I deleted the some 'Grandpa' from the truck by removing the aluminum side steps off my '96 Ram 2500 Cummins

"M.T. Blake" (autohabit) 04/01/2020 at 14:36 • Filed to: twelve valve problems, cummins, dodge, ram, project, truck, 4x4, diesel, 6bt, grandpa, grandpa truck, resurrection

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This is my 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 4x4 with an automatic transmission and the 6BT Cummins engine. It is a little rough, with plenty of ‘needs’ to be done. One thing had been bothering me since I resurrected it from an early grave - the aluminum side steps.

The wheels are off a 2010 Ram 2500 with 265/70/17 tires.

Makes a world of difference right? It actually looks like a truck and not some 2wd-ish old man driven pharmacy-runner. Annoyingly I did end up pulling out the angle grinder as one of the carriage bolts began spinning when removing the nut.

When it came out of the muck back in 2018.

I’ll end up finding a more modern and sleeker running board for the truck in the future. I enjoyed the utility of the running boards but, I’m certainly not at an age where I need them... yet.

MonkeePuzzle > M.T. Blake 04/01/2020 at 14:56

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substantial improvement

AestheticsInMotion > M.T. Blake 04/01/2020 at 14:57

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Huge difference. For the better! 

Snuze: Needs another Swede > M.T. Blake 04/01/2020 at 15:21

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That looks much better!

speedy964 > M.T. Blake 04/01/2020 at 15:38

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The truck l ooks way better without the running boards. How well is the trans working? From what I have heard, that gen of ram had an auto trans that was made out of glass.

Nom De Plume > M.T. Blake 04/01/2020 at 15:44

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I’m sorely tempted to paraphrase Nick Blackhurst here. Just to confirm, the below photo is what the truck looked like before your time?

Just to be clear, this is a work truck.  Not a pharmacy runner.  Regardless, the part about getting mudflaps stands.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > M.T. Blake 04/01/2020 at 16:13

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And now all you need to do is give it a landau roof, aerodynamically correct bed cap, side skirts, and rear wheel well skirts and it will be PERFECT and you’ll get the bestest fuel economy!!!

Saracen > M.T. Blake 04/01/2020 at 16:29

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That looks soooooooooo much better.

I installed black Ionic 3" nerf bars on the SD. Easy install, low profile, high weight capacity, and cheap.

wafflesnfalafel > M.T. Blake 04/01/2020 at 16:46

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that’s a great looking truck

M.T. Blake > speedy964 04/01/2020 at 16:48

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During cold starts it doesn’t want to move until 2500rpm in Drive. If I drop it to neutral and give it some revs first, it will usually take off immediately in drive afterwards.

I’m going to flush it for shits and giggles to see if it helps. The transmission was “rebuilt” in 2011 and then was driven scarcely until 2018 when I resurrected it.

M.T. Blake > Nom De Plume 04/01/2020 at 16:50

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It wasn’t being used as a work truck, even if it looked like one!

I ended up giving away the red diesel tank as the fuel was too old to use, and it was easier to let someone else figure out how to dispose of it... plus I wanted the bed space, my tractor uses about 1 gallon every 1.5-2 hours, so I didn’t need it either.

M.T. Blake > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly 04/01/2020 at 16:51

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I like your enthusiasm, but I threw up in my mouth looking at these trucks.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > M.T. Blake 04/01/2020 at 16:52

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You might want to do some partial drains instead of a full drain. I hear sometimes that can shock the transmission and permanently damage it.

M.T. Blake > wafflesnfalafel 04/01/2020 at 16:53

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Thanks, I’m lucky to have picked it up. It needs paint, suspension, more POWAR, and the driver’s seat bottom reupholstered... you know, more money.

M.T. Blake > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 04/01/2020 at 16:57

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Transmission flushes need to have a sacrificial offering to the Dodge Gods before doing anything. I prefer to get a toy F-150 and light it on fire in front of the Dodge to witness. Only then will it accept its mechanical offering and not refuse or self-destruct.

I’ve heard it both ways. The fluid in this is very pink and new so I don’t think much more friction material will be refused in the process. The damage has been done...

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > M.T. Blake 04/01/2020 at 17:02

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Sounds like maybe someone did a full flush when the trans was full of gunk and messed it up whereas you can’t do any more damage. I really need to service the terrible auto trans in my Cruze so I’ve read up on it a bit. 

WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI > M.T. Blake 04/01/2020 at 17:02

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Looks way better! Sadly, a long bed regular cab will always retain a bit of the olds in it.

M.T. Blake > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available 04/01/2020 at 17:40

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That’s what I’m guessing. I’ll do a drain and fill to be safe. Maybe add a deeper pan :D

M.T. Blake > WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI 04/01/2020 at 17:44

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Fact. I find them growing on me a bit. They’ve migrated from ‘old folky’ to something close to ‘sport truck’ for me. If you think about it, the utilitarian roots are more suited to making a fun truck today. It’s a two seater (three if you want to be a dick) pickup, shortest wheelbase, with the same drivetrain from a larger configuration. My truck is not the perfect example, a manual transmission truck would be a better choice.

CalzoneGolem > M.T. Blake 04/02/2020 at 07:28

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Wheels n ext?

M.T. Blake > CalzoneGolem 04/03/2020 at 00:26

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When the tires need replacing I will do wheels. They’re getting close. The seat is driving me nuts. It has a massive hole in it. 

CalzoneGolem > M.T. Blake 04/03/2020 at 07:36

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Oh yeah for sure. I was just thinking about you un-grandpa-ing. De- chroming t he mirrors might help in un-grandpa- ing.

M.T. Blake > CalzoneGolem 04/03/2020 at 17:31

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Excellent idea! I’ll be sure and drive with the new tow mirrors folded IN to not give myself a poor image :D

CalzoneGolem > M.T. Blake 04/04/2020 at 15:00

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It * might* be too late for that.