The Cactus Red mod thread.
- Thread starter crawler#976
- Start date
crawler#976
Expedition Leader
Aaron, you'll have to wait until the 8th Annual DeSoto run. I'll be scouting the trail this weekend in preparation, then I've got some fab work to do for another PW owner. I'll post a Dec trip sometime next month (I'm thinking of a return to the Red Rocks and Ruins as an option), and ya never know, if we get some snow, there could be impromptu run posted.
crawler#976
Expedition Leader
Couple new additions this week - a Warn Wireless Winch Controller and a Leer Topper. The Warn Controller took 15 minutes to install, and rates 1/4 Banana on the difficulty scale. It was the easiest mod yet! Four holes, plug in the cable, and zip tie the excess. The Leer was even easier - I watched it get done :sombrero:
Attachments
cowboy63645
Adventurer
The topper looks great on the truck, and definatly add's to the appeal!
Northern Explorer
Explorer
crawler#976
Expedition Leader
The tool box will be removed and sold, and I'll be buying or building a platform and storage drawer setup. The platform will serve as a sleeping area and a good place for the mutts to ride.
Cypher
Full Time Traveler
Ahh very nice... You should be able to turn that into a damn studio condo with the amount of space in that bed! Looking good!
JRH_PowerWagon_06
New member
Leer topper is top notch.
Good thing our frames have zero flex. I ripped up a topper pretty bad in my Ford wheelin' it.
My dog can't take the heat, He gets the whole rear cab w/seats folded up and a big dog bed stuffed in there.
Good thing our frames have zero flex. I ripped up a topper pretty bad in my Ford wheelin' it.
My dog can't take the heat, He gets the whole rear cab w/seats folded up and a big dog bed stuffed in there.
crawler#976
Expedition Leader
The Power Wagon isn't known for it's economy. It's built for hard use, and will hold up to it. The 383 HP and 404 Ft/Lbs of torque comes with a price - I average 11.8 to 12.3 MPG in town, 13+ MPG on the road, and 8 to 10 MPG when aired down. I knew that going into it, and have no regrets about it. My modified Tacoma was getting 15 to 16 MPG, so I'm not loosing that much. Considering the PW carries 34 gallons of gas vs 16 for the Taco, I have much better range even at the lower MPG.
Going to 35's from the stock 33's showed no change in MPG. I had actually expected to gain a bit considering I effectively changed from 4.56 gears to about a 4.30 gear ratio. I suspect the much heavier and more aggresive MT/R Kevilars ate up the difference. BajaXplorer is getting about 1.5 MPG better mileage than I do on 35" BFG A/T's.
I'm very pleased with the agility of the Power Wagon. So far it's gone everywhere I want it to, but I'll admit the truck isn't as pretty as it once was. I live in brush country, and have already pin stripped the truck pretty badly. Some folks just can't stand to do that - but I bought it to use it. The truck has a great turning radius for a 140" wheelbase - in fact, I think it will turn about the same as my old Taco extended cab.
The big truck does things that I struggled with in the Taco. I played around in a gravel pit last weekend that the Taco needed low range and a locker to climb the steepest part of the hill. The PW did it in 4 hi with no problem. On the other hand, some tight sections of trails require much more attention to navigate it thru. The long wheel base also makes most parts of the harder stuff I do feel much smoother, and for a 3/4T, the ride is pretty good on dirt roads and trails.
The new '10 2500 models are going to be longer by 10". That will change the dynamics some. Hope to get the chance to test one late this year!
Mark
Viggen
Just here...
Thanks for the reply. I am shopping around for an expo vehicle and have decided on a truck to fit the needs. The length/ width is what was stopping me though. Dont really see a lot of full size pick ups built to go the distance. Its mostly midsize stuff with minimal width and nothing really longer than 110-114". I am seriously debating a 2500 diesel to start off with but am really worried about the maneuverability in tight spaces. I know the wheelbase would smooth things out but Im just worried about the sheer size and weight factor.
crawler#976
Expedition Leader
Had a great talk with an Earth Roamer owner last week. At 16 tons, the places he managed to get a vehicle that large was more than impressive. Don't let the length, height and width discourage you. Indeed there may be a few places you can't go, but they will be few and far between. I don't know what type of trails you plan to do, or what you're planning on for your kit, but I wouldn't hesitiate to take a CTD over "normal" overlanding routes.
IMO a 15K winch would be very high on the list of equipment tho. Soft conditions like mud or sand can be a challenge for any heavy rig, but good tires in a wider section width (like a 33" or 35" tall x 11.5 to 12.5" or 305 to 315 x 70 metric) would also be a priority as well to add a little floatation.
Mark
IMO a 15K winch would be very high on the list of equipment tho. Soft conditions like mud or sand can be a challenge for any heavy rig, but good tires in a wider section width (like a 33" or 35" tall x 11.5 to 12.5" or 305 to 315 x 70 metric) would also be a priority as well to add a little floatation.
Mark
crawler#976
Expedition Leader
Problem #1:
After installing longer control arms and the 1" Daystar spacer, the stock shocks were too short by several inches.
Problem #2:
I felt the stock shocks were too soft, and didn't control rebound very well, especially in rough terrain and on washboard roads.
First attempt at correcting the problems:
Bilstein F4-BE5-6646-H6 5100 Series Shocks
I've got a 100 plus mile drive off highway coming up next weekend to give them a good test on. We're heading down deep into the KOFA NWR with a large group of over landers - I expect the trip Friday will take nearly 8 hours on two track trails. My first quick test drive on severe washboard after installing them was very positive, and I've give a full report after the trip. I flex tested them and everything looks good - making contact on the bump stops and I gained over 2" of droop travel!
My non scientific compression testing feels like they are slightly firmer that the stock shock. It was relatively easy for me to compress the stock shock by leaning on it, not quite as easy with the 5100.
After installing longer control arms and the 1" Daystar spacer, the stock shocks were too short by several inches.
Problem #2:
I felt the stock shocks were too soft, and didn't control rebound very well, especially in rough terrain and on washboard roads.
First attempt at correcting the problems:
Bilstein F4-BE5-6646-H6 5100 Series Shocks
I've got a 100 plus mile drive off highway coming up next weekend to give them a good test on. We're heading down deep into the KOFA NWR with a large group of over landers - I expect the trip Friday will take nearly 8 hours on two track trails. My first quick test drive on severe washboard after installing them was very positive, and I've give a full report after the trip. I flex tested them and everything looks good - making contact on the bump stops and I gained over 2" of droop travel!
My non scientific compression testing feels like they are slightly firmer that the stock shock. It was relatively easy for me to compress the stock shock by leaning on it, not quite as easy with the 5100.
