1 Ton solution to tow/wheel rig?

RenegadeT said:
The PO of my old black Ram said 35s fit fine under it (~2" levelling kit) but the mpg went to hell. That was a 3.54geared 24V, he said it was much better when he went back to 285s (I think they're ~33").
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Not too worried about mileage, I drive it once or twice a month around town, I don't think I put 3000 miles on the cruiser last year.

Not sure what the axles are though, that will be one of my first things to figure out. Plus I see folks mention LS / Limited Slip for these. Is this a clutch type unit that doesn't work or did they have something that was usable offroad?

Prob end up with a Detroit in the rear, that gives me "3wd" at least and maybe the POSI lock unit and a locker up front too at some point down the road.
 
I would go with 33s on it... I had a leveling kit on my old one as well and it cleared 35s fine... but as said the mileage was terrible... also it had no power with the 35s (318 though)... it should be geared 3.55, and itd probly change to atleast 4.10 if going to 33 or larger tires to help keep the power for towing...
 
SHINTON said:
Not too worried about mileage, I drive it once or twice a month around town, I don't think I put 3000 miles on the cruiser last year.
Not sure what the axles are though, that will be one of my first things to figure out. Plus I see folks mention LS / Limited Slip for these. Is this a clutch type unit that doesn't work or did they have something that was usable offroad?
Prob end up with a Detroit in the rear, that gives me "3wd" at least and maybe the POSI lock unit and a locker up front too at some point down the road.
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44 Front, 9.25 rear. Limited slip is useless IMHO. Most likely 3.55 geared.

Duane
 
I'd advise against using that dodge to pull double duty and go out on the trail. I had a 2000 ram, 5.5"long arm lift and 35's. THe trails at URE are just too damn narrow. And you'll need to regear to run 35's, unless you like the trans heating up. It did however make a fantastic beach toy, wide open spaces are it's friend.

If the 5.9 has the power you want, find a 96 Grand Cherokee 5.9 Limited, 4" lift and 33's would do well.
 
SHINTON said:
Prob end up with a Detroit in the rear, that gives me "3wd" at least and maybe the POSI lock unit and a locker up front too at some point down the road.
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I've always read/heard you shouldn't run a locker in the rear axle of a tow vehicle. Probably be better off with a limited slip or selectable locker so you can turn it off on the pavement.

I'd also be wary of wheeling a half ton tow rig. Wheeling the tow rig just seems like a really bad idea, but if I had to do it, I'd go 3/4 ton or 1 ton for sure.
 
FishHunt said:
Screw the budget and buy a new or used Power Wagon. Its set up for wheeling anf towing from the factory. buy a set of steel beadlocks and some 35" swampers for them. Change out to the bigger tires when you are doing more wheeling than towing.

<><Fish
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i had one of these with the 460BB on 36's and it got a whole 7mpg, and its super heavy, i would reccomend a std. cab long bed F-250 diesel or not
 
Was reading another thread about the fact that lockers will "lock" occasionally on a corner when towing and that can get ugly quick.

So, yeah, no locker for the rear, so that means this rig will end up being 4(2)wd and prob won't see much offroad except for the Outer Banks and light trail use.

Dad has a 46 Willys that will be finished this fall/Christmas, might do a little wheeling with it and probably will watch and end up with a dedicated beater rig for 4x4ing at some point.

(Wife is gonna LOVE me having 3 vehicles for myself heh, prob will wait until I have my basement to hide them all!)

Until then, might get an ATV or just hitch the occasional ride for the harder trails.

Thx for the help, DO wish it had been a 3/4 ton or 1 ton but sometimes you just go for what makes sense at the time.

I think the 1500 will be ok for pulling the camper 2-3 times a year and very LIGHT use offroad.
 
Here's what I don't get.
If the "Tow Rig" is going to be the "wheeler" - what are you towing? Not your 4x4 wheeler.
Something here is missing...?

I'm w/ Rich. Super-power the FJ80 and continue to love it.

EDIT - you finished your post above before I was done.
 
RatLabGuy said:
Here's what I don't get.
If the "Tow Rig" is going to be the "wheeler" - what are you towing? Not your 4x4 wheeler.
Something here is missing...?
I'm w/ Rich. Super-power the FJ80 and continue to love it.
EDIT - you finished your post above before I was done.
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We have a 28' Camper, 5k, that we tow to the beach, mountains, etc. Was trying to find a single vehicle I could tow the camper, wheel/stay in the camper, and then drive/tow back home.

Chances are that is going to be an atv that goes in the bed of the camper (or side by side atv)
 
HeavyChevy323 said:
i had one of these with the 460BB on 36's and it got a whole 7mpg, and its super heavy, i would reccomend a std. cab long bed F-250 diesel or not
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You had a new power wagon with a 460? Never saw that option on the engine list.

Duane
 
HeavyChevy323 said:
i had one of these with the 460BB on 36's and it got a whole 7mpg, and its super heavy, i would reccomend a std. cab long bed F-250 diesel or not
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I guess I should have been more clear. I'm talking about the NEW Dodge Power Wagon P/U. It comes with a 5.7 Hemi, front and rear locking axles, front winch and automatic disconnecting sway bars.

<><Fish
 
FishHunt said:
I guess I should have been more clear. I'm talking about the NEW Dodge Power Wagon P/U. It comes with a 5.7 Hemi, front and rear locking axles, front winch and automatic disconnecting sway bars.

<><Fish
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The OLD ones didnt come with a 460 though :lol:

Duane
 
Well I made the trade on Saturday, all appears to be well!

In looking at the sticker under the hood, the front axle is says Dana 4 and then Axle Ratio is listed as 3.9

In looking on the Pavement sucks boards, that appears to mean that it has the 3.92 axle ratio.

Rear axle it mentions that it has the Factory Limited Slip, which is a nice option, assuming that the clutches are not worn/still work. I will have to explore how to replace those clutches / rebuild the Factory LSD since that will give me sorta 3wd at least.

Interior was pretty nice and the Alpine deck goes to 2 different amps under the seat. They drive the cab speakers and have a cable ready to plug into a subwoofer as well. He had put the Infinity Kappa speakers in with the tweeters up at ear level on the B pillar. Installation looks pretty durn professional, much better than I would do!

Remote start is sweet, alarm is a bit of a pain, but does have power locks this way!

Has a vacuum leak that causes the flap to close on a/c vents when under acceleration, (diverting a/c to windshield) and reopen after you hit cruising speed.

Paint chipped off worse on roof, will end up repainting hood and roof at some point, but overall very pleased! LOVE the v8 rumble (aftermarket muffler/glasspacks!), although wanting to hear it more will negativly affect my mpg, heh!

"Had to" drive it to work today since I am going by the property after work / meeting a timber guy! :D
 
Has a vacuum leak that causes the flap to close on a/c vents when under acceleration, (diverting a/c to windshield) and reopen after you hit cruising speed.
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I dunno if this is a vacuum leak or not... My dodge and many others ive rode in/driven do this with heat and A/C... I never was able to find a solution for it though...


The truck should have CAD on the front axle... Id recommend doing either a Posi-loc type cable setup, or a vacuum switch so youll have 2wd Low
 
sounds like you got a cool ride. g' luck on getting the bugs worked out.
 
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