2021 3500 DRW Bighorn Night Edition

[naplesbill]

So, I picked this truck from a local dealer inventory last month. It is a Bighorn not a Laramie, but that is what I was looking for to maximize payload. There were a few mandatory options that would have been a deal breaker. Those options are:

4x4
Cummins diesel
Crew cab
Power driver seat
Power folding tow mirrors
8.4 unconnect, too many problems with the 12
Heated wheel and seats
Remote start

I also wanted LED headlights and taillights but not a deal breaker

Well, I found the truck in BigHorn trim with everything except the led lighting. It also has 4.10 gearing. So here it is when I brought it home:

The first thing I added was a set of Westin HDX drop step running boards. I then replaced the round halogen fog lights with a set of OEM LED fog lights. Easy enough but you have to swap the pins on both sides to correct the polarity.

Yesterday I replaced the Halogen headlight housings with the reflector LED housings. I am getting the bed sprayed in Line-X tomorrow. Here are a couple pics from today:

I have LED taillights to install but I am waiting for the harness pigtails from Mopar. I have also ordered the Mopar rubber mud flaps.

It may seem minor but for me, the change to the appearance from just the headlight and fog light swap is amazing. What says y’all? Any recommendations?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[naplesbill]

Had the bed sprayed with Line-X.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Finn5033]

So, I picked this truck from a local dealer inventory last month. It is a Bighorn not a Laramie, but that is what I was looking for to maximize payload. There were a few mandatory options that would have been a deal breaker. Those options are:

4x4
Cummins diesel
Crew cab
Power driver seat
Power folding tow mirrors
8.4 unconnect, too many problems with the 12
Heated wheel and seats
Remote start

I also wanted LED headlights and taillights but not a deal breaker

Well, I found the truck in BigHorn trim with everything except the led lighting. It also has 4.10 gearing. So here it is when I brought it home:

The first thing I added was a set of Westin HDX drop step running boards. I then replaced the round halogen fog lights with a set of OEM LED fog lights. Easy enough but you have to swap the pins on both sides to correct the polarity.

Yesterday I replaced the Halogen headlight housings with the reflector LED housings. I am getting the bed sprayed in Line-X tomorrow. Here are a couple pics from today:

I have LED taillights to install but I am waiting for the harness pigtails from Mopar. I have also ordered the Mopar rubber mud flaps.

It may seem minor but for me, the change to the appearance from just the headlight and fog light swap is amazing. What says y’all? Any recommendations?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yes I was thinking thinking the same thing as I was reading your post. It’s amazing how much putting the LED lights on these trucks changes the look. So much better

 

[naplesbill]

It’s always in the details.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[naplesbill]

Installed Mopar mud flaps yesterday:

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[naplesbill]

Added a toolbox yesterday:

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[gimmie11s]

Needs different tires. Im trying to decide what im going to swap mine out with. These dually trucks come with the worst factory tire. Ugh.

 

[naplesbill]

Needs different tires. Im trying to decide what im going to swap mine out with. These dually trucks come with the worst factory tire. Ugh.

I will probably run these down some before replacing them. I would like something a bit more aggressive looking.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[naplesbill]

I returned the Craftsman tool box after I noticed a dent in it. They didn’t have any others without damage so I went with a Weather Guard instead. A few bucks more but it looks good IMO:

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[naplesbill]

Finally received the Mopar pigtail harnesses for the LED tail lights so I installed them:

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[naplesbill]

Completed the manual temp control to auto temp control last week. It wasn’t too difficult and I even swapped the bezel to a dual zone automatic temp control. It is only a single zone still but the dual zone bezel works and all the buttons/dials work. I keep it on sync and auto to control from the driver side. I didn’t take any pics but I wanted to document it here.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Jimbilly]

That’s a sharp lookin DRW! What else do you have planned?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[naplesbill]

That’s a sharp lookin DRW! What else do you have planned?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks!

I am thinking of adding a few more red accents on both the interior and exterior. I haven’t made up my mind yet though.

This trucks purpose is to tow an RV so nothing too crazy. No lift or larger wheels. I will look for something better with the tires but not until I get some use out of the OEM tires. I may add some helper type airbags to reduce sag if I upgrade to a fifth wheel. My current RV is a Travel Trailer so it is not needed.

I am considering adding the sliding rear window. I didn’t care about it much until I remembered how it helps communication when connecting an RV. Yelling through the side windows works but it is harder to hear the response.

This truck only came with the 3.5” instrument cluster screen. It does the job without issue but I may upgrade to the 7” at some point.

It has the Alpine system and I find it is fine for most music. I have a better aftermarket system in my Camaro but not sure I need it in the truck.

I also am definitely getting the bed step at the rear bumper and may get the one for the front side of the bed as well.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Jimbilly]

Well it’s a nice truck. If you get to adding the power rear window before I do let me know. That’s the one thing I miss from my 1500 that I will be adding to my HD.

I looked at the 7” display as well but it seems like a lot of money for all I would get. They were expensive when I was looking.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[naplesbill]

Well it’s a nice truck. If you get to adding the power rear window before I do let me know. That’s the one thing I miss from my 1500 that I will be adding to my HD.

I looked at the 7” display as well but it seems like a lot of money for all I would get. They were expensive when I was looking.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The price will come down on the 7” evic. I will wait for that to happen.

I really never used the rear window on my last truck, except when connecting to the RV. You can also do a non power slider but I would prefer doing the power one. It requires making a harness to connect the switch and motor but that doesn’t scare me. Looking at the rear window removal is more scary. Most say you just break the existing window.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Jimbilly]

I’m hoping the local ram dealer can point me to who they use for windows. Maybe that will give me better chances on a successful install lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[naplesbill]

I may end up having it installed also. We will see.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[woody284]

I’m partial to black trucks and black/chrome wheels. Your mods have made it a really nice looking rig. I must say though that RAM, hands down knocked it out of the park with the dually version when given the right package. Your stock truck was a head turner as it was.

 

[naplesbill]

I’m partial to black trucks and black/chrome wheels. Your mods have made it a really nice looking rig. I must say though that RAM, hands down knocked it out of the park with the dually version when given the right package. Your stock truck was a head turner as it was.

Thanks and I agree, I also prefer black trucks.

My previous truck was a 2020 1500 Longhorn and a very nice truck. But, it was almost too nice. Like it was designed to be a highway commute queen. I was paranoid about damaging the interior as almost every surface had some type of leather. I much prefer a simpler easier to maintain truck. It was also white and I should have never bought a white truck. I just can’t get into white for some reason. Beyond it being white, it just had too much chrome. Chrome was everywhere on that truck. I can deal with some chrome just not the amount on the Longhorn.

I started out looking for a
RAM 2500. Then I found this truck and bought it on the spot. The dually with the Night Edition( or even the painted bumper package) is so much better looking than the Ford and GM products it is ridiculous. I used to be a Ford fan but three problematic vehicles in a row changed that for me.

I don’t have any to ruin the appearance of my truck with too much crap. But I am thinking of making the R A M and bars on either side red. I am concerned it may look like too much. I am still tempted to give it a try though. The decals for the grille also include the R A M on the doors but that may be overkill.

There is also a replacement tailgate badge that is a black American flag with a red background color. Again, I just don’t want it to be too much. I have only seen pics of one truck l(oddly it was for sale) with red accents on black. The problem was this guy went way too far. All the badges were red, the wheels were red, etc. I am just thing the R A M part of the grille and tailgate badge. I mean the turbo diesel and heavy duty part of the badges are already red, and my tool box has red lock buttons and a red logo.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[RamSurveyor]

Beautiful truck!