From the desert to the sea, Dodge, Dodge and more Dodge

January 2003- Desert Rock, USA The questions continue to roll in record numbers. Of course, the loads of fun questions we get from the funny people of the world continually make us laugh. Thanks for the mud in the eyes. Sometimes it's good to taste a little Mother Earth. If you have digital photos of your favorite Dodge 4x4, send them in and we'll get you a new style ORC "steeker" for your windshield.

JACKED UP DODGE RAM: This Dodge Ram is lifted beyond mortal heights with a custom King Shock suspension system that surely taxed the wallet of its owner. Admired by many at the massive Off-Road.Expo in October at the sprawling Los Angeles County Fairgrounds, this truck garnered many reviews from passerbys.

Adrian from Petaluma, California said: Hey guys, I?ve got tons of questions. I got a 2002 Quad Cab Dodge Dakota V8 2WD truck. I want to jack it up. Right now I?m looking for a good lift kit around 4 inches or more and wheels as well. I have been reading up and I have been told that I need wheels that will fit a 33" x 12.5" range tire. Is this true? Can I get a good wheel and lift kit deal in one package? Please let me know! I?m sitting on $2000 and I want to know if I have enough to get all the parts. Thanks-Adrian

Desertbull says: You don't have to even leave California to solve your problem. Doetsch Shocks is located in El Cajon, California in San Diego County and they have everything you need to fit those 33" x 12.50 tires beneath that new truck of yours. A good tire package can be found at a variety of vendors, however, ORC wholeheartedly supports the line of Baja proven tires at BFGoodrich. Mixed with a nice lift, some Robby Gordon wheels and BFGoodrich All-Terrain KM's and you'll tear up the earth in Ventura county. Visit Doetsch Shocks at www.doetsch-shocks.com and tell them the boyz from Off-Road.Com sent you in.

Chevy says: My friend says Dodge is better than Chevy...and I say Chevy is the best...what could I tell him?

Desertbull laughs and says: Hah...a Chevy? You must be named "Hotschott." Hotschott is the only guy around that I personally know who can back up those strong words you've mustered out. He runs hard and that Chevy ZR71 performs behind his expert drivability, but most Chevy boyz keep those trucks on the street where they belong. Leave the dirt, mud and sand to those that are proven performers. Enough said folks!!!

Charles Giambrone asked: I would like to know a fix for a driveline angle problem. I raised my 1998 Ram 1500 5" suspension and it has a NV231 transfer case. Any suggestions? Please email me.

Desertbull responds: One of the best in the driveline industry is our friends at High Angle Driveline. They have it all and the experience in a variety of many vehicles and driveline applications. Contact them at www.HighAngleDriveline.com

ALASKA AND BACK: Retired BFGoodrich Communications Team Relay #4, Darren Ballein, traveled nearly 10,000 miles in his Dodge Ram V-10 gas sucker without incident. He and his Dad cruised to Fairbanks in hopes of tracking down some big bad bear, but came up a bit short this year. Rain, mud and fun were the primary ingredients to this outstanding trip.

Chevy or Dodge? You decide!!!

Anonymous says: Not that anyone really cares, but I honestly think that these new body styles coming out like this new Chevy and the new Dodge frankly look stupid. Trucks are supposed to look like they have balls. The new trucks look quite gay. Companies need to keep the tough look, but still be classy. I am never going to buy a truck that has the new body style. I'm sticking with the '96 - '02 style. About 15 of my good friends feel the same way. It?s just my opinion.

Desertbull responds: Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. That's what makes America the place to live. We will forward your comments to the big (3) automakers, but it's a bit late now as the 2003 models are already available and the plans for the 2004 models are in production. Wait until 2006, that'll throw you for a loop. Get out to the dirt and tear it up. Run hard and play safe.

