Power Wagon Registry

I'm just going to leave this here >>>

Reloaderguy wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 06, 2018 1:10 pm

The OP doesn't have a trackbar problem.

Exactly. This thread has derailed into the track at weeds a few times but hoping it stays on track because its very useful for a lot of power wagon owners.

I have the same issue every time I load the my 2017 PW down, the scary highway oscillation. I had the issue with the OE PW suspension and with the Carli Backcountry. I thought about going air bags but my truck is only used for weekend trips and longer expeditions; I would prefer a higher spring rate in the rear as a start.

Reloaderguy wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 02, 2018 1:16 pm

I addressed your issue at the very top of the page, you need more spring rate in the rear. You can start throwing money at the issue or you can take the advice of someone who has already experienced what you're going through. The AEV lift may actually solve your problem but not because of the BS line they laid on you. AEV wants you to install standard 2500 rear springs which will give you more spring rate, ie more resistance to roll. The problem is then you have to live with the junky, unsafe AEV lift. Hellwig's swaybar is total overkill for your weight and your ride would be awful. Or, you can buy a set of airbags and cradles and be done with it. Your choice.

FYI, The 14+ PW has a lighter rear swaybar than a standard 2500. If you really wanted a heavier swaybar you could buy an OE bar for less than $100.

Rear Spring Rate: I agree the rear spring rate is the issue that OP and I are experiencing. I currently have the Carli Backcountry 2.0 on my '17 wagon with Carli's longest rear spring. I actually am sagging the rear compared to the front (bro-style a bit) sitting at about 9.5k lbs loaded, and I am contemplating running the normal RAM 2500 coils in the rear with an AEV-like spacer.

AEV: I am curious why you say the AEV lift is unsafe, is that based on any other issue besides those that have had the knuckle machined improperly for the drag link ?

Rear Sway Bar: I am now curious to know if the 2017+ PW rear sway bar is lighter duty than the normal RAM 2500 sway bar. I thought about going Helwig at the slackest position (3 positions) but even then articulation might be quite limited. The normal RAM 2500 swaybar might be a good middle ground option, if this is accurate for the newer wagons?

WILDPEAK wrote: ↑

Mon May 27, 2019 7:03 am

Reloaderguy wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 02, 2018 1:16 pm

I addressed your issue at the very top of the page, you need more spring rate in the rear. You can start throwing money at the issue or you can take the advice of someone who has already experienced what you're going through. The AEV lift may actually solve your problem but not because of the BS line they laid on you. AEV wants you to install standard 2500 rear springs which will give you more spring rate, ie more resistance to roll. The problem is then you have to live with the junky, unsafe AEV lift. Hellwig's swaybar is total overkill for your weight and your ride would be awful. Or, you can buy a set of airbags and cradles and be done with it. Your choice.

FYI, The 14+ PW has a lighter rear swaybar than a standard 2500. If you really wanted a heavier swaybar you could buy an OE bar for less than $100.

Rear Spring Rate: I agree the rear spring rate is the issue that OP and I are experiencing. I currently have the Carli Backcountry 2.0 on my '17 wagon with Carli's longest rear spring. I actually am sagging the rear compared to the front (bro-style a bit) sitting at about 9.5k lbs loaded, and I am contemplating running the normal RAM 2500 coils in the rear with an AEV-like spacer.

AEV: I am curious why you say the AEV lift is unsafe, is that based on any other issue besides those that have had the knuckle machined improperly for the drag link ?

Rear Sway Bar: I am now curious to know if the 2017+ PW rear sway bar is lighter duty than the normal RAM 2500 sway bar. I thought about going Helwig at the slackest position (3 positions) but even then articulation might be quite limited. The normal RAM 2500 swaybar might be a good middle ground option, if this is accurate for the newer wagons?

AEV fixed that issue. Kit comes with new knuckle. And people are being given a knuckle properly machined. Install shops do things the way they do things.

Personal opinion, they never needed to do a Jeep mod on a 2500 truck. But they did. Whatever the heck for.

The rear sway bar is a lighter duty on our trucks comparatively. If you get a Helwig it will be YUGE comparatively.

I am installing my Thuren 2.5 setup this weekend, assuming weather cooperates. I ended up going keeping the OE PW rear springs, and going with the Thuren +1/2" springs up front... so CG shouldn't take much of a hit and didn't make spring rates worse in the rear.

