most capable off-road pickup?

[escadventure]

Ok guys, when I think of "Powerwagon" I think of my 80's Dodge that looked like all other Ram trucks until Dodge kicked the truck world in the pants in 1994 with the new body style.

Whats the 'new' Powerwagon?

 

[Regcabguy]

We've had a lot of flooding in Ohio. Has made for some fun riding though. My F250 can't go through anything deep enough to need a snorkel anyways! Unless there's pavement/gravel at the bottom, even then, I'll just go around. :bike_rider:

What's the mosquito factor like? Suckers love me.

 

[crismateski]

Ok guys, when I think of "Powerwagon" I think of my 80's Dodge that looked like all other Ram trucks until Dodge kicked the truck world in the pants in 1994 with the new body style.

Whats the 'new' Powerwagon?

here is the info on the 3rd gen powerwagon, the 4th gen is pretty similar

http://powerwagonregistry.org/pw_tech.php

Dimensions, Capacities and Details

• Armor
  • Fuel Tank Skid Plate
  • Transfer Case Skid Plate
  • Fore and Aft Skid Bars Between Skid Plates
  • Rock Rails (optional OEM equipment) made by Algonquin Automotive
    • According to a representative at Algonquin, they stopped manufacturing the rock rails a while ago. So whatever is out there on the market is it. No word on whether they will begin making them again.
• Axles - American Axle Manufacturing (AAM) (source)
  • Similar in strength to a Dana 60
  • 33 spline (I believe this is accurate, but not 100%)
  • Full float live axle rear, semi-float solid front axle (not 100% sure about semi-float)
  • 14 bolt
  • Front Driveshaft Lubrication
    • Requires a needle grease gun fitting NAPA
    • Uses Mopar MS-6560 Lithium Based Grease or equivilant
  • Front Differential
    • 9.25" (235mm)
    • Open until locked
    • Fluid capacity - 75W90 76oz (2.2L) +/- 1oz (.03L) no additives
    • Checking fluid levels on level surface, 1/4" +/- 1/4" (6.4mm +- 6.4mm) below fill hole
  • Rear Differential
    • 10.5" (267mm)
    • Limited slip until locked
    • Fluid capacity - 75W90 85oz (2.5L) +/- 1oz (.03L) no additives
    • Checking fluid levels on level surface, 3/4" +/- 1/4" (19mm +/- 6.4mm)
• Dimensions and Capacities (source)
  • Quad Cab
    • Wheelbase: 140.5"
    • Length: 227.7"
    • Width: 79.8"
    • Height (stance): 80.6"
    • Front Axle Ground Clearance: 8.4"
    • Rear Axle Ground Clearance: 8.3"
    • Approach Angle: 35°
    • Breakover Angle: 25.5°
    • Departure Angle: 26.5°
    • Fuel Tank: 34 gallons (128L)
    • Cargo Box Length: 75"
    • Cargo Box Width: 70.2" between wheelwells: 51"
    • Cargo Box Depth: 20.2"
    • Curb Weight: 6,081 lbs
  • Regular Cab
    • Wheelbase: 140.5"
    • Length: 229.7"
    • Width: 79.5"
    • Height (stance): 80.6"
    • Front Axle Ground Clearance: 8.4"
    • Rear Axle Ground Clearance: 8.3"
    • Approach Angle: 35°
    • Breakover Angle: 25.5°
    • Departure Angle: 26.5°
    • Fuel Tank: 35 gallons (132L)
    • Cargo Box Length: 98"
    • Cargo Box Width: 66.4" between wheelwells: 51"
• Weight Ratings
  • GVWR - 8,510 lbs
  • GCWR - 17,000 lbs
  • GAWR (front) - 4,500 lbs
  • GAWR (rear) - 6,140 lbs
  • Max payload - 2,250 lbs
  • Max towing - 10,600 lbs
• Lockers - TracRite© (source)
  • Manufactured by American Axle Manufacturing (AAM)
  • Front: TracRite© EL (Electronic Locking) Locking Differential
    • Applied to open differential.
    • Driver selectable, computer programmable or both.
    • Simple dog clutch locking mechanism (no ball ramp required)
    • Fast engagement times (yeah right) under all temperature conditions.
    • Non-contact positive engagement feedback available
  • Rear: TracRite© GTL (Helical Gear with Electronic Locking) Locking Differential
    • Applied to helical gear limited slip differential (LSD)
    • Smooth, quite operation in LSD mode
    • Driver selectable, computer programmable or both
