UPGRADE ?s - Going to hit the ground running day 1

[lnferno]

I'll be getting a 2020 Power Wagon in a few weeks. Looking to get feedback for some specific things:

I live in Colorado (just for context and reference for some of the questions I have).

1. Do the 2020s require any modifications to run 37s knowing this is going to be off-roaded heavily? I'm on the fence between 35s and 37s. Will a 35" fit where the spare goes?
2. For the snow we get in the Colorado mountains, what tire do most people run (i.e. Duratrac, K02, Toyo M/T)?
3. What snow chains are recommended? Can you run them up front as well?
4. I have a Yeasu FTM-400XDR - what/where are some common mounting options? I need full visibility of it - it can't be hidden away or anything like that.
5. Recommendation on Auxiliary switch panels and mounting locations?
6. Recommendation on rock sliders?

Greatly appreciate everyone's help.

 

[Hammer757]

Rock sliders I went with Maple Off-Road. I sent a few emails to white knuckle and never got a reply. I sent an email to Maple and got a response fast. Other emails answered quickly as well. I choose Maple since they seem to have a better focus on customer service. I went ahead and picked up Maples skid plate as well to add some extra armor.

 

[Grand Mesa]

Only, a week ago was the first time that I have ever run snow chains on my 34" rear Cooper S/T Maxx tires on my PW between Gateway, Colorado and Moab, Utah. There's a quite noticeable sign near the road entrance stating that tire chains are strongly advised of which my passengers saw and announced. I just entirely ignored it. Still I wasn't able to proceed even 1/3 of the way with the lockers engaged through the deep snow due it kept badly hopping on top of the hard ice pack and getting deeply stuck when it broke through. I haven't yet run 12.50" wide tires in either 35" or 37". Too wide for my living within the Colorado Rockies, but I might run them in the Toyo Open Country C/T someday when available here. Still skinner tires are recommended.

It's the extreme cold conditions (below minus 20 Fahrenheit) which makes most M/T tires behave more like hockey pucks. M/T tires throw out the snow, whereas, just the opposite is needed on packed snow/ice roads. The tire's rubber composition makes a difference too. It needs to remain flexible in extreme cold conditions. Need full depth siping too on all tire lugs. Seen too many bad accidents here. Spin around and headon collisions in winter conditions due their tires lost grip.

Look for Load Range E tires with a 3 ply carcass and sidewall. The General Grabber X3 has adequate snow/ice reviews, no better than a highway tire though. The majority of M/T don't have good snow/ice reviews. The 35" Cooper STT Pro from experience suck. The Toyo Open Country C/T tire is slowly becoming available in the USA. It has the 3PMSF rating and has good snow reviews. I haven't run either of these.

 

[Trailmaker]

I'll be getting a 19 Power Wagon in a few weeks. Looking to get feedback for some specific things:

I live in Colorado (just for context and reference for some of the questions I have).

1. Do the 2019s require any modifications to run 37s knowing this is going to be off-roaded heavily? I'm on the fence between 35s and 37s. Will a 35" fit where the spare goes?
2. For the snow we get in the Colorado mountains, what tire do most people run (i.e. Duratrac, K02, Toyo M/T)?
3. What snow chains are recommended? Can you run them up front as well?
4. I have a Yeasu FTM-400XDR - what/where are some common mounting options? I need full visibility of it - it can't be hidden away or anything like that.
5. Recommendation on Auxiliary switch panels and mounting locations?
6. Recommendation on rock sliders?

Greatly appreciate everyone's help.

1:stay with 35s if you want to run chains. But you can run 37s without mods on a 19-20
2: @Grand Mesa knows tires tap that resource
3:I’m no help here.
4: @22hemi13 can help here.
5: spod A pillar is sweet. RC is 1/2 the price and keeps it simple but reliable.
6: so Maple and White Knuckle are the most popular I like Randy Ellis design and made my own off their mounting technology but a full truck long step for my needs.

I added some pictures of what I did to my rig to give you ideas.
Good luck on your purchase.

 

[Trailmaker]

After you get 1-6 figured out, we can start on 7-12.

 

[Grand Mesa]

For tire longevity look at tread depth. Colorado requires a minimum of 6/32" depth on I-70 in the high country. The Falken Wildpeak AT3W has around 20/32" to start, whereas, the KO2 is just 15/32".

