Power Wagon Registry

I am looking for some wisdom here... I bought a 2011 PW that had been salvaged after a tire blew out and the truck went through a vineyard fence. There was some cosmetic damage, mostly minor, but on every body panel. They salvaged the vehicle as they would have needed to replace every body panel.

Drivetrain-wise the truck is pretty dang good! I am a little scared though and want your advice. The rear driveshaft caught the chain link fence and wrapped it a few times, scraping the driveshaft, tearing up the fuel tank heat shield, pulling off the pinion guard, and pinching the exhaust half shut after the resonator.

He drove on this for 2-3 months and I have been driving it for 6 weeks. I don't notice any dents in the driveshaft or any vibrations.

Do I need to replace this shaft? Is there a good test to run to see if it is viable?

Is there an easy way to swap the pinion guard?

Is the sound dreadful if I pull the resonator? It is very quiet and I can't really enjoy the Hemi sound. I would like it to be louder but not drone. I am cool with welding on a turn-down tip. I already talked to Morgan about his resonator but shipping alone is way too costly.


Marcus


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I would say the driveshaft would be ok, as there are no dents from what I can see, only scratches. I have some gouges on my driveshaft from where it contacted the skid plate when I was fine-tuning my lift, and I took it to my local driveshaft shop and they said it is fine even with that. As for pinion guard, I'm not experienced enough in that to chime in. Finally, exhaust, I am experienced on. I went two days without any muffler or resonator and while it was quite loud, there wasn't an annoying drone, but I have the 05 so no MDS (heard the MDS can make for some annoying sounds without resonator). What I would do is get a large, but not necessarily expensive muffler, before the axle and do the turn-down. That's what I did. I have true duals from headers going into a large Magnaflow and turned down before rear axle. Love the sound, quiet at idle and startup (won't wake kids), but very nice when getting on it.

I would get the exhaust fixed ASAP. The rear d-shaft, not so much. I would save for a new one but that don't look bad at all to me. The pinion seal guard (if we can even call it that) just covers the pinion seal. If nothing is loose & no leaks, then don't worry about it. If pinion bearing is sloppy, you got issues.

dodgeman324 wrote:I would say the driveshaft would be ok, as there are no dents from what I can see, only scratches. I have some gouges on my driveshaft from where it contacted the skid plate when I was fine-tuning my lift, and I took it to my local driveshaft shop and they said it is fine even with that. As for pinion guard, I'm not experienced enough in that to chime in. Finally, exhaust, I am experienced on. I went two days without any muffler or resonator and while it was quite loud, there wasn't an annoying drone, but I have the 05 so no MDS (heard the MDS can make for some annoying sounds without resonator). What I would do is get a large, but not necessarily expensive muffler, before the axle and do the turn-down. That's what I did. I have true duals from headers going into a large Magnaflow and turned down before rear axle. Love the sound, quiet at idle and startup (won't wake kids), but very nice when getting on it.

Cool, that's good to know. I was considering a Jones (Aero) Turbine muffler but I will leave it stock for a while.


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TwinStick wrote:I would get the exhaust fixed ASAP. The rear d-shaft, not so much. I would save for a new one but that don't look bad at all to me. The pinion seal guard (if we can even call it that) just covers the pinion seal. If nothing is loose & no leaks, then don't worry about it. If pinion bearing is sloppy, you got issues.

Is the exhaust hurting anything? I am going to pull the resonator. If that sounds bad I will cut off the tube behind the resonator, add a turn-down, and put the resonator back in.


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I would say yes, it is. You are restricting the exhaust flow with that dent. It needs to be removed. It could lead to increased engine temps, especially if towing or driving it hard.

DamageWagon wrote:
Cool, that's good to know. I was considering a Jones (Aero) Turbine muffler but I will leave it stock for a while.


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I second the Jones (Aero) muffler. I have the resonated 3.5 on mine and LOVE it. I tend to obsess over exhaust, to say the least, and I've never been disappointed with the turbines. I get compliments all day from Ford and Chevy guys that hate Dodge but quietly admit that the PW is the best sounding truck they've ever heard. I did leave it exiting under the bumper to reduce drone on road trips. Get one, you won't regret it.

TwinStick wrote:I would say yes, it is. You are restricting the exhaust flow with that dent. It needs to be removed. It could lead to increased engine temps, especially if towing or driving it hard.

I didn't consider that, but that definitely adds up. My truck runs way too hot for what it is! I revved up to go up the Grapevine and it hated higher RPM's, it got hot fast! I couldn't go over 4000 or it would toast itself. It lives around 230F almost normally.


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Chromolykid wrote:

DamageWagon wrote:
Cool, that's good to know. I was considering a Jones (Aero) Turbine muffler but I will leave it stock for a while.


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I second the Jones (Aero) muffler. I have the resonated 3.5 on mine and LOVE it. I tend to obsess over exhaust, to say the least, and I've never been disappointed with the turbines. I get compliments all day from Ford and Chevy guys that hate Dodge but quietly admit that the PW is the best sounding truck they've ever heard. I did leave it exiting under the bumper to reduce drone on road trips. Get one, you won't regret it.

Sweet! The price is way too good as well.

By the way, I get the feeling you live in the high desert area. Victorville? Apple Valley? Barstow?


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Sounds like you got on awesome deal on a great truck, congrats!!!

Now I see why you wanted me resonator, LOL! Sorry the shipping didn't work out!

