While the Ford Raptor certainly gets lots of headlines for being a high speed, muscle bound off roading machine that can jump (kinda) and soak up everything the desert has to throw at it, we have to admit that we’ve always lusted harder after the Ram (Damn it we want to call it a Dodge) Power Wagon. If the Raptor is a fast moving rapid strike vehicle, the Power Wagon is an Abrams tank. The Power Wagon gets by less with technology and subtlety and more with blunt force trauma and that is totally our jam around here. Where the Raptor is a half ton job, the Power Wagon is a three quarter ton piece with a long wheelbase, a big Hemi engine, 33″ tires, a 2″ lift over a standard three quarter ton truck, lockers at both ends, a flippin’ winch, electronic sway bar disconnects, and a cab large enough to raise a family in.
This video was used at the NY Auto Show this week to introduce the 2014 Power Wagon to the world and we’re pretty happy that these beasts are still part of the Ram truck line up and since there was a big investment in upgrades to the 2014 model, we’re pretty sure that the Power Wagon will be part of the Ram program for years to come, which can’t be said for the Raptor which apparently is not coming down to breakfast in 2015. Comparing the two trucks head to head really isn’t fair though as the Power Wagon is a fully functional three quarter ton truck that can haul payload and tow just like any other truck in that class where the Raptor’s suspension reduces payload capacity and towing capacity but certainly makes up for it in the fun factor (trust us there, we drove one and they are fun as all get out).
The big changes for Power Wagon in 2014 include the addition of the new 6.4L Hemi which makes north of 400hp and loads more torque than the outgoing engine. This upping in the torque department allowed the engineers to take the 4.56 gear out of the axles and replace it with a more milage friendly 4.10. Turning the taller 33″ tires as always a concern but with the new engine the additional torque cures that and will allow for better (not great) mileage on the highway.
On the suspension front the truck has rear coil suspension now and the front end is a three link design which initially made us groan a little because a three link is not so great for off road usage but again, true to the spirit of the Power Wagon, engineers stepped up and delivered. The Power Wagon uses special high movement suspension links which allow significantly more articulation and motion than the standard issue Ram links. Claims are that the truck did not lose any articulation ability over the outgoing models.
Lastly, there is no diesel option. Why is there no diesel option? The simple answer for right now is room because the winch intrudes into an area where stuff like a radiator or intercooler would need to be if there were a Cummins inliner powering the truck. Also, the added expense of all the “stuff” that comes with adding the diesel engine would drive the price higher than the already steep (these babies are $60,000 + when loaded up) number that buyers are looking at. We’re not going to say that you’ll never see a diesel in these trucks but it won’t be for a while. The good thing is that the 8,600 GVW keeps the Power Wagon out of the CAFE debate for Ram, so they don’t have to water the truck down to save weight, etc.
The video below was used by Ram to roll the truck out at the NY Auto Show. It talks about the Power Wagon name’s storied history, where the truck has come from and where it is now. It goes over the engineering and updates to the truck as well as showing it performing in various off-roading situations. Yes, it is truck porn at the highest levels. The Power Wagon is the baddest factory pickup you can buy today, bar none.
We’ve already sent some feelers to Ram about the possibility of getting our grubby mitts on one of these big guys to have some fun with. Stay Tuned!
PRESS PLAY TO SEE THE 2014 RAM POWER WAGON WORKING OFF ROAD AND LEARN ABOUT THE TRUCK –
Interesting “best in class specs” in that video, maybe if you only count the gas engines! Still waiting for any manufacture to make something like this with a diesel.
So cool ” BUT ” I hate 4 door pickups !
It seems to be the new trend;but, I cringe every time I see a 25 foot long pickup with 3 foot box.
Why buy a pickup ? Buy a full size SUV !
A pickup is a pickup not a family hauler .
The laws in Canada anyway states that as long as all available seat belts are used the box can be used to carry extra passengers .
NOT the little ones of course !
Also I remember when you could buy a new pickup for less money then a new car.
Not a power wagon but try to get any new pickup for $ 50000 ?
last line “under” $ 25000 and this one I bet is over $ 50000
Cylinder de-activation and a step down to 4.10’s to help fuel economy? I just don’t get it I am a Mopar guy through and through but enough already on gas pot heavy trucks if they really want to reach economy standards that matter. Of the people I work with and my father all driving gas pots, I have had since ’09 an ’06 2500 5.9 Cummins w/ 6spd manual. I have done almost nothing to the truck aside from a cold air intake, and knock out 20 mpg driving to and from work, constantly coming in with better numbers than even the 1/2 tonne gas pots and always better than the 3/4 or 1 tonne rigs. Travelling w/ goose neck trailers last Sept over mountain passes from BC to AB Canada I made the whole trip 800 K (498 Mi, one way) on one tank of fuel and had enough to get 1/3 of the way back to BC again. My Father’s 2500 gas pot fueled 3 times on the trip to AB alone.
With you on diesel better ; but , that new thing with ? ” rethra ” injection ? why ? motor will not run with an empty tank of ” $^456&8 ” it sounds like piss !
In this (app) good weels , good off road , and my not like 4 doors
NEEDS a good diesel !
Love the video. That rig is screaming for about 4″ of lift and some 37s. Makes me want to put power wagon decals on my 2500. At least mine has the cummmins…Hmmm I wonder if I can make that detachable sway bar thing work on my rig?
Why the hell would they do something so stupid as to take the 4.56 out because the engine makes more torque? No one buys this truck for economy.
Loads of reasons to get this but still way too expensive.. Am happy with the workhorse that is Toyota Hilux…