Readers,

Ive seen a lot of postings regarding the 06 Power Wagon, I thought I would give a review( as Im assuming) most of what I gather from this forum most of the PW owners purchased these fine machines as a "trophy ride" and not so much for its orginal intention from dodge engineers. My name is jimmy and I drive a 06 regular cab 6 speed manual ( which I love) no bells and whistles just a basic beast for off road. Ive had a bunch of off road vehicles and grew up beach driving so I know my way around some serious transmission killers. My last truck was an 04 FX ford which I burned through 3 trannys. Where I live is serious beach and off road driving that will put and off road machine to the test. Im with NYS Ocean Rescue and run lifeguard workouts so basically my job is off road in some serious "quick sand" conditions, year round on the beach , not hard packed dirt roads like the advertisment has. I should test trucks for dodge I really push my machines to max.

- Suspension is amazing the hemi is just a beautiful design that offers plenty of power in all power bands. The winch ROCKS. The tires it comes with suck on the beach and deep sand so when I can afford it Ill up- grade. I have no idea what the doge folk were thinking but if you have the "rail guards" it will be only a matter of time before you break your leg tryining to get in and out of your truck, right now I have a welder designing a step that will attach to the rails which will include a built in bottle opener. I have had major problems with the "lockers", they just dont like to work all the lights do is flash like a christmas tree, believe me Ive burned 2 tanks of gas and a tall super-sized starbucks trying to get them to work. I have re-read the manual 25 times just to make sure Im doing it right. Ive been to the dealer 4 times and they still dont work. Moreover you can not use it in the 4wd high....I do real off roading and NEVER use 4WD Low. The front skid plate looks silly and Im not sure of its function if and when its needed. I highly recommend the Volant air box its amazing ! I only have 3,500miles so far and I just love my truck. I can send you photos if you like and Im open for any discourse if you have any qustions or comments. Sorry for any spelling or grammar Im trying to type this fast as my 18month old and 4 year love when Im distracted. Best Jimmy

 

For dry sand, you might want to try airing down your tires alot to get more floatation.
Normally forward progess is made by throwing lots of sand rearward (paddle tires on light vehicles are ideal) and that takes wheel spin/speed that will be out of the operating range of the lockers in 4LO. A Power Wagon isn't a dune buggy, you will never be able to make it perform like one in the sand.
BFG AT's are probably a poor design for sand as you have said. I don't know a good one. Ask around.
As for the Rock Rails, I'm looking into these:
http://www.carr.com/store/carrsidebarsteps.asp
I'm not sure if they will fit yet, but if you want some drop in your step you should look into these:
http://4wd.com/productdetails.aspx?q...g=12&pid=55005
They come in 3 and 6inch drops. Could be easily welded on.

 

Hi Jimmy, I got your PM on this, sorry for your troubles with the lockers. I have an idea you might try. I currently own a 1997 Toyota Landcruiser which came with factory lockers front an rear, and had similar issues when it was new.

The Toy lockers also require that the trans be in 1st, and the T-case in low/lock for use. When in in low lock, turning the locker switch does not always lock the diffs immediately - The diff lock lights will flash red until they lock, then the lights remain on soldi.

What I figured out, and what the Toyota Service Manager also discovered when playing with the truck is that the diffs lock when they sense a bias or different wheel speed, so just truning the on the locker switch or driving straight may not immediatley lock the diffs. If the diffs do not lock immediatly, I can drive a few feet streering S-turns and they will lock right up.

Not to equate my Toyota to your Dodge, but I bet the principle is the same. My understanding of the Toy lockers from the manual is that they are a last chance effort to get un-stuck. It implies that once stuck, and nothing else works, lock the diffs. This is strongly implied rather than to lock first and drive around - which makes mores sense when off-road. When stuck with different wheels spining, should allow the diffs to lock up. on

Try steering some S-turns on soft ground with the diff lock switch on, see it they go in.

 

Re: Side steps for the Mopar Rock Rails.
I ordered a set of these Wednesday:
http://www.carr.com/store/carrsidebarsteps.asp
I will let you know if they fit or I if have to return them.

 

Just barely fit...


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Those look good. Would they be easy to take off and put back on if you needed to, like when wheeling in rocky terrain, or are they welded?

 

Re: The CARR steps.
They are two-piece cast aluminum, and clamped with four 1/4' allen head cap screws. Removal would be easy. If they were to hit an immovable object such as a large rock, they would probably rotate upward, or crack/break-off. Not much is going to damage the rock rails themselves. They are very beefy. [sm=trust_me.gif]

 

Sounds good. I might have to check those out. I wanted to first make sure I could remove them when wheeling so I didn't snag them on something. I do have the rock rails, but haven't had a chance yet to "test" them.

 

John, could you take another picture from the front showing the whole truck? Did you get steps for the rear doors too?

Cheers,
Mark

 

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