The Duratrac, KO2, and AT3W are all 3PMSF rated, all have a 2 ply carcass, but on the AT3W they roll up the 2 plys onto the sidewall making it twice as thick and so much heavier. I've runned the Duratrac and KO (not KO2). Had two punctures with the Duratrac on the PW and so I only run them on my 1/2 ton. Great in Colorado on snow/ice though. KO became hard with wear and age to the point of slip, sliding around on anything wet.

I am no tire expert, but someone who wants to run 35", but still the reality is living in the mountains and having to deal daily with snow then mud for 9 months out of a year right out of my driveway. Function over looks wins out. A 34" (285 75R17) skinner tire does the job around here, but beyond that size it's just for looks 99.9% of the time due to they become wider and might not function as well in winter conditions on both the road and in using chains on all 4 wheels. Run a 35" (285 75R18) on another Ram 2500, but its sidewall height is equal to the 34". Can't see any benefit of going up to an 18" wheel on the PW. Like more sidewall height with the 35" and 37" on a 17 for that 0.1% of driving through rough terrain.

 

[crazykid1994]

I’m not driving a pw or a 2500 for that matter but I know a 35 does not fit under my truck in the spare mount. I’m running a 305/70r18 Mickey Thompson atz p3 3 ply tire. I love them. I’ve run bfgoodrich, procomp, and Michelin offroad tires and by far these mickeys are my favorite. Quite heavy but they ride very well and are quiet yet very versatile offroad. No wet weather traction loss. My truck being a 1500 sits extremely low compared to the pw. I’m on a 2.5” lift and the 35s fit no rub and I’m still lower than a 2500

 

[lnferno]

1:stay with 35s if you want to run chains. But you can run 37s without mods on a 19-20
2: @Grand Mesa knows tires tap that resource
3:I’m no help here.
4: @22hemi13 can help here.
5: spod A pillar is sweet. RC is 1/2 the price and keeps it simple but reliable.
6: so Maple and White Knuckle are the most popular I like Randy Ellis design and made my own off their mounting technology but a full truck long step for my needs.

I added some pictures of what I did to my rig to give you ideas.
Good luck on your purchase.

View attachment 197127

View attachment 197128

View attachment 197129

View attachment 197130

View attachment 197131

Thank you!

 

[lnferno]

After you get 1-6 figured out, we can start on 7-12.

I like how you think

 

[Timster]

#5 - I wired up my own with Rocker Switches but if I had to do it again -

- my first choice would be
https://www.amazon.com/Voswitch-Pro...174d0217ad03b16d4d377ce5bfb964&language=en_US

- an inexpensive second choice
https://www.amazon.com/DJI-4X4-Circ...GSBDSK7QHR6&psc=1&refRID=6EWKVET5WGSBDSK7QHR6

 

[lnferno]

For tire longevity look at tread depth. Colorado requires a minimum of 6/32" depth on I-70 in the high country. The Falken Wildpeak AT3W has around 20/32" to start, whereas, the KO2 is just 15/32".

The Duratrac, KO2, and AT3W are all 3PMSF rated, all have a 2 ply carcass, but on the AT3W they roll up the 2 plys onto the sidewall making it twice as thick and so much heavier. I've runned the Duratrac and KO (not KO2). Had two punctures with the Duratrac on the PW and so I only run them on my 1/2 ton. Great in Colorado on snow/ice though. KO became hard with wear and age to the point of slip, sliding around on anything wet.

I am no tire expert, but someone who wants to run 35", but still the reality is living in the mountains and having to deal daily with snow then mud for 9 months out of a year right out of my driveway. Function over looks wins out. A 34" (285 75R17) skinner tire does the job around here, but beyond that size it's just for looks 99.9% of the time due to they become wider and might not function as well in winter conditions on both the road and in using chains on all 4 wheels. Run a 35" (285 75R18) on another Ram 2500, but its sidewall height is equal to the 34". Can't see any benefit of going up to an 18" wheel on the PW. Like more sidewall height with the 35" and 37" on a 17 for that 0.1% of driving through rough terrain.

Thank you for your input - greatly appreciate the real world experience!

