Gave my pickup some TLC ...

[Shawn T. W.]

I bought this 2018 1500 back in October of '21, not much to choose from back then, but it's mine now!

I was planning on doing a few things to it when I got it, but ended up finding this current place 2 weeks later, and moved from Arizona ... Just one thing after another ...

Yesterday I got it up on 4 jack stands and removed the tires, scrubbed them, after they dried I applied a tire dressing that is supposed to reduce ozone degradation, I did both the inside and outside, I'm a long distance truck driver and leave my pickup at my company's terminal for weeks on end (I don't really go for the shiny tire look!)... Then started on a long overdue brake fluid flush ...

Unfortunately I only got one wheel done before running out of the quart! (Since I already had it in the air, and more things to do with the wheels off, I decided to get back to it later!)

Then I added 1.25" wheel spacers so I have the option of putting chains on ... Used the Orange thread locker, the gel doesn't go very far!

This morning I started on adding a 2" front leveling kit ... I was looking for a small lift "kit" but generally they start at 4" and I didn't want that much ... So I got the leveling kit, plus found a 1.5" rear lift ... I want to keep the almost stock "rake" with the tail higher than the front when empty.

Since I added wheel spacers, I decided to install small smooth fender flares.

When I got the truck it had black plastic wheel covers, I lost one, so I took off the other one on that side, so that side would match, but really don't like the look of the factory aluminum rims, and I liked the black and white theme I had going on, so I had to buy a four pack, didn't realize that they are a dull faded black, but they are on one side, I have the shiny black ones which I like better on the other side ... Then I rotated the tires since they were already off ...

I'm glad I didn't go with a 4" lift, this is plenty tall enough for me, probably will add a set of gramps steps!

Now I have room for chains!

I have a dentist appointment in the morning, so I'll pick up a couple more quarts of brake fluid and finish that job tomorrow ...

 

[JTKub]

Nice! My 2019 Ram 1500 classic, crew cab, hemi, 4x4 SLT was one of my all time favorite vehicles.

 

[Shawn T. W.]

Yeah, this has been a good truck it's 4X4 with the Hemi ... Wish it had a longer bed, and a manual transmission ... Couldn't find a 3/4 ton back then, but I make do with this.

I only drive it about 1000 miles a year now, it was " high mileage" when I bought ... 86K now has 94K, but when I lived in Arizona I put a bunch of miles on it going to Tucson, and my job was 108 miles away (same trucking company) I used it to move here in Missouri, and made a trip to Charlotte, NC for my father's funeral ... But normally it just driven 30 miles to work and parked until I get back, once I home I rarely go anywhere, I have too much to do here ...

Was WAY overloaded on my move, had plenty of motor and brakes, but suspension was over taxed!

I got the new transmission oil pan with filter and fluid, but need to change it, and flush out the coolant too ...

 

[tacticalturnip]

That's a good truck, and you really did right by it. The leveling kit is sharp.

 

[tacticalturnip]

Nice! My 2019 Ram 1500 classic, crew cab, hemi, 4x4 SLT was one of my all time favorite vehicles.

I had an '18, it was my favorite truck, and to me it was fast. Unfortunately for the truck I made a string of bad choices that resulted in it giving it's life to protect me. God's grace and that machine are why I'm here right now.



Anyhow, these older Ram's are excellent half-ton trucks, the 5.7 and 8 speed are worth putting up with a dial shift.