Hey, PWJunkie, I too often subscribed to the "more / bigger is always better" philosophy; Hp, suspension travel, tires, boobs, whatever it may be.
BUT, as stated before, you really should take delivery of the truck, get used to it, and see what it's capabilities are stock before dumping a ton of money into it on top of the premium you have already paid, for a extremely capable stock rig. I know "stock" is usually a "bad" word, especially in extreme off road performance rigs, but this truck really does perform right off the lot.
I've had mine in extreme 'wheeling scenarios, towing, hauling and crawling in every terrain imaginable. Trick with learning the vehicle, is becoming familiar with it's operation; Lockers, Sway Bar Disco and when and how to "dumb down" or turn off the stability control features that constantly reset or kick in when going in and out of 4Hi/4Lo and at higher speeds without your control. It always "defaults" back to "dummy driver" mode when you shut off the key, exceed a certain speed limit or even go in and out of 4WD on the same section of trail.
My factory winch has pulled me, my loaded truck and trailer out of some quicksand with the bumper and spare tires on the ground!
*If more mathematical pulling power is needed, just run out more line, wrap it and then use the "shorter" end to do the work, then rewind the "excess" after, if you feel the performance is being degraded due to the gear ratio change due to excess wraps. ***Just be careful not to tug the factory cable off of the spool - it is very easy to do, and a real ***** to get back on!!!***
Search my screen name for my pic threads in the PW specific section, or the "Bent, Scratched or Stuck" section or the "Show us your 4th Gen" thread for evidence of what can be done with a bone-stock rig.
Other than that, if you have a willing wife, credit rating and desire to mod-up, have at it! I suppose it won't hurt, but on a financial note, you probably should have just picked up a 6.4 2500 4WD if you were going to remove all the Power Wagon specific factory upgraded parts and swap on aftermarket replacement goodies right from the start. But, that is just me talking, having "been there, done that" so many times before myself. On occasion, a rig comes along that just WORKS from the factory, and any tinkering done will just continue to introduce more problems and be a money pit down the road. THIS is one of those trucks. Thus, I keep it stock and save all my "Mod" money for fuel... it gets me out to places I've never imagined.... and back again, all under it's own power.
Good luck. And DO post pics in your other "waiting" thread when it finally comes in!
