1997 Dodge Ram 1500

When Matt Klouzek set out to modify his '97 Dodge Ram, he gathered ideas from previous Top Truck Challenge competitors. "Stan Prueitt's T-Rex was my inspiration for building a Dodge Ram and Brad Austin's Blue Beast was my inspiration for narrowing the bed," Klouzek says. After integrating these and many more ideas, this rock-ready Ram was born. Klouzek's next goal? Compete in Top Truck Challenge.

Klouzek says he removed 38 inches of tailgate width from the Ram, which creates a width of just 30 inches. In all, he spent more than 50 hours on the bed modifications. This included the custom framework, bedside wheelwell modifications and repainting.

Looking closer at the rear of the vehicle reveals an owner-fabbed swing-open tailgate and a custom bumper with clevis mounts and KC lights. Klouzek also made the front bumper which houses a Ramsey 12,000-pound winch.

Klouzek says the 5.9L Magnum V-8 makes enough power to turn 42s easily and enough torque to crawl with 42s, so he has left it mostly stock with the exception of a 2.5-inch dual exhaust with 3-inch-diameter tailpipes.

Up front, there's 10 inches of lift generated by a pair of Full Throttle suspension coil springs with custom long arms and 14-inch-travel Full Throttle shocks. The tie rod and drag link are made from beefy 1.5-inch-diameter, 0.250-wall DOM tubing, and 0.750-inch spherical rod ends which are screwed into the ends of each. A Tom Wood's driveshaft feeds the open Dana 44 from the stock transfer case.

Custom Alcan Spring leaf springs (on custom flipped shackles) generate the 10 inches of rear lift, and a pair of Full Throttle shocks are on damping duty. The differential in the Chrysler 9.25 rear axle is welded to improve traction. A set of 42x15.0-15 Super Swamper TSLs on Rockcrawler 15x10 wheels reside both front and rear.

Specs

GENERAL
Owner: Matt Klouzek/Grand Junction, Colorado
Vehicle/Model: '97 Dodge Ram 1500
Estimated Value: $30,000

ENGINE
Type: 5.9L V-8
Aspiration: Fuel injection, dual exhaust
Output, hp/torque (estimated): N/A

DRIVETRAIN
Transmission: Stock
Transfer case: Stock

SUSPENSION
Front: Full Throttle 10-inch-lift coils, custom long arms, Full Throttle 14-inch-travel shocks
Rear: Custom Alcan Spring 10-inch-lift leaf springs, custom shackles, shackle flip, Full Throttle 14-inch-travel shocks

AXLES/DIFFERENTIALS
Front: Dana 44/Open
Rear: Chrysler 9.25/Welded
Ring-and-pinion: 3.90:1

WHEELS/TIRES
Wheels: 15x10 Rockcrawler
Tires: 42x15.0-15 Super Swamper TSL