Power Wagon Registry

At what point do you say the truck is good enough and stop with the mods? For 95% of what I do my truck is perfect. It rides nice, it looks different enough to not be the same as every truck out there, but it's also far from extreme. It tows my family boat with ease, and I can help my brother get hay when he needs it. My truck takes me into most hunting holes with little issue, and it always brings me home.

All of the above being true, there's a bastard of a little devil that sits on my left shoulder that keeps telling me I need bigger tires, and God knows what else. It also doesn't help my cause that I've seen the AEV Ram in person and gone for a ride in it. I know deep down in my sole I don't need 40" tires (37's would be cool), nor do I need the flares or bumpers.

So here's the real question- when do you say enough is enough and just drive the truck?

Well, for me it is usaually when the Bank says, you are overdrawn.... Or the lawyer and the Wife are sitting across the table......

Guess it all depends on how you view your truck...as just a mode of transportation or a hobby. A lot of mods I've done have been to get rid of known weak areas and just make it that much better, did I need to do it..probably not but at the same time doing the modifications have been a good learning experience. With this truck I've taught myself how to install ball joints, remove a transfer case, install hubs among many other things. So at least for me not only are the mods a good upgrade to the truck but also expanding my skills

Enough is when you're satisfied with your truck.

Or, when you run out of funds.....whichever comes first.

I'm almost there with mine. I'm just wanting some better shocks with a small lift. Then, I'm done.

It's the power wagon mods therapy group. Lol. I've gone much further than I ever expected with this truck. I'm not sure how I'm still married...

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While I don't use my truck nearly as much as most on here it is my hobby and DD. To that point I don't think I will ever be satisfied with this truck in its current form and any vehicle for that matter. I find it to be relaxing most of the time working on my vehicles (at times it does suck and is stressful though).

You either have the gearhead/mod sickness and its never good as is or you drive the wheels of the same car for years just doing basic maintenance.

I think for me I'm still trying to balance budget with needs versus wants. If there was no budget I'd be first in line for AEV Fenders, Wheels, and 37" tires. My needs say that my truck does almost everything I want just as it is, and the only time I really need bigger tires is when I need a little more ground clearance for snow, but that's pretty rare. It's one heck of a balancing act, and as I get older I hope I get better at it.

bstefanic wrote:Guess it all depends on how you view your truck...as just a mode of transportation or a hobby.

Actually both, it's my daily driver (transportation) and it gets me the hell out of Dodge for some R&R (hobby).
When I first read about the new 2005 PW I thought " this truck has everything I've wanted in a truck, right off the assembly line " , that was over 8 years ago and it still holds true today.

It is the only vehicle that I own and the only mods I've done is add air bags to help haul my camper and replace the worn stock tires with something better. As things wear or break I will replace or fix with available upgraded parts.

04Ram2500Hemi wrote:I think for me I'm still trying to balance budget with needs versus wants ... and as I get older I hope I get better at it.

I'll become a senior citizen in a couple of weeks , and as I've "been there, done that" in years past, I haven't felt the need to change anything on my PW so far.

Sometimes I wonder if I'm the only one left with a stock 2005 PW.

I think for the most part the guys on this site are hobbiests when talking about their trucks and it is as much fun tweaking the truck as it is driving it. (with a few exceptions that is)

Unless there is a specific goal in the first place you will never be done messing with your truck.

For me the desire to make my truck a trail and exploring rig must be moderated by the fact that I use it to tow haul and as my primary transportation. I bought a 2007 Ram because I needed a 4x4 truck as the Grand Cherokee was not up to the task. I quickly discovered I screwed up as the 1500 Ram just would not do the job with it only having the 4.7L V8 too

I loaded the trailer and the bed of that 2007 truck with over 80 bags of concrete and proceeded up the long steep driveway, even in 4lo with it floored... I was only doing 3mph and loosing speed at the steepest part near the top. I was becoming very fearful I may have to try back down that steep winding hill with a trailer attached. I knew then I needed a 3/4 ton and this half ton needed to go. I never even did any mods to it while I tried to figure out what to get. The 4.56 gears, 391hp with the solid front axle and locking diffs on a PW all seemed to be exactly what we needed. I figured this truck even rides better than any other 3/4 ton truck. Hell it rides better than the half ton truck I was driving at the time.

I used that logic to justify the additional cost as it will need few if any modifications. Wife agreed it is all we would ever need and would likely save us money as I won't be doing modifications. Well that didn't work out very well as I have spent a ton on it! So with the house still not done I'm not so sure I was very adult about my decision to modify it, hell I love the truck though. I have 5 more payments and those payments when gone will help finish the house. I'm not doing any other major mods until I finish the house!

The driveway and yes it goes over to the other side and continues to the home site about 1.5 miles of driveway LOL .

