MAPLE WAGON aka Diesel Powerwagon

If it's about Power Wagons, all generations, this is where it'll go. This is the original PWR Forum Power Wagon Technical Discussion Section. And this includes everything that doesn’t fit in any one of the other categories related to the truck goes here!
Post Reply
User avatar
nts007
2000_Posts
2000_Posts
Posts: 2284
Joined: Wed Dec 11, 2013 10:01 pm
Model Year: 2008
Location: Sask, Canada, Earth

MAPLE WAGON aka Diesel Powerwagon

Post by nts007 » Wed May 09, 2018 12:46 am

Truth? Fiction. Who knows. Who cares. Do we?? I do

Well guess what. After 10 years of dreaming about Moab back when we first got this group on dodge talk and here on the registry I made it!! But not in my 06 wagon. Instead I drove to and CONQURED Moab in the MAPLE WAGON as it's been declared. A Diesel powerwagon.... yea right. Well yea!!

After years of trial and error the truck was finally ready. And a most amazing experience it was. Learning the limits of traction and break over angles, learning about how just brutally tough these trucks are was awesome!!

So how did it do. Well here we go.

233 gallons of fuel burned total trip
Best mileage 22.4mpg
Worst mpg 12.7
Average off road trail 14.5mpg
Average highway 19.8mpg


Right with that out of the way :lol:
So how did the truck do where it counts.

Really frickin well.
The gross amount of torque combined with 4 low and a really low 1st gear allowed me to climb many obstacles carefully yet with ease. Also the engine breaking was nearly the equivalent of the "hill descent" the newer trucks have.
Having the hydro boost brakes allowed me to literally stand on the front wheels at times. Not having to take a run at rocks and ledges really helped preserve drivetrain and keep shock loads down. That and me just being slow.

But how does it compare to a wagon??!?!!

Well it flexes really well and with lockers as long as wheels are down you just climb!
The under armour was nice to know was there If needed but amazingly I left it unscathed

The dor long arms acted as sliders as did the brackets more often than not and took pretty much all of the high Center abuse.

Having a d-ring reciever in the hitch likely saved my bumper and tailgate more times than I can count.

The thuren coils leaves and shocks together kept the truck flex but always in control.

How about that bumper.... well somehow it worked extremely well. The times it did get into stuff it just either slid up along the uprights till the wheels touched or gouged the hell out of the rocks. I literally left a 5" long 1" deep furrow in a rock ledge on one of the trails. The bumper while larger managed to not be a hinderance in any way and protected the truck and it's front end vitals better than I could have imagined.

37's combined with the dor brackets and arms somehow saved me from myself for not having sliders installed.

All in all would I do it differently? Na. It was a total blast. And eventually everyone there got used to the rattle and turbo whine I supplied day in and day out.

Now how about the damage........

Bumper got turned up a little. Loosened the frame bolts and it turned back perfectly. No tweaking or bending.
Rear bumper out side corners got a little scratched up but that's about it.
Dor arms got scratched but no damage
One spot on the rockers in front of rear tire got pushed up a hair
Rear rocker driver side got a little bumped
Stabilizer skid plate took a small amount of the whole front end weight and got bent a tiny bit.
Lots of new rattles but that's not bad
On the way home the thermostat got stuck closed and forced me to turn back and spend another night (so horrible since it was a 10 min fix but many beers later....)
I was being a dick and "accidentally" melted my egt probe in the manifold lol
My Borgson steering shaft got a little loose on the spline connection to the steering box. Some electrical tape later it's all fixed up

All in all I'd say a complete success with very minor damage conditions.

So many obstacles seemed so bad from the driver seat yet the camera just can't capture that feeling. Stuff that looked so steep in person doesn't seem like that on camera.

I had a fantastic time with a wonderful group. I'm sad I wasn't able to meet more of you this trip but I'm already planning next year. And I may have the bastardwagon done by then.

