Vehicle Spotlight: 2017 Dodge Ram 2500 Power Wagon

Some horses were meant to trot, to dance, or to prance across a landscape with bows in their mane, sleek and weightless. They glide through a meadow seemingly defiant of gravity, Bach symphonies in motion, bringing joy to children’s eyes. Other horses pound the living hell out of the ground. Their giant hooves move the earth beneath them—big, mean, and heavy. Tremors from their footfalls are felt a mile away. A group of Clydesdales at full speed looks like it could barrel through the side of a colonial brick home and out the other side without noticing. But you get the picture. The 2017 Dodge Ram Power Wagon is kinda like that: a total brute. After all, it’s vying for the crown of most off road capable full-size truck on the market while still being big enough to tackle the toughest jobs.

A History Of Power

Ever dependable, the Dodge Ram Power Wagon has roots dating back to a weapon-carrying truck from World War II. Released for sale to the public in 1946, it holds the honor of being America’s first four-wheel-drive pickup truck. The Power Wagon name was revived as a trim package for the 2500 in 2005. Modern trucks that bear the name certainly have a lot to live up to.

Based on the Dodge Ram 2500 Crew Cab 4×4, this ride is enhanced with the most serious rock crawlers and mud boggers in mind. This rig is powered by a behemoth 6.4-liter Hemi V8, cranking out 410 horsepower and 429 lb-ft of torque. The towing capacity is a very capable 10,030 pounds. The sway bar disconnects electronically. The 9.3 inch front axle and 11.5 inch rear one (each with a locking differential) are both at a 4.10:1 ratio, exceptional for crawling. It mates with a six-speed automatic transmission and a manual shift two-speed transfer case for either rear-wheel or four-wheel drive. Protection underneath is provided by heavy duty skid plates.

Capable Off Road

Several features when the Power Wagon is in low range help to further its off-road cause. Throttle sensitivity lowers, stability control partly deactivates, and the idle RPM raises. A 2″ lift of the standard RAM 2500 gives the Power Wagon an impressive ground clearance of 14.3″. Better yet, 17″ 8-spoke aluminum wheels come wrapped in top notch 33″ Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac tires. And if all else fails, the 12,000 pound Warn winch that comes standard tucks neatly behind the front bumper, and should help you get out of whatever mess you’re in.

While all this talk of bumpy treks across any terrain available is exciting, it is no secret that most miles put on will still come from driving on boring old asphalt. And the Power Wagon offers a comfy ride there as well. Bilstein shocks and hydraulically-assisted power steering make for a smooth ride. And Dodge’s Articulink suspension has an extra joint in the front axle’s leading arms, lending to it a fuller range of motion and an overall smoother-feeling drive.

Bells And Whistles

As for the interior of the Dodge Ram Power Wagon, comfort and practicality are readily available. UConnect and a top notch infotainment system are here. The rubber floors are easy to hose down, and there is plenty of leg room for a six person work crew. The center console even folds up to allow room for a third rider in the front row, a feature that’s a throwback to the trucks of yesteryear. The Leather & Luxury trim package brings comforts that one might associate with a luxury sedan.

The grille features large block RAM lettering, a departure from the famed Dodge crosshairs logo. “POWER WAGON” lettering adorns the tailgate, with available wallpaper running vertically behind the cab says the same thing. If you’re gonna pony up for this bad boy, you’ll want to tell everybody that you’re proud of your purchase.

As for price, the 2017 Dodge Ram Power Wagon starts at just a shade over $53,000. The Leather & Luxury trim package will fetch another $4,995. This price point puts the massive Dodge right in line with the wildly popular Ford F-150 Raptor, another truck design with getting off of the beaten path in mind. So, there isn’t a better truck in the known universe than the Power Wagon. Especially if there’s a big job to do, you need to bring a load along for the ride, and the route is nowhere near an actual road. This is a horse that was born to get dirty.

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