 

[Trailmaker]

I’m not driving a pw or a 2500 for that matter but I know a 35 does not fit under my truck in the spare mount. I’m running a 305/70r18 Mickey Thompson atz p3 3 ply tire. I love them. I’ve run bfgoodrich, procomp, and Michelin offroad tires and by far these mickeys are my favorite. Quite heavy but they ride very well and are quiet yet very versatile offroad. No wet weather traction loss. My truck being a 1500 sits extremely low compared to the pw. I’m on a 2.5” lift and the 35s fit no rub and I’m still lower than a 2500

The PW can take a 35” tire in the spare location. If it is a true 35” then is needs to be aired down a little.

 

[crazykid1994]

The PW can take a 35” tire in the spare location. If it is a true 35” then is needs to be aired down a little.

Is the power wagon spare mount different than the 1500s? I tried airing down mine to fit but it hits the track bar and the bumper so it won’t fit.

 

[Trailmaker]

Is the power wagon spare mount different than the 1500s? I tried airing down mine to fit but it hits the track bar and the bumper so it won’t fit.

You have the 5-1/2 bed I bet. The PW is a foot longer.

 

[crazykid1994]

You have the 5-1/2 bed I bet. The PW is a foot longer.

I have the 6-4 bed not the 5-7 bed.

 

[ALRedneck]

Only, a week ago was the first time that I have ever run snow chains on my 34" rear Cooper S/T Maxx tires on my PW between Gateway, Colorado and Moab, Utah. There's a quite noticeable sign near the road entrance stating that tire chains are strongly advised of which my passengers saw and announced. I just entirely ignored it. Still I wasn't able to proceed even 1/3 of the way with the lockers engaged through the deep snow due it kept badly hopping on top of the hard ice pack and getting deeply stuck when it broke through. I haven't yet run 12.50" wide tires in either 35" or 37". Too wide for my living within the Colorado Rockies, but I might run them in the Toyo Open Country C/T someday when available here. Still skinner tires are recommended.

It's the extreme cold conditions (below minus 20 Fahrenheit) which makes most M/T tires behave more like hockey pucks. M/T tires throw out the snow, whereas, just the opposite is needed on packed snow/ice roads. The tire's rubber composition makes a difference too. It needs to remain flexible in extreme cold conditions. Need full depth siping too on all tire lugs. Seen too many bad accidents here. Spin around and headon collisions in winter conditions due their tires lost grip.

Look for Load Range E tires with a 3 ply carcass and sidewall. The General Grabber X3 has adequate snow/ice reviews, no better than a highway tire though. The majority of M/T don't have good snow/ice reviews. The 35" Cooper STT Pro from experience suck. The Toyo Open Country C/T tire is slowly becoming available in the USA. It has the 3PMSF rating and has good snow reviews. I haven't run either of these.

I’m asking because Im still learning about tire function v cosmetics. Why are the skinnier tires needed? I’ve got about 10,000 more miles left on my Duratracs so I’m trying to determine what I will go to when it’s time. Honestly, the duratracs have done well for me. If I’m not DD on pavement then it’s pretty much red clay mud or maybe white sand beach(rarely). I think I will need load E to go with my airbags for farm chores but debating tire size. The bigger tires look good but I absolutely love the way the PW rides and don’t want to change that.

 

[Grand Mesa]

https://blog.tirerack.com/blog/hunters-ramblings/why-are-narrower-tires-better-for-winter

I drive 285 75R17 and 285 75R18 tires in winter on Ram 2500's. 34" and 35". A 285 width looks skinny compared to a 12.50 width, but it's still wide enough for all seasons.

 

[Trailmaker]

I have the 6-4 bed not the 5-7 bed.

Interesting, this is what I have

 

[crazykid1994]

Interesting, this is what I have

View attachment 197192

Funny. That’s exactly what I have and even with my tire at 2psi it hits the bumper and track bar.

 

[Trailmaker]

Oh you have not met my friend. https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-20-Volt-MAX-Lithium-Ion-Cordless-Reciprocating-Saw-Tool-Only-DCS380B/203164237

Funny. That’s exactly what I have and even with my tire at 2psi it hits the bumper and track bar.

View attachment 197193

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