My 2024 Dually build thread

[sstoner911]

Checking in-
No updates for quite a while, but we had the holidays/family thing. Then I got busy installing a supercharger on my JT Gladiator, building a front bumper for it, and having a new right knee installed.
I know, sounds like whining...
Whew...
So, the rear bumper is all but painted, with only the top coat missing. I am thinking of painting it in lieu of the previously mentioned bed liner.
With that, I'd sand down the front bumper and paint to match.

My outside rear wheels were gouged during the last tire install, so...??? Color change?? something subtle??? Still thinking

Beyond that, I want to add the BDS front radius arms

and

Thinking of a black add-on scheme:

That one I did with GTP. Hood is black, lower belt-line to bottom is black, and hood bulge also black

Whatcha think?

You went back to stock tire size?

 

[Flyin6]

You went back to stock tire size?

No! How did you come to that conclusion based on what I said???...funny...just wanting to know...
Funny, I am a bit of a student of verbal communication from all my years in aviation. It's remarkable how easily a thought can be completely changed

From the cockpit perspective, we use very clear communication. Pilot transferring the controls: "You got it?" Other pilot, "Yeah, got it" (looking out the side window at another aircraft 20 miles away, thinking if the flying pilot is asking if he sees the other aircraft. Correct procedure: You have the controls...Me: I have the controls...Nice!

Happened to me. Flying an MH-47, the guy flying says, " You have it." I answer "yep," looking at this big hill right in front of us with a bunch of Rangers in the back. Result: For about 10 seconds, no one had their hands on the controls, at night, adverse weather 300' AGL, 140 knots...Yea, perfect setup for the next morning's headlines!

So, from that perspective, how did we end up going back to stock-sized tires from "Checking-in"?

 

[Flyin6]

Oh, and having a bit of fun elsewhere.

I just supercharged my Gladiator and am converting it to coil-over, long-arm suspension. 10 minutes ago, started an order for a 2026 Ram RHO. Using this dually as a driver is gettin' old. Jeep is just a trail/adventure buggy. so me needs a truck you can actually fit in a parking space!

 

[sstoner911]

No! How did you come to that conclusion based on what I said???...funny...just wanting to know...
Funny, I am a bit of a student of verbal communication from all my years in aviation. It's remarkable how easily a thought can be completely changed

From the cockpit perspective, we use very clear communication. Pilot transferring the controls: "You got it?" Other pilot, "Yeah, got it" (looking out the side window at another aircraft 20 miles away, thinking if the flying pilot is asking if he sees the other aircraft. Correct procedure: You have the controls...Me: I have the controls...Nice!

Happened to me. Flying an MH-47, the guy flying says, " You have it." I answer "yep," looking at this big hill right in front of us with a bunch of Rangers in the back. Result: For about 10 seconds, no one had their hands on the controls, at night, adverse weather 300' AGL, 140 knots...Yea, perfect setup for the next morning's headlines!

So, from that perspective, how did we end up going back to stock-sized tires from "Checking-in"?

I was looking at the last pic you posted...

They didn't look like 35s....but it might be because they are stuffed on the OEM wheels. Plus you had what appears to larger tires in the bed??

You over complicated my question!!

 

[Wheelz]

<snip>
Thinking of a black add-on scheme:

That one I did with GTP. Hood is black, lower belt-line to bottom is black, and hood bulge also black

Whatcha think?

I was also thinking of doing this and doing the upper half of the cab from the A-pillars to the back. But with it being this granite grey that you couldn't tell the difference..now after seeing your Pic, ill move forward with it.

 

[Flyin6]

I was looking at the last pic you posted...

They didn't look like 35s....but it might be because they are stuffed on the OEM wheels. Plus you had what appears to larger tires in the bed??

You over complicated my question!!


View attachment 93436

OK, sorry-
That is not so much a picture as an AI-generated conception. I gave the AI an old pic of the truck, then had it make modifications, which is the pic you see. That was only to show where I was thinking of blacking out the paint

We're good---

 

[Flyin6]

I was also thinking of doing this and doing the upper half of the cab from the A-pillars to the back. But with it being this granite grey that you couldn't tell the difference..now after seeing your Pic, ill move forward with it.

I am on the fire department board where I live. We just did that to our 2500 Ram brush truck and our brand-new red ambulance. Man, it looks sharp. Not my original idea, but I know how to copy what I like. I think it adds a level of "cool" and sophistication to the truck.

 

[Wheelz]

They did just use a wrap or paint? I would think wrapping it is quicker..

 

[Flyin6]

They did just use a wrap or paint? I would think wrapping it is quicker..

High-quality wrap

You cannot tell it is not paint, very high quality these days.

 

[sstoner911]

OK, sorry-
That is not so much a picture as an AI-generated conception. I gave the AI an old pic of the truck, then had it make modifications, which is the pic you see. That was only to show where I was thinking of blacking out the paint

We're good---

Damn Ai!

 

[Flyin6]

OK, been gone for a spell, let me do some catching up.

Venom tires: So far, they are running/driving/wearing great! I did play around with pressures and currently have the rears at 49 while maintaining 60 in the fronts. They "mostly" are maintaining a decent contact patch on the rear tires, but with a 10.50 section width on the skinny stock wheels, that's problematic at best.

The truck is delivering mid-17's fuel mileage, still on the stock tune. I haven't hauled heavy for a while, but I feel the engine is fully broken in at this point. I changed to 10W-30, ditching the 15W-40, and the engine seems to be liking that as well.

I finally bolted on that new rear bumper as well.

 

[Flyin6]

Getting started on the rear bumper just before removing it, and showing it next to the new Expedition One replacement.

 

[Flyin6]

The Expedition One bumper is well-built from 10-ga. steel. steel. I painted it with three different layers of primer and top-coated it with Seymour MRO semi-gloss paint.

I didn't grab a pic of the bumper mounts, but they sit inside and reinforce the stock perches, making them BUTT strong!

 

[Flyin6]

The fit is a tad bit lower than stock, but otherwise fits very well.

 

[Flyin6]

And here it is, all done and ready for the next Prius I back into! ;-)

 

[gimmie11s]

That's a great looking rig

 

[Flyin6]

That's a great looking rig

Thank you. Finally, I agree with you. I have been on and off over how long it is, but the lift/tires/bumpers seem to pull it all together. Once I get the black wrap on the various areas I want, it might start looking really good.
I am right in the middle of a 6.4 Hemi conversion for my Gladiator, so no big toys for the truck for a while...