2006 Dodge Ram 1500 - Fantastic Four - Rolling Appreciation

Before

Sgt. Ainsley Smart, who is currently serving in Afghanistan, in the United States Army, doesn’t like driving a truck that looks, handles, and performs like everyone else’s. He dreamt of someday improving every segment of his ’06 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab since he purchased it, but with his commitment to protect our country and his multiple tours overseas, he could never find the time to spin the wrenches. Sgt. Smart started talking with our "New Guy" Max Matthewson on Truckinweb.com. They discussed his ambition to begin construction on his dream Ram and that instantly got the gears in Max’s head turning. The Truckin’ staff discussed the situation and we unanimously decided to provide some assistance to Sgt. Smart’s dream. We found out he was going to be on leave here in California for 14 days, so our window of opportunity was narrow, but with some help from manufacturers and a good game plan, we were confident we could makeover his Dodge during one of those days.

To allow the mighty Hemi to breathe better, a K&N Gen. II air intake kit would replace the restrictive factory system. The ride height would be lowered by installing a Spring Tech 3-4-inch drop. This kit is both friendly on the wallet and easy to install. To achieve traction and styling, a set of Mamba Wheels Type M4 wheels, sized 22x9.5-inch, would be wrapped with Toyo Proxes ST-II 285/40R22 rubber. This transformation was accomplished in one day.

Follow along as we install these performance goodies at Matix Motorsports and Becker Wheel and Tire Center.

Highs:

Improved ride height
Enhanced overall appearance and styling
Increased engine performance
Improved tire traction and suspension cornering
All bolt-on parts

Lows:

Needs to remove the tube steps for a more custom look

Editor’s Note:
We chose Sgt. Smart’s Dodge Ram completely randomly after he contacted us and all of the stars aligned with his leave time and our deadlines for us to help him. We would love to help out our military every month, but it’s just not feasible. All of us at Truckin’ say "Thank You" to you service men and women for your sacrifice and commitment to our country.

1. The Spring Tech Suspension 3-4-inch drop kit that consists of shorter Spring Tech front coil springs, and gas-filled shocks, longer Spring Tech rear shackles, rear axlehousing saddles, and Spring Tech gas-filled shocks.
1. The Spring Tech Suspension 3-4-inch drop kit that consists of shorter Spring Tech front
2. Jason Weber, head installer at Matix Motorsports, in Anaheim, California, started by removing the factory wheels so the front suspension was ready to be disassembled. A 21mm socket and impact gun was used to remove the tie rod end nut.
2. Jason Weber, head installer at Matix Motorsports, in Anaheim, California, started by re
3. The tie rod was then removed from the spindle, followed by removing the brake caliper and rotor. The shock bolts were removed using a 21mm socket and impact gun, before removing the factory shock.
3. The tie rod was then removed from the spindle, followed by removing the brake caliper a

4. After removing the upper control arm from the spindle, it was leaned outward to allow the front coil spring to be carefully removed.
4. After removing the upper control arm from the spindle, it was leaned outward to allow t
5. This comparison photo shows the height difference between the factory spring and the 3-inch shorter Spring Tech coil spring.
5. This comparison photo shows the height difference between the factory spring and the 3-
6. After installing the rubber spring pocket boot on the new Spring Tech coil spring, it was carefully installed. A floor jack was used to raise the lower control arm and spindle allowing the upper control arm to be reinstalled.
6. After installing the rubber spring pocket boot on the new Spring Tech coil spring, it w

7. The Spring Tech front gas-filled shock was inserted into the lower control arm and secured through the upper shock mounting bracket.
7. The Spring Tech front gas-filled shock was inserted into the lower control arm and secu
8. With the shorter Spring Tech coil spring installed and the front upper and lower control arms, spindle, tie rod reinstalled and secured, the front suspension alteration was completed.
8. With the shorter Spring Tech coil spring installed and the front upper and lower contro
9. Moving to the rear, the factory rear suspension would be lowered by flipping the 12-bolt 9.25 rearend housing atop the leaf-spring packs. A 21mm socket and air impact gun were used to remove the factory shock bolts and shocks.
9. Moving to the rear, the factory rear suspension would be lowered by flipping the 12-bol

