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In stock form, our 2020 RAM Big Horn was about as exciting as bowl of cold oatmeal, sporting the familiar Quad Cab/6.5 ft. bed configuration and Chrysler’s ubiquitous 5.7L Hemi under the hood. No doubt a capable partner for weekend trips to the hardware store and an occasional off-road excursion, but falling well short of the truck’s true potential.

“RAM trucks have gained a lot of traction over the last few years. They’ve proven to be great all-around pickups” says Justin Weideman, product merchandiser and lead builder for the project. “Our goal for this build was simple: take your run-of-the-mill RAM and trick it out! Make it not only stand out from the crowd, but function, too. After all, looking cool is fine, but the point of having a truck is to do truck stuff!”

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And if “truck stuff” is your goal, then there’s no better place to start than where the rubber meets the road. (Or is it rocks?) Gone are the RAM’s stock 18-inch alloys and 275-width Goodyears, and in their place we’ve bolted on a set of 20-inch Dirty Harry wheels from KMC. Those tough looking matte bronze rollers are wrapped in extra beefy 35 x 12.50 Mickey Thompson ATZ P3 tires.

According to Justin, a fresh set of rollers should be at the top of every truck owner’s wish list. “Wheels and tires are one of the best, most noticeable changes you can make on your truck,” he says. “There are so many different combinations available--there’s something out there for everyone!”

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Naturally, a mild lift was required to make room for that upgraded rolling gear. For this altitude adjustment, we selected a ReadyLift Suspension SST Leveling Kit. It delivered a perfectly reasonable 3.5-inch lift up front and 2.0 inches out back, offering improved off-road performance and the necessary tire clearance without negatively affecting the truck’s drivability.

“The RAM’s stock rear coil-spring setup really softens the typical rough and bumpy ride you expect from a big truck,” says Justin. “And it still drives really well with the mild lift and larger wheels and tires—almost like stock.”

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And the “truck stuff” doesn’t stop there! In back, we maximized Project RAM’s cargo-carrying capability with a DECKED In-Vehicle Storage System. This clever in-bed storage box features a pair of pull-out bed-length drawers, each capable of holding and organizing up to 200 lbs. of gear. Plus, you can stack up to 2,000 lbs. on top of the high-density polyethylene box, so the RAM’s original payload capacity is unaffected. “The DECKED system is by far my favorite improvement we made to the truck. It can be used in a million different ways,” says Justin. “ I’ll add one to my own truck sooner or later—that’s for sure.”

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“Project RAM” is more than just a name! Outfitted with Fab Fours fabricated steel bumpers, our pickup ready to shrug off whatever the trails throw its way. The Matrix Series front bumper boasts a tough pre-runner bar, plus a slim design for improved tire clearance. It comes equipped with a winch mount and cut-outs for a 30-inch LED light bar and cube lights at each corner. Out back, we selected a low-profile Vengeance Series rear bumper, which is built to work perfectly with the truck’s OE backup sensors and tow hitch.

While these pieces are designed to bolt on in place of your stock bumpers, Justin says this was probably the toughest part of the build. Due to the considerable size and weight of each piece, he recommends having an engine hoist and a couple of friends handy if you decide to tackle this job yourself.

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There’s no avoiding Project RAM’s upgraded lighting package! Justin finished the bumper installation with a Summit Racing 30-inch LED light bar, flanked with matching Summit Racing LED off-road spotlights on either side. And if that wasn’t bright enough for you, the truck’s T-Rex Stealth Laser Torch Series grille features yet another 30-inch LED light bar integrated right into the design.

We routed it all through a Trigger Six Shooter Control Module for complete control via the slick wireless rocker panel or from any Bluetooth-enabled smartphone. “The Six Shooter system is another one of my favorite mods,” says Justin. “If you’ve ever installed a lot of accessories onto a vehicle, you know it can quickly end up a rat’s nest of wires if you’re not careful. The Six Shooter takes care of that issue, and the wireless control really takes it over the top!”

And that’s not all! Project RAM’s Matrix Series front bumper also houses a Warn Zeon 12-S winch. This hard-working, lightweight powerhouse delivers and a fast and reliable 12,000 lbs. of pulling force, and boasts an IP-68 rated design for superior protection against dirt and moisture—just what you need for dependable performance on the gnarliest trails and remote worksites.

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Our latest project truck was built to haul in every sense of the word! To squeeze a little more juice out of the 5.7L Hemi, we traded the engine’s restrictive stock airbox for a free-flowing cold air intake kit from S&B Filters. And that fresh air doesn’t hang around long, thanks to the MBRP Black Series cat-back exhaust. The bolt-on dual-exit system features free-flowing 2.5-inch mandrel-bent tubing capped off with 4.5-inch tips wrapped in a stealthy high-heat black powdercoat finish.

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Of course, Project RAM isn’t all mud slinging and rowdy exhaust noise. Open a door and you’ll be politely greeted by the AMP Research PowerSteps, as the motorized running boards automatically lower into position. Climb in, and the steps raise back up and out of the way, preserving the ground clearance and clean looks of the truck. And don’t worry if your track in a little trail schmutz—Justin tossed in a set of weatherproof 3D MAXpider Kagu Floor Liners to keep even the muddiest boots at bay.

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Hungry for more? Keep clicking for an even better look at everything that went into our trail-ready pickup. And when you’re done, head over to SummitRacing.com/ProjectRAM for our complete series of installation videos, and watch as Justin transforms our truck from showroom stock to ready to rock!

And don’t forget—SummitRacing.com/Truck is your source for thousands of parts just for your late-model truck. Start your own build today!

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