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1st time Ram owner..New 2020 DRW Cummins

forsythe04

forsythe04

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Hello all! Last week I took the leap and bought a 3500 DRW Cummins 4X4 in the tradesman trim. I am coming from a 2008 Ford F350 6.4 powerstroke that has been giving me all kinds of problems with 180k on the odometer. Got permission from the Mrs to pull the trigger on the Ram after I sold my problematic ford. Naturally, I sold it the next afternoon and had the Ram on hold for me later that day. Heres a pic the day I picked it up

IMG_5033.jpg


This tradesman has the 8 inch screen..spray in bedliner..bed led lights and setup for the gooseneck/5th wheel. I would have enjoyed a better trim package but i couldnt justify the cost and since I bought this truck earlier than planned I was just fine with the tradesman trim level.

I havent done much to the truck so far since its ridiculously hot in Texas right now but I did removed the dealer sticker/emblem and 4x4 on the tailgate.. Im kind of a minimalist when it comes to vehicles and think it looks a bit cleaner somewhat debadged. Next step is to go over the truck and correct any light scratches in the clear coat then ceramic coat the truck

Before..
IMG_5200.jpg

After
IMG_5230.jpg

Some near term things I quickly found I needed where side steps and some sort of step to get into the bed of the truck. Oh and in case anyone is wondering I have 2 boats. One at 5k and another at about 9.5k. The boats will only get bigger and we always talked about a 5th wheel camper so I chose to have enough truck now for those later purchases.

Thx for reading
Brian
 
I know this has been discussed before so my apologies, but what did you use to remove the emblems from the rear tailgate ? I really like the clean look you have.
Thanks.
 
Dan Lamb said:
I know this has been discussed before so my apologies, but what did you use to remove the emblems from the rear tailgate ? I really like the clean look you have.
Thanks.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I used a heat gun to warm the area then used dental floss to slide behind it and pull emblems off. It will leave a sticky foam behind so I used a 3m rubber wheel and a drill to remove the remainder. wiped clean with prep all. took a few pics of what i used for ya..

IMG_5201 2.jpg

IMG_5203 2.jpg
IMG_5202 2.jpg
 
Congrats on the new Dually, welcome to the CTD club and HDRams!
 
forsythe04 said:
...
Some near term things I quickly found I needed where side steps and some sort of step to get into the bed of the truck. Oh and in case anyone is wondering I have 2 boats. One at 5k and another at about 9.5k. The boats will only get bigger and we always talked about a 5th wheel camper so I chose to have enough truck now for those later purchases.

Thx for reading
Brian
Click to expand...
A few weeks ago I got a new 2019 3500, moving up from my F-250 which died... One thing that I really liked about the F-250 was the builtin tailgate step. I'm just getting too old to hop up in the bed (especially as these trucks get taller and taller; this one is 2" higher than my F-250). Anyway, I just purchased a Beech Lane tailgate ladder (https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B078YFVS8V), which should arrive tomorrow. I've got my weekend project set. I'll let you know how it turns out.
 
Dr__Bob said:
A few weeks ago I got a new 2019 3500, moving up from my F-250 which died... One thing that I really liked about the F-250 was the builtin tailgate step. I'm just getting too old to hop up in the bed (especially as these trucks get taller and taller; this one is 2" higher than my F-250). Anyway, I just purchased a Beech Lane tailgate ladder (https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B078YFVS8V), which should arrive tomorrow. I've got my weekend project set. I'll let you know how it turns out.
Click to expand...
I would be interested in how it turns out. I carry a lightweight Cosco ladder in the bed or when I need access. Post some pics of your progress if you have time.
 
forsythe04 said:
Hello all! Last week I took the leap and bought a 3500 DRW Cummins 4X4 in the tradesman trim. I am coming from a 2008 Ford F350 6.4 powerstroke that has been giving me all kinds of problems with 180k on the odometer. Got permission from the Mrs to pull the trigger on the Ram after I sold my problematic ford. Naturally, I sold it the next afternoon and had the Ram on hold for me later that day. Heres a pic the day I picked it up

View attachment 5738


This tradesman has the 8 inch screen..spray in bedliner..bed led lights and setup for the gooseneck/5th wheel. I would have enjoyed a better trim package but i couldnt justify the cost and since I bought this truck earlier than planned I was just fine with the tradesman trim level.

I havent done much to the truck so far since its ridiculously hot in Texas right now but I did removed the dealer sticker/emblem and 4x4 on the tailgate.. Im kind of a minimalist when it comes to vehicles and think it looks a bit cleaner somewhat debadged. Next step is to go over the truck and correct any light scratches in the clear coat then ceramic coat the truck

Before..
View attachment 5739

After
View attachment 5740

Some near term things I quickly found I needed where side steps and some sort of step to get into the bed of the truck. Oh and in case anyone is wondering I have 2 boats. One at 5k and another at about 9.5k. The boats will only get bigger and we always talked about a 5th wheel camper so I chose to have enough truck now for those later purchases.

