Noob's 2013 Power Wagon Build

[SheepdogOutdoorsman]

Thanks for the pics. What's the diffeence between the one you are using and the one in the box?

The trailer plug is on the right side of the license plate instead of the left, and that's really about it. I wasn't sure if the wiring harness would go to that side or not, so I just ordered both. I tried the one with the plug on the left first, and I just stuck with that. My truck originally came with the plug on the right, but all three of my trailers are wired to the left. I got lucky and the harness was able to be moved and it was long enough to do so. That being said, the spare bumper was manufactured so the trailer plug is located to the right of the license plate.


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[SheepdogOutdoorsman]

Some pics of my new toy ...

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[SheepdogOutdoorsman]

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[Colibri]

That looks absolutely fantastic!

[SheepdogOutdoorsman]

Thank you. I've waited a long time for this and have spent a lot of money, but I'm close to being finished (for now) with my expedition hunting rig.


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[04Ram2500Hemi]

Thank you. I've waited a long time for this and have spent a lot of money, but I'm close to being finished (for now) with my expedition hunting rig.


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You're never finished, trust me. How I've been able to keep from lifting my truck I still don't know. I forced myself to go with the 34" Toyo's because it was less expensive at the time and I knew my tire chains would still fit. The next set of tires I've already promised myself I get to go bigger.

[SheepdogOutdoorsman]

My trailer, before being completed, was brought to the Arizona Off-Road and Sand Expo as a display and was featured in the Bower Power Hour. If you skip to 29:15 the Turtleback Trailers segment starts and you can see my trailer as it was half way through its production. It's before all the body panels were put on, which allows you to see all the internals. You can watch the video here: http://youtu.be/neh8ZvzDZEo


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[gun45boat]

Love the trailer..... Great Job!!!!!!!!!

[SheepdogOutdoorsman]

So, my truck's at the dealer getting a new winch, a new instrument cluster, and repairs to the sway bar disconnect ... There's an issue with the ETIC displaying my cruise control setting, the winch failed when I attempted to winch a deer up in a tree to gut it (motor failure), and the sway bar disconnect had to have calcification removed from the electrical connectors ...


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[Stickman]

Wow, that's some very weird problems.

[2wagons1driveway]

Ya fluid film is your best friend with p.wagon electronics. Always coat the swaybar connectors even the exteriors whenever you get the chance and I always spray the winch drums down and the solenoid box.


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[SheepdogOutdoorsman]

Ya fluid film is your best friend with p.wagon electronics. Always coat the swaybar connectors even the exteriors whenever you get the chance and I always spray the winch drums down and the solenoid box.


Sent from Canada

I appreciate the recommendation. I'll be picking some up for sure. Electronic cleaner, dielectric grease, and fluid film are definitely in my truck's future. I also plan to move the relay control box that's mounted to the winch to the engine compartment. There's some rewiring in my future it seems ...


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[gun45boat]

Trailer looks great.... Great job,,, Be careful to keep an eye on that trailer when you wheel.. Everyone I have ever wheeled with, that had an Expedition trailer (that takes them on any decent trails) have flopped over the trailers.. EVEN ME WITH MINE!!! at least the RTT can take a good hit with minimal damage.. You are going to love that thing:)

[SheepdogOutdoorsman]

Hey everyone ... So I made a huge mistake asking this question on Facebook, but I have an emergency. I’m not looking to explain every mod my truck has, in detail, to make sure it’s worthy of your response. I need a new programmer/tuner. My Diablosport InTune I-1000 has never worked right, and just wiped my ECU. The dealer$hip has already repaired it, but I need a new tuner within the next six days, due to an upcoming move. What programmers/tuners do you have/recommend, that isn’t Diablosport, but allows for custom tuning. My truck’s a paperweight without it ... Thank you in advance.

[DamageWagon]

Are you looking for engine tuning only or trans tuning as well?

[SheepdogOutdoorsman]

Are you looking for engine tuning only or trans tuning as well?

