Darko: 2024 Ram 2500

[rruff]

I present to you Darko...

 

[SilicaRich]

I am really interested in your build thread.

I originally wanted a power wagon because it's like a grown up JL Rubicon. However I've found that there are a lot of trade offs. Fuel mileage and range being one of them. You have been knocking down some pretty impressive MPG numbers that a 6.4 truck could only hope for. What kind of range are you seeing with your truck in it's current state? What about while you were in Moab?

Secondly it looks like you wheeled with a Power Wagon, did you find that the Power Wagon was more capable than your truck? Did you notice that the heavier front end was heavier and something that was not good?

Thanks!

I will happily answer that and it's a perfect comparison.

Both trucks are 2024 models, mine obviously being a Bighorn 4x4 w/ the Cummins and the Power Wagon w/ the 6.4 being my brother's. To put simply, offroad, Power Wagon ran circles around me. Automatic sway bar disconnects and lockers were a game changer. That being said, my truck held it's own for the most part while only having aftermarket tires to help it offroad. The trail we did was Bobby's Hole, however we came from the south and didn't bother with Elephant Hill, but the trails we did were still tough in a fullsize. There's a section of Bobby's Hole where you descend (ascend if you circle back instead of going to Elephant Hill) for about 300ft at a steep grade where it's quite tricky with a full size truck primarily due to wheelbase. We did a lot of rock stacking during both the ascent and descent. Power Wagon did excellent with precise routing during the descent and my truck followed well but had to be much more careful due to lack of articulation (hung tires often). Ascending in that section was much harder for both trucks but the Power Wagon prevailed and went up fine with no issues. However, halfway up for me became almost impossible due to the extra weight in the front, lack of articulation, and no locker. The Power Wagon saved my butt winching me up the last 100ft or so. My only major loss was ripping my front license plate and mount off.

In terms of off the lot offroad capabilities, the Power Wagon is a far superior option. That being said, my truck can be modified to being similar, if not pretty darn close to those capabilities. I would say if you want a diesel, get a diesel. That's what I did otherwise, I would have gotten a Power Wagon.

To answer some of your other questions:

-fuel economy wise, I was probably averaging somewhere between 6-13mpg offroad between crawling and steady 20-30mph cruising on open dirt. Otherwise I went from averaging 11.8mpg to 19.5mpg from the time I hit pavement leaving the trailhead to driving all the way to Houston from Moab (these are active mpg averages after 3000 miles). My normal highway driving gives me a range generally of 580-680 miles with the factory 33gal tank (18-21mpg, often cruising 75-82 mph). City driving I'm usually getting 12-14mpg.
-Hemi wise, from asking my brother, he says on the highway he can consistently get 16-18mpg, 10-14 city driving.

All that said, I think it comes down to what you really want from your truck directly out of the box. The 6.7 has better payload and fuel economy while being much heavier up front and having a less desirable offroad suspension. The Power Wagon is lighter, far superior suspension and accessories for offroad, with respectful if not less than ideal fuel economy.

If it helps in your decision, I plan to list out some upgrades I will have planned for my truck in the future that will drastically improve it offroad capabilities and also protect the truck's vitals. I plan to have the list put together sometime by the end of the week.

 

[SilicaRich]

So after Moab and getting bent over a bit in ways I did not want, I started thinking through smart purchases for the truck if I continue to use it on trails. Disclaimer: Bobby's Hole is a trail type I'd try to avoid in the future but is capable of doing in my truck especially with smart modifications.

#1: full skid plates underneath, Dethloff makes exactly what I'm looking for at around $1500.

#2: intercooler skid, Dethloff also makes an option but there are plenty of other solid options for this so I plan to consider and go about it from there. Price is around $400 dependent on brand.

#3: new shocks, ideally looking at Bilstein 5160s. I know there better options at a higher price point, but the 5160s are an excellent option for the price that will drastically help the ride offroad.

#4: rocker panel guards, there are a plethora of options for this. My brother plans to swap out his factory Mopar ones on his Power Wagon because he wants full coverage extending to the rear wheels so I might scoop his for a reasonable price. They mount exactly the same on my truck. What should be noted is that the factory Mopar guards are rated for the weight of Power Wagons but not Cummins powered Rams. My idea is that this is am affordable solution simply to protect the rocker panels with no plan to put the full weight of a Cummins powered Ram on them.

#5: rear locker, I was spoiled in my little TJ Rubicon having lockers and never realized how much of a cheat code they are. I was debating front vs rear locker but think the rear locker will be the most helpful on truck especially in technical trail situations.

Other considerations are quick disconnect swaybars, 17" or 18" rims with accommodating tires (obviously a wait since I just bought new tires), and front winch mount.

There is no priority with the main 5 options I listed, however I think skid plates and protection of vitals is most important if I have to choose.

 

[SilicaRich]

Figured yall would appreciate this view from my work. Not in my personal truck, but rather a rental diesel Ram. If you look closely you can see the historic headframe from the original mine on our project.

That being said, very big changes happening as soon as September. Should partly help with purchasing some of the modifications I listed last post.

 

[SilicaRich]

My brother sent some photos from our Moab trip, so here's a little photo dump.

Possibly more to come.