Dodge Ram 3500 - Swiss Army Diesel
Though most of us are biased toward one auto manufacturer or another, it sometimes takes a bit of trial and error to find out what that bias really is. Take Mark and Yolanda Camponile from Woodstock, Illinois for example. In their 25 years of off-roading, they've dabbled in several different trucks, from Chevys to Fords and finally to the Dodge you see here.



"The first truck I owned was a Chevy Suburban, which I worked on in my dad's garage. I tried the Ford Power Stroke next, but I didn't really like it. Then about two and a half years ago, I came across a Dodge Ram 3500 with the Cummins and I absolutely loved it," said Mark Camponile.
OFF-ROAD FOUNDATION
With keys in hand, Mark and Yolanda knew from the beginning that they wanted a truck that could handle anything, yet still be completely drivable on the street. With that in mind, the stock suspension simply wasn't going to cut it. Between work and the family, Mark decided to turn the truck over to the guys at Attitude Performance for the suspension tweaks. A custom-fabricated long-travel 9-inch lift suspension was built for the Dodge with 2 1/2-inch King coilover shocks.
A pair of custom-fabricated floating traction bars with aluminum shackles work in combination with Firestone rear air springs to keep the rear axle centered under the truck. Giving the truck a further lift, five Weld Racing EVO Renegade XT 17x10-inch wheels were wrapped in Goodyear MT/R 40x13.50R17 tires, allowing for that aggressive off-roading look while still remaining true to their daily-driver desires.
ARMOR PLATING
Once the suspension had been addressed, Mark and Yolanda decided that a few exterior changes were in order. Starting in the front, a Keystone Restyling Double Scoop ram-air fiberglass hood delivers plenty of fresh air to the 5.9L Cummins while Bushwhacker flares were fitted at all four corners. In case things get a little crazy out on the trail, Mark went ahead and added Off-Road Alloys front and rear bumpers, along with a 15,000-lb capacity Warn winch in the front and a 12,000-lb Warn winch in the rear. Thanks to its new altitude, Off-Road Alloy's step bars were also used on the Dodge. Wanting the truck to be completely functional, Power Vision towing mirrors give the driver ample vision while a Line-X spray-on bedliner protects the cargo floor from any hauling damage. Of all the custom work on the truck, there is one modification that definitely sets this truck apart from the rest of the crowd: the folding bedsides.
FOLDING BEDSIDES
"I was watching Trucks! on TV one day and saw the idea being advertised. So, I called up the company, Alton Manufacturing, and the rest is history. I like it because it is so different that most people don't even notice it until I have them folded down," said Mark. The only evidence of this trick modification are the handles above the wheel wells.
From there, a Leer 100XQ Fiberglass top found its way onto the bed. Mark enlisted Alton Manufacturing again to fabricate a roof rack, which also houses the spare tire. With the overall height of the vehicle presenting a challenge for Mark, a one-off ladder designed by Knipple Welding gives easy access to the trick roof rack.
Mark and Yolanda had one objective in mind before they built this truck: "To build a Dodge Ram capable of traveling to and from remote backcountry destinations safely and reliably. Extended stays, self-reliance, and extreme durability were the primary modification objectives."
This Ram has proven that it won't let any obstacle stand in the way of helping Mark and Yolanda pursue their passion, and has helped create a more fulfilling and emotional experience along the way.

Photo Gallery: Dodge Ram 3500 - Dodge Diesel 4X4 - Diesel Power Magazine



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just saw that truck in the new diesel power magazine.

 

Im not digging the roof rack, but the bed sides thing could come in handy.