What are the must-have off-road accessories for a Ram 1500 RHO?

Question

Finally picked up my RHO and honestly the power is insane compared to my old Rebel but I am already looking at how to beef it up for the dunes out here in Glamis. I have been wheeling for like fifteen years so I know the basics like recovery gear and air compressors but this platform feels different with the high-speed suspension setup. I am planning a trip next month so I need to get moving on some upgrades fast.

Here is what I am thinking for the first $5,000 or so:

better lighting because the stock LEDs are okay but not great for fast night runs

some kind of bed rack that doesnt weigh a ton because I dont want to ruin the balance

definitely need a better way to mount a full size spare since the under-bed mount is a pain in the dirt

maybe some rock sliders that actually function as a step for the kids but wont fold the first time I hit a rock

I am kinda torn on whether to mess with the suspension yet since the factory Bilsteins are so good out of the box. Do you guys think I should stick to bolt-ons for now or is there some weak link in the RHO driveline I should worry about first? I really want to keep it reliable since it is also my daily driver and I am not trying to void the warranty in the first two months...

SummerSolsticeCA · Accepted Answer

Congrats on the RHO. I have spent way too much money over the years chasing the perfect desert build just to realize keeping it light is actually the secret sauce. Especially at Glamis, every extra pound of steel is just gonna make those Bilsteins work harder than they need to. I learned that the hard way with a heavy overland rack on my last build that basically turned my truck into a boat in the sand. It felt sluggish and the shocks were getting hot way too fast. Keep it simple and save your budget for the stuff that actually keeps you moving. Here is what I would do to stay under that 5k mark:

For lighting, you will definitely outrun your headlights at 60mph in the dark. I have tried many brands but Baja Designs Squadron Pro LED Wide Cornering pods are the best bang for your buck. Mount them on the A-pillars and you are good.

Instead of a heavy bed rack, go for a simple tire mount. I use the Rough Country Universal Bed Mounted Tire Carrier because it is cheap, keeps the weight low, and leaves enough bed space for gear.

For the kids, Go Rhino Dominator D6 Rock Sliders are great. They have a wide flat top that works as a real step but they are thick enough to take a beating. Ngl, I would leave that suspension alone for at least a year. Those Black Hawks are specifically tuned for this weight. If you start swapping parts now, you are basically paying to make the truck handle worse until you spend ten grand on a full long-travel kit.

dfjrjenvtu · Answer

> I am kinda torn on whether to mess with the suspension yet since the factory Bilsteins are so good out of the box. Been thinking about your build and honestly, leaving those shocks alone for now is the smart move. Years ago, a buddy swapped a factory-tuned setup too early and basically spent a year chasing weird vibrations. It gets expensive fast and usually isnt worth the headache for a daily driver. For lighting, be careful with roof bars because they create massive glare off the hood. Using the KC HiLiTES FLEX ERA 4 2-Light System on ditch mounts gives you long-distance punch without the noise. Since weight is a concern, maybe check out the BuiltRight Industries Bed Side Rack System. It keeps gear low so you dont get top-heavy sway when carving bowls. Another friend once tipped a rig because he had too much weight up high... definitely not a fun day at Glamis. Just make sure to watch those trans temps too.