RAM Build

2019 RAM 1500 EXPRESS V8 HEMI CREW CAB – EATS UTES FOR BREAKFAST!

***The truck “RAMBAM”, (and our Wonderland Amaroo caravan), will be up for sale in the next few months as we finish up our trip. If you’re keen, get in touch!

Insight into the board build & off-grid electrical upgrades

Off-grid electrical upgrades by Safiery, Queensland

“The most challenging power consumer is a rear winch. On this RAM 1500, the rear winch is a 7m run from the alternator. Its a 14,000lb winch that needs 450A as a single line pull. I hear some say, double the line wrap for half the load but if that tree on the edge of the salt pan is a long way away, single line is a must.

In this build, we have Scotty on the front wall with the 48V system. Scotty will give 250A continuously at the canopy. So we add a small 12V battery which together with Scotty will provide the 450A if required. The alternator will give 200A, scotty will give 250A and the battery acts like a buffer. Sweet as.

Check out for the next video walk through below of the entire build and then the winch test with a V8 Rangy on the other end of the rope for a bit of fun!” – Bruce, Safiery.

Minimal power needed for the RAM 1500 to pull a V8 Range Rover with rear winch

Electrical Upgrades by Safiery, Queensland

“This is one of the biggest projects so far as there is a lot of power flowing in this RAM at 12V. The compressor takes over 100A, the 14,000lb rear winch, primarily for recovery of the towed caravan, goes to 450A at full load. The rear winch ended up as a 10m run from the alternator.

In this video, we show the winch pulling a Range Rover with brakes partially on, loaded to 1500W, that’s 120A at the winch. We ran for 5 minutes with the power only coming from Scotty. Scotty is a bi-directional DC to DC. So when its not charging, it will deliver up to 250A to this winch. So we had to do a winch test and see if there was any voltage or power drop off. There wasn’t! Enjoy watching the V8 Rangy on the other end of the rope for a bit of fun!”

The walkthrough of the upgrades also shows the lights, electrical system, and control panel. Lights installed on the door edges – 270 degree run. 400amp hours of lithium, 3000w inverter “Scotty”, compressor, and control panel. 240 in and out, ready for fridge installation, ovens and pantry. 7 inch screen, lights (white, amber).- Bruce, Safiery.

Custom Tray by Phat Dab Customs, Murwillumbah NSW

Before and after – slide arrows left and right

Full List of Upgrades

Internal

  • Neoprene wetsuit covers on all seats
  • Mud mats
  • Upgraded light switch and accessory pod on dash
  • Park mate 4-camera revision mirror
  • I throttle controller
  • Remote res shock absorber 16 stage electric control
  • Red arc brake controller
  • Cel-fi Go control box
  • GME XRS UHF with Bluetooth

External

  • Offroad animal bull bar with bash plates (above)
  • Integrated lights and light bar
  • GME XRS UHF antenna
  • TJM 12,000lb wireless winch with factor 55 hitch
  • Marina grade cel-fi go antenna
  • Clearview extendable tow mirrors with integrated outside temperature monitoring and integrated blinkers
  • Snake flares
  • JMACX 2.5alpha remote 2-inch lift and GVM upgrade to 4.2 tonnes (slide arrows below for pics in instagram post)
  • Upgraded disk brakes for GVM increase
  • Aftermarket load-rated 20 inch rims wrapped with 35×12.5, 20xLT MTs
  • Electronic folding side steps
  • Snorkel plumbed up to k&n air filter
  • Ceramic coated headers and full exhaust system – epic sound and reduced temp due to high flow cats moved past transmission case
  • Mild tune
  • Aftermarket battery box and upgraded electric and fuse panels including isolated for winch

Rear

  • Rear ARB air rear diff lock
  • Upgraded bearings in diff for GVM and increase JMACX
  • 2 inch lift with remote alpha controlled shocks – all controlled from inside the cab
  • Air bag assisted springs and BOSS air bag replaced bumper stops
  • Exhaust tip cut and dropped at 45 degrees
  • Custom tray with gravity fed 85L long range fuel tank
  • Integrated tool boxes left and right
  • Rear trundle drawer
  • 70L water tank underneath with high pressure pump. Can be pressure filled or filled by nosel on right hand side of the car. System also allows creek pull for the truck or for the caravan.
  • Flush mounted deck wash, quick connect systems left and right hand side of the tray to allow water access by tap or hose.
  • Air bag raise and lower points and upgraded LED lights at rear
  • Flip up licence plate with rear mounted winch – controlled wirelessly
  • Upgraded rear reverse lights and reverse camera along with canopy constant feed rear vision camera to hitch or for rear vision when not towing.

Canopy Top

  • Roof rack
  • Backbone roof rack on top of cab with light bar with 400w Solar panel
  • Max tracx holder
  • Solar powered 12v van to keep canopy cool
  • solar panel and sand flag mount

Canopy Internal

  • MRT canopy modified to carry more strength
  • 400 amp lithium 48 volt vinctron integrated with a 3KVA inverter
  • System is matched with a 48v-12v bio directional controller (Scotty) linked to a 350am alternator
  • 100amp 12v lithium battery
  • System can run 12 v electrics including twin compressor in rear, water pumps, lights, fridges
  • GPO 240v PowerPoints throughout
  • 90L 12v bushman’s upright fridge
  • 30L drawer ever cool 12v fridge/freezer
  • Coffee machine
  • Ice maker
  • Integrated draws
  • Ceiling mounted brackets for fishing rods and spear guns
  • 15 amp 240v in and out at rear of canopy

Rear

  • 48v and 12v Anderson plugs for connectivity to caravan including camera connectivity
  • Aftermarket 4.5tonne drop and raise hitch matched to a DO45 off-road 4.5tonne hitch pin
  • Stone stomper