Should I?

[Pdragon22]

So I have been shopping for a pw for about a year now, and have a question. In light of things like
Death wobble
Exhaust bolts
Lifter failure
Is a power wagon a good idea? Are these problems overstated or are these trucks still a good option.
I am looking for used probably 2009 to 20012. Thanks

[Bigdodge]

They r a good option still. From my experience online for about 15 years no one comes online to rave about their lack of problems. Not to take away from some issues but the way things spread online r usually grossly exaggerating. Things like death wobble r different things to different people. One person's death wobble can be bad tire wear, out of balance tires, bad drive shaft balance.

Lifter failure and exhaust manifold bolts breaking happen but they also happened to my 99 ram with an entirely different engine so anything is possible, just be diligent in checking a truck out before purchasing. Try to find something u can get a little history of maintenance on.

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[pdavey]

Any vehicle is going to have issues but really whether you get one or not is a matter of whether you will use it for what it is intended.

I don't regret for a second the purchase of my 2005 Power Wagon or so far my 2019 Power Wagon (also considered a Tesla this go around).

I like having a truck that is always ready to go anywhere and do anything.



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[waldo]

I've driven nothing but power wagons since they reintroduced them in 05. I've owned 3 of them (still have 2). Never had death wobble, lifter failure or broken exhaust bolts with any. The 3G design is prone to eating ball joints though.

The only PW specific thing I had to replace was a rear locker coil on the 07.

To be honest, I like driving the 3G truck more than the 4G 16. It doesn't have that big square, high front end blocking your view and seems more nimble offroad.

[Pdragon22]

Thanks for the input guys. I have been suspicious of all of the complaining. It seems the internet becomes a massive dumping ground for every little complaint that somehow becomes the end of the world. As far as death wobble I have been fighting it in a 1982 Chevy k 30. The more repair the better it gets.
We bought a 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee at an abandoned vehicle sale for $1000 and the experts say it should have death wobble and a host of other problems but at 150000 miles it works great.
Part of the appeal of the PW is living in the middle of Ford vs Chevy land. Have a huge problem following the herd.

[Oilbrnr]

For a full size, they are pretty tough to beat off-road. Hell, they are pretty tough to beat period. I've gotten mine in and out of some interesting places here in the SW. (thanks in part to the WK sliders). I've had a solenoid in the EVAP system go out at 34k, otherwise zero issues and still tight, and I do 2-3k of washboard per year in my daily commute.

[RustyPW]

If you get a used PW. Make sure it still has it's winch. Some people will remove the winch and sell it on flea-bay for a few extra bucks. Make sure the lockers work and sway bar works too.

[KevinABQ]

If you want to test the lockers you have to be in 4 low and moving VERY slowly. Like 2-3 mph, but you have to be moving. Also have to be in 4 low for the sway bar, but not so terribly slow. At least that how it works for Gen4 trucks.

[Low_Sky]

If you want to test the lockers you have to be in 4 low and moving VERY slowly. Like 2-3 mph, but you have to be moving. Also have to be in 4 low for the sway bar, but not so terribly slow. At least that how it works for Gen4 trucks.

4HI or 4LO for the sway bar. Sometimes have rock the truck side to side to unload the bar if it’s in a bind.

The fastest way to test the lockers is to just bring a jack and stands and test them in the air, have to be in 4LO.

The permissive conditions for the sway bar and lockers are described in the owners manual. It’s worth a read.


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[cb1987]

the internet can be a great place for info but it also is full of urban legend, started by people that havent a clue what theyre talking about. sifting through the muck can be difficult. i dont recall one thread about death wobble on the gen4 trucks, but the running gear is almost completely different than older models so maybe that has something to do with it

[FordyceCreekTrail]

For years I watched the steering box issues, front end issues, locker issues, transmission issues, engine issues, and general Ram Problems. I realized that around 2017 things had been revised to basically leave lockers not engaging as the one thing FCA finds un-worthy of repair...so I bought an 2018.( and installed an over ride box) Clearly not as reliable as a Japanese vehicle, but at 40K its mostly the endless parade of recalls that makes me crazy. Actual issues have been ridiculously minor, and not much more then my Titan had. In other words they have come a long ways over the years.

[Pdragon22]

After reading all of the responses and talking to owners of other brands I will keep looking for a PW.
All vehicles have problems but if the problems
have known fixes then it is not that big of a deal.
Had a guy ask why I needed a truck like that and my answer was “ Because I can”. Thanks guys, this site has
a ton of good info and I appreciate all the help.

[Pdragon22]

https://siouxcity.craigslist.org/ctd/d/ ... 18228.html
What do you think?

[olyelr]

Nice thing about the ‘13 is you still get the 4.56 gears, but also get the newer interior.