BoldAdventures 2015 Power Wagon Build

[mikekey]

TIRE UPGRADE

After lots of testing in Moab, new shoes for the Power Wagon. I had considered 37's and given that we tow often I decided that 35's would be a better fit for capability and retaining power and mpg while towing (somewhat). So today I had Toyo Open Country AT/II's in 35x12.50 R 17 installed on the truck.

Perfect fit with no rubbing! And these tires are quiter than the Goodyear Durtracs, also a plus.

:cheers:

Misc Additions

I also picked up this Hook strap from Pit_Slave today. I dig it.

 

[AMBOT]

Nice to test them out same day! How are you managing your payload with the AS?

 

[Halligan]

Truck looks great and your putting it to good use.

Did you put a 35" Toyo on the spare also? I've got five 305/70/17 (34"x12.5") Toyo AT2's on order for my 2015 Power Wagon. I debated the 35's but didn't think a 35" would fit in the spare location.

Also, how well did they balance? I had 285/75/17 Toyo ATs's on my old truck and they balanced perfect. I'm sick of the stock Durashake tires that won't balance.

 

[mikekey]

Nice to test them out same day! How are you managing your payload with the AS?

Non-concern for me. I concern myself with axle and tire ratings along with GVWR & CGVWR, I'm within spec on all of those items from my last visit over the cat scales.

Truck looks great and your putting it to good use.

Did you put a 35" Toyo on the spare also? I've got five 305/70/17 (34"x12.5") Toyo AT2's on order for my 2015 Power Wagon. I debated the 35's but didn't think a 35" would fit in the spare location.

Also, how well did they balance? I had 285/75/17 Toyo ATs's on my old truck and they balanced perfect. I'm sick of the stock Durashake tires that won't balance.

Bad news for you. It fits in the spare location. You'll find the 305 to be closer to a 33 inch tire. The stock Wranglers where closer to 32.8.

For anyone else wondering, I managed to fit the Toyo Open Country AT Xtreme 35x12.50R17 back in the spare tire location, I had to deflate to 25psi and then guide it into position. It's very tight. Hopefully, it won't be a problem. But it did fit.

Really close to the panhard bar:

 

[Regcabguy]

I love my AT2's but me thinks RT's are next. Nice posts.

 

[mikekey]

The RT's were a strong contender for me, but were twice the cost. Being on the road full-time I can't get a shipment of tires. And this was kind of a spur of the moment decision while here in Moab. Also, it was $1200 out the door for 5 tires mounted and balanced. It was a good price. I also evaluated how much off roading I intend to do once I leave the Moab area and I think it might be limited while exploring Idaho, Washington and Oregon this summer.

 

[Power Wagon Family]

What did you do with the stock tires in Moab? Haul them home or find a buyer out there?

 

[Halligan]

Bad news for you. It fits in the spare location. You'll find the 305 to be closer to a 33 inch tire. The stock Wranglers where closer to 32.8.

For anyone else wondering, I managed to fit the Toyo Open Country AT Xtreme 35x12.50R17 back in the spare tire location, I had to deflate to 25psi and then guide it into position. It's very tight. Hopefully, it won't be a problem. But it did fit.

Really close to the panhard bar:

Thanks for the feedback. According to Toyo's website the 305 AT2 is 33.9" in diameter. Anyway, I had the 285/75/17 AT2 on my last truck and loved the tires so I'm sure I'll be equally happy.

 

[mikekey]

ARMOR - Rock Sliders

Well, I finally had access to a lift, and installed the sliders on the PW. These things are beefy and very well built.

Installation on the passenger side was a breeze. The drivers side, will make you curse more than once. But the lift made the work easier. I was done with the installation in 3 hours.

Also made sure to use red Loctite on all the bolts. Now for the photos:

SHOP RECOMMENDATION

If you're ever in Moab and need a garage to work on your vehicle, you are in luck. Gotomoab Garage has you covered!

It's a DIY hobby shop and really convenient when you are traveling and need to work on your vehicle. All you gotta do is go online and schedule your shop time. Really easy to do.

Today was our first visit, and we meet with the owner Joe who is a really friendly guy. The shop has tools, including a welder and plasma torch and two 2-post lifts, jack stands, etc. Most everything you'll need.

Be sure to check them out if you're in the area!

The name of the place is GOTOMOAB GARAGE http://www.gotomoabgarage.com/

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

Nice new truck and the mods are quite well thought out!

 

[mikekey]

Thanks.

It's not just tempting, but it seems common for folks to buy a new truck, go out and slap a lift kit, bigger tires, and steel bumper on it, without ever considering how they'll use it or wheel it. Usually, it's the dream of how they'd like to use it, but not the reality.

My intentions with this build have been to add mods based on usage needs when presented. Based on how we've wheel, the new armor and tire upgrades make sense for us.

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

Very true. I keep hoping to find a scar in my diff cover so i can justify the Purple Cranium stuff, but still been lucky I guess

 

[mikekey]

Yea - so far we have only hung up the front diff once on Top of the World, but we figured out how to get out of the predicament. No dents or scratches. I figured the half diff protectors where a good measure from getting full out diff covers that replace the cover. I generally don't want to smash my diff to begin with, so this is for the occasional bump should I miss a rock. We don't wheel hard enough to justify some of the other covers. Plus the price point is a lot cheaper on these, than say AEV's at nearly $800 for front and rear.

Other than some recovery gear here and there, I think this is about it for the Power Wagon. Maybe some new brakes and pads, HID's, but this is why I chose the Power Wagon, slap some tires on, some armor and call it a day. Have a decent trail rig that I can tow with and carry the family around town comfortably.

 

[frq flyr]

Update request

Great thread! Very relevant to me as I am narrowing down choices for my overland rig.

Thanks for sharing and do you have any updates?

 

[mikekey]

Just a few things.

KEEPING SCORE

Not a huge decal guy. But this felt appropriate. Need to get a top decal made to the effect of 6th Annual Power Wagons in Moab...

Also added American Adventurist decal, fit us.

LIGHTING UPGRADES

I replaced the factory Halogens in the projectors with DDM Tuning's HID Canbus system. The color temp is 5000 kelvin. I also installed their new Canbus LED bulbs in the high beam position, it took some work, but here it is, installed and inside the cover.

I also added a Rigid 40-inch LED bar, D2 Driving and SAE Fog's. I ran all on separate power switches. I actually really like using the Fogs as DRL's and trail lights.