Dan's 2023 2500 Tradesman UNLimited

[jak]

Just curious, do you have the tailgate damper? I assume no different removing with or without? Thanks.

 

[44Dan44]

Just curious, do you have the tailgate damper? I assume no different removing with or without? Thanks.

Great question! Makes me wonder if I messed up and did things in the correct order by accident, lol. I have the part (dampener) but have not installed it yet.

 

[44Dan44]

Todays This weeks task lol.
These seals look like pure tedium and I'll need to remove/adapt some rear wheel well trim. Wish me luck
View attachment 57258

Part numbers and some detail pics of removing rear spats / trim. All of the push pins are accessible from behind, a little squeeze with some pliers and all popped out easy. The yellow ones are slightly hidden from casual observation as they are behind a brace structure but still reachable.



Note that, though they are the same style as the front trim pieces that easily slip out, the orientations of the push pin slides are opposite on the same trim piece as well being blocked by alignment pins so the squeeze from behind is the way to go.

 

[44Dan44]

 

[44Dan44]

 

[44Dan44]

Done! Bushwacker DRT. The seals were less of a pain than I imagined and everything went on just fine.

 

[44Dan44]

 

[44Dan44]

 

[44Dan44]

Regarding the trim pieces I removed here https://hdrams.com/forum/index.php?threads/dans-2023-2500-tradesman-unlimited.14060/post-263369

I decided that instead of cutting those pieces and contouring them to fit with the flares or going bare I employed the same 1" material I used here https://hdrams.com/forum/index.php?threads/dans-2023-2500-tradesman-unlimited.14060/post-263043

I think it's a nice and consistent flow from to back, not really even noticeable unless you know.

 

[44Dan44]

Same 1" body side molding material I used to cover the holes in the rocker panels above the running boards.




Now also in place of the rear trim removed to accommodate the flares.

 

[44Dan44]

Bushwacker has not updated the site to reflect fitting 23 yet but obviously no problems.
Here are the coverage specs



And as a reminder I have 11.4" wide tires, 9.5" wide wheels and a -18 offset for reference.

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

Lookin good man

 

[44Dan44]

What an easy yet satisfying little addition, if it took 10 ten minutes all together I'd be shocked and that's with taking all the pictures too.

 

[44Dan44]

 

[Crusty old shellback]

As you have found out, your tires are rubbing due to the offset and moving the tire/rim farther out than stock. And that can bee seen by how much your tire sticks out.

Stock factory bead lock rims with 35x12.50 17 tires on my PW do not rub any, even when at full flex.

You can try and run a little less castor on the front, say 3 to 3.5 degrees, and it may help and give you a little more clearance.

 

[44Dan44]

As you have found out, your tires are rubbing due to the offset and moving the tire/rim farther out than stock. And that can bee seen by how much your tire sticks out.

Stock factory bead lock rims with 35x12.50 17 tires on my PW do not rub any, even when at full flex.

You can try and run a little less castor on the front, say 3 to 3.5 degrees, and it may help and give you a little more clearance.

Thank you. I got it all sorted now but the castor tip is much appreciated.

 

[44Dan44]

For my next trick I will levitate a 10" screen Surround view/Dashcam just under the aux switches. Shouldn't be a problem


eh, this might take a minute

 

[jak]

View attachment 57371

View attachment 57370

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View attachment 57374

Will we need to remove the damper if we remove the tailgate? I didn't pay attention when I installed mine.

 

[44Dan44]

Will we need to remove the damper if we remove the tailgate? I didn't pay attention when I installed mine.

Confirmed no need to remove dampener to remove tailgate.

 

[44Dan44]

The result will be worth it but geez the hand cramps along the way