10. For safety and support of the rearend housing, a pair of screw jacks were used.
11. Jason used a 10mm socket and ratchet along with a 21mm open-end wrench to remove the leaf-spring pack rear shackle bolt.
11. Jason used a 10mm socket and ratchet along with a 21mm open-end wrench to remove the l
12. and 13. Jason applied penetrating oil to help loosen the rusty U-bolt nuts before breaking them loose using an impact gun with a 24mm deep socket. The old U-bolts were then removed.
12. and 13. Jason applied penetrating oil to help loosen the rusty U-bolt nuts before brea

12. and 13. Jason applied penetrating oil to help loosen the rusty U-bolt nuts before breaking them loose using an impact gun with a 24mm deep socket. The old U-bolts were then removed.
12. and 13. Jason applied penetrating oil to help loosen the rusty U-bolt nuts before brea
14. After removing the rear shackle and front hanger bolts, Jason muscled the rear leaf-spring packs from the rear suspension pickup mounting points.
14. After removing the rear shackle and front hanger bolts, Jason muscled the rear leaf-sp
15. A pair of welder clamps were used to secure the rear leaf-spring pack while the spring pack retainer bolt and U-bolt mounting plate was removed.
15. A pair of welder clamps were used to secure the rear leaf-spring pack while the spring

16. Jason used a 10mm socket and ratchet, along with a 21mm open-end wrench to remove the leaf-spring pack rear shackle bolt.
16. Jason used a 10mm socket and ratchet, along with a 21mm open-end wrench to remove the
17. This comparison image shows the size difference of the new and old leaf-spring pack rear mounting shackles.
17. This comparison image shows the size difference of the new and old leaf-spring pack re
18. Before installing the new Spring Tech rear mounting shackle, Jason applied some white moly grease to the urethane bushing.
18. Before installing the new Spring Tech rear mounting shackle, Jason applied some white

19. The factory rear bumpstop was removed from underneath the framerails. Two 5/16-inch holes were drilled underneath each of the framerails between the two factory bumpstop mounting holes. The holes were then threaded using a 3/8-inch 16NC tap.
19. The factory rear bumpstop was removed from underneath the framerails. Two 5/16-inch ho
20. The new, smaller Spring Tech 9/16-tall x 1 1/2-inch-wide bumpstops were carefully threaded into the holes.
20. The new, smaller Spring Tech 9/16-tall x 1 1/2-inch-wide bumpstops were carefully thre
21. Jason raised the rearend housing using screw jackstands and tie-downs.

22. After aligning and installing the front hanger bolts through the leaf-spring pack eyehole, Jason swung the leaf-spring pack up into position to align and install the rear shackle nut and bolt.
22. After aligning and installing the front hanger bolts through the leaf-spring pack eyeh
23. A 21mm deep socket and ratchet were used to secure the rear leafspring shackle nut and bolt.
23. A 21mm deep socket and ratchet were used to secure the rear leafspring shackle nut and
24. A 21mm deep socket and torque wrench were used to secure the new U-bolts and torqued to 110 lb-ft.
24. A 21mm deep socket and torque wrench were used to secure the new U-bolts and torqued t

25. New Spring Tech gas-filled shocks were installed to help dampen the rear suspension.
26. After installing the new Spring Tech rear 4-inch lowering components the rearend was complete.
26. After installing the new Spring Tech rear 4-inch lowering components the rearend was c

27. and 28. The crew at Becker Wheel and Tire in Anaheim, California, mounted and balanced the set of stylish Mamba Type M4 wheels, sized 22x9.5-inch, inside the Toyo Proxes ST 285/40R22 rubber.
27. and 28. The crew at Becker Wheel and Tire in Anaheim, California, mounted and balanced
27. and 28. The crew at Becker Wheel and Tire in Anaheim, California, mounted and balanced the set of stylish Mamba Type M4 wheels, sized 22x9.5-inch, inside the Toyo Proxes ST 285/40R22 rubber.
27. and 28. The crew at Becker Wheel and Tire in Anaheim, California, mounted and balanced
29. After the new rolling stock was bolted on to the ’06 Dodge Ram it was driven up onto the Hunter alignment rack where it received a precise frontend camber and toe alignment.
29. After the new rolling stock was bolted on to the ’06 Dodge Ram it was driven up onto t