So the diesel wagon exists! And proved itself well. Now here's a ton of pictures
Attachments
IMG_1021.JPG
IMG_1022.JPG
IMG_1034.JPG
IMG_1036.JPG
IMG_1037.JPG
IMG_1040.JPG
IMG_1041.JPG
IMG_1042.JPG
IMG_1043.JPG
IMG_1045.JPG
IMG_1046.JPG
IMG_1047.JPG
08 ctd--mini max--thuren 3" coils and LT Leaves--4.56 gears and lockers in pw axles--some lights--afe intake system--bd super b turbo--Banks w/m Injection--Dynatrac Balljoints--king 2.5"s--37" Hankook Dynapro MT--DOR Long arms--Custom emf track bar--Manual T-case swap--Full PW Under armor--PSC Hydro Assist and so much more

User avatar
nts007
2000_Posts
2000_Posts
Posts: 2284
Joined: Wed Dec 11, 2013 10:01 pm
Model Year: 2008
Location: Sask, Canada, Earth

Re: MAPLE WAGON aka Diesel Powerwagon

Post by nts007 » Wed May 09, 2018 12:48 am

More
Attachments
IMG_1049.JPG
IMG_1052.JPG
IMG_1053.JPG
IMG_1054.JPG
08 ctd--mini max--thuren 3" coils and LT Leaves--4.56 gears and lockers in pw axles--some lights--afe intake system--bd super b turbo--Banks w/m Injection--Dynatrac Balljoints--king 2.5"s--37" Hankook Dynapro MT--DOR Long arms--Custom emf track bar--Manual T-case swap--Full PW Under armor--PSC Hydro Assist and so much more

User avatar
nts007
2000_Posts
2000_Posts
Posts: 2284
Joined: Wed Dec 11, 2013 10:01 pm
Model Year: 2008
Location: Sask, Canada, Earth

Re: MAPLE WAGON aka Diesel Powerwagon

Post by nts007 » Wed May 09, 2018 12:58 am

Damage pics
Attachments
IMG_1056.JPG
IMG_1057.JPG
IMG_1058.JPG
IMG_1059.JPG
IMG_1060.JPG
IMG_1061.JPG
IMG_1062.JPG
IMG_1063.JPG
IMG_1064.JPG
08 ctd--mini max--thuren 3" coils and LT Leaves--4.56 gears and lockers in pw axles--some lights--afe intake system--bd super b turbo--Banks w/m Injection--Dynatrac Balljoints--king 2.5"s--37" Hankook Dynapro MT--DOR Long arms--Custom emf track bar--Manual T-case swap--Full PW Under armor--PSC Hydro Assist and so much more

User avatar
nts007
2000_Posts
2000_Posts
Posts: 2284
Joined: Wed Dec 11, 2013 10:01 pm
Model Year: 2008
Location: Sask, Canada, Earth

Re: MAPLE WAGON aka Diesel Powerwagon

Post by nts007 » Wed May 09, 2018 1:04 am

More pics
Attachments
IMG_1024.JPG
IMG_1025.JPG
IMG_1026.JPG
IMG_1027.JPG
IMG_1030.JPG
IMG_1031.JPG
IMG_1032.JPG
IMG_2640.jpeg
08 ctd--mini max--thuren 3" coils and LT Leaves--4.56 gears and lockers in pw axles--some lights--afe intake system--bd super b turbo--Banks w/m Injection--Dynatrac Balljoints--king 2.5"s--37" Hankook Dynapro MT--DOR Long arms--Custom emf track bar--Manual T-case swap--Full PW Under armor--PSC Hydro Assist and so much more

RustyPW
2000_Posts
2000_Posts
Posts: 5435
Joined: Thu May 24, 2012 4:23 pm
Model Year: 2008
Location: Brownsville Pa.

Re: MAPLE WAGON aka Diesel Powerwagon

Post by RustyPW » Wed May 09, 2018 1:16 am

Nice pic's. :rockon: Glad you had a good time. That's what it is all about. Now, you're back in the great white north. :lol:
PWOC #53
2008 POWER WAGON RC

My build thread. http://forum.powerwagonregistry.org/vie ... =13&t=2826 :cash: :cash:

Moab '09, '10, '12, '14.
Rausch Creek - Summer '10, Spring-Fall '11, Spring '12, Summer '13, Summer '14, Summer '15, Summer '16, Summer '17, Summer '18, Summer '20, Summer '22,
AOAA Summer '19.

Russ
NRA - Benefactor, Golden Eagle. :lockedandloaded:

User avatar
Low_Sky
500_Posts
500_Posts
Posts: 957
Joined: Fri May 01, 2015 7:12 pm
Model Year: 2015
Location: Eagle River, Alaska

Re: MAPLE WAGON aka Diesel Powerwagon

Post by Low_Sky » Wed May 09, 2018 2:42 am

Awesome trip report, looks like a lot of fun.

