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Lifted Ram 2500 Diesel on KMC KM445 Beadlock Wheels and 37” tires






What’s going on everyone, welcome back! This time we’re looking at a rig that proves sometimes less is more when we’re talking about lifted trucks. While other builds might catch your eye with massive overland campers, countless LED light bars, and aggressive steel bumpers, Dave’s late-model Ram 2500 Cummins takes a refreshingly different approach – and it doesn’t mean this truck is any less capable, in fact it’s even more!
The owner of this lifted Ram, stuck to the philosophy of keeping things clean and purposeful. Rather than loading the truck with flashy accessories, he’s focused on the basic things that really matter when it comes to wheeling – suspension and wheels.

Table of Contents
ToggleSimple & Functional Build
The result? A lifted truck with serious off-road capability that keeps that classy, meaningful vibe we absolutely love to see. Dave has put considerable thought and investment into creating a capable truck that can cope with a tough terrain while still being comfortable for daily driving and towing when needed. Stick around as we break down all the modifications and upgrades.
Suspension
The first and foremost upgrade is the thoughtfully selected suspension. Thuren Fabrication’s 2.75″ springs provide the perfect balance of lift and suspension damping.
What I like most about this setup is that these springs are paired with FOX 2.5 DSC (Dual Speed Compression) shocks to deliver excellent damping with separate high and low-speed compression circuits that can be precisely tuned for everything from highway cruising to high-speed desert running.

Completing the front end geometry correction, the Carli Suspension Track Bar keeps the axle properly centered throughout its travel range and effectively eliminate typical lifted truck problems. This combination provides sufficient articulation and maintains predictable handling, on and off the paved roads.
Wheels & Tires
The wheel and tire choice on this build makes a truly distinctive statement. The KMC KM445 Impact Forged Beadlock wheels in 17×9 with aggressive -12 offset are undeniably the centerpiece of this build, with a striking custom finish by Armor Coatings.


Wrapped in meaty 37×12.5R17 Nitto Ridge Grapplers, these wheels provide excellent traction on different terrains and keeps reasonable on-road manners. The Apex Designs USA RPV’s (Radius Prevention Valves) complete the combo, protecting these gorgeous wheels when airing down for more technical trails.
Other Mods
Looking to spend more time on the trails, a roof top tent was a must-have add-on for Dave. He chose a 23zerousa 72 Walkabout RTT which is conveniently mounted on a BillieBars bed rack (that’s why it’s more appropriate to call it a bed-mount-tent rather an RTT).

List of Modifications
Suspension
- 2.75″ Thuren Fabrication Springs
- FOX 2.5 DSC Shocks
- Carli Suspension Track Bar
Wheels/Tires
- 37-12.5-17 Nittotire Ridge Grapplers
- KMC KM445 IMPACT FORGED BEADLOCK 17×9 -12, custom coated by Armor Coatings
- Apex Designs USA RPV’s
Exterior
- BillieBars Bed Rack
- 23zerousa 72 Walkabout RTT
- 1upusa Bike Rack
- Baja designs LP4 lights mounted in the bumper
Other
- Flattened firewall pinch seam
- Heated fender liner and molded out of the way

Conclusion
With a thoughtful suspension upgrade, premium wheel and tire package, and careful clearance mods, this Ram 2500 Cummins earns a solid 45-point rating based on our Off-road Capability score. The meticulously crafted combo of 37-inch Nitto Ridge Grapplers and custom-finished KMC beadlock wheels creates an authoritative stance that delivers the spirit of desert pre-runners and off-roading.
What I like most about this truck is how it demonstrates that targeted, quality mods often provide better real-world performance than excessive, showy upgrades that compromise drivability. This Ram perfectly exemplifies modern off-road philosophy – respecting traditional lifted truck principles and incorporating race-inspired elements that improves both form and function.






Watch the progress and find out more about this lifted Dodge Ram build by visiting the Instagram profile of the owner: @punknking_jt
Stay tuned for more project reviews on Offroadium.com – Follow us on social media, and share this write-up if you enjoyed reading it!

Matt is a professional mechanic, experienced off-roader, writer and founder of Offroadium. With over 15 years immersed in the off-road community and 100,000+ miles logged on rugged trails across the Americas, Grabli shares extensive real-world knowledge. He previously worked as an automotive technician before shifting focus to specialty off-road projects. His passion is prepping capable rigs for off-roading and helping others to build the 4x4s of their dreams.