Terry Payne – 2024 Ram 1500 Laramie
Web: www.rdmbuilds.com | IG: @rdmbuilds | FB: RDMBuilds
“Dream, and then make it reality. Be different—don’t fall into the same line as everyone else.” – Terry Payne
When it comes to passion-driven builds, few people embody it quite like Terry Payne. At 63 years young, Terry has carved out a life where creativity, innovation, and hard work collide. Alongside his wife, he runs Rdmbuilds in Scurry, Texas—a small town just outside of Dallas. But that’s just one piece of the puzzle. The Paynes also own multiple companies, from design and trucking to full-scale manufacturing, all built around the same ethos: bring ideas to life, and do it with precision.
A Passion Rooted in Legends
Terry’s story began like many of ours—with Hot Wheels on the living room floor, sketchbooks full of ideas, and a dream to build something bigger. But unlike most, Terry turned those childhood passions into a lifelong journey. Along the way, he worked with some of the greatest automotive icons in history: George Barris, the man behind the Batmobile, and Boyd Coddington, a hot rod legend.
“I’ve always loved trucks, Jeeps, and old muscle cars,” Terry reflects. “They just have a personality that speaks to me.”
Since 2019, he has built 41 vehicles—40 of them Mopars—and several have made it to SEMA. Each project has carried its own story, but his latest, a 2024 Ram 1500 Laramie nicknamed “CHAOS”, may be one of his most ambitious yet.
Birth of CHAOS
The Ram came into Terry’s hands shortly after returning from SEMA 2024, where he had just sold both his TRX and Gladiator builds. Looking for his next canvas, he purchased a brand-new Rocky Ridge edition Ram 1500 Laramie with only 14 miles on the odometer. It didn’t stay stock for long.
“As soon as I drove it off the lot, it went straight to Rob Moore at NTX All Terrain,” Terry recalls. “We tore everything off—bumpers, grille, hood, lights, suspension, exhaust, interior, tires, wheels, brakes. Everything.”
That teardown was the true beginning of CHAOS.
Building Something Different
Terry isn’t one to follow trends. Instead, he pulls inspiration from the people he’s worked with, the companies he partners with, and his own vision. For CHAOS, he connected with some of the best in the industry, who were eager to put their stamp on the project.
From a Belltech 6–8" lift, fully powder-coated in a special Prismatic Powders red candy blend, to Hammerhead Armour bumpers and AlphaRex Nova headlights, the truck became a rolling showcase of both artistry and performance. He added an Air Design USA off-road body kit, a Kuatracks IBEX bed rack, and a Katzkin leather interior to strike a balance between rugged capability and refined comfort.
Power and practicality weren’t overlooked either. CHAOS carries three Carbon Offroad winches (6K, 15K, and 20K), R1 Concepts rotors, and an EGR retractable bed cover, making it both functional and striking. Lighting upgrades from Diode Dynamics and XK Glow turn night into day, while Stance XT1 bronze wheels on a 22x12 setup tie the build together.
“We touched every part of the truck. Nothing was left untouched. It had to be unique, but also something I could drive daily,” Terry explains.
CHAOS Build Modifications
Suspension & Brakes
- @belltechsuspensions 6–8" lift (powder-coated by @precisionpowdercoating in custom @prismaticpowders red candy blend)
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@r1concepts slotted & drilled rotors
Exterior & Armor
- @hammerheadarmour front & rear bumpers
- @airdesignusa off-road body kit
- @amerihoods SRT hood
- @alpharexusa Nova Series headlights
- @kuatracks IBEX full bed rack
- @egrusa retractable bed cover
- @rocktamers mudflaps
Wheels & Tires
- @tunergoods Ferrada XT1 22x12 dual bronze wheels
- @hankooktire.global 37x13.50x 22 dynapro mt
Interior
- @katzkin_leather custom leather seating
- Rapid Radios
Lighting & Tech
- @xkglow Alpha Series rock lights
- @diodedynamics SS5 & SS2 auxiliary lights
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@starlinkmini satellite system
Recovery & Utility
- 3x @carbonoffroad_usa winches (6K, 15K, and 20K capacity)
- @motionmarinecustoms custom step covers
A Life in Community
Cars are more than machines—they’re bridges to people. Terry and his wife have been active members in groups such as the Dallas Mopar Club, Raceway Car Club, and Camey’s Crew. Through these communities, they’ve found not just friends, but a network of like-minded enthusiasts who celebrate individuality.
“It’s about more than just building trucks,” Terry says. “It’s about building connections, sharing experiences, and finding happiness in something we all love.”
What’s Next?
Even as CHAOS takes center stage, Terry isn’t slowing down. Recently, on his birthday, he was gifted a 1965 Plymouth Belvedere with a 383 4-speed by close friends. The car will need a full rebuild, but Terry sees it as an exciting new chapter.
“I’ve built a lot of vehicles over the years, but this one feels special. It’s a reminder that the journey never stops.”
Words of Advice
For Terry, the lessons learned through decades of building cars are simple but powerful:
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Dream, and then make it a reality.
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Be different—don’t fall into the same line as everyone else.
It’s advice that doesn’t just apply to car culture—it applies to life.
With CHAOS, Terry Payne has once again proven that when passion, experience, and individuality collide, the result is more than just a truck. It’s a testament to creativity and resilience, designed to turn heads and inspire the next generation of builders.