SimonandSimonBeast Build

[SimonandSimonBeast]

2013 Ram 2500 Power Wagon

Hi,. My name is John, but friends call me Fitz.

I generally buy and keep my vehicles for a long time, modding them and keeping them well maintained.

I have experience working on a first gen 1997 TJ, my brother had a YJ at the time that I helped him with. Moved on to a 2002 Burb 2500 w the 8.1L as the family grew. Yep that was the 496 cu in big block.

In Feb of 2018 I picked up my current 2013 Power Wagon second hand from a dealer in Muncy, PA. That was 2.5 hrs Northwest of where I live in the Northwest Burbs of Philly, but it had 37 K miles on it and you could eat from inside the engine compartment.

My user name is obviously influenced by the '80s TV show that originally brought the venerable Power Wagon to my attention as a young teen. I had to follow up the beast of a Burb with something a step up. Hence the PW. I am a fan of solid axle trucks, so good to be back in a solid axle truck. I also picked the '13 because a) 4.56 gears b) last of the leaf springs and load capacity that comes with them c) it got the new 6 speed and Borg Warner transfer case found in later models. This truck came to me with 35" x 12.5" Conti Dirt Commanders on stock wheels (recently changed) and a Pypes Violator exhaust.

Here are some current pics:

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

[SimonandSimonBeast]

I've done several upgrades in the less than a year I've had it.

Randy Ellis Designs bull/light bar w/ 4 halogen KCs. 2 spots in center and to wides on the outside slightly angled out to spot deer.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

[EasyDoesIt]

Looking good man. I'm digging those wheels.

[SimonandSimonBeast]

Installed an AMP Bed Step so as to not kill myself getting in/out of the bed

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

[SimonandSimonBeast]

Looking good man. I'm digging those wheels.

Thanks man!

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

[SimonandSimonBeast]

JL speakers in the dash and doors...you know...the essentials...

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

[RustyPW]

Looks good. Those bed steps may not make it off road.

Hope to see you at Rausch Creek next year.

[SimonandSimonBeast]

I began the plan to lift the truck towards the end of 2018. I decided first thing is first. Strengthen the steering w a DOR steering brace and upgrade the trackbar with a Thuren trackbar.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

[SimonandSimonBeast]

Looks good. Those bed steps may not make it off road.

Hope to see you at Rausch Creek next year.

Yeah, yeah I know...we'll see. Maybe leave it on there as an experiment. I do plan to be at Rausch.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

[SimonandSimonBeast]

Year 2 (early 2019) it was time for suspension upgrade. Thuren 3" coils, Thuren high clearance links, Thuren extended swaybar links, Thuren adj shackles and Thuren tuned Fox 2.0 w res at all 4 corners. Some hillbilly jacking to get those rear shackles in...

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

[SimonandSimonBeast]

Added Homelink overhead console via eBay used item. Replaced interior lights with LEDs, LED cargo lights, Mopar LED bed light kit, LED reverse lights, Pedal Commander, I have AEV Procal and Alpha OBDII for programming.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

[SimonandSimonBeast]

Almost forgot the Thuren tuned King steering stabilizer

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

[SimonandSimonBeast]

This bad boy Factor 55 hitch recovery point. Bought a few 6.5 ton rated shackles and an ARB tree saver at this point. Also have a recovery strap.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

[SimonandSimonBeast]

Boogie Bumps at all 4 corners. Previous owner put in Timbren load helpers in the rear...removed them and the OE rock hard bump stops in front to make way for the boogies.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

[SimonandSimonBeast]

Installed a single ARB Compressor on a bracket I made out of some barstock under the hood next to the air filter box. I ripped this out of my old Burb. Eventually will upgrade to a twin ARB.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

[SimonandSimonBeast]

Got one of these to hold rods for shore fishing. I am a member of the NC Beach Buggy Association which supports keeping the Outer Banks beaches open to ORV use. That's the member plate on the front of my truck.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

[SimonandSimonBeast]

Most recent upgrade are the 37" x 13 5" Toyo Open Country MTs wrapped on Raceline Avenger 17" x 9" x +20 mm offset rims and a bit of inner fender work...

