Flemster's 22 Ram 3500 Build - Sherpa Edition

My first ever new vehicle, a 2022 Ram 3500 HO Cummins. Double Cab, Short Bed


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On May 25th I placed an order for what I would consider to be my dream truck. Something capable off-road, high payload/towing capabilities, comfortable all while looking damn cool.

This truck is going to provide and meet a lot of my needs as far as what I do for work as well as for leisure. Whether that’s towing a trailer out to events like Overland Expo, towing our racecar to races across the country, or bombing around Baja supporting race teams, doing media, whatever it may be. This platform seemed to be the best suited for these tasks based off of my research.

For some background, I am one of the owners of Sherpa Equipment Co., we manufacture modular storage systems (mainly roof racks and roof rack accessories) for the overland/offroad community. My position here is managing all of our marketing needs and that comes with a lot of travel to meet with other brands, our ambassadors, and event attendance. I also do a lot of offroad racing through Sherpa Motorsports, mainly Ultra4 but diving into more desert racing and that comes with a lot of driving.

The long term goal for this build is going to look something like this rendering that Boxrocket Designs did for me. I am not 100% decided on what camper to go with in the long term, but I do love the utility provided by a flatbed/tray and loved the flatbed on my most recent truck.
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The first stage of this build is going to be setting the backbone for everything else and make sure I don't cut any corners.

For starters, suspension, wheels and tires.

This truck comes with the factory auto leveling rear air suspension which is going to be awesome for towing and hauling heavier loads. To accommodate this I placed an order with CJC Offroad for a nearly fully optioned Carli 3.25" Pintop System. This is going to allow the truck to loosen up offroad all while still having very desirable road manners. I'll share more details once this gets installed.

I picked up some KMC Impact Wheels in a 17x8.5 with 0mm offset paired with Kenda Klever RT in a 37x12.5r17.

As far as a roof rack goes I am going to be running the Sherpa Equipment Co. Roof rack which the design process has been started.

Then I focused on a good switch system to manage all the lighting. I went with the SPOD Bantam with the HD Panel. I do plan to add an additional panel inside whatever camper setup I end up with as well so I can control it in there or in the cab.

As far as lighting, I went with all Baja Designs.
  • A-Pillar Kit with XL80’s/ Amber
  • 7XL Linkable Kit Amber/White w/ dual switch
  • CJC Fog Pocket Kit with Squadron Sports Amber
  • S2 Sport Driving Combo Amber for dust lights
  • Rock Lights on Sherpa Handle Light Brackets as Scene Lights

To run the wires from the roof rack to the engine bay I am going to be using a KC Wire Hider on the windshield.

This set a good base to start playing with and tinkering before I do more to the vehicle down the road.

I am excited to kick this build off!

Here is an Amazon List for all the things I have bought so far. Includes things like comms, mounts, switches, first aid, comfort items, etc.
Amazon Idea List for My Ram 3500
 
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nickw

Adventurer
My first ever new vehicle, a 2022 Ram 3500 HO Cummins. Double Cab, Short Bed


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On May 25th I placed an order for what I would consider to be my dream truck. Something capable off-road, high payload/towing capabilities, comfortable all while looking damn cool.

This truck is going to provide and meet a lot of my needs as far as what I do for work as well as for leisure. Whether that’s towing a trailer out to events like Overland Expo, towing our racecar to races across the country, or bombing around Baja supporting race teams, doing media, whatever it may be. This platform seemed to be the best suited for these tasks based off of my research.

For some background, I am one of the owners of Sherpa Equipment Co., we manufacture modular storage systems (mainly roof racks and roof rack accessories) for the overland/offroad community. My position here is managing all of our marketing needs and that comes with a lot of travel to meet with other brands, our ambassadors, and event attendance. I also do a lot of offroad racing through Sherpa Motorsports, mainly Ultra4 but diving into more desert racing and that comes with a lot of driving.