    • Has everything a TracRite GT© has and the EL electronic locking.
      • Torque sensitive design instantaneously biases torque before differentiation begins.
      • Tunable bias ratio.
      • No friction modifier required.
      • Can be used with or without a pre-load feature.
      • C-Clip compatible.
      • Applications to front, rear and center differential.
      • Designed for a wide range of gear sizes, from 178mm / 7" - 292mm / 11.5".
• Motor (source) (source 2)
  • 5.7L Hemi© 345ci
  • Eight cylinder 90° V-type
  • Liquid Cooled
  • Core x Stroke: 3.92 x 3.58
  • 16 valve, hydraulic lifters with roller followers.
  • Multi-port sequential electronic fuel injection.
  • Deep-skirt cast iron block small block.
  • Alluminum alloy heads with hemispherical (hemi) combustion chambers.
  • 9.6:1 compression ratio.
  • 345hp @ 5,400rpm.
  • 375lb-ft @ 4,200rpm.
  • Redline at 5,800rpm.
  • 7qt (6.6L) oil capacity 5w20.
  • 16.2qt (15.4L) coolant capacity.
  • Three way catalytic converter and electronic EGR for emissions control.
  • Spark Plugs
    • Type: Champion RE14MCC4 (some folks recommend NGK LZTR4A-11)
    • Gap: 0.045in (1.14 mm)
    • Torque: 13 +/- 2 lbs. ft. (18 +/- 3 Nm)
• Shocks - Bilstein 40mm Monotube High-Pressure Gas Charged
  • 5100 Series shocks
  • Part number? 52121451AC (front)
  • Part number? 52121458AB (rear)
  • These part numbers were the only ones I could see on my '05 which don't seem to cross to anything online. I did run across a post by another '05 PW owner who said the replacements were part number BE5-2549.
  • Color code 'H0' (yellow and blue)
  • Nitrogen charged
• Smartbar™ - American Axle Manufacturing (AAM) SmartBar (source)
  • Electronically Actuated
  • Failsafe auto-engage above 18MPH
  • 460 RTI (Ramp Travel Index) swaybar connected, 655 swaybar disconnected
• Suspension (source)
  • Front: Live solid front axle (semi-float?), 40mm Bilstein Monotube Gas Charged Shocks
  • Rear: Live solid rear axle (full float), 40mm Bilstein Monotube Gas Charged Shocks
• Transfer Case NV271 (source) (source 2)
  • Part-time 4wd
  • Aluminum case
  • Low-range ratio: 2.72
  • High-range ratio: 1.0
  • Input torque max: 1,400 lb ft
  • Chain and gear drive mechanism
  • Weight: 110 lbs (50 kgs)
  • Fluid capacity: 4pts (1.89L) of ATF+4 no friction modifiers
  • Manual Shift
  • No center differential
  • Shift into 4hi at speeds below 55MPH (88 KMH)
  • Shift into 4lo at speeds below 3MPH (5 KMH)
• Transmission (source)
  • 5-45RFE Automatic 5-speed
    • 1st - 3.0
    • 2nd - 1.67 upshift, 1.50 kick-down
    • 3rd - 1.0
    • 4th - 0.75
    • 5th - 0.67
    • Overall gear ratio 3.0
    • ATF+4 13pts (6.2L) Service Fill
    • ATF+4 29-33pts (14-16L) Overhaul
  • G56 Manual 6-speed
    • 1st - 6.29
    • 2nd - 3.48
    • 3rd - 2.10
    • 4th - 1.38
    • 5th - 1.00
    • 6th - 0.79
    • Rev - 5.74
    • ATF+4 12pts (5.67L)
• Wheels and Tires:
  • Wheels
    • 17" x 8" Forged Aluminum
    • 6" Backspacing
    • 6.25" Bolt Pattern
    • Modified for better bead seating on airing down
    • Believed to be manufactured by Alcoa
  • Tires
    • BFG A/T KO
    • 33" 285/70 R17 load range D
    • TSB 22-003-06 (Technical Service Bulletin) applied for 2005 and 2006 models
• Winch: (source)
  • Manufactured by Warn Industries.
  • Based on Warn's Heavyweight Winch Series, but unique to 3G PWs.
  • 12,000lb (5,440 kgs) pulling capacity.
  • 136lb (62kgs) steel chassis.
  • 3-stage planetary gear train with 315:1 reduction.
  • 12V 4.6hp series wound motor.
  • Rotating ring gear clutch.
  • Automatic direct drive cone brake.
  • Thermal protection system shuts the winch off until the temperature falls back to within normal operating parameters.
  • Low voltage interrupt introduces a 30 second pause when voltage drops to 9.75V to protect the truck's electronics.
  • 90' (27m) of 7/16" (11mm) diameter wire rope.
  • 12' (3.7m) lead remote control.

