Hey from Illinois!

Hey guys. Newbie here…


Where do I start? My name is Rob and I’m in Illinois. I’ve owned lots of vehicles but I currently own a lifted RAM 1500 (3” all around) truck with nice 34” BFGoodrich KO2’s (AT's) on it but it’s my $45,000 baby and she’s paid off. I have an electric mini-van for my wife and kids and a nice SRT6 AMG supercharged sports car (Crossfire). I’m *NOT* a mechanic by any means but I have family members that are all gear heads and our family is very tight knit .


What I am looking for (And even purchase from someone here on this forum) is a bush truck… Simply put I want a truck that is already rough because I’m going to beat the crap out of it in the bush up in Canada where the trails are only 4’ wide and trees scrape the sides as you move through the trails. Some basic requirements are below.


Where does this stem from? We have a family history of going to Canada for our annual fishing trip every year and I want to keep this tradition alive now that I have kids growing up too fast. My father has a Dodge Dakota bush truck with mega large back seats and a short bed and it was a beast… Problem with that is it’s a V8 gas sucking pig, it’s rust city cuz it’s a dodge with 280,000 miles and it’s an automatic. I’m looking for a 4 cyl or maybe a V6 if it’s better to have power on steep hills (Although that’s what 4 low is for right?)… Either way I know it’ll suck gas and I don’t expect it to be fuel efficient per-say I just want it to suck gas a bit less since gas is crazy money in Canada anyways (Yes of course we bring spare fuel within the legal limit).


Budget: Can I get this done for $10,000? I can afford more than 10k but it starts to hurt my soul a bit when I spend more than 10k just to beat the tar out of it. Catch my drift there? It will NOT be a daily driver and it won’t even be insured for the most part when sitting and not in use. I will spend money where it matters – Skid plates, bad-ass winch front and back, good lighting, big mud terrain tires, suspension lift (6” or greater based on the advice you give) and a hefty suspension, etc. I’m not going to be doing moto-cross, I won’t be jumping it or anything crazy. Put is short: Yes, I could take a $3000 truck and put 7k into upgrades where it matters. Don’t care about rust but would like a nice frame of course.


Basic requirements:


- 4 doors – I have 2 kids and I want them and my wife to be able to all go if needed as they get older on camping trips

- Stick shift

- 4x4

- Manual items such as door locks, windows, etc. Less stuff to break down.

- Solid frame

- 4 cylinder – Unless a V6 really is a better choice


From there as I said it would get the make-up:


- Winch front and back

- Heavy duty battery

- Heavy duty alternator

- New clutch if needed

- Big tires (37” maybe? Or hell, KIS – maybe 35” is plenty?) – Mud terrains. Probably BFGoodrich based on my experience with my AT’s on my current truck but again, advice here is welcomed? E-rated probably for a better side wall too.

- Bead locks for tires.

- Lift – 6” minimum I’m thinking but maybe even 8 or 10 or 12” if you think it’s worth it.

- Would like 24” clearance to bottom of rear pumpkin if this is even possible? My RAM only has 15” to rear pumpkin with 3” lift and 34” tires

- Gorgeous LED lighting on independent relays in dash.

- Cap for storage and sleeping in a tent off the ground

- Front and rear locking difs – VERY IMPORTANT to me.

- Hitch – Not to tow anything crazy but something small like a cargo carrier or a small rugged off road pop up camper

- Cap with rails and platform on it to haul boat and to sleep in

- Skid plates

- Bullbar/heavy duty bumpers

- Headlight and radiator guard

- Tow hooks front and rear

- Snorkel – Probably NOT needed but I’m putting it on the list

- Bonus – Toughbook mounted inside – I do Toughbooks for a living anyways. Rugged navigation and music! J


What am I missing? Thanks in advance from the newbie in Illinois!

 

BTW I won't be doing any rock crawling or anything crazy. Just a lot of bush which will scrape the sides of the truck. Also lots of mook when it rains hence the mud tires.

 

No love for IL eh? LOL, I get it, the worst state in the country...

Thanks!

 

Welcome Rob,

Maybe put your order in the Lower East Side of Chicago,
Probably find one real cheap, won't have a title though. LOL

 

LOL!!! Yeah, I stay as far away from Chicago as possible.... Not even anywhere near close to Chicago!

 

That is why you can get one super cheap, You might want to get a bullet proof vest though.

 

Welcome to TW!!

 

Welcome to TW!!

 

Welcome!