I upgrade when OEM parts go bad, that's about it other than going with new control arms to possibly run 37's. But, recently I have developed a leak up around the exhaust manifold, I fear I may have a cracked manifold, if that's the case, I might... just might go with headers and new pipe all the way back

Currently my 2005 Power Wagon is stock minus a set of Bilstein 5100's. I have some parts on the kitchen table, New sway bar links from DT Pro Fab, Manual sway bar disconnect conversion from EVO Offroad and some new harnesses to hard wire my lockers. I'm going to be installing this stuff soon just been tied up alot with all the crap winter brings. But I honestly really have no interest in making it higher. I'm going to put some thuren control arms on and 35's on when my 33's wear out. But I have to agree the way the truck sit's it has everything I need. Well maybe some rock sliders down the road

Man thats some driveway..home much land are you sitting on..

Like all other vices mod-oholism needs to me managed here are a few things I have learned over the years:

1) This mod will be the last one and I will be satisfied. (yeah right)

2) I will set myself a budget for mods and stick to it. (never works)

3) I will do a less expensive mod and save money, for example Bilstein 5100's instead of King 2.5's. (get what you really want, you will eventually anyway)

4) My wife (or significant other) will never know how much I spent on this mod. (they always find out)

5) Once I have completed all my mods, I will never want another truck. (this is when you get bored and start looking for a new truck)

Well, I am not nearly where I want the truck. But for what I do, it is perfect. I have been offroad with a few jeep buddies, but that is about it.
The only reason I have the Wagon is my wife is awesome. It was an impulse buy. My 2010 Ram 1500 developed a creak when you went up and down a curb (like coming in my driveway). I had it into the dealer before Christmas on and off for a few days, then a week at a time. By the end of January and the dealership being no help what-so-ever in diagnosing the problem, I finally said fuck the truck and got rid of it. Enter the Power Wagon. Did and do I need it? No. But anyway, I digress.

My problem is not is it enough, it's I don't have the cash flow to do much to the truck. I've done 1 mod practical mod (Carli front diff cover) and my other mods have been headlights, and LED tails. Yes, I know what I've done is mostly cosmetic, but right now that's all I can afford. I'm in the process of building my own sliders for it (kind of like Aluminess) but would prefer the White Knuckle.
There is plenty I want to do, but like I said, cash flow isn't there.
I know I want to put 35s on and do the control arms so they fit better. That will be my next mod once tires wear out. So really, it will probably never be enough. But for what I do and as a daily driver it works perfect.

coder wrote:Like all other vices mod-oholism needs to me managed here are a few things I have learned over the years:

1) This mod will be the last one and I will be satisfied. (yeah right)

2) I will set myself a budget for mods and stick to it. (never works)

3) I will do a less expensive mod and save money, for example Bilstein 5100's instead of King 2.5's. (get what you really want, you will eventually anyway)

4) My wife (or significant other) will never know how much I spent on this mod. (they always find out)

5) Once I have completed all my mods, I will never want another truck. (this is when you get bored and start looking for a new truck)

There's a lot of truth to this, and that scares me. Especially #5!

Will wrote:I upgrade when OEM parts go bad, that's about it other than going with new control arms to possibly run 37's. But, recently I have developed a leak up around the exhaust manifold, I fear I may have a cracked manifold, if that's the case, I might... just might go with headers and new pipe all the way back

Rams have always had a problem with breaking the two rear manifold studs. I've replaced or had them replaced in every Dodge truck I've had. My PW has JBA headers so this won't be a problem moving forward. Most of the time you can luck out and easily get the broken studs out, replace the gasket studs, and be good to go. Sometimes it breaks off flush with the head and it's much more of a pain. Sometimes manifold will warp as well, I had this problem with my 2010. Dealer had it for three days waiting on a new manifold.

myoung84 wrote:

Will wrote:I upgrade when OEM parts go bad, that's about it other than going with new control arms to possibly run 37's. But, recently I have developed a leak up around the exhaust manifold, I fear I may have a cracked manifold, if that's the case, I might... just might go with headers and new pipe all the way back

Rams have always had a problem with breaking the two rear manifold studs. I've replaced or had them replaced in every Dodge truck I've had. My PW has JBA headers so this won't be a problem moving forward. Most of the time you can luck out and easily get the broken studs out, replace the gasket studs, and be good to go. Sometimes it breaks off flush with the head and it's much more of a pain. Sometimes manifold will warp as well, I had this problem with my 2010. Dealer had it for three days waiting on a new manifold.

Shhh!! Ha. I read about those bolts today. I had to cross a small river over the weekend and dipped in enough the fan was touching the water and every since (phist phist phist) Figured it shocked it and cracked something...


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myoung84 wrote:

Will wrote:I upgrade when OEM parts go bad, that's about it other than going with new control arms to possibly run 37's. But, recently I have developed a leak up around the exhaust manifold, I fear I may have a cracked manifold, if that's the case, I might... just might go with headers and new pipe all the way back

Rams have always had a problem with breaking the two rear manifold studs. I've replaced or had them replaced in every Dodge truck I've had. My PW has JBA headers so this won't be a problem moving forward. Most of the time you can luck out and easily get the broken studs out, replace the gasket studs, and be good to go. Sometimes it breaks off flush with the head and it's much more of a pain. Sometimes manifold will warp as well, I had this problem with my 2010. Dealer had it for three days waiting on a new manifold.

