Garage & Field Notes · Owned equipment
2020 Ram 1500 Big Horn 4x4 Build Log
Firsthand notes from the RuralGearHQ publisher's owned truck: a 2020 Ram 1500 Big Horn 4x4 with the 5.7L HEMI, purchased in December 2019 and used for real rural-property, towing, recovery, and truck-accessory work.
Project status
What is real today
Owned & installed
ReadyLift 3.5-inch lift, 20-inch Fuel wheels, 35x12.50R20 tires, and an aftermarket cold-air intake are on the truck now.
Not yet measured
No measured clearance, alignment, gearing, fuel-economy, or towing data has been recorded on this truck for publication.
Open items
Future measurements and fitment checks are planned and will be logged only after they actually happen.
The truck
| Vehicle | 2020 Ram 1500 Big Horn 4x4, 5.7L HEMI |
|---|---|
| Purchased | December 2019 |
| Role | Part of the owned RuralGearHQ field-test fleet; used for rural-property, towing, recovery, and truck-accessory work |
| Condition (as of the September 2026 vehicle profile) | No known mechanical issues; no accident history |
Current installed configuration
- Lift: ReadyLift 3.5-inch lift, installed.
- Wheels: 20-inch Fuel wheels, installed.
- Tires: 35x12.50R20, installed. The tire brand and model are not published here because they have not been documented for this log.
- Intake: aftermarket cold-air intake, installed.
These are the components physically on the truck. No install dates beyond the purchase timeframe, dyno results, fuel-economy changes, or durability outcomes are claimed — none of that has been measured and recorded for publication.
Why this configuration matters for future testing
A lifted truck on 35-inch tires changes the questions that matter before any accessory or towing decision: actual fender and suspension clearance, wiring and hose routing room, and how towing and recovery gear interfaces with a non-stock ride height.
Those are the fitment questions this truck will be used to answer honestly — with measurements taken on this exact setup, not assumed from spec sheets.
What is confirmed vs. what is not
Confirmed: the truck's identity, purchase timeframe, installed components listed above, fleet role, and the September 2026 condition profile.
Not confirmed: measured clearances, alignment specs, gearing or speedometer impact, fuel economy before/after, towed weights on this setup, and any product durability outcome. None of that appears on this page until it is actually measured.
Planned — not completed
Open measurements and planned checks
- Measure real-world clearance and turning/flex behavior with the 3.5-inch lift and 35x12.50R20 tires.
- Document how towing and recovery accessories fit and route on this specific setup.
- Record any fuel-economy or drivability observations only if they are actually tracked over time.
Every item above is planned, not done. Each moves to the confirmed section only after the work exists and can be documented honestly.
Change log
Opened the public build log with the truck's identity, purchase timeframe, installed lift/wheels/tires/intake, fleet role, September 2026 condition profile, and the planned measurement list. No measurements or performance claims published yet.
What will qualify for the next update
Future entries will move an item from planned to confirmed only after it is measured or installed on this truck and can be documented honestly. Owner photos and measured fit details will be added when they are actually recorded — not filled in with stock imagery or assumed specifications.