Upgrade to power wagon?

2batruck · Jun 2, 2019

Has anybody ever upgraded from a 5.7 to a power wagon model. Wonder if it's worth the cost

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mtnrider · Jun 2, 2019

What are you going to use the truck for that's the question you need to ask. It's an awesome offload truck if that is what you are looking for. It's not a great daily driver (very poor mpg and range), and not an ideal towing rig ( compared to other 2500's).

.

16RamHemi · Jun 3, 2019

i thought about this too. i have a 14 sport lifted 4" on 35s. i drive a lot if backroads and they are bumpy. my truck does ok but i would love one that could just eat up the bumps with no fear of breaking anything. ive wondered if the power wagon would be better or a 1500 with a quality suspension (built for bumps and potholes). i will admit 35s on 20" wheels are not the best, i plan to drop to 18s eventually.

i also wondered how driving the 3/4 ton size everyday compares to driving a lifted 1500.

Trailmaker · Jul 28, 2019

I just bought a Power Wagon and came I from a 1/2 ton. I still have the 5.7 with 105,000 miles. Yes I was getting 15-17 mpg and now I am getting 12 (so far, I only have 1,200 mi on her)
Pros are
the dirt roads are noticeably better to drive on in a power wagon.
the extra foot in the bed is really nice
the height is incredible it’s a beast you feel like you can run over anything.
Luxury is fantastic
very nicely trimmed out and the gigantic screen is sweet!
I played I little with it off road and the Rubicon gear that’s bolted to this beast is incredible.
Headlights look very well done with the leds

Cons
Yes towing is not on par the the other 2500 but it is not for lack of power or tranny (love the 8 speed) it is solely because of suspension and that is an easy fix with air bags if you need to tow more than 12,000.
Gpm is noticeably less but I have not given it a true tank of gas to test as I can’t keep my foot out of it. It is so much fun.
Back seat has like 4” less room. (Something like that)
No shoulder belt in the front center seat.
So far I have no regrets.

S0CAL · Jul 28, 2019

Trailmaker said:
I just bought a Power Wagon and came I from a 1/2 ton. I still have the 5.7 with 105,000 miles. Yes I was getting 15-17 mpg and now I am getting 12 (so far, I only have 1,200 mi on her)
Pros are
the dirt roads are noticeably better to drive on in a power wagon.
the extra foot in the bed is really nice
the height is incredible it’s a beast you feel like you can run over anything.
Luxury is fantastic
very nicely trimmed out and the gigantic screen is sweet!
I played I little with it off road and the Rubicon gear that’s bolted to this beast is incredible.
Headlights look very well done with the leds

Cons
Yes towing is not on par the the other 2500 but it is not for lack of power or tranny (love the 8 speed) it is solely because of suspension and that is an easy fix with air bags if you need to tow more than 12,000.
Gpm is noticeably less but I have not given it a true tank of gas to test as I can’t keep my foot out of it is so much fun.
Back seat has like 4” less room. (Something like that)
No shoulder belt in the front center seat.
So far I have no regrets.

View attachment 174959

What an excellent first post. Agree on all points. :welcome:

to RamForum!

joshuaeb09 · Jul 28, 2019

16RamHemi said:
i thought about this too. i have a 14 sport lifted 4" on 35s. i drive a lot if backroads and they are bumpy. my truck does ok but i would love one that could just eat up the bumps with no fear of breaking anything. ive wondered if the power wagon would be better or a 1500 with a quality suspension (built for bumps and potholes). i will admit 35s on 20" wheels are not the best, i plan to drop to 18s eventually.

i also wondered how driving the 3/4 ton size everyday compares to driving a lifted 1500.

For the money you'd spend on upgrading you could get coilovers from the likes of King along with some other suspension goodies and be out running a stock power wagon all day in the dirt. But if you want the winch, sway bar disconnect, lockers, and a more trail tackling type setup then the PW is pretty damn awesome straight from the factory. If the 6.4/A8 combination had been in the HD's back when I bought my truck... I'd probably have one. Maybe not a PW, but it would be more than likely lifted enough to clear 37's with decent enough suspension under it for what I do.

Trailmaker · Jul 28, 2019

S0CAL said:
What an excellent first post. Agree on all points. to RamForum!

Thank you sir
I plan on giving some soiled feedback after I take it to some places I went with my Jeep (and then later with my Raptor. ) Though the Power Wagon can be a “street Queen” or a “trophy truck”, I hope she will take down some nice trails and over some beautiful passes to see what she can do.

Ratket · Jul 28, 2019

2500”s are a lvl kit away from 37”s.

The 6.4 mates to the 8 speed is like a dream.. or so I have heard compared to the 6 speed of previous generations.

joshuaeb09 · Jul 29, 2019

Ratket said:
2500”s are a lvl kit away from 37”s.

The 6.4 mates to the 8 speed is like a dream.. or so I have heard compared to the 6 speed of previous generations.

The 8 speed makes a huge difference. My old mans been looking at getting a new HD and hot damn that new combination is super tempting. Driving one with the RFE that hasn't been re-geared really feels like you're driving a gas motor with a diesel transmission whereas driving one of the new one's with an 8 speed really just feels right for the Hemi.

Trailmaker · Jul 30, 2019

Update:
I just returned from a short 366 mile round trip and started topped off and when I returned, I topped off and used 21.65 gallons of gas. So just a hair under 17 gpm (16.9)I took a picture as I was coming back of my gauge. I should get 540 miles on a tank at that mpg. The cruise was set at 65 when I was on the freeway (about 320 of the mi). I noticed at 55 I was around 20 mpg. I used the recommended 89 octane since I bought the truck off the lot.

Upgrade to power wagon?

2batruck

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mtnrider

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16RamHemi

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Trailmaker

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S0CAL

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joshuaeb09

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Ratket

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joshuaeb09

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