2017 Power Wagon - Grace

[Desert_Explorer_75]

After several months of searching I settled on a new to me 2017 Ram 2500 Power Wagon. In keeping with the theme of our vehicles, this to is white. The truck happened to be a local truck that I have seen around town for the last few years. The owner is a mechanic and took meticulous care of the vehicle. I received a folder of maintenance, oil changes, oil sample tests, etc.

We chose the Power Wagon as we do like to go off the beaten path at times and living in the Southwest of the US there is plenty to explore.
In turn the wife does like to glamp occasionally and we will get a "small" trailer to pull with the truck.

This truck came with a few enhancements already installed:

-Thuren .5 Front Springs -
-Thuren tuned Fox 2.0 shocks
-Thuren Front Track Bar
-Thuren Rear Track Bar
-Synergy Drag Link
-Fox 2.0 ATS Steering Damper
-AEV Salta HD Wheels
-BFG KO2 37x12.5 tires
-AAM 5.13 Gearing front and rear
-Leer 100XL Camper Shell with -Yakima/Whispbar Crossbars
-Front and Rear bumpers Line-X'd
-Baja Designs flush mount reverse lights in rear bumper
-Line-X in bed
-Morimoto bi-LED Headlights and LED Fogs
-Factor 55 Prolink for the winch
-Firestone Airbags with Daystar Cradle
-Undercover Swing Case in truck bed
-Front window tint 35%
-Mopar all-weather floor mats

Added since purchase:

-White Knuckle Sliders (Xtra Width)
-Able Components Smartbar Full Bypass.
-Baja Designs XL80 Ditch Lights on SDHQ 4th Gen Ram mounts.

Future plans/ideas for the truck:

-FWC Project M or AT Atlas
-Synthetic Winch Line with upgraded fair lead.
-AEV Snorkel
-Upgraded sound system
-HAM/GMRS
-Katskin seating upgrade for front
-Goose Gear Rear Seat Delete (Cause Dogs)
-Baja Designs lights

-The truck is a Tradesman with the Power Wagon Package.
-Truck was originally purchased in North Central California in Aug 2017.
-It was #1452 for the year

​

 

[TommyG]

Very nice truck. Lots of quality upgrades already done. Congrats.

 

[Tex68w]

Congrats, a very nice start indeed.

 

[Desert_Explorer_75]

Wanting more light, my first add on was going to be in the A-Pillar position on the truck and commonly called "Ditch Lights". I began this add on by searching for some appropriate and Made in USA brackets. I wanted to find some brackets that were beefy as I was going to add heavier lights (Baja Designs XL80S) to them.
I scoured the internet looking at different ones. I eventually settled on the A-Pillar brackets from SDHQ in Gilbert, Az. These brackets are CNC cut and mandrel bent in house. They are then powdercoated black.

Were they the cheapest? No. Chineseum sucks!!

Were they the easiest install? No. Didn't want that either.

Heres the link to the bracket:
https://sdhqoffroad.com/products/10-18-ram-2500-3500-sdhq-built-a-pillar-light-mounts

This link is for the 2500-3500 but the same item ID pops up for the 1500 and is mentioned in the instructions. Some install parts are 1500 specific.

The brackets come packaged in a appropriate size box (have you seen some Amazon boxed items) and supported with foam molded to the brackets. In addition to the brackets come the appropriate hardware to install them on 2010-2018 Ram 1500-3500 Trucks.

In the box you also get a list of included parts and on that list is a QR code you can scan to get the printable install instructions (also available directly on the website).

Install begins with that almighty 10mm socket on a 1/4" ratchet or compact impact (I used my M12 Milwaukee Impact)

Instructions have you trimming approximately 1/4" off each side including removing the windshield washer tube retaining clip. I used the combo of a Dremel with a cutoff wheel and a fresh blade on a razor knife for each side. I marked it with a silver sharpie for ease of visibility.

After cutting the trip away and going as far back to beneath the windshield the bracket slides into place with a little manipulation. I held it in place with the 10mm fender bolt.

