Dan's Dark Thunder - 1998 Dodge Ram 1500

[MrQ]

When I got this truck there was a whole bunch of maintenance that needed to be done to it. A college kid I knew gave it to me for free, since I helped him with the brakes on it and for the fact that he couIdn't get it out of second gear. I have since then pretty much rebuilt the suspension on it, fixed the transmission, replaced much of the coolant system and have done some small upgrades to it. I would really like for this to be able to haul Red Bull if need be, and its a great back up vehicle.

Specs:

5.2L V8 (230HP @ 4400RPM / 300 ft.lb. torque @ 3200RPM):D
46RE 4-speed Auto
2WD
Single Cab Long Bed
3.55 Gear Ratio
9.25 Chrysler Rear Axle
ST w/ Cruise, A/C, and fogs
126K miles
Towing Capacity of 8000 lbs
Exhaust cut off after Cats
Class IV Hitch 10,000lb GTW

Maintenance 'n Mods

Interior
Replacement cup holders
Dash cover

Sound
Two 6x9 Kenwoods
Sony CD/USB/Radio head unit

Suspension/Steering
New Ball Joints
Refurbished driver's side steering knuckle
New inner and outer tie rods
New Gabriel Ultra shocks
New Pitman arm

Brakes
New Rotors and Pads

Drivetrain
New Governor and Governor Sensor for transmission
4 qts Valvoline Synth ATF w/ 1 qt of Lucas Tranny Fix
New Filter and Pan gasket for the Transmission

Engine
New Spark Plugs
New Filter
Oil Change every 4k
New Belt tensioner
New Belt

Exhaust
Cut off after Cats

Body
Fixed floppy antenna
New Wipers

Cooling/Heating
New Radiator
New Water Pump
Drier replaced
Liquid Line replaced

Wheels
265/70/16 Michelin LTX's
Chrome Stars

Lighting
Sylvania Silverstars Headlights
Fog Lights

Accessories/Mods
A.R.E "V" Model Bed Cap
Two 10k lb. Reese Tow Hooks
12v Power Socket in Truck Bed
CB Radio
Scan Gauge II
AEM Brute Force Cold Air Intake

[TxPlates]

Is this where the name for the truck came from?

[KF5ZXT]

[nice59fordf100]

[MrQ]

LOL! The name actually came from the weather that I first drove the truck home in. Not to mention that the truck sounds like rolling thunder coming down the road.

[TxPlates]

Are you positive it's not from this....?? lol

[MrQ]

Quite sure its not from that.

[TxPlates]

What about this ?

[KF5ZXT]

Wow, breaking out the private collection, I see. Hahaha.

[TxPlates]

What happens in Vegas, apparently doesn't always stay in Vegas. lol

[KF5ZXT]

I think I heard thunder when this thing backed into a certain mailbox.

[TxPlates]

MBK!!!

[MrQ]

Ouch.

[KF5ZXT]

Aw, come on, that was funny!

[TxPlates]

[MrQ]

Lol. Chris it wasn't that bad. That damn mailbox did more damage to my truck that than the truck did to it.

[TxPlates]

Did you ever think about the mailboxes feelings?? Hahaha

Sent from my iPhone using Forum Runner

[MrQ]

You're right. I should have sent it a "Get Well" card.

[MrQ]

Now I'm pulling jeeps. Our grand Cherokee keeps dying on us. This time to save a tow I strapped it up and pulled it home. Been trying to convince my dad to get rid of that thing or trade it in.

[MrQ]

Ok, who was the wise guy that changed my title?

[KF5ZXT]

Looks a lot like mine.

[Kris Guilbeaux]

I have to say this is a damn funny thread

[TxPlates]

Because of the group that Dan named his truck after or his new title? I'm partial to both.

[MrQ]

Not much going on with the Dodge till just recently. Circumstances dictated that I needed to haul a certain Explorer to Kris' R&R Shop (Rebuild and Repair) and there was the Ram sitting there, yet untested as a tow rig. :sly: Methinks its time to break it in.

After lying to the U-Haul rental company, I hauled ass out at 8am Friday morning...in the rain, with no ABS, with a truck pulling 7000lbs. I tell you it was the most exciting thing in the world to see my Dodge pull like a Clydesdale. The setup did get a little hairy if I went above 60mph as the tail started to wag the dog, not to mention going down hills to stop at an intersection. I literally slid through the left hand turn onto Brodie. Fortunately no damage occurred, to me, the trailer, or the Dodge. The package was delivered safely and now sits in wait of Kris' magic touch.

Who wants to say my Dodge is a piece of shit now?

[KF5ZXT]