2021 3500 CCSB HO Build

[GPurcell01]

I finally obtained the dream truck... I will be building this out to hopefully be a very capable overlanding/camping rig.

I called my cousin who works for Winnie Dodge and told him what I was looking for. He told me they got this truck that morning and it was a special order by the dealer. I went and took a look at it before they were even able to get it out of the cleaning bay.





Needless to say I went for a test drive and that was all she wrote. I couldn't have had better timing because my cousin told me that they already had 3 people calling about it before I was able to make it there.



Anyways on to the mods.

 

[GPurcell01]

Right off the bat I ordered a billet diesel cap and it came with the DEF cap as well. The fuel door does do a decent job of keeping water/dirt/dust out but I want that added security.



I also did a partial de-badge. The truck looks way cleaner in my opinion.

 

[GPurcell01]

Next is suspension. I have a bunch of parts on order from Thuren that should be shipping soon. Included in that is also an add-a-leaf from Carli.

Started off with the sway bar. I got tired pretty quickly of my head being snapped back and forth on anything off-camber.





I'm amazed at just how much smoother and better it rides. It makes a much bigger difference than expected. I can only imagine how much better the ride will be coupled with the rest of the suspension upgrades when they get here.

 

[GPurcell01]

Next on the list was wheels and tires. CJC just released their exclusive Method 704 HD wheels and I immediately knew that's what needed to go on this truck. I got them in titanium gray.

The wheels are 17x9 with a +18 offset. They also have a whopping 4500lb load rating.



Method's bead grip technology. It is on both the inner and outer lip.



Test fitting. The calipers on these trucks are massive... very little wiggle room with the wheels.

 

[GPurcell01]

Tires. I really wanted Toyo MT's but, like EVERYTHING else, they are nationally backordered with no ETA. I settled on some Nitto Ridge Grapplers in 37x13.5r17.
I went with these for a few reasons: Reviews seem to be very good, they are a load range E tire, and they are made in the US. Ticks the boxes but I will admit that they are not as aggressive as I wanted.

Test fitting at the tire shop. Amazingly, they fit everywhere except the pinch weld. They couldn't believe it.



Got the truck home and made quick work of the pinch weld with a sanding disk and a grinder.



Then, sealed the bare metal with POR-15 Patch. Highly recommend this product.



Mirrored that on the passenger side and now my tires fit. Left the POR-15 to dry overnight and then re-installed the wheel liners in the morning.







The offset mixed with a 13.5 wide tire left me with the perfect amount of tire poke and an aggressive look.

 

[GPurcell01]

That's it for now. Everything else is waiting to be shipped. That includes the suspension already mentioned, some performance parts, and a rear seat delete. More to come on that later.

 

[Eatonpcat]

Very nice, can't wait to see it with the new suspension!

 

[gimmie11s]

Nice truck, congrats.

 

[GPurcell01]

My tuner just shipped from the great white north. Will probably see that mid-October.

Emissions friendly of course. I should be getting my exhaust today.

 

[flan]

Getting right to work on it, sounds like a good set of mods!

 

[GPurcell01]

Ordered a RSI SmartCap EVOc... we'll see how well it matches the white.

 

[GPurcell01]

I sold my other project today. The truck had no idea it was back there. Was fun using it to tow for the first time.

 

[GPurcell01]

Still waiting for my Thuren kit to ship but I got my Carli add-a-leaf! They are some heavy pieces.

 

[Darkone]

I’m really curious to see how this setup does for you. I’ve been looking at doing the same thing, using the carli add a pack with thuren springs. What height springs did you go with in the front?

 

[GPurcell01]

I’m really curious to see how this setup does for you. I’ve been looking at doing the same thing, using the carli add a pack with thuren springs. What height springs did you go with in the front?

I went with the 2.75" coils (2.25" lift on 3500's) which should have the perfect stance with the add-a-leaf. I'll be running the simple Fox 2.0's with it for now until Thuren's King shocks are obtainable again.

 

[GPurcell01]

Ordered some fluids from Amsoil. I did my first oil change at 2500 miles with Rotella 5w40 and an OEM filter. Next change will be at 10k and will go 10k intervals after that.

Coming up on 5000 miles and I'll be changing out the transfer case and differential fluids. I know quite a bit of metal flakes will come out since getting the "green" off of the truck. May be overkill but this truck isn't going anywhere anytime soon. 30k fluid change intervals on those items moving forward.

 

[GPurcell01]

A little box from Canada showed up early that was a nice surprise

Started on the rear suspension. I've been able to get it done and beat UPS delivering my Thuren kit lol. Still waiting...



Knocked it out really quickly. Carli provided decent instructions with pictures.



This is what I get to look at until the man in brown comes by...

 

[GPurcell01]

Before anyone asks, yes, there are jack stands under the frame in front of the leaf hanger.

 

[Darkone]

Did you happen to take before and after measurements I’m curious how much lift the carli mini pack adds

 

[GPurcell01]

Did you happen to take before and after measurements I’m curious how much lift the carli mini pack adds

Sorry I did not grab any measurements. With the 2.75 Thuren springs the rear still is taller by about an inch or two.