Chris Von Ritter had no time to waste. He had only three weeks to completely modify a bone-stock, Cummins turbodiesel-powered ’13 Ram 3500 Mega Cab 4x4 and have it delivered to be on display at the 2013 SEMA show in Las Vegas, Nevada. On top of that tight deadline, there were strict parameters. “They wanted a truck that would stand out and look different from every other SEMA build truck that was out there,” Chris says. That’s a tall order considering the sheer number of trucks at SEMA and the level of modification of said trucks. Another goal: Chris wanted to use as many U.S.-made parts as possible. Fortunately, he had a vision of what to do to the truck and was able to make it happen.
The 6.7L Cummins I-6 turbodiesel engine has had its performance increased via an aFe Power Magnum Force Pro 5R Stage 2 intake system, aFe BladeRunner intake manifold, and Edge Products Juice with Attitude CTS programmer. Chris estimates the engine now produces up to 450 hp and 900 lb-ft of torque. The internal engine parts are lubed by Royal Purple synthetic oil. The stock batteries are long gone, replaced with a pair of Odyssey Extreme Series batteries. Power is routed through the stock, new-for-2013 Aisin six-speed automatic transmission, and power is split to the axles via the stock two-speed transfer case.
Chris is the CEO of CVR Customs so he’s no stranger to vehicle modification. He and the CVR crew including Ed Jordan, Mike “X”, and Justin Costa went to work on the new Ram. “With the truck having less than 700 miles on it, the whole front end, suspension, and bed were taken off the truck,” Chris says. The truck was then heavily modified with a slew of upgrades including parts and accessories to give it a stunning prerunner-style look.
So was the build successful? Apparently so, because the Ram was delivered on time, and it drew a crowd at the Bulldog LED Lighting booth. The truck caught our eye as well. When we last talked with Chris, he told us that the truck has and will continue to go under extensive modifications, and it will soon be ready to be tossed around (and flown) in the sand dunes of Pismo.
Addictive Desert Designs made the rear HD Dimple R bumper, and it was powdercoated by Accessories Plus. The bumper has been fit with a pair of Bulldog LED Lighting 2-inch Spike lights so backing up in the dark is a confident experience. Also in the rear of the truck is an Addictive Desert Designs tire carrier that has been modified to accept a 40-inch tire. Other rear end mods include bedliner material in and under the cargo bed, CJC Off Road-sourced Patton Fab Pre-Load Bed Supports, tinted Ram 1500-application LED taillamps, LED license plate lamps, and a Diversi-Tech adjustable locking ball hitch.
At a Glance
General
Vehicle: 2013 Ram 3500 Mega Cab
Owner: Chris Von Ritter
Stomping grounds: Castro Valley, California
Build time: Three weeks
Drivetrain
Engine: Cummins 6.7L I-6 turbodiesel
Transmission: Aisin AS69RC six-speed auto, Royal Purple fluid
Transfer case(s): BW 44-46 two-spd, Royal Purple fluid
Low range ratio(s): 2.64:1
Crawl ratio(s): 45:1
Front axle/differential: AAM/G2 Axle & Gear 4.56 gears, open, Royal Purple gear lube
Rear axle/differential: AAM/G2 Axle & Gear 4.56 gears, factory Anti-spin, Royal Purple gear lube
Suspension
Front: McGaughy’s 6-inch progressive-rate coil springs, long-arms, sway bar end links; ADS Racing 3-in custom-valved triple-bypass shocks
Rear: Pure Performance 4-in leaf springs, ADS Racing 3-in custom-valved triple-bypass shocks
Steering: McGaughy’s custom pitman arm
Tires/Wheels
Tires: 40x15.50R20LT Toyo Open Country M/T
Wheels: 20x9 TrailReady beadlock
Miscellaneous
Lighting: Two Bulldog LED Lighting double row 50-in (on roof), four Bulldog LED Lighting 2-in Spike (front and rear bumpers), two Bulldog LED Lighting double row 40-in (on front bumper), Retro Shop modified stock projector headlamps with HID bulbs
Armor: Addictive Desert Designs front and rear bumpers
Cool stuff: Addictive Desert Designs tire carrier, 40 percent gloss paint, Viair Ultra Duty onboard air system, Fiberwerx fenders and bedsides, RKSport fiberglass ram-air hood, low center of gravity
Seeing at night isn’t a problem thanks to a pair of bumper-mounted forward-facing Bulldog LED Lighting 40-inch double row LED lights and a pair of Bulldog LED Lighting 2-inch Spike lights. The factory headlamps were modified by Retro Shop and upgraded with 55-watt HID bulbs by CVR Customs. Other front end mods include an Addictive Desert Designs HD Stealth front bumper that was powdercoated by Accessories Plus, a Mile Marker SEC15 (ES) waterproof electric winch, Factor 55 ProLink shackle mount, Monster Hooks billet Swivel Hook, Rolling Big Power RX-1 grille with painted bezel, and RKSport Striker fiberglass ram-air hood.
