Need Your Help

[altaguy]

Hey Guys,

I am in the process of buying an 07 powerwagon but have a small issue. I should of had it 2 weeks ago but I told the dealer I wanted them to fix the locker switch. It had no lights showing at all and there was no 4wd light or anything. I assumed it was the smartbar. They told me they had to order a module or something out of the states to fix it. Now they say that the previous owner put a regular 2500 front end in it that is why the switch doesn't work. Is this possible? I am going to try to look at it myself tonight and see if there is a smartbar under the truck or not. I assume that would be the only difference between the 2 trucks. If I do need a new swaybar and smartbar, does anyone have an idea of the price or the best place to buy it? Could I also just hardwire the lockers if it doesn't have the smartbar at all? (Obviously I would be without the swaybar disconnect).

[Cactus Red]

It's not a small issue.

The cost to return it to stock would be very high. I'd look for another truck - makes me wonder what else is FUBR'd on it...

Sent via Carrier Pigeon

[jeep_boy02]

If the "front end" they are referring to is the entire axle, then find another truck. If it is just a standard stabilizer bar then I would hard wire the lockers and get quick disconnect links if you take it off road much. I don't think they know what is going on though, HAVING to order the smart bar out of the states seems a bit off. You could also just get a manual disconnect to replace your not so smart bar with out waiting or searching for the "smart" part of it.

[adeluca73]

Pass. Keep looking, this seems like a trying to force the issue here. This is an integrated system & removing a major component screams trouble. Also sounds like the dealer is a baffoon.

[TwinStick]

OR..........................It is a poser ?????????????????????????????????

If it has the locker switch/knob & swaybar disconnect buttons, it is prolly a real PW. Make SURE it is.


Either way, I would NOT agree to a sale UNTIL it was all fixed & working properly.

[altaguy]

Thanks for the info guys!

I backed out of the deal. I had signed all the paperwork 2 weeks ago with the fact that they had to fix the locker switch. They first told me that it was a sensor of some sort, a couple days later another guy said it was a module but he didn't know which exact one and after that was installed the truck had to go to the dealership to be reprogrammed, then a couple days after that the truck wasn't ready because they were waiting for parts from the US. Then they tell me the front end was changed out to a regular 2500 front end by the previous owner and if I paid half they would get it back to original. I was starting to think they knew that there was an issue all along and just weren't going to fix it. And I am doubting if anything was ever fixed or if it even left their lot to get looked at. When I first test drove it and noticed that the switch didn't light up, the salesman said it was working fine and they don't light up.

Oh well, I'll find one soon enough!

[cruz]

Smart move.
This is why this forum has become THE SOURCE for 3&4G Power Wagons, just good first hand info and virtually no bullshit.

[MOPARManiac]

Smart Move to back out another will come along....I know from first hand experience.

In 09 I found what I thought was a very clean 07 Red Powerwagon. The photos looked fine (never trust photos, you have to look at a vehicle in person) and the salesman assured me that the vehicle was immaculate with no rust underneath, etc. I drove down and looked at it and was immediately unimpressed. The paint was all chipped up, the interior had been trashed, though the dealer tried to shampoo the carpets the gray interior was still stained. There were scrapes and nicks all over the interior. I looked underneath and the factory black paint on the frame was non existent. The factory Bilstien shocks were rusty, everything was rusty. This vehicle had been exposed to a lot of salt/mad chloride. The vehicle history stated it was a lease return out of Utah, and the dealer in CO bought it at auction. I went ahead and test drove it and it drove like crap. The front end had major issues and the lockers didn't work right. I told the salesman I was uninterested and he wouldn't take no for an answer trying to make whatever deal he could. I told him my 01 Dodge was a much nicer vehicle and there was no way in hell I was going to trade. I left and for several days the dealer kept calling trying to get me to buy it. The salesman's line as it's a Powerwagon, you have to buy it because we don't ever see them.

It worked out and 3 years later I purchased a like new 2010 with only 26,000 miles with lifetime warranty. Things work out if you are patient. I prefer the look and functionality of the 2006 to 2009 PW's over the new body style. My 2010 is better for me because with the crew cab it has much more room for the family, trips, etc. I also get better fuel economy, though I think I just got a good one in that regard. I really like the NAV system and a few other options the 2010 and up models offer as well.

[adeluca73]

Smart move. Keep looking. Check out the Manheim auction site, you'll get a sense of the real market for any vehicle traded by dealers.

[cell4soul]

I spent over a year looking for my Power Wagon. I wanted a 3rd GEN with low miles. I am glad I was patient and recommend you do the same.

[05PWrockcrawler]

Wow crazy! Good thing u ran away fast. Who's to say it even had the same gears in it let alone an actual locker. Good luck I. Sure u will find one soon.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk/hopefully somewhere Offroad!

[Mpersicke87]

Altaguy,

I'm in the red deer area. I think Ponoka dodge has a used wagon and a trip into red deer last go they had two wagons for sale at southside.

On that note, text me 403-505-1966

We're doing a power wagon run at brudeheim this weekend!

[Bluchalk]

Patience will win out. I watched everything from eBay to auto trader for a year and found the perfect deal.
A 2012 PW in late 2013 with only 2200 miles ( yes 4 digits) for only $35,000.
Almost fully loaded. Ram boxes and all.
Ford dealer in my case didn't know what they had. At the time a good deal would have been $41,000.

So keep looking deals are out there.

Ps. good call to leave that mess to someone else.

[nts007]

Altaguy,

I'm in the red deer area. I think Ponoka dodge has a used wagon and a trip into red deer last go they had two wagons for sale at southside.

On that note, text me 403-505-1966

We're doing a power wagon run at brudeheim this weekend!

Where do u guys head out for fun there. I Grew up around there. Mundare and vegreville area. Im there a lot. Nobody out here wants to wheel and pulling people around gets boring

[old sole mopar]

Where's this brudehiem? What's it like?

[JBM Power Wagon]

North Bruderheim Natural area, it's just off of highway 830 just south of the North Saskatchewan River. Not a great area but not too bad for being so close to Edmonton.