2020 Ram 5500 DIY Composite Panel Camper Build Thread

[HAF]

Try Buckstop for the flares. The ones for my 16 RAM provided perfect cover. One note on the wheels. Sometimes the powder coat is heavy around the pilot hole. When installing with impact wrench, the wheels can actually get wedged on. The front is not as bad due to the "flutes" on the pilot. I had a terrible time removing my wheels. Would not have been possible in the field. Double check them that they can come off easily. If not, a light sanding on inside until they slip on and off smoothly.

 

[flylow4500]

The reason for the wide front axle on 4500/5500 is for increased stability and tighter turning radius. It also tracks better down the highway which results in less fatigue via less steering input. Same thing with Fords, F450 and 550s come standard with wide track for these reasons.

When you do an SRW conversion you want your front track to be in line with the rear for obvious reasons. This has to be done with custom wheels, or spacers.

The Marketing team got you guys good. Must be one hell of a pamphlet.

 

[nater]

Re: tpms - kaodtech bypass harness and alfaobd!

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

Try Buckstop for the flares. The ones for my 16 RAM provided perfect cover. One note on the wheels. Sometimes the powder coat is heavy around the pilot hole. When installing with impact wrench, the wheels can actually get wedged on. The front is not as bad due to the "flutes" on the pilot. I had a terrible time removing my wheels. Would not have been possible in the field. Double check them that they can come off easily. If not, a light sanding on inside until they slip on and off smoothly.

Yeah, Buckstop makes some full coverage flares and most of the parts going on the truck are Buckstop. I just don’t care for the lines and think they look way too 80s ish, especially they way they mount. Not a fan. Although MIGHT end up being only option.

DAMNIT!! Why did you tell me that about the wheels last week?? Hahaha.. yeah, I’ve installed them and removed them a couple times now. Royal pain in the ******** and now they are lightly sanded.

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

Re: tpms - kaodtech bypass harness and alfaobd!

Ive looked into that but can’t confirm it will work to remove the inner wheels from the computer

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

Based on the recommendations of several experienced friends, i am trying the Centramatic Balancers. Honestly never even heard of them until a couple months ago

 

[ttengineer]

Based on the recommendations of several experienced friends, i am trying the Centramatic Balancers. Honestly never even heard of them until a couple months ago

View attachment 576843

How much room do you have to have inside the wheel for those?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

How much room do you have to have inside the wheel for those?

It varies wheel to wheel and truck to truck obviously.

They have quite a few different models and styles to fit a bunch of different applications.

The ones they suggested for my application was all 4 being the same, the part they offer for the front of an F550.

Will be installing them today i think and will post some pics for better explanation.

 

[txflyyaker]

A friend has these balancers on his 2020 Ram 3500 DRW 4x4 and loves them on his 37" tires.

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

Well, got the balancers installed and completed a quick 40 mile test drive.

I'll admit, i was a bit skeptical for sure. However, there was a VERY noticeable difference in how much smoother it was.

At 55psi front and rear, everything is suprisingly smooth and quiet.

Highly recommend these!

NOTE: Not sponsored, paid full price, just a happy as hell customer.

 

[ITTOG]

Well, got the balancers installed and completed a quick 40 mile test drive.

I'll admit, i was a bit skeptical for sure. However, there was a VERY noticeable difference in how much smoother it was.

At 55psi front and rear, everything is suprisingly smooth and quiet.

Highly recommend these!

NOTE: Not sponsored, paid full price, just a happy as hell customer.

View attachment 576969

I tried to get some of these for my F150. Unfortunately they do not make them for light duty trucks.

 

[txflyyaker]

Well, got the balancers installed and completed a quick 40 mile test drive.

I'll admit, i was a bit skeptical for sure. However, there was a VERY noticeable difference in how much smoother it was.

At 55psi front and rear, everything is suprisingly smooth and quiet.

Highly recommend these!

NOTE: Not sponsored, paid full price, just a happy as hell customer.

View attachment 576969

Love wheel and tire porn

 

[Mushadd]

The Marketing team got you guys good. Must be one hell of a pamphlet.

Considering I have owned multiple...plus, I don’t need a pamphlet to explain physics, but you’re free to believe what you want.

Yeah, Buckstop makes some full coverage flares and most of the parts going on the truck are Buckstop. I just don’t care for the lines and think they look way too 80s ish, especially they way they mount. Not a fan. Although MIGHT end up being only option.

I will probably end up going with DBL Design fender flares. They’re still in production, but so far I think I like the look better than buckstop. Ideally for me, I’d rather have some widened fiberglass fenders, like McNeil Racing makes for the Super Duties, but not aware of anyone making them for HD Rams.

It varies wheel to wheel and truck to truck obviously.

They have quite a few different models and styles to fit a bunch of different applications.

My “super singles” came with Balance Beads. Curious to see how these fair compared to the beads. Seems like similar principle, just slightly different manner of execution. Good to know if the beads don’t work out, I have another potential option.

 

[Buddha.]

Well, got the balancers installed and completed a quick 40 mile test drive.

I'll admit, i was a bit skeptical for sure. However, there was a VERY noticeable difference in how much smoother it was.

At 55psi front and rear, everything is suprisingly smooth and quiet.

Highly recommend these!

NOTE: Not sponsored, paid full price, just a happy as hell customer.

View attachment 576969

As someone who lives in the rustbelt, the first thing I think of is how I'd have to hammer those things off with a chisel(ruining them in the process) after the first winter if anti-seize isn't used. Hell last time I had to change rotors they were cracking apart by the time I got them off.

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

My “super singles” came with Balance Beads. Curious to see how these fair compared to the beads. Seems like similar principle, just slightly different manner of execution. Good to know if the beads don’t work out, I have another potential option.

Also worth noting and what got me looking at different options, beads don’t work with TPMS systems (usually). These do and aren’t effected