New to the forum 2005 PW help needed

[DoubleDigitBass]

Hey guys.
Bare with me, I would like to paint the entire picture..

I have searched this forum for months looking for info on my problem. Reading as many posts in all the sections as I could looking for some direction. I need help in deciding what to do moving forward. My friend Bob sold me his 2005 PW back in 2009. I have run it ever since. "Grey Ghost" has Been a dream truck the entire time. Bob worked for Rancho and this was their test truck on the XL suspension systems. It has a 4" lift with 37" tires and Rancho XL suspension kit with air compressor adjustments. Here is a video of my truck in Moab just before I bought it from Bob.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-aYfOE5yNo

Here is my story and then the problem.. I blew the trans in 2019, rebuilt it and back on the road. started getting some grinding in the rear diff so I had it rebuilt with new gears, back on the road. Then in 2020 I blew the hemi pulling my small bass boat thru the mountains. My fault completely because I was at 4k miles without an oil change.. Dumb, I know. Well I had a new hemi put in and back on the road better than ever. New motor, new trans, new rear diff and new suspension installed. THE PROBLEM... At 1250 miles on the new engine, I am cruising the I-10 freeway at 75 mph when I get a quick nasty whine and boom! A very violent explosion on the freeway with parts and fluid for 1/8 of a mile. Get the Grey Ghost off the road and towed to my mechanic. The transfer case exploded. The front drive shaft stayed connected to the front axle and spun violently under my feet ripping out everything in its path. Wires, tubing etc. My mechanic said they could not fix it. I towed it home. Insurance company looked at it and they decided it was a total loss and paid me out. Gave it a salvage title. Now I can not find a mechanic that is willing or has the resources to fix it. I have taken it to 2 other mechanics that say the wiring is the biggest problem to fix and that they are not able to fix it. So it sits and sits in my driveway.

Life has happened and now it is time to decide what to do with it. I would like some opinions on what direction looks best.
I could take my losses and just scrap it and sell it as is for a few bucks and just wash my hands.
I could hope to find a mechanic in AZ that is capable to find parts and do the repairs and spend the money to fix it.
I have considered buying another 2005 PW (I've located 2) and have a qualified mechanic use the new one to take the parts off and put them on the Grey Ghost. Or use the parts needed as a blueprint to fix the Grey Ghost and keep them both going. Or part out or scrap the one I bought for parts.
Either way it is going to cost some coin and I realize that. I am just trying to get some feedback from other Power Wagon gurus to see what some would suggest.

If someone knows a qualified mechanic in AZ and could recommend.
I am looking to brainstorm ideas and hear what ideas you guys might have.

Thanks for taking the time to read and respond.
Justin

[Bill2014]

Hey - Welcome to the group!
If you aren't going to do the work yourself, and you really want a Power Wagon, then I'd look for good used one. Sell off whatever parts you can from your "wrecked" truck and scrap the rest! Just my $0.02.

[Mule007]

Welcome to the forum,,,Enjoy !! My $0.02 -Bill x 2,,,this is beyond repair,,,could prob get a decent used one for much less than the rebuild would cost IFyou could even find someone willing! Good luck w your search & decision.

[Mule]

Sounds a lot like what happened to me. Whine and grenade is the double cardan joint letting go at the TC. I got lucky and had some wiring (repairable) and while the driveshaft kissed the trans, it didn't do damage to it.

At some point you gotta make the decision whether or not it's worth throwing more money at... especially with a salvage title.

[RustyPW]

Being an '05. It's going to be hard getting oem parts from the dealer. I had a hard time getting parts for my '08.

[adeluca73]

I’m sorry this has all happened, but sounds like you’ve richly enjoyed your truck. It sounds like it’s been well used & might be time to salvage what gear /mods you can, sell the hulk to a yard, and take pride in the memories & look for a used one in the year & price range you can afford. Best!