We have three 2nd Gen Dodge Ram trucks in the family currently and several in the past, so we have a lot of experience with the pros and cons of this Ram truck. (I think we can replace the plenum in our sleep now).

One area that everyone seems to have issues with are the cab mounts on these suckers. They are a weak spot and rust away almost without fail. It's surprising to me that Dodge or another aftermarket supplier doesn't offer a replacement part for something so common (at least according to this and other forums).

Having now replaced several of these on 1500 & 2500 regular and club cab trucks, we're getting pretty good at this. Now that we have gotten it down, I was wondering if there would be a market for a set of replacement cab mounts and if so, what people might be willing to pay for them??

We have been making them out of 1/16-1/4" steel plate, cut with a plasma cutter, cleaned up on a grinding wheel, then bent to shape on a finger brake press and welded into the final shape. We then slip this over the rusted mount and weld it into place. We have also lifted up the cab several inches and reinforced the floor with thinner steel plate when needed.

Many of my son's truckin' and off road buddies have seen these and they have been bugging us to make them some for their trucks and I am tempted to do a batch of them and see if they would sell well enough to offer it to others.

With that in mind, what are people's opinions on this and if they were available, what would you be willing to pay for a set? In looking at my general material costs and time, I was thinking somewhere in the ballpark of $200 delivered. Am I insane or do I see a need here that no one is filling?

Thanks for your input and thoughts.

 

There would probably be a market for them..... I have seen a fair few folks looking for them, and that's just here.

Were you think 200 bucks for ALL of them, or is that 'each'?

 

Hey You, Thanks for the input. I've been bouncing the idea around for a while and have found it stunning that no one has reproduced such a seemingly in-demand part.

I am envisioning a 2-piece set, although if there is a demand for a full set, I can see doing that too. Most rear mounts don't seem to rust out like the others. The ones we've made to date are seriously heavy duty and will not bend, flex or rust out in the owner's lifetime.

 

Yeah, the ones just forward of the front seats seem to be truly worthless...... Right along with the rockers, and bottoms of the doors..... I don't think even the chevy's are as bad....

You would probably sell them at that price.... 100-150 you would sell more of them. Here in the North East, I would suspect they could be quite popular.

 

I would have to see your product before I say what they are worth. Me I have sold many a used set now. I pay $30 for a good pair from pull a part for the front, takes me 20 min to cut both out, I get them home clean them up and sell them. I do this to help people not to make cash off of them.

 

Merc225hp. Thanks for the input. Naturally, I'd be happy to post a complete set pics and procedures on what I'm proposing here on the DF if I get to that point. I'm just trying to gauge the need/interest and solicit input from the larger community.

Here in the Northeast, most of the Rams in the boneyards already have rusted out mounts or the very few that do have good ones, get cut out or crushed ASAP. Finding anything that's useful or worth it is a real crapshoot. Believe me, I'd love to be able to pick up a good set for $30-50. It would have saved me a lot of sweat and cursing as we made our own.

As far as making money off something like this, that's not really my motivation. I just want to cover my material and labor costs, while providing an item that a lot of owners seem to need. I want to see these 2nd Gen trucks on the road and useable. I think they represent a good value for the money and are a good way for people to get into the hobby/ownership without spending huge coin.

 

There is a need for these more than anyone thinks. I have been very lucky finding good used ones for people up here. If I lived in any other part of the country I don't think I would be having as much luck finding good ones. I looked for two years all over the world to get a new set, as you know no one has them or is making them.

I had a negative CNC'd for me so that I can also make new ones. Unfortunately I have not yet followed up with that project do to personal matters.

Good luck with your venture and send me a pm when you get these on the go.