Putting together just another project truck is hard enough. Putting one together based on a salvaged '05 Dodge Quad Cab Cummins? That's tough. But that's exactly what we've gotten ourselves into. Bart Stolworthy, one of our editorial correspondents, picked up a 2005 Dodge 2500 Quad Cab Cummins that had lost a physical dispute with a telephone pole. Everything that would be needed to build a new truck was salvageable (frame, engine, drive train, etc.). We picked up a new cab with new doors and front end assembly, got a set of rally-style fenders from Desert Concepts and threw a new hood on it to take care of the body.
Power will come from a set of compound turbos from Diesel Power Source with plenty of fuel system upgrades and an NADP transmission and torque converter. We don't want a big lift under the truck, but we do want a bullet-proof suspension. We consulted with KLM Performance about what the best options were. KLM recommended the high-performance Carli Performance 2.0 system. complete with Bilstein two-inch 7100 remote reservoir shocks, multi-rate coils, adjustable pan rod bar, stainless sway bar end links with FK bearings, billet clevises, limit straps and powder-coated reservoir mounts. The Performance 2.0 is not just a level kit or a liftâ_"it is a complete suspension system that changes the ride of these heavy trucks.
Since this truck is a regular farm vehicle, it also has to handle heavy payloads. KLM sent us heavy-duty long-travel air bags with 10-inches of wheel travel capability. We also went with replacement full progressive spring packs that have different spring rates than the factory leaf packs. The main leaf is longer, moving the shackle back on the frame. This, according to Carli, results in an almost-zero rate effect on roads when the truck bed is empty because the movement on the axle has been eased.
Stay tuned for progress on this overhaul project.
Sources:
Diesel Power Source
dieselpowersource.com
801-898-4803
KLM Performance
klmperformance.com
203-210-5266
Desert Racing Concepts
desertracingconcepts.net
760-343-3372
Fluidampr
fluidampr.com
716-592-1000
Recon
gorecon.com
877-37-RECON
Ramco Turbo Fyner
ramcoperformance.com
701-476-1320
Automotive Racing Products
arp-bolts.com
800-826-3045
Torco Oils
torcousa.com