Shhh!! Ha. I read about those bolts today. I had to cross a small river over the weekend and dipped in enough the fan was touching the water and every since (phist phist phist) Figured it shocked it and cracked something...


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coder wrote:Like all other vices mod-oholism needs to me managed here are a few things I have learned over the years:

1) This mod will be the last one and I will be satisfied. (yeah right)

2) I will set myself a budget for mods and stick to it. (never works)

3) I will do a less expensive mod and save money, for example Bilstein 5100's instead of King 2.5's. (get what you really want, you will eventually anyway)

4) My wife (or significant other) will never know how much I spent on this mod. (they always find out)

5) Once I have completed all my mods, I will never want another truck. (this is when you get bored and start looking for a new truck)

Love this so very true! But I will never be done modifying my PW. So much want and so little money. It will take me another 10 years to get it to that point and then the things 10 years ago will need to be upgraded lol.
Custom flatbed
Roll cage
Headers
Stroker motor
Atlas transfercase
New transmission
Custom driveshafts
LED lights
Bigger tires
11.5 rear end
5.13 gears
ARB lockers
RTT
On board welder
On board shower
And so so much more!



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coder wrote:Like all other vices mod-oholism needs to me managed here are a few things I have learned over the years:

1) This mod will be the last one and I will be satisfied. (yeah right)

2) I will set myself a budget for mods and stick to it. (never works)

3) I will do a less expensive mod and save money, for example Bilstein 5100's instead of King 2.5's. (get what you really want, you will eventually anyway)

4) My wife (or significant other) will never know how much I spent on this mod. (they always find out)

5) Once I have completed all my mods, I will never want another truck. (this is when you get bored and start looking for a new truck)

Love this so very true! But I will never be done modifying my PW. So much want and so little money. It will take me another 10 years to get it to that point and then the things 10 years ago will need to be upgraded lol.
Custom flatbed
Roll cage
Headers
Stroker motor
Atlas transfercase
New transmission
Custom driveshafts
LED lights
Bigger tires
11.5 rear end
5.13 gears
ARB lockers
RTT
On board welder
On board shower
And so so much more!




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w2dodge wrote:Man thats some driveway..home much land are you sitting on..

19.48 acres but most (3/4) of the driveway is over other landowners property and BLM. I'm so motivated to get up there I can't stand it!

It's either mod your truck & keep it or get bored with it & buy something new.

Keep modding bro.

I have a mod sheet planned that involves manual tansmission & a supercharger. When the gas engine goes I intend to fit a cummins between the fenders.

It never ends.

It's a terminal sickness.

myoung84 wrote:

Will wrote:I upgrade when OEM parts go bad, that's about it other than going with new control arms to possibly run 37's. But, recently I have developed a leak up around the exhaust manifold, I fear I may have a cracked manifold, if that's the case, I might... just might go with headers and new pipe all the way back

Rams have always had a problem with breaking the two rear manifold studs. I've replaced or had them replaced in every Dodge truck I've had. My PW has JBA headers so this won't be a problem moving forward. Most of the time you can luck out and easily get the broken studs out, replace the gasket studs, and be good to go. Sometimes it breaks off flush with the head and it's much more of a pain. Sometimes manifold will warp as well, I had this problem with my 2010. Dealer had it for three days waiting on a new manifold.

You're right, I have a bolt busted off on both sides (the ones holding the heat shields, maybe more underneath), now the chore is getting to them to get them off and repaired. I looked from top, through the fender and bottom and it looks like it's going to be a PITA any way to go.

Will wrote:

myoung84 wrote:

Will wrote:I upgrade when OEM parts go bad, that's about it other than going with new control arms to possibly run 37's. But, recently I have developed a leak up around the exhaust manifold, I fear I may have a cracked manifold, if that's the case, I might... just might go with headers and new pipe all the way back

Rams have always had a problem with breaking the two rear manifold studs. I've replaced or had them replaced in every Dodge truck I've had. My PW has JBA headers so this won't be a problem moving forward. Most of the time you can luck out and easily get the broken studs out, replace the gasket studs, and be good to go. Sometimes it breaks off flush with the head and it's much more of a pain. Sometimes manifold will warp as well, I had this problem with my 2010. Dealer had it for three days waiting on a new manifold.

You're right, I have a bolt busted off on both sides (the ones holding the heat shields, maybe more underneath), now the chore is getting to them to get them off and repaired. I looked from top, through the fender and bottom and it looks like it's going to be a PITA any way to go.

I deal with a Dodge dealer about an hour away since the local dealer is horrible. The local told me these bolts aren't under warranty (I have 5k left until it goes out), called my guy at the other one and he said they were, not sure if he just did me a favor since I've bought 3 vehicles from him, but I drove over there Saturday and they had me fixed up my lunchtime. No more phist phist phist exhaust and only cost me a little time and gas money! I told him he should get the owner to buy the dealership closer to me.