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

[SimonandSimonBeast]

Next:. I have my eye on the following:

1) White Knuckle Off-road sliders
2) Carli ball joints
3) Abel locker / swaybar override
4) Thuren bumper
5) Some diff protection - purple cranium or maple
6) Maple skid plates
7) Maybe a maple rear bumper.
8) Factor 55 winch hook
Etc, etc, etc


Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

[RustyPW]

We go to the OBX, north of Corolla. Have to drive about 30 minutes on the beach to get to the beach house.

[SimonandSimonBeast]

We go to the OBX, north of Corolla. Have to drive about 30 minutes on the beach to get to the beach house.

I believe I've seen your You Tube vid and commented. I stayed in Corova a few years back with the extended family. I could see the VA state line from the house. About 10.8 miles up the beach. Horses in the yard and under the house like every day. Awesome place to visit. I usually stay further south, Ocracoke is my favorite. I've stayed in Frisco and Avon a few times. Pics above are Avon area for the Red Drum Tourney.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

[RustyPW]

We go to the OBX, north of Corolla. Have to drive about 30 minutes on the beach to get to the beach house.

I believe I've seen your You Tube vid and commented. I stayed in Corova a few years back with the extended family. I could see the VA state line from the house. About 10.8 miles up the beach. Horses in the yard and under the house like every day. Awesome place to visit. I usually stay further south, Ocracoke is my favorite. I've stayed in Frisco and Avon a few times. Pics above are Avon area for the Red Drum Tourney.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

Yeah, that was my video. Glad you made it here.

My brother rents a house every October for $1,200 a week. Normally it's $7,000 a week. We're up by marker 22. Had to drive in the ocean to get out of there this year because of the hurricane sitting off the coast. Came home and pressure washed under the PW. Had sand dropping out from under it for about 2 weeks.

[SimonandSimonBeast]

We go to the OBX, north of Corolla. Have to drive about 30 minutes on the beach to get to the beach house.

I believe I've seen your You Tube vid and commented. I stayed in Corova a few years back with the extended family. I could see the VA state line from the house. About 10.8 miles up the beach. Horses in the yard and under the house like every day. Awesome place to visit. I usually stay further south, Ocracoke is my favorite. I've stayed in Frisco and Avon a few times. Pics above are Avon area for the Red Drum Tourney.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

Yeah, that was my video. Glad you made it here.

My brother rents a house every October for $1,200 a week. Normally it's $7,000 a week. We're up by marker 22. Had to drive in the ocean to get out of there this year because of the hurricane sitting off the coast. Came home and pressure washed under the PW. Had sand dropping out from under it for about 2 weeks.

Yeah, it's been rough down there. We got the place in Avon for~$1,400 late Oct. We drove through a tropical depression on the way down and then another strong storm on the way home. People hydroplaning everywhere on the DelMarVa. Tides were really high the 1st couple of days down. Not much beach to work with. Got sketchy. Ocracoke and Hatteras got battered this year. I've been in the same situation driving of Ocracoke's south point. It was bad enough there were waves going down the south sand access road. It was crazy. Dry going out, half way up the doors getting off the beach. Had to time it between waves.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

[RustyPW]

We was there from the 5th to the 10 of Oct this year.

[TommyG]

We may need a Wagons on OBX event some year. We camped in Frisco woods for years and have rented houses in Frisco, Buxton and Avon. My in-laws talked me into Corolla and Corova a few years ago and we really liked it up there too. Love being there.

SimonandSimon Beast nice truck and choices on your build.

[RustyPW]

We may need a Wagons on OBX event some year. We camped in Frisco woods for years and have rented houses in Frisco, Buxton and Avon. My in-laws talked me into Corolla and Corova a few years ago and we really liked it up there too. Love being there.

SimonandSimon Beast nice truck and choices on your build.

My brother been gong there for years. We just started to go with him the last 2. We like it up there too.

Idea. Rent a house in Oct when it's cheaper, and have everyone pitch in.