Hoping that between more aggressive rear rebound control from the Kings and the rear track bar being relocated, I will be a long way toward eliminating my issue. Next step should it be necessary is a stiffer rear ARB - but as mentioned above, I wouldn't go with the yuge Helwig - I'd probably just go with one of the beefier OE options. I haven't validated by looking up P/Ns, but one of the Ram suspension engineers told me there are at least 4 different OE rear ARB stiffnesses used, with the PW being the softest rate.

1pieceatatime wrote: ↑

Tue May 28, 2019 10:45 am

I am installing my Thuren 2.5 setup this weekend, assuming weather cooperates. I ended up going keeping the OE PW rear springs, and going with the Thuren +1/2" springs up front... so CG shouldn't take much of a hit and didn't make spring rates worse in the rear.

Hoping that between more aggressive rear rebound control from the Kings and the rear track bar being relocated, I will be a long way toward eliminating my issue. Next step should it be necessary is a stiffer rear ARB - but as mentioned above, I wouldn't go with the yuge Helwig - I'd probably just go with one of the beefier OE options. I haven't validated by looking up P/Ns, but one of the Ram suspension engineers told me there are at least 4 different OE rear ARB stiffnesses used, with the PW being the softest rate.

What does ARB stand for? I assume you are talking about the sway bar?

Anti roll bar

1pieceatatime wrote: ↑

Tue May 28, 2019 10:45 am

I am installing my Thuren 2.5 setup this weekend, assuming weather cooperates. I ended up going keeping the OE PW rear springs, and going with the Thuren +1/2" springs up front... so CG shouldn't take much of a hit and didn't make spring rates worse in the rear.

Hoping that between more aggressive rear rebound control from the Kings and the rear track bar being relocated, I will be a long way toward eliminating my issue. Next step should it be necessary is a stiffer rear ARB - but as mentioned above, I wouldn't go with the yuge Helwig - I'd probably just go with one of the beefier OE options. I haven't validated by looking up P/Ns, but one of the Ram suspension engineers told me there are at least 4 different OE rear ARB stiffnesses used, with the PW being the softest rate.

Ram's name for it is "stabilizer bar". I found two part numbers for 2015's on one of those mopar parts websites. There may be more, but this is what I turned up in 30 seconds of looking. No idea which one comes on the PW.
68139812AB
68139813AA

1pieceatatime wrote: ↑

Tue May 28, 2019 10:45 am

I am installing my Thuren 2.5 setup this weekend, assuming weather cooperates. I ended up going keeping the OE PW rear springs, and going with the Thuren +1/2" springs up front... so CG shouldn't take much of a hit and didn't make spring rates worse in the rear.

Hoping that between more aggressive rear rebound control from the Kings and the rear track bar being relocated, I will be a long way toward eliminating my issue. Next step should it be necessary is a stiffer rear ARB - but as mentioned above, I wouldn't go with the yuge Helwig - I'd probably just go with one of the beefier OE options. I haven't validated by looking up P/Ns, but one of the Ram suspension engineers told me there are at least 4 different OE rear ARB stiffnesses used, with the PW being the softest rate.

How has this worked out so far? Did you ever install air bags?

Been meaning to update this!

I don’t get the rolling back and forth now. I’ve still got a lot of weight up high, so I still get a lot of roll - but the shocks keep it from overshooting and oscillating back, so it just rolls in, takes a set, and comes back nicely as I unwind the steering wheel.

Ride over bumps of course is greatly improved... there are a few concrete interstate sections around me where every pickup I’ve ever had - from S-10 to Ford and Chevy 1500s to my PW on stock suspension - bounce around and hop and shake in the rear. Not anymore after the King swap! Nice and controlled.

I don’t think I’m going to add bags or a stiffer rear bar at this point - When loaded for trip I’m at or just over max payload, and the truck is much more stable even though it still has a lot of roll in the rear. If I add weight to the setup though, more suspension work might come into play.

I’m also debating adding a 1” spacer in the rear - I’ve not measured it, but when loaded my truck is now dead level to slightly nose up - I’d like to get a little of that rake back. Debating putting an ARB or Aluminess bumper on it for animal strike survivability - deer like rabbits around here - so I won’t add spacer until I’ve made that call for sure and installed bumper if it still needs it.