Peter Mark says: Hello, and I have a 1942 Dodge Weapons Carrier # WC52. I am told both front and rear differentials for this 3/4 ton military truck are the same. Do you have lockers for these differentials? Thank You, Peter Mark

Desertbull says: We don't sell or stock parts for any vehicle. We are an online publication. However, I can get you rolling in the right directions. You can find out what size differentials you need at www.clarktruck.com and then contact Randy's Ring and Pinion at www.ring-pinion.com and one of their many salesmen will help you out.

Chuey in La Puenta asks: I want to lower the rear of my 1991 Dodge Ram D150 2-3 inches contrary to everyone else wanting to raise their trucks. I?d prefer bolt-on methods under two hundred dollars. Any thoughts or speculation?

Desertbull asks, "What the heck do you want to do that for?" We use our trucks to rage the planet of dirt, mud and sand. Lowering your truck will simply enhance the percentages of burying your truck deeper and deeper then you ever had before. If you do anything, jack it up 6 inches and head to the sand.

On The Verge Of Victory
King Shocks and custom powder coat line the custom suspension of this bad cat.	Brother Bob and his Ford playing on the beaches of Baja, Mexico.
The Deserttank was at National Spring Co for a front end suspension upgrade.	Skyjacker's show truck outfitted with the latest and greatest from Skyjacker.

Howdy asked: I have an 85 Ramcharger Custom. It has a 4WD and is powered by the original 318 motor. The driveline is a 4spd w/a granny. The truck is pretty much all stock except for the set of locking hubs I installed myself and a new improved steering shaft. I am interested in replacing the factory single exhaust with dual pipes. Can you tell me what size of pipe I should go with and what mufflers you suggest. I don't want a noise maker, just something that can benefit the performance and make some sweet sounds. Thanks for the help. Stan

Desertbull says: The King of Exhaust says go with a 2.75" custom bent exhaust with a Flowmaster Muffler for performance and sound. Visit your local tube bender and they'll get you fixed up in a day or so.

Louis asked:Hello, I live in Cyprus in the Meditterean Sea and there is no dealer here for Dodge? If I want to import such a car is there someone I apply to like a nearby dealer in the area? Thanks, Louis

Desertbull says: Cyprus...near the Roman Empire of Greece, eh? Best thing I can help you with is to advise that you head to Germany not far from your homeland. You can purchase a Dodge truck in Germany and then head south for the sands of Cyprus with some 37" BFGoodrich Projects running the same hills and beaches of the Roman warriors of yesteryear. Good luck

Dodge Aftermarket Products-Skyjacker Rocks
SLASH X - BARSTOW, CA The Desert Tank has visited the famous SLASH X one to many times in the recent years. Prodding through the desert morning, noon and night, we know those desert crossroads to well. Here we are stopped in the middle of nowhere waiting for SuperMan, aka as "The Mexican Stallion" to make radio contact with the martians.
	SKYJACKER SYSTEMS ROCK- The guys from Skyjacker just plain rock. Their suspension systems are top notch. You can visit them at many of the auto shows nationwide. Here the new SkyJacker coilover shock is seen installed on this mammoth Dodge Ram truck. If your looking for a coilover shock that performs at top levels, look no farther. This shock has been used on the roughest of terrains throughout the nation during the testing and prototype process. At this time, Skyjacker is the only manufacturer to produce a coil over for the Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Diesel truck. Check them out at www.Skyjacker.com and see the latest in technology from them. Leading the pack, Skyjacker is Baja Proven and they sponsor one of the kings in Baja, Mr. Curt LeDuc.

Dave needs help and says: Hello, I have been going nuts looking for a lift kit for my Dodge 3500 4WD-V10. I have not been able to locate any kits of any height for my truck. PLEASE help! Also, do you know of any rims for dually's that are wider than 6" Thanks, Dave

Desertbull says: This seems to be an overwhelming question that reoccurs every month. Lifts, lifts and more lifts. Where can we get lifts? We advise to head to www.skyjacker.com for all information on lifting your Dodge truck. Skyjacker makes lifts for all vehicles and they have the largest selection of lifts for the Dodge 3500 vehicle.

Rage the planet of dirt, water, sand and mud. Run hard and be safe