Thinking about a Power Wagon

[CodyB]

Thanks for the thoughts so far guys. I know that fuel mileage is not strong point for the Power Wagon which is one of the reasons I woul like to keep the Tacoma for daily driving needs (not that the Tacoma gets great mileage either). I have also considered buying a Dodge 2500 or F250 and slowly setting it up similiar to a Power Wagon. I have yet to be in an area where I needed lockers and we cover just about all the country in all conditions for work but it would be nice having lockers if needed. The electronic sway bar would be really nice especially on our rocky rutted roads. The used Power Wagons are certainly more affordable but in my opinion the 2010 and probably 2011 models are much more comfortable.

Jcbrandon, I'm in Winnemucca.

 

[Buliwyf]

If you build a Ford you'll allready have hubs that unlock in the front. Which will save fuel mileage and the cost of the hub upgrade. But they're still unit bearings which are $$$ to replace. I'm fairly certain that the auto hubs can be replaced with plain old manual hubs. I only have experience with the manual hubs.

Even if you don't need locking diffs added to your build, if you're going to regear for larger tires, minus well put a full case locker of some sort in the rear at the same time.

I'd leave the swaybars connected on my rocky rutted roads. A decent setup on a Dodge or Ford will still RTI at 390+ with the bars still connected. I only disco for off road adventures and playtime, even then my Jeep usually performs better with the bars connected. Not something I do often with fullsize trucks. A 3/8" electric impact will disco your swaybars in a few seconds anyways. Do they make quick dicos strong enough for the stiff sway bars on fullsize trucks? I've never used them. Deos anyone offer a jeep style splined hub on the swaybar to manually disco the sway bar on a Ford or Dodge?

 

[Rovertrader]

BTF makes servicable bearing hubs for the F250, and you can get e-locker rear now too...

 

[crismateski]

Hey, this is my first post so I thought I would say hi real quick.

I have an 06 Power Wagon, and have to say I love it. I had an 04 2500slt that I put 185k miles on, and the wagon has taken me places the 04 only dreamed of, and done it without effort. With 305/70/17 I am getting almost 13 on the highway, and about 11 around town, 9.5-10 with my 5000lbs boat behind it. The truck is surprisingly stable on the trail, and nothing seems to phase it.

as far as getting a regular dodge and adding the modifications to it would cost far more, there is more then just lockers. The power wagon is about 2" taller, 12,000lb winch w/mounting brace between framerails,electronic disconnecting swaybar(for awsome articulation),electronic locking axles front & rear(for true 4-wheel drive),tow pkg, fully skidplated,forged one piece Alcoa rims w/internal beadlock lips,larger diameter(one ton) axleshaft in rear,160 amp alt,HD battery,4.56 gears,low range electronic recalibration of gas pedal sensitivity,more but thinner leafs in rear spring pack(for better articulation), 33" BFG All-Terrain tires. 78.016:1 crawl ratio and Bilstein shocks. Gear ratios: 1st 6.29:1 2nd 3.48:1 3rd 2.10:1 4th 1.38:1 5th 1.0:1 6th .79:1.. Rev 5.74:1.

Dodge charges about 6100 bucks for all that. The power wagon does have it flaws and weaknesses, but it is a much more capable platform to build from.

C