Calvinm119's 2017 Power Wagon Build

[Calvinm119]

2017 Ram 2500 Tradesman with the Power Wagon Package

I picked this up a little over 2 weeks ago. Over 2 years ago, I traded my 2006 Power Wagon in after it began to have electrical problems; becoming dangerous and unpredictable when driving. I traded it for a 2015 Ram 2500 Tradesman. It was a good truck, but it was no Power Wagon! But now I have this baby and she's my pride and joy.

First 2 mods I had planned we're exhaust and the intake. I had a K&N CAI for the 6.4 Hemi that I took of my 2015 before I traded it in.

The set of photos shows the K&N box install and the Flowmaster.

When I took the stock muffler off and ran the truck and it was super loud and throaty. I then put the Flowmaster on without the resonator and it was a little bit quieter but still nice, throaty, and had a deep rumble. I buttoned everything up with the resonator and it was loud but much, much quieter. It's still throaty, but its a lot quieter than I would like.

For one of my next mods, I'm gonna chop the resonator off and add a powder coated Rolling Big Power exhaust tip.

More mods to come!

[TwinStick]

[Colibri]

Looking good sir

[Calvinm119]

So... its been a bit, but these are the next two mods. I removed the resonator and installed a RBP exhaust tip and added a Dodge Off Road Steering Box Brace.

So when I installed the Flowmaster Muffler, I tested its sound without the resonator attached and I really like the sound. It had a nice low, loud rumble. However, when I attached the factory resonator, it was incredibly docile...almost stock while driving. Despite the reports of really bad drone, I decided to chop it off that ugly mother f****r and install a black powder coated tip. I noticed an immediate difference in sound. It does have a bit of drone around 1750-2100, but so did the Mufflex on my 2015 Ram 2500.

Next was the steering box drace. Pretty easy install and it was a lot different than the brace I installed on my last PW. This one is a one isn't a frame to frame but rather one sided brace. Since the truck is pretty much brand new (has maybe 1400 or 1500 miles), I didn't really notice any difference. But to me, this is a preventative maintenance/install measure to preserve the life of the of the steering box.

Next mod will be a bed liner. But depending on my next assignment, the PW may go into storage while I join the Paratroopers of the 173d!

[Calvinm119]

resonator removed with a reciprocating saw

[TwinStick]

But I thought the Best Gens were so good stock, they did not ever need modification !

[Calvinm119]

To be fair....I never said 4th/5th gens didn't need modifications lol. Hell, if my 2006 didn't crap out, I would still have it. But I had to get rid of that ugly resonator

[rkgzx9leftcoast]

Looking good, I did the DOR brace a few weeks ago. Thinking of doing exhaust at some point.

[TwinStick]

To be fair....I never said 4th/5th gens didn't need modifications lol. Hell, if my 2006 didn't crap out, I would still have it. But I had to get rid of that ugly resonator

I know, just kidding. Face it, it's in our DNA to make PW's better. Don't fight it, it's just a natural occurring thing.

[Calvinm119]

True!!!! I want to keep the outside of this one lucking as close to stock as possible. Maybe a leer bed cap or toolbox on the outside, but thats it. However, I plan to modify everything I can inconspicuously.

Like a front camera and when I pay this thing off, maybe one of these https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HQsg0RJRsk

[TwinStick]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rh827NW9bLc

[Timgco]

Looks great! Any chance you could post a more pics of how you mounted the exhaust tip? And is it welded or clamped?

[Calvinm119]

Timgco,

Its clamped on. I just took a reciprocating saw and cut off the resonator right before the rear axle. I didnt want to weld anything because of its proximity to the rear axle and the lack of space.