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