How fast did you have to go to get inverted in that arch?
inverted.gif
inverted.gif (1.22 MiB) Viewed 4240 times
John
Alaska
2015 PW on 2.5" Thuren Kings
My build thread

User avatar
nts007
2000_Posts
2000_Posts
Posts: 2284
Joined: Wed Dec 11, 2013 10:01 pm
Model Year: 2008
Location: Sask, Canada, Earth

Re: MAPLE WAGON aka Diesel Powerwagon

Post by nts007 » Wed May 09, 2018 9:30 am

Low_Sky wrote:
Wed May 09, 2018 2:42 am
Awesome trip report, looks like a lot of fun.

How fast did you have to go to get inverted in that arch?

inverted.gif
1badwagon was just flying up there. Only one to get upside down

It was a blast. Worth the 42hrs driving time round trip
08 ctd--mini max--thuren 3" coils and LT Leaves--4.56 gears and lockers in pw axles--some lights--afe intake system--bd super b turbo--Banks w/m Injection--Dynatrac Balljoints--king 2.5"s--37" Hankook Dynapro MT--DOR Long arms--Custom emf track bar--Manual T-case swap--Full PW Under armor--PSC Hydro Assist and so much more

User avatar
adeluca73
2000_Posts
2000_Posts
Posts: 2126
Joined: Mon May 19, 2014 11:56 pm
Model Year: 2014
Location: The Pentagon, VA

Re: MAPLE WAGON aka Diesel Powerwagon

Post by adeluca73 » Wed May 09, 2018 11:17 am

nts007 wrote:
Wed May 09, 2018 9:30 am
Low_Sky wrote:
Wed May 09, 2018 2:42 am
Awesome trip report, looks like a lot of fun.

How fast did you have to go to get inverted in that arch?

inverted.gif
1badwagon was just flying up there. Only one to get upside down

It was a blast. Worth the 42hrs driving time round trip
Great pics Neal...sorry I missed you. Look forward to catching up soon. :cheers:
2014 Ram PW SLT: 1st year of the Best Gen
<Build Thread>

User avatar
olyelr
2000_Posts
2000_Posts
Posts: 3658
Joined: Sun Dec 07, 2014 9:00 pm
Model Year: 2016
Location: Kewadin, MI

Re: MAPLE WAGON aka Diesel Powerwagon

Post by olyelr » Wed May 09, 2018 11:27 am

42 hours!? Now thats dedication!!!!
2016 Ram Power Wagon Laramie - Granite Crystal Metallic - Ramboxes - 35” AT3W - TazerRAM

:patriot:

Colibri
1000_Posts
1000_Posts
Posts: 1713
Joined: Mon Jun 08, 2015 5:44 pm
Model Year: 2009

Re: MAPLE WAGON aka Diesel Powerwagon

Post by Colibri » Wed May 09, 2018 4:43 pm

I’m really glad you finally made it! Hope to see you there next year
Central Texas and Houston area
2009 5.7 auto quadcab
Carli 3” coils deaver leafs 3” kings with 4 tube bypass rear and fr/rr hydro bumps
Howe steering pump and gear with hydraulic ram assist
Custom tube bumpers and white knuckle sliders
Creative fab trussed axle. rem polished and cryoed 5.13 gears with arb lockers fr/rr
Sharadon stage 2 545rfe with 3000 stall edge converter
Lots of other stuff lol

TwinStick

Re: MAPLE WAGON aka Diesel Powerwagon

Post by TwinStick » Wed May 09, 2018 8:50 pm

:rockon: :rockon: :rockon: :notworthy: I also have hill decent, works great. 1st gear Lo range. :lol:

User avatar
nts007
2000_Posts
2000_Posts
Posts: 2284
Joined: Wed Dec 11, 2013 10:01 pm
Model Year: 2008
Location: Sask, Canada, Earth

Re: MAPLE WAGON aka Diesel Powerwagon

Post by nts007 » Wed May 09, 2018 8:55 pm

Already counting down to next year. And if all goes well I'm bringing 2 trucks of my own and dragging one or two other Canadians and their trucks. Already warned one his trucks coming with or without him
08 ctd--mini max--thuren 3" coils and LT Leaves--4.56 gears and lockers in pw axles--some lights--afe intake system--bd super b turbo--Banks w/m Injection--Dynatrac Balljoints--king 2.5"s--37" Hankook Dynapro MT--DOR Long arms--Custom emf track bar--Manual T-case swap--Full PW Under armor--PSC Hydro Assist and so much more

User avatar
DamageWagon
Vendor
Vendor
Posts: 2303
Joined: Tue Oct 11, 2016 1:21 am
Model Year: 2011
Location: Portland, OR
Contact:

Re: MAPLE WAGON aka Diesel Powerwagon

Post by DamageWagon » Thu May 10, 2018 12:10 am

Dude your truck in 1st was wicked at controlling speed. So happy you made it down! Tons of fun translating French-redneck-northerner speech into english!