30. After the new Spring Tech front suspension had settled, the Mamba/Toyo wheel and tire combo fit the Dodge’s arched wheelwells nicely. The Mamba wheels add a rugged, industrial look to the Ram’s tough personality. The Toyo tires will provide wet and dry traction for the Hemi V-8.
30. After the new Spring Tech front suspension had settled, the Mamba/Toyo wheel and tire
31. To improve the inhalation of the 5.7L Hemi, we decided to remove the factory air intake system and replace with a more productive K&N Gen II air intake system.
31. To improve the inhalation of the 5.7L Hemi, we decided to remove the factory air intak
32. and 33. A screwdriver was used to loosen the air intake hose clamps and remove the corrugated air tube. The factory airbox-mounting bracket bolts were then removed from the fender flange allowing the factory air filter and box to be removed. The factory resonator box was removed from the throttle body.
32. and 33. A screwdriver was used to loosen the air intake hose clamps and remove the cor

32. and 33. A screwdriver was used to loosen the air intake hose clamps and remove the corrugated air tube. The factory airbox-mounting bracket bolts were then removed from the fender flange allowing the factory air filter and box to be removed. The factory resonator box was removed from the throttle body.
32. and 33. A screwdriver was used to loosen the air intake hose clamps and remove the cor
34. After the new K&N Gen II air intake tube was connected to the throttle body, the air temp sensor was inserted into the intake tube temp sensor port then rotated clockwise securing it in place.
34. After the new K&N Gen II air intake tube was connected to the throttle body, the a
35. A Snap On straight-blade screwdriver was used to secure the air intake tube hose clamp to the saddle clamp bracket next to the installed airbox.
35. A Snap On straight-blade screwdriver was used to secure the air intake tube hose clamp

36. The new K&N oval air filter was then inserted onto the air intake tube inside the K&N heat shield box.
36. The new K&N oval air filter was then inserted onto the air intake tube inside the

2006 Dodge Ram 1500 Rolling Appreciation After

From The Driver Seat
The new Spring Tech lowering kit makes the Ram ride height four inches lower in the rear and three inches lower in the front creating a level stance. The ride became more aggressive with the upgraded Spring Tech gas-filled shocks, and shorter springs up front. By flipping the rear end atop the leaf-spring packs in the rear, it lowered the Ram’s overall center of gravity. The larger diameter Mamba Type M4 wheels mated with the Toyo Proxes ST-II 285/40R22 tires increased the lateral grip and straightaway traction. Under the hood, mating the K&N Gen 2 Air Intake system with the MagnaFlow exhaust (that he already had on the truck) improved the mighty Hemi’s horsepower and torque. Installing the system improved airflow and created a throaty performance sound along with more mpg.

Your Questions Answered

Time Spent Working:	8 Hours
Degree of difficulty	Intermediate
Tools needed: Assorted metric sockets and wrenches (10mm, 15mm, 16mm, 21mm, and 24mm) ratchets, impact gun, medium straight blade screwdriver, screw jackstands, tiedowns, drill 516-inch drill bit, 38-inch 16 NC tap.
Parts Used
(Prices from manufactures and do not include tax, shipping or labor)
K&N Gen. 2 Air Intake Kit PN57-1533	$320.00
Mamba Type M4 22x9.5 wheels	$305.00 ea.
Toyo Proxes ST-II 285/40R22 110V tires	$275.00 ea.
Front Spring tech 3-inch drop coil PN252130	$229.00
Front spring tech drop shocks PNST-1300SL	$69.90
Rear spring tech 4-inch flip kit PN302140	$189.95
Rear spring tech drop shocks PNST-2200LL PR	$69.00
Total:	$3,197.85

SOURCE
K&N Filters 1455 Citrus Street Riverside CA 92507 800-858-3333 www.knfilters.com	Mamba Wheels 1-800-735-2822 http://www.mambawheels.com/
Toyo Tires 800-442-8996 www.toyotires.com	Becker Tire Center 1281 N. Kramer Blvd. Anaheim CA 92806 1-714-630-2510
Matix Motorsports 3911 La Palma Ave. Anaheim CA 92807 1-714-632-7024