Thx for reading
Brian
Click to expand...
Welcome to the Dodge Ram CTD trucks, I'm on my third CTD and 6 Ram trucks overall in my life. They have always been good to me, at least the ones I've owned. Did you get the HO/Aisin?
Fill out your signature so members can see your basic info.
 
Kimo7 said:
I would be interested in how it turns out. I carry a lightweight Cosco ladder in the bed or when I need access. Post some pics of your progress if you have time.
Click to expand...
Sure thing. It might happen this weekend as it is supposed to be delivered tomorrow...
 
Dr__Bob said:
A few weeks ago I got a new 2019 3500, moving up from my F-250 which died... One thing that I really liked about the F-250 was the builtin tailgate step. I'm just getting too old to hop up in the bed (especially as these trucks get taller and taller; this one is 2" higher than my F-250). Anyway, I just purchased a Beech Lane tailgate ladder (https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B078YFVS8V), which should arrive tomorrow. I've got my weekend project set. I'll let you know how it turns out.
Click to expand...

I certainly miss the built in step. Looking forward to the install of your step and the feedback

RVTRKN said:
Welcome to the Dodge Ram CTD trucks, I'm on my third CTD and 6 Ram trucks overall in my life. They have always been good to me, at least the ones I've owned. Did you get the HO/Aisin?
Fill out your signature so members can see your basic info.
Click to expand...

Not the Aisin. Seemed harder to find in the tradesman trim that I was after. I am really pleased with the truck so far overall and glad to hear you've had a long history of good RAMS.Will be sure to fill out the signature
 
Dr__Bob said:
A few weeks ago I got a new 2019 3500, moving up from my F-250 which died... One thing that I really liked about the F-250 was the builtin tailgate step. I'm just getting too old to hop up in the bed (especially as these trucks get taller and taller; this one is 2" higher than my F-250). Anyway, I just purchased a Beech Lane tailgate ladder (https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B078YFVS8V), which should arrive tomorrow. I've got my weekend project set. I'll let you know how it turns out.
Click to expand...

I had one of those kind on my old 1500 and transferred it to the new 3500 dually. Really LOVE that ladder!
View attachment 5855View attachment 5855View attachment 5855
 
Kimo7 said:
I would be interested in how it turns out. I carry a lightweight Cosco ladder in the bed or when I need access. Post some pics of your progress if you have time.
Click to expand...
Not sure how the other one will turn out, but here is the completed transfer of one I had on my old 1500.
tailgate step.jpg
 
Dr__Bob said:
Good to see that. I hope mine will look like that on Saturday when I have a chance to put it on... I'll post pics as well. (The new ones have diamond plate on the steps!)
Click to expand...

I'm too frugal to buy new when the old works fine! This was the one I took off my 2017 Ram Bighorn. You can see the rust where it was put together on the old truck. I would recommend that you make it long enough to be at a comfortable angle for going up, AND coming down. I've seen some people mount these nearly vertical which makes descending a bit troublesome. Especially since the stake hole is the only hand hold. Of course I'm 73 so it may be a bit tougher at my age! Just my two pennies worth!
 
Tsys100718 said:
I'm too frugal to buy new when the old works fine! This was the one I took off my 2017 Ram Bighorn. You can see the rust where it was put together on the old truck. I would recommend that you make it long enough to be at a comfortable angle for going up, AND coming down. I've seen some people mount these nearly vertical which makes descending a bit troublesome. Especially since the stake hole is the only hand hold. Of course I'm 73 so it may be a bit tougher at my age! Just my two pennies worth!
Click to expand...
Thanks for the tip. Indeed, it is all to easy to forget about getting back down... Unfortunately, as the beds get higher, making the ladder long enough gets more difficult as well. Hopefully I'll have enough play that I won't have to hit the "bed lowering" button just to get the ladder at a decent angle! :)
 
forsythe04 said:
I certainly miss the built in step. Looking forward to the install of your step and the feedback
Click to expand...

My 3500 shows a rear underbody step WAS installed, but there was supposedly a recall on the step, so the dealer removed it before I bought it. Since it was part of a $700 option, I'll keep hounding the dealer until I get it! There is currently NO ETA for resolving the issue from FCA and if they don't resolve it before my warranty is up, I'll demand some money back!
 
Dr__Bob said:
Thanks for the tip. Indeed, it is all to easy to forget about getting back down... Unfortunately, as the beds get higher, making the ladder long enough gets more difficult as well. Hopefully I'll have enough play that I won't have to hit the "bed lowering" button just to get the ladder at a decent angle! :)
Click to expand...

If the new one is similar to the old one, in styling, height shouldn't be a real issue. As installed, I still have 2 holes left for lengthening the ladder if I want to make it longer!
 
So I had a couple of minutes time this afternoon and installed the steps. It was remarkably easy. I also added a bit of pipe insulation to help keep the rattles down.
F0003613-2121-4AA4-8A5E-C554F66ABF32.jpeg26BF862B-6C57-40F3-8E34-7C250E6ADD95.jpeg
 
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