What's not to understand? This Dodge Ram is definitely impressive--lifted to the stars, enough power upgrades to produce asphalt-shredding torque, retina-burning graphics and exterior upgrades, and it's bright red. What else would you call this truck but Big Red?
Big Red is an '03 Dodge 3500 4x4, powered by a Cummins powerplant mated to a six-speed transmission. The big Dodge is a project vehicle created by Kelderman Manufacturing of Oskaloosa, Iowa--a company well-known for its quality Kelderman Air Ride suspension systems. Kelderman owner Jeff Kelderman also owns Big Red and designed it to bring accolades to the Kelderman name and products.
Naturally, any truck built by a suspension company as a rolling billboard for its products should definitely impress with its suspension components, and Big Red certainly fits the bill. The Dodge rides on a Kelderman Air Ride suspension lift kit, which is adjustable from 5 to 13 inches and offers a very useable 10-inch ride height. The kit is controlled by a Firestone Intelliride system that gets its air supply from an Oasis 1,000hp compressor. The system is also controlled by Bilstein 7100-Series remote reservoir shocks and a chrome 1-3/8-inch custom-made IPD sway bar at the rear. To lend a bit of flash and style, the kit was powdercoated red, and Kelderman had S&H Plating in Nashville, Tennessee, chrome the trailing arms and bolts.
The diesel upgrades are equally impressive and include a well-balanced mix of performance tweaks by Gale Banks Engineering in Azusa, California. These upgrades serve to radically alter the Dodge's torque and horsepower figures and include a Banks 6-Gun Package, a high-flow intake, a set of gauges to keep track of all of that power, and a stainless steel exhaust system. A pair of Optima Yellow-Top batteries provide the necessary spark. All of the Banks upgrades were performed at the Banks facility in California.
In addition to the extensive suspension and engine work, the chassis of Big Red was highly tweaked to give the Dodge even more head-turning looks. The cab of the truck was extended 12 inches, and the bed was shortened the same amount. Alton Company, out of Pigeon, Michigan, performed this impressive modification and did much of the interior work, such as extending the headliner and carpet.However, the upgrades didn't stop there. Unique graphics, which are reminiscent of machinery gears and parts, were expertly laid down by APE Wraps out of San Diego. Also added to the mix was a front grille by Grillcraft, retractable running boards by Amp Research, a Line-X bedliner, and a set of PML differential covers.
The rolling stock on Big Red also needed to fit the Dodge's big and impressive image, and to that end, the truck was outfitted with 22.5-inch Alcoa Peterbilt-style wheels, wrapped with Yokohama MY507 extreme duty rubber of the 275/75R22.5 variety.
Step inside Big Red and you're greeted by more aftermarket wonders--this time in the form of a dynamic audio/video system. The stereo is all Kenwood with EFX wiring. The head unit is a Kenwood Exceleon KVT-915, featuring a DVD player and a slide-out 7-inch monitor. The head unit orchestrates a diverse system made up of a KHD-C710 Music Keg 10GB MP3 player, a pair of Kenwood Exceleon KAC-X811D 1,000-watt sub amps, a pair of Kenwood Excelon KAC-X541 four-channel amps, two Kenwood Exceleon KFC-1100DVC 11-inch competition subs, and four sets of Kenwood Exceleon KFC-Xr 6.1p component sets. Also included in the mix is a Kenwood KNA-DV 3100 navigation system and a Kenwood SR-903 Sirius satellite radio unit. The system is highlighted by a custom overhead Plexiglas amp rack with red neon mounted over the rear seat. In addition, a custom-made fiberglass sub box replaces the factory center console between the front seats. Also, the factory housing around the gearshift was replaced with a custom-made fiberglass housing holding one of the center channels and the cup holders. Each component set of speakers was set in a custom-made fiberglass pod molded to fit the factory door panels, dash, and rear kick panels. For an added treat, a Sony PlayStation 2 was also included. For video pleasure, each custom headrest holds a 7-inch monitor. In total, the entire system has 18 speakers, five monitors, and 3,000 watts of power. Kelderman Manufacturing's Jason Chounlamany expertly installed the entire system.
Once completed, Big Red was turned loose on the road to raise the Kelderman flag. Big Red has been featured on TRUCKS! TV and Spike TV's EXTREME 4x4. It has also been on the cover of another leading truck-related automotive magazine. In addition, Big Red is an official show truck for Kenwood at open houses in the Midwest. Also, Big Red won Best Dualie at the 2004 East Coast Truck Nationals at Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
When not at work, Big Red does what he does best--cruising down the road and looking good. What more could be asked of a working diesel truck?
 Sitting up high on Kelderman...  Sitting up high on Kelderman suspension, upgraded power under its hood, and a cab full of entertainment, Big Red is a force to be reckoned with. |  Suspension tweaks include...  Suspension tweaks include Bilstein 7100-Series remote reservoir shocks and a chrome 1-3/8-inch custom-made IPD sway bar in the rear. |  Engine upgrades to Big Red...  Engine upgrades to Big Red include a Gale Banks Engineering 6-Gun Package and a Banks high-flow intake. |
 The APE Wraps graphics are...  The APE Wraps graphics are reminiscent of machinery gears and more... |  Big Red's interior entertainment...  Big Red's interior entertainment package includes 18 speakers, five monitors, and 3,000 watts of power. | |