 

[roverrocks]

Not domestic but Coolness, ultraCoolness. Pick-Up dreams. Only available across the Pond brand new though.

 

[Quill]

Not to sound me, but this is a question with no real answers. Everyone likes what they like period. Even one lemon from a manufacturer will taint a persons view and the sad fact is they slip through factories. Really starting with a fairly stock rig and adding what you will realistically use. Part of the experience of off roading is building your rig. You will understand it more. Also you can work out a less is more rig.

 

[brp]

The is a correct answer to this and it was mentioned earlier. The answer is the Mercedes Unimog. Most other trucks are essentially a joke when compared to a Unimog's off-road prowess. On a 1300L you have lockers front and rear, 3 link coil spring suspension front and rear, crawl ratios as low at about 4,500:1, payload of 6,000-8,000 lbs, water fording of 3.5 feet, bullet proof diesel engines, ground clearance of at least 17.5 inches, a very flexible frame and a torsion free bed mount. All that and it is only 85" wide, about the same as a big domestic truck like a Powerwagon. No contest off road.

The only challenge it has as I see it would be a really short wheel base vehicle that is modified like crazy for boulder crawling.

 

[Kaisen]

Again, new Unimogs are not available in the USA

 

[Clutch]

Again, new Unimogs are not available in the USA

Surprised no one complained about my Fuso FG4X4 suggestion, with bed option. It is US available...

Might be down on power, but capacities are similar to a F450.

Is this the most capable US "pick-up"? Looks pretty friggen capable to me...

 

[Flys Lo]

I had an old Canter - capable they certainly are. Personally the down on power bit didn't worry me (and mine was back in the old NA 2.8 diesel days... hello 90hp trying to move a truck with a 7 ton GVM!), but they are rough as guts when it comes to ride in comparison to most pickups.

I think its hard to beat a small 4x4 4cyl Taco/Hilux. For whatever the other trucks cost, with a change of tires, a locker in the rear, the Taco will get you anyplace any of the other trucks will - at less than half the price.

 

[escadventure]

Unimog? no thanks. They're cool when you get where your going, but I don't want to crawl at 45 mph to get where I'm going. There are more than enough real road going machines that can handle off road/expedition work.

 

[Guinness44]

out of production counts? AMGeneral Hummer, pickups, availble in two door, four door, or opentop.
stock will outperform all, at FULL GVWR.

 

[87GMCJimmy]

I say Power Wagon! But, I could be biased!

 

[thedjjack]

What's the most off-road capable factory pick-up available in the US?

Dodge Power Wagon? Something else?

Personally I find when I am driving I find using someone else new factory truck goes way further than my own truck.....I know my work truck is really capable compared to mine .

 

[Regcabguy]

Surprised no one complained about my Fuso FG4X4 suggestion, with bed option. It is US available...

Might be down on power, but capacities are similar to a F450.

Is this the most capable US "pick-up"? Looks pretty friggen capable to me...

View attachment 178426

Excellent truck aside from sitting on top of the axle. I drove a similar Hino for 14 yrs. Incredibly maneuverable with great visibility but offroad might get a bit bumpy.

 

[Flys Lo]

Not to mention the truck like leaf springs you sit over... and 4 wheel drum brakes... And it's slow, and thirsty, and noisy. I like the cabover seating position for the reasons you mentioned (as well as the great engine access with lifting the cab up).
Owned one, reliable as the sun coming up, but there are a number of reasons why I replaced it with an F-350.

My ideal truck would be a Fuso cab, on top of a regular cab Superduty chassis/powertrain.