The bracket sits around 1/8" from the hood

The bracket is further held in place by adding a Grade 8-5/16" x 18 bolt in the rear hinge brace hole.

The kit includes standard nuts. I had Nylok nuts on hand so replaced the standard nuts with those. No torque specs were included so I just made them "tight".

This photo shows some of the required cowl trimming on both sides to fit the brackets.

The brackets provide two mounting positions for lights. I'll see once I install the lights how each position looks and fits best.

Finishing wasn't hard at all. Instructions say it takes 2 hours. I completed it in 1.5 hrs. These instructions aren't bad but could use some work and to those with minimal mechanical knowledge I could see this taking longer.

Overall though I wouldn't hesitate to purchase these again or other items from SDHQ again.

 

[Desert_Explorer_75]

Acquired a @rigdsupply.com Mega-Fit Ultraswing off of Facebook Marketplace (saved over $1000.00 buying used). The Ultraswing came with the older @frontrunneroutfitters fold down table with the @rigdsupply.com HDPE cutting board that appears as though it was never used as does the table itself. The receiver is a 2 inch as the seller had an F150 and only required that size. I have ordered the 2.5 inch Wedgelock ($75.00 from Rigd) for the receiver on the Ram along with a new hardware kit for mounting the tire as the current ones were quite rusted ($15.00 from Rigd). The Ultraswing also came with the license light and mount that plugs into the 4 pin trailer plug ($55.00 value).
I'll post more photos as I reassemble it and put it on the truck as im doing a little maintenance.

*To be continued.....

 

[Desert_Explorer_75]

4x4 Spod Bantam Install with Baja Designs XL80 Auxiliary Lights in Amber Driving /Combo Lense

Purchased these items several months back and life just kept getting in the way.

4x4spod used to make a kit for the Rams but for reasons known only to them they stopped. I purchased the universal kit with several ideas on how to mount it.

I found one I liked on expeditionportal.com I liked (link below). One caveat was my truck lacked the reinforcement bars found on the 4th Gen Cummins and then the 5th Gen Gas/Cummins including the Power Wagons. I looked and the tabs existed in the rear of the engine bay above the firewall. I looked and finally located the correct reinforcement bars for both driver and passenger sides (link below) so purchased them.

The reinforcement bars arrived after a few weeks and I realized, hey no holes in the fenders for the front mount of the bar, whoops. But I then knew this called for RivNuts, of which I already possessed the kit. I made sure I had the correct mandrel for the size nuts and bolts I chose. While it may seem overkill for such, I went with 5/16" grade 8 hardware. I installed the rivnut, being sure to repaint the exposed steel before installing the insert itself. Install was flawless.

*To be Continued......

 

[SDDiver5]

YO! Happy to see my old ultraswing on here! Hope it's treating you well.

 

[Desert_Explorer_75]

YO! Happy to see my old ultraswing on here! Hope it's treating you well.

Hey!!! It's been a great upgrade and has been on a few outings and served me well. That table has been great and getting the spare out of the bed has been a blessing for sure.
Hope you and the family are doing well and that you had a Merry Christmas!!

 

[Desert_Explorer_75]

Upgrade for the fogs!!

More to come......

 

[TommyG]

Looking great.

 

[Kingsize24]

That SDHQ mount is stout, you will have no problems. I've had mine on and the 80s for over 5yrs now with ZERO issues. Love the truck man!

 

[Desert_Explorer_75]

That SDHQ mount is stout, you will have no problems. I've had mine on and the 80s for over 5yrs now with ZERO issues. Love the truck man!

Thank you! Appreciate it! Been following your build since you started. Waiting to see how you like those new Fox shocks.

 

[Kingsize24]

Thank you! Appreciate it! Been following your build since you started. Waiting to see how you like those new Fox shocks.

Me too brother. I will get them on in the next couple weeks. I'm looking at different mounts online RN. Just not sure which one I want for the fronts just yet.