Honestly, I have never noticed any drone with my '12 after eliminating the resonator. I had to do something since my tailpipe and my rear leaf (Carli pack) wanted to occupy the same space at the same time. I just had an aft-axle turndown dump built and it sounds fine. Honestly, my truck is quieter than my wife's 6.2L Yukon XL Denali. I do second that driving it around with that kink restricting exhaust flow could do engine damage under the right (wrong) conditions.

As long as there are no gouges, the driveshaft seems fine, just make sure it doesn't have any play. IDK about the pinion guard, is it leaking at all?

I personally would get a new heat shield, or rig up something equivalent.

RAM4ROKS wrote:Sounds like you got on awesome deal on a great truck, congrats!!!

Now I see why you wanted me resonator, LOL! Sorry the shipping didn't work out!

Honestly, I have never noticed any drone with my '12 after eliminating the resonator. I had to do something since my tailpipe and my rear leaf (Carli pack) wanted to occupy the same space at the same time. I just had an aft-axle turndown dump built and it sounds fine. Honestly, my truck is quieter than my wife's 6.2L Yukon XL Denali. I do second that driving it around with that kink restricting exhaust flow could do engine damage under the right (wrong) conditions.

As long as there are no gouges, the driveshaft seems fine, just make sure it doesn't have any play. IDK about the pinion guard, is it leaking at all?

I personally would get a new heat shield, or rig up something equivalent.

Yeah um... I got a 2011 with every single option except leather seats and sunroof... For $13,000 :sombrero:

That resonator is for sure coming off this week. I can't believe how many hours of troubleshooting I've done on this truck for a few issues I have, and I troubleshoot lasers every day, and I completely glazed over the tailpipe! I'm glad I threw this up here.

I'm also glad everyone is saying good about the driveshaft. I called up a local guy with great references but he can't do aluminum. The guys he referred me to wanted $575 to reuse my slip yoke and give me a new tube and lower yoke! I asked if he was f-ing kidding me, I expected it to be under $200 max. He told me I would be lucky to even find a steel shaft for less.


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AWESOME!!!!! That's a freakin great deal!!! I need to see some pics of this rig!!! How many miles are on it?

Yeah, the aluminum driveshafts are $$$! I am thinking about a two piece steel with a carrier bearing when the time comes (since my '12 has the Borg Warner case that can't have a slip yoke eliminator since the yoke is part of the case itself); I have some pretty good gouges in my driveshaft, DOH!!!!

Chromolykid wrote: I second the Jones (Aero) muffler. I have the resonated 3.5 on mine and LOVE it. I tend to obsess over exhaust, to say the least, and I've never been disappointed with the turbines. I get compliments all day from Ford and Chevy guys that hate Dodge but quietly admit that the PW is the best sounding truck they've ever heard. I did leave it exiting under the bumper to reduce drone on road trips. Get one, you won't regret it.

Did you keep the resonator on there or remove it?

olyelr wrote: Did you keep the resonator on there or remove it?

Removed it, couldn't stand looking at it and I got the resonated turbine anyways.

DamageWagon wrote:
Sweet! The price is way too good as well.

By the way, I get the feeling you live in the high desert area. Victorville? Apple Valley? Barstow?


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Your feelings are pretty spot on. Phelan, what gave it away?

Your feelings are pretty spot on. Phelan, what gave it away?[/quote]

Not sure but I pieced it together from a few of your posts on other threads. My cousins family lives off Phelan Rd, just west of the 395 on Verbana.


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DamageWagon wrote:
Not sure but I pieced it together from a few of your posts on other threads. My cousins family lives off Phelan Rd, just west of the 395 on Verbana.


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I drive by there every day, small world.

Chromolykid wrote:

DamageWagon wrote:
Not sure but I pieced it together from a few of your posts on other threads. My cousins family lives off Phelan Rd, just west of the 395 on Verbana.


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I drive by there every day, small world.

Hey are you going to the Big Bear meet this Saturday?


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RAM4ROKS wrote:AWESOME!!!!! That's a freakin great deal!!! I need to see some pics of this rig!!! How many miles are on it?

Yeah, the aluminum driveshafts are $$$! I am thinking about a two piece steel with a carrier bearing when the time comes (since my '12 has the Borg Warner case that can't have a slip yoke eliminator since the yoke is part of the case itself); I have some pretty good gouges in my driveshaft, DOH!!!!

I'm glad to hear those shafts can survive a little trail love

The truck hit 150,000 on my drive home from buying it. It was a Conservation Agencies rig in New Mexico. No rust, but the mud is ungodly.



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Chainlink fence love is a little different than trail love.


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Low_Sky wrote:Chainlink fence love is a little different than trail love.


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Hahahahaha you have me there!


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That's a great looking truck DamageWagon!!! Really digging your RTT setup! Also, that looks like one heck of a fun place to wheel! Here's some of mine's "trail love":

I pulled my resonator and welded it back on the next week. It sounded like shit without it imo. I painted it black to blend the ugly thing because it's never coming back off the truck.

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Unfortunatey, no. Previous plans for a race in Adelanto this weekend.

RAM4ROKS wrote:That's a great looking truck DamageWagon!!! Really digging your RTT setup! Also, that looks like one heck of a fun place to wheel! Here's some of mine's "trail love":

Damn dude, I think you're doing it right! That Wagon has been put away wet a few times was there one incident that happened on that side?


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Chromolykid wrote:Unfortunatey, no. Previous plans for a race in Adelanto this weekend.

Gotcha, have fun man! Do you have a car yourself?


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