2018 Ram 3500 Expedition Family Adventure Vehicle

[Kingsize24]

We have loved this trip through NM on the continental divide. We ended up about 50/50 for gravel and tarmac. There were a few places between pie town and where we got off west of Jemez that were blocked and we had to take alternate routes. We also spent a night in the Santa Fe Mountains last night, then took the 376 forest road this morning to go through the mountain tunnels before hitting highway 4 to head home. We are now on our way back to Texas.

 

[Kingsize24]

Second set. Wish I could include them all but some are too large to download.

 

[Kingsize24]

For last night, we rented a cabin, washed some clothes, got everything cleaned up, rested some, and got things ready for our trip back.

This morning, we went through the mountain tunnel and headed home. Absolutely stunning trip. NM definitely impressed us with its beauty.

 

[Todd780]

Looks like an awesome trip!

 

[Power Wagon Family]

If you get out this way again let me know and we can meet up or I can share some other scenic locations. Give us a follow on FB or the website, NM is our pride and joy. https://www.newmexico-expedition.com/

 

[Kingsize24]

Looks like an awesome trip!

It really was. It truely has been too long, this year has been super busy for the family, so this was what we needed to relax, and New Mexico DID NOT disappoint.

If you get out this way again let me know and we can meet up or I can share some other scenic locations. Give us a follow on FB or the website, NM is our pride and joy. https://www.newmexico-expedition.com/

We will definitely do that. I'd love to see some new places. Alot was closed that we needed to go around, so there are many places even on the route we chose that we couldn't even see. And I know we only touched a speck of what NM has to offer. Hopefully in 4 months or so we will have our Hallmark camper and can go even deeper, and further out for longer.

Jason

 

[Kingsize24]

Just finished installing Expedition Essentials RAMPAM, and relocating my cell booster into the dash where there is plenty of room. I wired all 4 of the 83 watt each outlets, (USB 3.0 and USB-C wattage combined) into my upfitter wiring, with the fitted 40amp fuse. And the RAMPAM I used an old JK wiring plug that's the same plugs as my truck to add power to it, instead of tapping the wires. To me this is a more complete solution. This has definitely helped get to a more permanent solution for the phones, and other items we bring along with us during travels. I'm happy with it, and the fact that that the booster is out of our way now as well.

 

[Kingsize24]

 

[Kingsize24]

Super excited about the next project for the truck coming this winter. It's been in the planning stages a while. But wasn't sure how to accomplish the electronic side, until now.

I saw this on Power Wagon registry. https://forum.powerwagonregistry.org/viewtopic.php?f=47&t=8075
And, after a couple emails, he will be building me one that I can simply hook up to power and ground, then I can control all functions of an AAM front and rear locker, as well as a PW sway bar, while using the factory PW dash controls in my cummins truck with the manual 44-47 transfer case.

I've started putting the parts together. I already have front and rear AAM 4.44 gears, PN# AAM-D925444GS for the front, AAM-40116812 for the rear. and I today purchased the front Tru-Lock control switch PN# P68142283AF, and the Abel Components Full Bypass system, that includes a sway bar motor actuator.

I still need the front and rear lockers, as well as a sway bar, (no motor needed). Then I'll get an install kit for the bearings and seals. If anyone ends up seeing anything for a good price, please let me know. I have time, so I'm hopeful to score some decent deals between now and the winter time project.

 

[Kingsize24]

Could anyone that has a 4th gen Power Wagon post some pics of where the factory locker electrical connector passes through the diff casting? I would like to have some decent pics, if possible, so I can plan where to properly drill the hole for the parts in the post above.

The actuator plug that passes through the diff uses an o ring and c-clip. I just can't for the life of me find any good pics of the location.

 

[Tex68w]

Love seeing where this build is going in this second phase, especially after how awesome the first stage was that you completed a few years back.

Now put the truck on pause and get that 701 ready for our NM BDR trip, time is a wasting.

 

[Kingsize24]

Some of the parts have come in. The electronics side of this whole deal is going to be sick! VERY simple, and the actuation will be immediate with no fussing with control nannies. Simply lock, unlock, or attach sway, or detach. All using the factory Power Wagon controller. And Abel Components knocked this out of the park. OEM quality all around here. 👏

Also, the rear 12v plug extensions I had 3D printed from a guy on Ram Forum came in. He did an EXCELLENT job on the design of these. Can't wait to get them in along with the harness I made for them.

I also ordered my CAD delete axles, as well as the HD 1550 U-joints for each side. I'm also having another guy look into the design of a 1550 yoke for this AAM 9.25 axle. If I can get one made in 300M, I'll also have him make the driveshaft to go along with it. Then it will be a cataloged part. Everything should be MUCH beefier than the stock parts.

 

[Tex68w]

I looked back through the underside pics of both my fathers and my own 4th Gen Power Wagons and I didn't come across any pics of the locker wiring into the axle housings.

 

[Kingsize24]

Thanks for trying! I cannot find ANYTHING. Not even schematics.

 

[BikePilot]

I love the locker project! Able makes great stuff. I have his nanny kill switch. I'm running an ARB up front and actually am pretty happy with the factory locker in the rear so far, but traction is usually pretty good in Colorado where I am. I thought I would want a sway bar disconnect but so far the heavy diesel Megacab seems to be able to push through the Thuren sway bar without much trouble. You still can't beat fully disconnecting I'm sure. And the rear locker where you have limited slip or locked is awesome!