December 2007 Top 10 Trail Ready Rigs of All Time From the Factory to the Forest We Pick the Ten Most Capable Turn-key 4WDs of All Time 2005-2008 Dodge Ram 2500 Power Wagon Years 2005-2008 Origin USA Wheelbase 140.5" Engine 5.7 Liter V8 – 345 HP Transmission 5-45RFE 5 speed auto G56 6 speed manual Transfer Case NV271 (2.72:1 low range) Front Axle TracRite EL electronic locking Rear Axle TracRite GTL electronic locking Let’s say you want to hit the trails hard but you don’t want to leave behind modern conveniences such as heated leather seats, room for six and dual zone climate control. You might start with a solid heavy duty pickup truck. To that you might add larger wheels and tires, front and rear lockers, a 2.5 inch lift, and in case you get in over your head, a 12,000 lb. winch. 61-80 Super Scout II 66-77 Bronco 74-83 FJ40 Land Cruiser 76-86 CJ-7 88-91 K5 Blazer 92-06 Hummer H1 94-97 Defender 90 03-06 Rubicon 05-08 Power Wagon 05-08 LR3 What if you could pick this truck up from the local dealer with a full factory warrantee? Well, you can if you check the P package on the option sheet of a Ram 2500 pickup. That’s right, for about $6,000 over the cost of a mid-level SLT the Dodge boys will add American Axle TracRite axles with electronic lockers at both ends. You will also high-pressure Bilstein monotube gas shocks and softer springs (coils in front, leafs in rear), a 2.5 inch lift, 285/70-17 tires on unique ALCOA forged aluminum rims with a modified wheel bead allowing the tires to be run at lower pressures. Dodge didn’t stop there though. They also added an electronically disconnecting front anti-roll bar called the SmartBar. But wait, there’s more… Dodge also fitted a 12,000 lb Warn winch behind the front bumper and additional skid plating. Add to this various engine management changes such as revised transmission shift points and a modification to the drive by wire throttle that makes the throttle less sensitive and you have the most capable factory pickup of all time. On the down side, the Power Wagon is only available as a regular cab long bed or a crew cab short bed – both configurations resulting in a rather long 140.5 inch wheelbase. A regular cab short bed option would have been nice. You als have to deal with the Ram’s pavement crushing 3 ton curb weight. Could you build a more capable truck? Sure, with enough money and time you could build a much more capable truck. Could you build it for $6,000 over the price of the truck and get a factory warrantee? Not likely.