Power Wagon Registry

I happened upon this 2015 with 28k miles for 40k, and just had to have it.



Now comes the mods... and I'll need some help from the knowledgeable folks here for that.

Wheels -
First, let me just get the fact that you'll hate me and think I'm stupid out of the way. A group of guys here runs all the same tires, and we buy as a group, getting tires for stupid cheap... so, I need a 20" wheel. I'd appreciate if you just accept that and avoid disparaging remarks. I know I should stay with 18's or 17's, but when I can get nitto's for ridiculous prices... I'm good with it. I'll be running nitto trail grappler 35" 12.50x20's... and I'd like to know what kind of offset I need to be looking for in a wheel so I won't be rubbing on anything at factory height. I very much appreciate any insight here, as I don't want to be buying the wrong wheels. I've only had lifted 1500's prior to this, and have always run a -24 offset. I know enough to know that isn't going to work here. Thanks in advance!

Bumper/grill guard -
Looking for a monster bumper setup. I want to be able to take on an elk square at 65mph and not total out the truck. I'd prefer to not have to move the winch, but as I know nothing about the options out there, I guess I'll defer to the experts.

Programmer -
I'd like to unlock some throttle response and HP. This thing has more scoot than my '12 1500 5.7... but it seems gimped by the nanny state garbage. I ran a diablo inTune on my 1500. Who's got the best feature set for these '15 PW's?

What else should a guy be looking to do to get the most out of this thing? I'm all ears!

Hello orkan, Welcome congrats on the new to you PW! No one will hate you or think you're stupid for getting 20" wheels they're not optimal for off-road use but as long as you know and accept that, it's all good...

orkan wrote:I happened upon this 2015 with 28k miles for 40k, and just had to have it.

Congratulations and welcome to the Power Wagon family!

Now, onto the questions.

orkan wrote: Wheels -
First, let me just get the fact that you'll hate me and think I'm stupid out of the way. A group of guys here runs all the same tires, and we buy as a group, getting tires for stupid cheap... so, I need a 20" wheel. I'd appreciate if you just accept that and avoid disparaging remarks. I know I should stay with 18's or 17's, but when I can get nitto's for ridiculous prices... I'm good with it. I'll be running Nitto trail grappler 35" 12.50x20's... and I'd like to know what kind of offset I need to be looking for in a wheel so I won't be rubbing on anything at factory height. I very much appreciate any insight here, as I don't want to be buying the wrong wheels. I've only had lifted 1500's prior to this, and have always run a -24 offset. I know enough to know that isn't going to work here. Thanks in advance!

It's not that we will think it's stupid. With a large enough tire the 20 inch won't impact you nearly as much. The reason for the smaller rim size is so you have more side wall when you air down. If you dont' expect to wheel hard, you'll be fine. I used to wheel my 1500 Laramie and it had the stock 20 inch wheels. I upgraded those to Toyo Open Country AT's.

Now, I know you buy in a group and get a good deal. But I would simply suggest you really heavily consider this. That's not really a great tire IMO, I know that's a subjective statement some what. I'm glad you can get it for cheap. If cheap is what you want go that route. But I'll be honest, you are going to get better performance spending the difference. Spend some time in the tire feedback thread. The guys around here have spent some time figuring out what works best and what doesn't on these trucks.

I just installed 5 Toyo Open Country AT/II Xtreme's in 35x12.50 R17 on my factory wheels for $1,300 USD out the door, mounted and balanced. So I hope you are getting 5 Nitto's for cheaper. You'll want the spare.

The factory wheels are really strong, with an internal bedlock. It's not much of one, but it's there. And one only needs to go look at the Saggin Wagon build thread to see how easily Method Race Wheels blow apart. If you are going to wheel hard or tow, keep the load rating of the wheel in mind. There are a lot of great looking wheels that are not that strong, and will probably crack if abused or pushed beyond driving around town.

It's your truck, but I'm just suggesting that you consider and dwell for awhile on how you intend to use the truck and not just rush out and buy rims and tires. I know that's what 1500 guys do, but you've got a real truck that is really capable. It's worth the extra due diligence in your decision.

orkan wrote: Programmer -
I'd like to unlock some throttle response and HP. This thing has more scoot than my '12 1500 5.7... but it seems gimped by the nanny state garbage. I ran a diablo inTune on my 1500. Who's got the best feature set for these '15 PW's?

What else should a guy be looking to do to get the most out of this thing? I'm all ears!

Intake, and Exhaust will help with the throttle response. 15's require an unlocked PCM, so you'll be spending more money than you did with the 1500 and 5.7L. The intake and exhaust really woke up the throttle response and made a huge improvement on mine.

