Someone else did this a while back, and mine now has about 10,000 miles. My personal observations, and it is long.

I'm very happy with it.The owners manual says you're not supposed to plow or use a bed camper. I don't have/need either but you never know what the future holds.

I have not had any issues as far as reliability or fit and finish. I have heard a few others with issues with the axles not wanting to lock, mine have worked within reason for me. The draw back is they only lock in 4lo NOT 4hi at all.

It has just shy of 10,000 miles with no squeeks or rattles. I estimate about 2,000 of the miles have been in the dirt, whether true off-road or flying down dirt roads, and probably 5,000 have been towing a 16 foot open utility trailer with two (or 3) 4wheelers on it. This is a light load, traveling 70-75 mph and I get about 10 mpg. Everyday driving I see around 12-13 mpg, but I drive with a heavy foot and 80-85 mph on Detroit freeways is not uncommon.

Diesel guys are always discussing mileage. I highly doubt, the way I drive, I'd ever see 20 mpg, just too lead footed. I reset my overhead once, about two weeks ago, and drove 55 mph for about 60 miles, light hills and the overhead said 15.7 average. It always reads high so I would guess I got 14-15mpg for real.

Also, a friend had a V-10 then a diesel Ram that he off-roaded hard. Even he admitted the V-10 worked better but he couldn't keep a trans in it, too much torque. It was on it's 4th at 50,000 miles. The diesel had a stick and the trans held up, but he hurt the front axle twice in it, and we think weight was probably a contributer. Biggest issue with a diesel is getting stuck with all that weight in the front. Very hard to get back out.

On to more important things, as I drive a neon (38 mpg) or a pt cruiser conv. (27mpg, in the summer only though)most days to work. The only real issue I have is that peak torque is around 4,200 rpm. I wind it up regularly to get the power I'm after. Sometimes a light foot is better/easier, some of it is just accepting it and dealing with it.

The winch works great. I have not used it yet for personal recovery but it has been used. But, it is mounted between the framerails. This is great for strength but the hood needs to be opened to hook up the controller and the hood needs to be up to watch the steel rope as it goes on the spool.

I have been OK so far with the tires. I will probably go taller in the future, but for now, it fits in the garage (barely) and I want to keep it that way for now. I play mostly in sand and the A/T's work pretty well for flotation. I had a '94 Ram with 33X12.5X15 BFG M/T's that had a tendency to want to bury themselves in the sand, had A/T's on that truck also that fared better for my conditions. I will likely go to a 35X12.5X17 sometime. I have read they work on the stock wheel, unlifted with slight rubbing on the control arm at full lock.

This thing is BIG. It does limit some of the trails it can go down. Luckily, here in MI most trails/roads are wide and I have not needed to turn back yet. I did go to the UP and some of the roads required me to pull the mirrors in and do 3 pt turns, but I got through them.

I have put the Mopar rock rails on it. I had them installed and I'm glad I did because I went to see what was taking so long and 4 guys were working on them. I think it was 24 holes that needed to be drilled completely through the frame rails. The truck can be lifted by these rails, very sturdy.

Everyone who rides in the truck comments that I need to put steps on the truck. At 6'2", I don't have a problem, butkids/wife may strugglegetting in. Also, if you have dogs, they may be hesitant to jump into or out of the truck. My mom's shepard/chow mix just looked at me when I told him to get in. I had to help.

I read the other day that manual hubs are now available for the HD Rams. I may do this. Benefits are the axle and front drive shaft won't spin in 2wd anymore, so less wear and better mileage, and the outer shafts are much stronger. Down side is gotta get out to lock the hubs, and I don't know what the kit costs yet.

Did I miss anything? Happy with the 4.56:1 gears, engine spins @2,200 rpm at 65mph, t-case clicks i every time, no issues, the low range has been low enough for me. The ride is smoother than the otherheavier sprungHD trucks. I like the ride better than my RCSB '01 Ram, less bounce and better handling. It has towed a 6,000# enclosed trailer and did just fine, but I didn't need to get on the expressway either.

All in all, there is not another truck I want to buy. I honestly hope to have it for the next 20 years. I am lucky that it is mostly a weekend vehicle so mileage is a minor concern. If you want to off-road, buy
it.

Other Power Wagon owners, feel free to add or comment!

 

Want steps for your rock rails?
https://dodgeforum.com/m_607816/tm.htm

 

it's good they won't lock unless in 4lo. You can really harm your entire drive train by having locked axles at high speeds, mainly turning kind of quickly.

 

I am getting ready to buy an 07' PW either in a regular cab or quadcab. Does anyone have pics of a regular cab PW? I have read that its like 300lbs lighter than the QC, and for my needs, it would be fine. Actually, I have a Kawasaki BF 750 4wheeler that will probably fit in the truck with the tailgate closed (8' I believe). Just curious as to how the regular cab looks with 8' bed compared to QC. I found a black RC locally that stickers for $40K and with my EP price and rebates can get it for around $30K. I found a QC black with leather, sunroof , completely loaded for $50 and can get for $39K. So, I am wondering if I should just get the regular cab and save $10K. I dont travel with a family and live by myself. Hmmmmm

 

Is this regular cab what you want? I know i would kill for one like this....

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...8/100_1940.jpg

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...8/100_1939.jpg

 

Now that is what I am talking about! Wow, that is awesome. I wonder if I would kick myself in the butt for not getting the QC for the extra room if I needed it? But, that is the trade off for the RC being 300lbs less and alot cheaper. Also, the added benefit of the 8' bed. Dang, that truck is nice. Definately could see myself in that. Thanks

 

I have also notice the fit and finish and no rattles. I have owned 3 Rams and this Ram is built more like German car. Its a different animal than my last Ram. I also had to put on OEM step barsfor the shorter passangers to get in and out. I like them at the end of a long day of hunting. They also make washing the front and rear windows easier.