User avatar
Reloaderguy
2000_Posts
2000_Posts
Posts: 2193
Joined: Tue Feb 09, 2016 8:06 am
Model Year: 2016
Location: Central Oregon

Re: MAPLE WAGON aka Diesel Powerwagon

Post by Reloaderguy » Thu May 10, 2018 12:20 am

I hope you dumped out your milk bags and took some low cost diesel home with you.

User avatar
nts007
2000_Posts
2000_Posts
Posts: 2284
Joined: Wed Dec 11, 2013 10:01 pm
Model Year: 2008
Location: Sask, Canada, Earth

Re: MAPLE WAGON aka Diesel Powerwagon

Post by nts007 » Thu May 10, 2018 9:42 am

Reloaderguy wrote:
Thu May 10, 2018 12:20 am
I hope you dumped out your milk bags and took some low cost diesel home with you.

We have the lowest diesel prices in Canada and when it was $3.30 a gallon it converted to roughly what I pay already so it wasn't as good as I hoped but wasn't expensive like other places so no complaints. BUt the booze prices..... yea I brought back as much as I could fit in the cooler
08 ctd--mini max--thuren 3" coils and LT Leaves--4.56 gears and lockers in pw axles--some lights--afe intake system--bd super b turbo--Banks w/m Injection--Dynatrac Balljoints--king 2.5"s--37" Hankook Dynapro MT--DOR Long arms--Custom emf track bar--Manual T-case swap--Full PW Under armor--PSC Hydro Assist and so much more

User avatar
olyelr
2000_Posts
2000_Posts
Posts: 3658
Joined: Sun Dec 07, 2014 9:00 pm
Model Year: 2016
Location: Kewadin, MI

Re: MAPLE WAGON aka Diesel Powerwagon

Post by olyelr » Thu May 10, 2018 11:32 pm

nts007 wrote:
Thu May 10, 2018 9:42 am
Reloaderguy wrote:
Thu May 10, 2018 12:20 am
I hope you dumped out your milk bags and took some low cost diesel home with you.

We have the lowest diesel prices in Canada and when it was $3.30 a gallon it converted to roughly what I pay already so it wasn't as good as I hoped but wasn't expensive like other places so no complaints. BUt the booze prices..... yea I brought back as much as I could fit in the cooler

Yeah, but you guys have better booze and beer. But holy shit is it pricey :lol:
2016 Ram Power Wagon Laramie - Granite Crystal Metallic - Ramboxes - 35” AT3W - TazerRAM

:patriot:

gtomike60
50_Posts
50_Posts
Posts: 205
Joined: Tue Mar 05, 2013 8:28 pm
Model Year: 2012
Location: Milford,MA

Re: MAPLE WAGON aka Diesel Powerwagon

Post by gtomike60 » Sat May 12, 2018 7:31 am

I enjoyed hanging out and shooting the shit with you around the camp fire,Neil
I'll be back next year with a working transmission,then I'll see how well your truck does in person
2012
,MYoung locker bypass,Dynatrac bjs,Dynatrac no-spin kit w/Dynaloc hubs,Thuren 3" coils,trackbar,shackles and Kings(3"F-2.5"R) shocks,Thuren Alien arms,Thuren/King steering stabilizer,Carli diff guard,White Knuckle sliders,Thuren bumper,37" Cooper STT Pros,Corsa exhaust

User avatar
nts007
2000_Posts
2000_Posts
Posts: 2284
Joined: Wed Dec 11, 2013 10:01 pm
Model Year: 2008
Location: Sask, Canada, Earth

Re: MAPLE WAGON aka Diesel Powerwagon

Post by nts007 » Sat May 12, 2018 11:36 am

gtomike60 wrote:
Sat May 12, 2018 7:31 am
I enjoyed hanging out and shooting the shit with you around the camp fire,Neil
I'll be back next year with a working transmission,then I'll see how well your truck does in person
Sounds good mike!!
08 ctd--mini max--thuren 3" coils and LT Leaves--4.56 gears and lockers in pw axles--some lights--afe intake system--bd super b turbo--Banks w/m Injection--Dynatrac Balljoints--king 2.5"s--37" Hankook Dynapro MT--DOR Long arms--Custom emf track bar--Manual T-case swap--Full PW Under armor--PSC Hydro Assist and so much more

Post Reply