organize my ideas and plans and chat and receive advice. so anyone feel free to steal my thread and use it to your advantage. ask questions etc etc

so here's what i got.. 2000 dodge ram 1500 quad cab 4x4. bone stock. its got 131,000 as of 2/7/2012.

what i've done:
new rebuilt transmission (tranny blew 4 days after i bought the truck) - 1/20/12
changed the oil - 1/25/12
topped off fluids - 1/25/12
removed ugly chrome (i hate chrome trim) - 1/27/12
changed all reverse/brake bulbs - 1/25/12
fixed tailgate so it stays shut - 1/27/12
toolbox - 1/27/12
DIY quad ramps - 2/1/12


what i've bought and have yet to install:
fram air filter
bosch spark plugs
bosch wires
duralast distributor cap
tailgate handle
2.5 inch front leveling kit
6000k HID conversion kit


what i plan on buying/doing soon:
fix wiring to 3rd break light/reverse light
bull bar with fog lights - soon
bigger tires 285's?? - before 2012-2013 winter (if the world doesnt end)
painting rims black - before new tires
wheel spacers - before new tires
or if money allows i'll get new black rims - 16x8
fender flares - if/when money allows
new fuel pump - a year or so from now
paint the chrome bumper/grille to match body


so if you have any suggestions or helpful hints or any good mods you know of or anything you want to add on what i've got listed feel free to post. ask questions. give advice.

thanks,
Anthony


pic of the truck the day i got it:



pic of the truck now:
(to be added)

 

okay so i'll start with a few questions...

1) for the people with HID's.. has anyone done it correctly and did a retrofit? or is everyone like the people who blind me at night with the blue HID kit that just lights up everything from the telephone wires to the ground from one side of the road to the other lol

2) are the lights above the back window supposed light up white when the truck is off and the door is open? I changed all 4 bulbs in that light and none of them work. i don't think the red works when i hit the breaks either.
while we're talking about wiring.. my left reverse light won't activate in reverse. again it has a new bulb as well. i guess i'll just have to look at the wiring some day

 

Sounds like you might have a few wiring issues there... for the lights, check the grounds....

Even if the world DOES end in 2012, it won't be till december...... (or, maybe shortly after elections?) So, you will get some enjoyment out of your new tires. 285's generally need about 3"s of lift to clear, 35's need around 5"s.

 

I have aftermarket projectors with HIDs but I am just going to pay someone to do a retro for me. Gonna have them custom painted too.

 

is your pic in your sig the aftermarket projectors?? did you just buy whole new housings with the projector in it? i have the HID kit with the wiring and balasts and bulbs i guess if i wanted to retrofit them all i'd have to do is get some projectors and mount them in the stock housings.

right??? lol

 

LOL @ the end of the world after elections. HA!

but i don't plan on lifting for now. (can't afford it) but i will be installing a 2.5 inch leveling kit in the front. AND i also found a set of four 15x8 rims for $270 so i guess my question is.. if i have 15x8's (idk the offset) and i want a little bit of a bigger tire what size would you suggest? i might like to add that i don't understand the numbers on tire sizes lol.

 

Yeah those are the aftermarkets.

With the stock housings they have the lines in them. I plan on buying black one piece ones, then they will have projectors put in them by the RetroShop. Jeremy does excellent work, so would rather just him mess with it. Also the projectors will take different bulbs than the stock, but you can use what you got just get the right bulb size for them.
Mine will be like these lights but black, and other custom touches


these are the housings I will use





Edit: will 15" rims fit on your truck I believe they changed the brakes around that time, so the smallest rim is 16s

 

There are a host of tire size converters out there on the web. Basically though, 285/75/16's are 33" tires. If you go to a 15" rim, you may have to do some grinding on either the calipers, or tie rod ends to get them to clear.

2.5 level kit should let you clear the 33's fairly well.

 

For #2, the lights you speak of are called the cargo lights. They only come on when you turn them on with the dimmer switch, as long as everything with the wiring is alright of course.

 

so 15's are out of the question? also.. judging by the picture are my rims the 16x7 rims? i measured them and they're like 16 3/4 inch or something.

okay so with the projectors i just have to get the bulb that fits whatever projector i get and i will be good? say i buy the E 55 projector then i have to buy whatever size bulb fits the E 55?