Did anyone see the new Petersens OFFROAD with the 2003 ram 1500 with a solid axle swap? its a 4 link setup.

 

yes he is a member here "ce2flaco" If you ever ask him what all is involved it the swap, you will find it is a lot more then the article is letting you to believe. When I talked with him about it, it is about $6000+ one hell of a lot of time and tweeking things around! But if that is what you want to do then you will have one BAD @$$ truck in the end!

Congrats Ce2flaco! Thats awesome you made it in the mag!!

 

why not just get a powerwagon for that much of a bump in $$?

 

yeah it would be easier to trade your 1500 in for a 2500.

 

but then you have the added weight of a 2500 also, and they dont make a RCSB 2500 i dont believe, has to be regular bed or long bed ( 7ft somthin or 8ft )

 

good point on the bed, but i bet all the stuff to hold that axle in there adds a bunch of weight anyway. and when offroading like he is doing, the stronger frame might be well worth the weight.

 

From my experience with SAS Toyotas, I'd be willing to bet it still weighs less than all the IFS crap put together.

Back on topic, I've been researching this swap for mine, mainly because I don't need a 2500 (or the fuel bill from one), but I hate IFS. Here, we have yearly saftey inspections. A mechanic sees an IFS 4x4, instant "Yer gonna need all new ball-joints, steering links, CV boots, etc". I'd sooner swap in a Solid axle, then tell them to go stuff it.

So, if "ce2flaco" is reading, I'd love to know:
-What you used for a steering box
-was hi-steer required, or just an off-road goodie
-How much up-travel you have
-What front drive-shaft mods were required
-How did you tie into the braking system

 

PM him

 

Nice. Congradulations. I love that truck!!

 

Just found this thread. Thanks alot for the compliments.

As for some of the questions. I already got and responded to a couple of PM's.

I could have built a jeep or an old beater truck but those are a dime a dozen. I actually considered this project for close to a year before actually starting it. I was very close to buying a cherokee and building it. I already owned the Dodge and it was paid for.
The main reason for the 1500 over a 2500 was exactly as someone said, the length. I want a short wheelbase for the rocks but longer than a jeep wrangler for hill climbs. The Reg cab short bed was perfect. As far as the frame strength. Nonsense. This frame is tough as nails. No flexing, no bending or buckeling. I have beat this truck since i bought it new and the frame has had zero issues. When we removed the IFS crossmember up front i was able to keep the rigidity by having the winch mount in place between the frame rails.

There will always be people that question the logic or approach but thats fine, if it's not your bag then don't do it. As it stands, it is the only one of it's kind and it gets the Jeepers all fired up on the trail when they can't follow my line. It's alot of fun and it was worth the money. It's not about what's cheaper or easier, it's about what a person wants. I wanted to be able to wheel this truck nearly anywhere and now i can...and do.

Again, thanks for the compliments.