Post
by 04Ram2500Hemi » Wed Nov 27, 2013 9:40 am
Here's a couple of responses from AEV Dave from the AEV Forum:
Hey Everyone,
I decided to take a much needed vacation after SEMA and just got back...so in no particular order I will try to answer most of the questions I can on this thread:
I drove the truck to Moab immediately after leaving the SEMA show floor to take some photos, so yes there will be more photos shortly.
The Silver truck shown started as a Ram 2500 SLT Big Horn, Chrome package (we obviously de-chromed most of it), Cummins, Automatic, big nav, heated seats and heated steering wheel (best auto option EVER), etc...pretty nice truck, but sort of middle of the road. We knew we were going to add our own leather package, so the Laramie wasn't a big deal. This was also one of the first '14 2500s to land at a dealer, so our options were limited anyway.
I'm sure you could be into one of these trucks significantly less than a Brute Double Cab, but like the Raptor also, this is a totally different vehicle and can not be compared. I certainly wouldn't drive this over the Rubicon trail, but a Brute can do that easily, likewise I wouldn't tow much with a Brute...They all have their strengths, not much overlap really.
Yes, All of these parts will work on a Powerwagon as well. One of the biggest selling points to AEV for choosing the Ram was the number of configurations, there is one for almost every use and everyone. Single Cab, Crew Cab, Mega Cab, Rubber Floors and manual windows/Locks up to Laramie air conditioned seats and cameras, Cummins, HEMI's, different suspensions...Its really awesome.
My personal Ram is a Gen 3 2006, G56, Single Cab, Rubber Floors and manual everything... Ive been playing with it for a while, its kind of where this all started when I couldn't find a really good suspension option or bumper option for the type of use I do. The ARB bumper on it is the best one out there, but it is HUGE (it does look better when scaled with the 42s). As much as I'd like to, for my own personal reasons, I don't think we will be going back onto the Gen 3 platform, though when time permits I may take a good look at the bumper...may be doable for the more adventurous fabricators out there
Yes the suspension is a "spacer kit"...sorta not really: The reason we chose to base our suspension with the factory springs is for a couple reasons, the primary being that with all the different options of wheelbases, cab choices, powertrains and suspension types there are approx 37 different FRONT springs for just the 2500 and 3500. There are 18 different REAR springs for the 2500 alone. Most aftermarket companies have a gas and a diesel spring and that's it. Chrysler does everything they can to save pennies, so when they need to spec that many springs, there is a very good reason why. Now, if we were targeting the Raptor and deasert style prerunning, we may have made a different choice but we would have targeted a specific vehicle too...like a single cab/long bed, HEMI, Auto also. So with our goal of an expedition multipurpose intended suspension, the use of the factory springs made perfect sense since stocking that many different spring combinations makes no business sense.
I'm pretty sure the new 6.4 HEMI for the truck redlines at 4800RPM. Its totally different than the Apache 6.4 we use in the Jeep and that is used in SRT applications. Meant for torque, so don't picture it tearing up dunes...Though an Apache 6.4 swap should be easy enough.
A lot of people have asked if the flares will allow 37s with no lift, to be honest we haven't had the time to look at that yet, thats part of what we will be doing in the next few months. That being said, Im not even sure it will look good...might look kind of funny given how large the flares are currently, but it is something we will be playing with.
Yes the Cummins is heavy, but it has so many advantages...those who know they need a Cummins will understand the weight penalty (the rotating mass of a Cummins is the same as what a HEMI weighs!) but there are so many advantages for this type of use also. The 40s really help with the offroad work and make the Cummins work just fine for most use.
We just trim the fenders 2". Not replacement fenders.
My personal choice is still the leaf springs for this type of truck. Not sure the rear coils are really the best choice if you plan on towing much.
No control arm rubbing.
Don't have the numbers on the truck yet, departure, approach etc...will be taking those soon.
No to the timing question, too many variables. I can tell you that the public response has been terrific and we are full steam ahead. That being said, its one thing to show a product, its a whole different animal to actually launch a product.
At first we were going to leave the 1500 out, it really doesn't interest me all that much, however when they announced the 3.0L CRD, that made a difference, the bumper was early enough along, that we were able to engineer around the 1500, the flares are obviously the same, its really the suspension that will take the most time to develop and will probably be down the road a ways.
Gone but Never Forgotten
2012 Ram Power Wagon: viewtopic.php?f=13&t=107
Truxedo Deuce Bed Cover with Bed Lights, Black Line-X Rocker Panel, Custom Built Rock Rails Sprayed with Line-X, Front & Rear Bumper and Grill sprayed with Line-X, Husky Mud Flaps, Husky Floor Mats, Four VisionX Xmitter Low Pro Prime XP LED Light Bars Behind the Grill, LED Lights Mounted in the Rear Bumper, Heated Seats, Interior LED Lighting, NAV-TV, Camera Mounted in Front Grill, Custom Headache Rack, AEV Raised Air Intake, AEV Salta HD Wheels in Onyx, 285/75/17 Cooper Discoverer AT3