Both/All, thank you ... The engine and transmission are both critical, but additional features are welcome. We’re moving into the mountains and I can’t be tied to a location in the city for tuning ... If something happens I’m 136 miles from the dealership or tuner ... I have the forever warranty, so I need to have the ability of de-tuning for service, then returning it after ... Those limitations leave me few options ... If I can’t find a parallel option, I fear I’m stuck with the Diablosport monopoly over FCA products ... They know they’re the only real option, so they could give a shit less about customers who’ve already paid ... This truck has gone too far past the need for tuning to not have it ... They have me backed into a corner and they know it ... “Build your vehicle until you can’t live without us, then we’ve got you forever!” - Diablosport ... So tired of paying someone for their goods/services, then getting shit on after because they already have your money ... I apologize for the rant, but PISSED doesn’t even come close to emoting the situation ...

[Reloaderguy]

You have two basic options: Diablo or an unlocked PCM and custom tuning from a pro with HPP.

[SheepdogOutdoorsman]

You have two basic options: Diablo or an unlocked PCM and custom tuning from a pro with HPP.

I figured as much, and you’re not the first to say so ... I guess I’m left between permanently tuning an ECU/TCU (forgoing my forever warranty), letting Diablosport leach $300 from me every two years (to necessarily “upgrade”), unmodding the entire truck (leaving the stock programming), or selling to make it someone else’s problem ... ... As soon as you depend on someone, that’s when they’ll let you down, I guess ... Tired of paying top shelf prices for bottom shelf products and services ... I wish just ONE manufacturer would back their product and support their customer ... Rant over ... No one really cares, so I guess why should I ... Fuck me, right? ... It’s just money and time ...

[DamageWagon]

What’s up with your DiabloSport? Having to upgrade it?

[SheepdogOutdoorsman]

What’s up with your DiabloSport? Having to upgrade it?

From what I’ve basically learned, The I-1000 was a terrible programmer from new, has always had issues, and wasn’t really meant for this platform ... I paid close to $500, but they say another $300 will “upgrade” the unit to something better ... Every time I tried to de-tune/tune, it’d be an hours long nightmare ... I’ve only used the unit maybe 10-15 times, over the last four years, and every time it failed in some way requiring me to call tech support, and it costs money every time I have to get my truck towed because the ECU was wiped ... It’s apparently a known failure, a known lemon, but they won’t support their product and make it right ... If they know this model is shit, they should upgrade those with issues for free ... They have all my issues documented over the years, but they just won’t admit their fault and make it right ... When the Hemifever tuning is in, it works great, but it’s the de-tuning/tuning process that fails every time ... You shouldn’t have to call tech support every time you use a product ...

[Bill2014]

I feel for you man! The issue of tuning only gets worse as each new model year rolls out - encryption gets tougher to crack.

Lot's of people have good success with the Diablo tuners aside from the I-1000. I know you would hate to send more money Diablo's way, but one of their more reputable tuners would certainly serve you better. At least your time wasted flipping tunes would be drastically reduced.

[SheepdogOutdoorsman]

I feel for you man! The issue of tuning only gets worse as each new model year rolls out - encryption gets tougher to crack.

Lot's of people have good success with the Diablo tuners aside from the I-1000. I know you would hate to send more money Diablo's way, but one of their more reputable tuners would certainly serve you better. At least your time wasted flipping tunes would be drastically reduced.

Yeah, the more research I do the more I find they’ve pretty much got a monopoly over FCA products ... It’s probably my only real option, but it goes against every fiber of my being ... Thank you all for the chat

[Reloaderguy]

Keep your factory PCM and buy an unlocked PCM for the tunes. When you need to warranty the truck swap the stock PCM back in.

[Bill2014]

Keep your factory PCM and buy an unlocked PCM for the tunes. When you need to warranty the truck swap the stock PCM back in.

I started down that route as a solution (which would work)
But then realized that would be a lot more expensive than getting a new Intune I3 and starting over.

[SheepdogOutdoorsman]

Keep your factory PCM and buy an unlocked PCM for the tunes. When you need to warranty the truck swap the stock PCM back in.

I started down that route as a solution (which would work)
But then realized that would be a lot more expensive than getting a new Intune I3 and starting over.

It may be more expensive, but it does change a software exchange to a physical exchange ... ... That’s not a bad idea, thank you ... Cost of an ECU would be the rub ...