Wheels -
It's your truck- run what you want. I'm not a fan of 20's for many reasons, but one of them is the fact that it will make your truck ride worse and lack of sidewall.

Bumper/grill guard -
Alluminess or AEV would be my suggestion.

Programmer -
Take a look at Hemifever's website. His reviews are really good, and once my truck is out of warranty I'm thinking of giving this a serious look.

Thanks for the response. I can add a bit of detail which might help you steer me a bit better.

I never air down. ... ever. I live out in the flat land of the upper midwest. I wouldn't know what to do with a hill if I ever saw one. I want strong wheels though as you mention, mainly so I can hit 90 in a chisel plowed field. I'll be running 50-60lbs in the tires constantly however. Quite a bit of hiway driving as well on cross country trips. Ditches, and rough fields are really the only time this thing will see anything but a gravel or paved road. Those fields get ROUGH... but it isn't low speed/high torque type things like I see you guys crawling around on. It's open fields, with badger holes, drainages, etc. It needs to be able to take those hits.

Just make sure whatever you look at has a minimum load rating of 3000lbs per wheel, that will keep you close to factory and axle ratings.

It sounds like one of the first things you should consider is a truss, if that is truly how you will drive it.

Wheel offset to run 35's at factory height without rubbing?? That's some critical info I need here fellas.

orkan wrote:Wheel offset to run 35's at factory height without rubbing?? That's some critical info I need here fellas.

As close to the factory wheel offset you can get. We have guys on here that know the numbers but I've never allocated memory for the numbers since I don't plan to ever change wheels.

This was helpful when I was deciding on wheels for mine... Factory wheels are 17x8 with 6" of back spacing so by the chart they are a +38... I run 20" Trail Ready Wheels on my wagon and absolutely love them, however I'm on 37's and not 35's... My truck rides no worse with the 20's then it did for the few months I had the factory wheels on 35" tires... My current set up is 20x9 with 5.8" of back spacing on 37x12.5x20 Nitto Trail Grappler MT... They are wearing a little faster than I thought they would but have been a good tire for me... I now have about 12,000 miles on them... I won't be running them again and will go to a Toyo... More than likely the RT...

My set up...

I don't think your frame horns would hold up to center punching an elk at 65.

14PowerWaggy wrote:My set up...

Can we see the whole truck just for the fun of it Powerwaggy? Congrats on the new truck orkan.

GunniPWguy wrote:

14PowerWaggy wrote:My set up...

Can we see the whole truck just for the fun of it Powerwaggy? Congrats on the new truck orkan.

Sure thing...

I called and talked to Aaron at Thuren, and he said 2015 power wagons start with about a +56 offset and that a +18 to +20 would be optimal. He thought I could probably get away with up to a 0 offset, but it would get awfully close to the front of the wheel well.

Next question... where's the best place to shop for wheels that has a search filter for offset?!??! Bonus points if they can install tires and balance them up and then ship the works to my door.

orkan wrote:
Next question... where's the best place to shop for wheels that has a search filter for offset?!??! Bonus points if they can install tires and balance them up and then ship the works to my door.

I thought you already had a hookup on tires, therefor needing the 20's?

Congrats on the new truck!

Fuck the wheels, going fast with unexpected holes or ditches, you need a truss and way better shocks first! The truck is too heavy to take that kind of hit.

I'm not saying any of this to be antagonistic, I'm trying to be straightforward and helpful. If you legitimately plan on doing 90 mph through rough plowed fields get your wallet out and bend over lol. 35's on 20's is going to break or bend wheels doing that especially if you don't air down. You'll need a truss or your axle will shit the bed.

Your stock new truck will do 90 across a plowed field once, maybe.

Get ready to drop at least 10k if you really want that kind of capability. Even with 37's on 17's and bypass shocks and boogie bumps, if you don't air down for that you're a fool, because you will break shit.

Good luck with your plans and welcome to the family!

Reloaderguy wrote:I don't think your frame horns would hold up to center punching an elk at 65.

I don't even know how you hit an Elk... I see dozens of them daily, they are not like deer, they don't stand in the road and, they know to avoid cars. Even the young one at the fence this morning turned around as we went by at 60 mph. Incredibly rare occurrence and IF you hit one at 65, your truck will be toast no matter which bumper you buy.

do i dare say it.....if speed is your desire across a rough field, perhaps a Rapturd might be a better choice. but an unexpected hole will bust the Ferd up too.

mike

Kinda hard to take this request for advice seriously. Hope you get to enjoy the new truck a little before it's trashed.

orkan wrote:I happened upon this 2015 with 28k miles for 40k, and just had to have it.



Now comes the mods... and I'll need some help from the knowledgeable folks here for that.