The long term goal for this build is going to look something like this rendering that Boxrocket Designs did for me. I am not 100% decided on what camper to go with in the long term, but I do love the utility provided by a flatbed/tray and loved the flatbed on my most recent truck.
View attachment 750080

The first stage of this build is going to be setting the backbone for everything else and make sure I don't cut any corners.

For starters, suspension, wheels and tires.

This truck comes with the factory auto leveling rear air suspension which is going to be awesome for towing and hauling heavier loads. To accommodate this I placed an order with CJC Offroad for a nearly fully optioned Carli 3.25" Pintop System. This is going to allow the truck to loosen up offroad all while still having very desirable road manners. I'll share more details once this gets installed.

I picked up some KMC Impact Wheels in a 17x8.5 with 0mm offset paired with Kenda Klever RT in a 37x12.5r17.

As far as a roof rack goes I am going to be running the Sherpa Equipment Co. Roof rack which the design process has been started.

Then I focused on a good switch system to manage all the lighting. I went with the SPOD Bantam with the HD Panel. I do plan to add an additional panel inside whatever camper setup I end up with as well so I can control it in there or in the cab.

As far as lighting, I went with all Baja Designs.
  • A-Pillar Kit with XL80’s/ Amber
  • 7XL Linkable Kit Amber/White w/ dual switch
  • CJC Fog Pocket Kit with Squadron Sports Amber
  • S2 Sport Driving Combo Amber for dust lights
  • Rock Lights on Sherpa Handle Light Brackets as Scene Lights

To run the wires from the roof rack to the engine bay I am going to be using a KC Wire Hider on the windshield.

This set a good base to start playing with and tinkering before I do more to the vehicle down the road.

I am excited to kick this build off!
Cool truck - it's beautiful!

Are you going to put some more substantial fender flares on? With the 0 offset wheels + 12.5" tires you may wanna consider a bit more coverage so you don't scratch up that pretty truck!
 

UglyViking

Well-known member
I saw your build mockup on insta a while back and sent it to a bunch of my buddies. Truck looks super sharp and I dig every part of it, especially the Mits Alloy tray.

I'm curious if you have some super interesting plan for putting a winch where you have it rendered, because when I first saw the render I assumed it was a hemi due to that.
 
Thank you guys for all the kind words!

Cool truck - it's beautiful!

Are you going to put some more substantial fender flares on? With the 0 offset wheels + 12.5" tires you may wanna consider a bit more coverage so you don't scratch up that pretty truck!

No plans to do anything wider than factory as far as flares, a little poke doesn't bother me! It has actually saved a my 4runner a few times from body damage on trails!

I saw your build mockup on insta a while back and sent it to a bunch of my buddies. Truck looks super sharp and I dig every part of it, especially the Mits Alloy tray.

I'm curious if you have some super interesting plan for putting a winch where you have it rendered, because when I first saw the render I assumed it was a hemi due to that.
Yea, sadly I learned this information after the render was finished. I would love to figure it out but to make it happen, I think the winch will have to be sticking out quite some bit which is not ideal.
 
I have managed to put 4,000 miles on the truck already and have loved how it drives.

About 2,500 of those miles so far are towing and I am super pleased with how it has performed. First I towed our racecar that weighs a bit over 6,100 pounds, spare parts, hardshell tent, and other odds and ends on a 4,800lbs trailer. Heavy to say the least and managed 10.5 mpg with bad winds to Oklahoma and back.
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Then, my 4Runner on the same trailer, no camper, no winds to Moab and back and got 13mpg. All doing about 70-75 average except the passes which I did around 50-55. Super intrigued to see how this changes with the 37's and adding payload but great baseline to compare to.

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Got some great wheeling in Moab, just not with the Ram yet... ;)
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Working on some mods before I leave for Baja this weekend, SPOD, Ham Radio, I'll show the camper tiedowns and wiring and hopefully the 37's make it here in time and Ill get those mounted and clearanced at the factory height for fun.
 
Got a good bit done to the truck over the last week. We packed up and drove to Southern California over the past couple of days. Crossing the border into Baja on wednesday. I'll be doing a small trip report upon our return, but mainly showing you what all we got done on the Ram before taking off.

