The PW has 2500 axles with 3500 shafts for extra strength. The PW rear 10.5 AAM axle has a beefier housing, than a standard 2500,for added strength and a TracRite GTL differential a helical gear limited slip, with an electronic locker, not a clutch type limited slip like other RAMs. It's similar to a Detroit Truetrac, which also is a helical gear differential. The PW also has a custom made drive-shaft to prevent vibration issues with the 4.56. gears. You can't just buy a 2500 CTD, as nice as they are, add a lift, tires and a locker and have a vehicle equal to a PW for off-roading. If you had to buy all this stuff aftermarket, then have it installed, it would cost you way more than the 6k for the PW package, and it won't come with a 3/36 factory warranty.

 

thats some good info thanks alot. i guess you dont really need to be able lock the wheels all the time then with a good limited slip (although i would still like the option to turn on, is it possible to reprogram?)

thanks allot guys this is the kinda info i wanted, it definitely looks like this truck is worth the money, but of course no decision can be an easy one and i stumbled across a company that makes hemi powered wranglers how do you think it would compare off road to one of them?

American Expedition Vehicles

 

Diesels are addictive once you drive one you will never want another gasser. I loved my gas rigs until I got a CTD now I just can't go back to a 1/2 ton

 

The CTD is awesome, but at a large weight penalty that is not so good when wheeling.

I personally would give up the front electric winch to be able to get a PW with a CTD... But I couldn't afford it... Ha Ha!

The Power Wagon option price is a little more than the Diesel option on a non-PW, but with the way gas prices are these days, a PW can be had for less $ than asimilarly loaded CTD 2500 4x4.

35" tall tires will fit on a stock Power Wagon. 37's with a small additional lift.

If I had unlimited funds, I would get a TRX4 CTD Laramie with 4.56 axle ratio and a good lift.

 

thanks allot guys, the winch was actually what got me looking at it though, when the time comes if i can afford it i think im going with the power wagon. you guys are right but realistically the way i buy it is probably the way it will have to stay for some time weather i like it or not so the power wagon gives me the best starting point

 

Yes, no, yes, yes, yes... But you can't.

 

You may want to seriously consider the CTD if you are concerned about $/mile.
The Power Wagon is going to realistically average about 10 mpg and the CTD is probably going to be 15mpg. Gas is almost always going to be significantly more expensive than diesel fuel.

Good luck trying to not spend $ customizing your PW...
First, you gotta get a spray on bedliner when it's still new, then the Rock Rails, then the alarm system, then the wheel well liners, then the mud flaps, then the exhaust system, then the..................

 

oh i hear that, nothings final yet ive got lots of time to figure out what im buying (thats why im doing my leg work now) I'll want to spend lots of money but i cant if i dont have it. Ive gotta save up enough money for a decent down payment. if i can keep the payments low enough ill have more money for accessories

edit: anybody know how these things are in the snow? my boss said its underivable, we have a ram for the company truck (older body style if it matters) The power wagon is basically the same setup as my blazer was, the blazer hated the road, just didnt want to stay on it. it was quite happy in the woods though.

 

Thanks for the clip! That video is one of the many reasons why I begged my wife into buying a Power Wagon. My needs for a great off-road capable truck far exceeded the benefit of better m.p.g. and torque of a diesel.
Thank you Chrysler, for having the courage to build extreme 4X4s (Rubicon and Power Wagon)!

 

so you own one? do you have snow where you live? how is it?