BoldAdventures 2015 Ram Power Wagon Build

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Nicholas Nelson

Nicholas Nelson

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View attachment 41395 View attachment 41395
BoldAdventure said:
I've done a lot of upgrades in the past few months, but have been behind with my build thread. But here are some highlights.

Modified Front Bumper

I had some problems with my bumper the way it was. Had a good friend rework all the welds, and weld the back side which originally was not welded. Also removed 2 1/2 inches from the bottom of the bumper.



Thuren Parts Galore!

Installed Thuren 1.5 inch front Hemi coils, Thuren Rear Trackbar, Thuren Boogie Rated Front Bumpstops and King Steering Stabilizer.









Also Dodge Off Road Steering Brace

Click to expand...
I have a very similar set up I love my power wagon. I am wondering how the truck rides with the stock shocks and Therun springs up front? I'm thinking about running mine this way until it needs shocks.
 
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Nicholas Nelson

Nicholas Nelson

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Traveler I

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New Mexico
BoldAdventure said:
Rides fine for now, haven't had any real issues. I'll be getting the Kings when they are done being built.
Click to expand...
Ok I will be pulling the trigger shortly on front springs, boggie bumps, Firestone airbags and a dayna start air bag cradle. I'm still up in the air on if I want the rear springs. If I do go that direction I will be getting the king 2.0 shocks.
 

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OffroadTreks

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Nicholas Nelson said:
How much softer does the front end ride now? Have you had any flexing issues? Are you going to stay with the stock springs in the rear?
Click to expand...
It's more compliant at taking hits. So the front was kind of harsh over things like ruts and large potholes. Now it's more like diving in and coming out of the whole, very smooth. Hard to explain. But the jarring is gone.

The boogie bumps really have been worthwhile as well. We used to hit the factory bumps which might as well have been bricks. You'd hit them and always wonder if you just broke something.

I tow an Airstream, and now I added a rack and RTT. So yes, I am keeping the Factory PW springs. Don told me that the rears are just a touch shorter than the factory PW springs. And much softer, supposedly. To the point of sagging if they carry a load. I didn't want to risk additional sag or the back end being lower.

The front coil springs have to be stiffer, not softer because, side by side, they were the same height. But they have a different rate, thus more responsive. But they lift the truck... so stiffer?? But at the end of the day, the ride difference was noticeable.

I had this in Moab after I installed them, and didn't notice any difference in flex. Everything worked as it should.

On the rear, I added a 1 inch rear spacer recently to help compensate for the weight of the rack and tent.

I'd like to avoid running bags at all costs since they effect offroadablity.
 
Nicholas Nelson

Nicholas Nelson

Rank I

Traveler I

154
New Mexico
Thanks for a very detailed response. Fun fact, did you know our front stock springs also fit on the front of a stock 2wd 2500. LOL
I tow a 22' boat regularly and also have a front runner rack and James Baroud excursion xxl tent. Total weight is around 200lbs for the tent and wrack. Plus the boat and gear I push close to or over max payload a lot, so I would also like to keep stock springs.
I will be copying your set up for the most part. I will probably use a spacer to to accommodate the shocks later down the road. I am going to add airbags so I can pull my mother in laws camper too and haul wood.

Have you looked into the Daystar air bag cradles? You won't loose any off-readability. The bag does not connect to the axle and functions like a speed bump around 5psi. You can get the air lift air bags to keep a stock internal bump inside the airbag keeping the air bag at 0psi when not in use, or a Firestone and keep them at 5psi to absorb bumps. I use a 20lb Co2 set up to air up my tires. I will tie this into the airbags to adjust them as needed. I like the idea of the Firestone better as it will take up some of the impact.
Check them out. From what I have gathered this will work perfectly on our trucks.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using OB Talk mobile app
 
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Kenslittle72

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To say you will not loose off road capability is kind of a misnomer. They are around and 1" think on top of the thickness of the airbag top and bottom. With bags and the cradles I did not have any bump travel when unloaded and empty bags. Airbags also have a sharp spring rate curve which sucks going through rough stuff. The cradles do let the axle drop out which is cool.

I put bags in when I need them and take them out when I don't. I put a bump in place of the bag through the airbag frame mount. Takes about 30min max. I plan on having springs made (Atlas or Deaver) eventually but will still need bags to tow. My Weekend Warrior is ridiculously tongue heavy.

I think the Carli "long travel" air bag would solve some of the air bag issues listed above as it mounts off the back of the axle and has a much bigger bag. They also mount way inboard to where the bag not being able to pull away might not be that bad. But they are $850. I am expecting the custom spring pack to be aprox $1700.
 
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Kenslittle72

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Kibbetech has done two trucks this way now. It is a real cool idea, and I wish I could afford it. It is not cheep and needs some engineering to do right )Shock ratios, angles, mounting locations and such). Heck the air shock probably costs more than the Fox IFP I have on there now. You also need to carry a nitrogen tank with you that can do the pressure settings.
 
Nicholas Nelson

Nicholas Nelson

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New Mexico
So the issue I believe with air lift is that they have an internal bump stop limiting up travel. If you go with Firestone air bags they do not so you don't loose as much up travel. You do need to make sure they have a least 5 psi in them. 5 psi air feels a hole lot better than stock bump.

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using OB Talk mobile app
 
Kenslittle72

Kenslittle72

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Mine don't have the internal bump. I also use Chevy polly cellular foam bumps in the rear which are much better than stock. I needed a single stud mount instead of the two stud mount of the stocks.
I run somewhat fast on trails that allow it. That extra two inches of travel the bag takes up is real noticeable.

Full compressed with daystar cradle.
20160921_184010.jpg full droop with cradle
20160921_183855.jpg
Full stuff on 35" bags and cradle. Without the bag the tire will tuck the fender.
20160921_183910.jpg
This is stuff with the bag no cradle and a little extra weight.
IMG_20171004_081855_997.jpg

I couldn't find a no bag stuff pic but I have gotten tire into the sheet metal.
 
OffroadTreks

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Nope, I have done most of Moab with no body damage. I've got one good scratch and one dent in the lower rocker right in front of the bumper on the rear drivers side from not paying attention.
 
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