Wheels -
First, let me just get the fact that you'll hate me and think I'm stupid out of the way. A group of guys here runs all the same tires, and we buy as a group, getting tires for stupid cheap... so, I need a 20" wheel. I'd appreciate if you just accept that and avoid disparaging remarks. I know I should stay with 18's or 17's, but when I can get nitto's for ridiculous prices... I'm good with it. I'll be running nitto trail grappler 35" 12.50x20's... and I'd like to know what kind of offset I need to be looking for in a wheel so I won't be rubbing on anything at factory height. I very much appreciate any insight here, as I don't want to be buying the wrong wheels. I've only had lifted 1500's prior to this, and have always run a -24 offset. I know enough to know that isn't going to work here. Thanks in advance!

Bumper/grill guard -
Looking for a monster bumper setup. I want to be able to take on an elk square at 65mph and not total out the truck. I'd prefer to not have to move the winch, but as I know nothing about the options out there, I guess I'll defer to the experts.

Programmer -
I'd like to unlock some throttle response and HP. This thing has more scoot than my '12 1500 5.7... but it seems gimped by the nanny state garbage. I ran a diablo inTune on my 1500. Who's got the best feature set for these '15 PW's?

What else should a guy be looking to do to get the most out of this thing? I'm all ears!

Cool truck;
20" tires are super expensive compared to 17"s. Can't imagine you would save the cost of the tires and wheels over the life of the truck. If cheap is the name of game, have you considered steel rims? I beat the hell out of some 16" Pro Comp steelies on my 2nd gen. They sucked and bent, but were cheap, and never broke. ( I broke a lot of 2nd and 3 rd gen Dodge wheels until I got Rock Monster steel beadlocks.)

Bumpers:
I hate grill guards. I did run a Denver Off Road 1/2" thick aluminum bumper and grill guard on my 2nd gen. I was in a four car pile up at 40 mph and had no front damage (destroyed the rear hitch and frame). It was about 1/2 the weight of a steel bumper. I would highly recommend a high quality aluminum bumper. At work we run Fab Fours bumpers and grill guards. They are heavy and ugly but ok for deer and antelope. Not sure I want to hit an elk.

orkan wrote:I happened upon this 2015 with 28k miles for 40k, and just had to have it.



Now comes the mods... and I'll need some help from the knowledgeable folks here for that.

Wheels -
First, let me just get the fact that you'll hate me and think I'm stupid out of the way. A group of guys here runs all the same tires, and we buy as a group, getting tires for stupid cheap... so, I need a 20" wheel. I'd appreciate if you just accept that and avoid disparaging remarks. I know I should stay with 18's or 17's, but when I can get nitto's for ridiculous prices... I'm good with it. I'll be running nitto trail grappler 35" 12.50x20's... and I'd like to know what kind of offset I need to be looking for in a wheel so I won't be rubbing on anything at factory height. I very much appreciate any insight here, as I don't want to be buying the wrong wheels. I've only had lifted 1500's prior to this, and have always run a -24 offset. I know enough to know that isn't going to work here. Thanks in advance!

Bumper/grill guard -
Looking for a monster bumper setup. I want to be able to take on an elk square at 65mph and not total out the truck. I'd prefer to not have to move the winch, but as I know nothing about the options out there, I guess I'll defer to the experts.

Programmer -
I'd like to unlock some throttle response and HP. This thing has more scoot than my '12 1500 5.7... but it seems gimped by the nanny state garbage. I ran a diablo inTune on my 1500. Who's got the best feature set for these '15 PW's?

What else should a guy be looking to do to get the most out of this thing? I'm all ears!

A pine scented air freshener.

And then a revolving line of credit, buttressed by a $100 (or less) deductible...welcome & congrats.

Staun deflators, ARB air gage, ViaAir portable compressor

Snowsled wrote:

Reloaderguy wrote:I don't think your frame horns would hold up to center punching an elk at 65.

I don't even know how you hit an Elk... I see dozens of them daily, they are not like deer, they don't stand in the road and, they know to avoid cars. Even the young one at the fence this morning turned around as we went by at 60 mph. Incredibly rare occurrence and IF you hit one at 65, your truck will be toast no matter which bumper you buy.

I almost hit half a herd with my Suburban in Kananskis. Fog was the primary culprit but I know what you mean.

Yeah, my thread got locked about my 20's, then the 2nd one someone started got locked, 3rd didnt lol, I accepted being called a mall crawler because, well thats what it is. Anyways I had 20's with a -12 offset and mud grapplers, went back down to 18"s with a 0mm offset and destination mt's and like it waaaaaaaay better but mine is a 3rd gen with control arms and 1" leveling kit soooooo, I cant give you any advice on that. Just wanted to talk about wheels