Here are a couple teasers.
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adventurebound

New member
Love the rendering with the tray, this is going to be a great build. Im in the process of collecting all the parts to do something similar, flatbed with side boxes. Can't wait to see how yours progresses.

When do you expect to have that rack out for the 2500? Thats something that has always bugged me about the FWC, or any slide-in for that matter, is the gap it leaves above the cab. Im currently in the market looking for a "slim line" rack. The ones I've run across so far are too tall. I suppose I could cut down the back but it might look odd during the rare times I do pull the camper off.
 

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Quattro

New member
Got a good bit done to the truck over the last week. We packed up and drove to Southern California over the past couple of days. Crossing the border into Baja on wednesday. I'll be doing a small trip report upon our return, but mainly showing you what all we got done on the Ram before taking off.

Here are a couple teasers.
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How do you like the Kenda tires? I see more and more people running these. 37s?
 
Love the rendering with the tray, this is going to be a great build. Im in the process of collecting all the parts to do something similar, flatbed with side boxes. Can't wait to see how yours progresses.

When do you expect to have that rack out for the 2500? Thats something that has always bugged me about the FWC, or any slide-in for that matter, is the gap it leaves above the cab. Im currently in the market looking for a "slim line" rack. The ones I've run across so far are too tall. I suppose I could cut down the back but it might look odd during the rare times I do pull the camper off.
Thank you, I am excited to keep building it!
We are hoping to have the rack available the first qaurter of 23'.

How do you like the Kenda tires? I see more and more people running these. 37s?
I run them on my 4runner and have been for over a year now and was blown away, hence why going for them on this build.

After just getting back from Baja and 3,000 miles later I have been stoked on them. Quiet, good road maners, did well in sand and mud in Baja as well as snow/ice on my drive home. I ran them at 25psi offroad and they are nice and plush, good footprint, and 42psi front, 48psi rear with the camper on road and they are super comfortable.
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Preparing for a trip to Baja to spectate the '22 Baja 1000.

SPOD BantamX/Ham Radio/Phone Mount

- Bullet Point Dash Mount
- Ram Mount Balls/Arms
- Ram Ball on the back of the SPOD
- LIDO Radio Ram Mount
- ICOM IC-2730A Radio
- Speaker for Radio
- Comet Original SBB-2 Antenna
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For this, I ran all the wires through what used to be the 12v plug in the top of the dash after carefully removing it from the bezel. This allows a ton of realestate for clean wire routing. I may add a grommet to it to clean it up a little.
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Super happy with how that came out, clean and simple and keeps those items easy to access and see.

37's on 17's, No lift

- 37x12.5r17 Kenda Klever RT
- KMC Impact 17x9 0mm
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Trimming for these really wasn't that bad.

It requires trimming away some of the plastic liner to reveal the pinch weld, which I then cut into sections and folded over to make smooth. Lastly I used a torch and the back of a hammer to manipulate the wheel well liner away from the tire in the sections it was close to touching.

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You dont have to touch anything up front on the bumper, as well as the rear, that all fits with no problems in my case.

I also wired the Fourwheel Camper using 6awg wire and large quick connect plug and a Blue Sea 30amp Auto Reset Breaker, and installed eyebolts in the bed with backing plates using 4,000lbs breaking strength forged eyebolts.
 
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The Baja Trip

This trip was amazing as always, the truck performed amazing and gave me way more confidence off the pavement then my duramax did. We even ended up doing about 30-35 miles of race course after the race was over and it was no problem. I do wish the Carli suspension was in for that though, the stock suspension is not the smoothest.

Here are a few of the photos from the adventure.
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TBC...
 
Baja Continued...
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An amazing trip, fun to watch the racing, and great people along the way.

I have a lot more coming for the truck over the next month or so. I'll get more parts installed and keep this up to date. Don't hesitate to ask questions or if you want more details on anything, let me know.

-Alex
 

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