Trail_Wagon: The story of "Hope". A 2022 power wagon build

[Trail_Wagon]

This is pretty cool because almost everything you are doing with your PW is exactly what I'm doing with mine. Except you are doing it all at once.

Also, are you going with the Carli Radius Arms?

I haven't finalized my suspension plans. After calling Carlie, Thuren, Accutune, and SDI I'm more confused than when I started. None of them agreed with each other. On anything. Or with themselves. Although, Carlie control arms are at the absolute bottom of my list.

 

[Hibiki54]

Well, the only one not in my backyard is Thuren. And most of the Dodge/Ram owners in So Cal all say to go with Carli if you want a full kit and plan to do all the fun stuff and send it but still want to drive to work.

Contact CJC Off-Road and talk to them directly if are still going the camper route.

 

[Trail_Wagon]

I mounted and balanced the tires and wheels this afternoon. I've always liked Nittos, they balance easy. one of the tires only needed two ounces. I ordered TPMS through Rock Auto so I didn't have to break down the factory stuff, also makes selling the take off stuff easier when the sensors are still in there. The wheels are 17" AEV Katla's, in onyx gray. The tires are 37" Nitto Ridge Grapplers. I set pressure to 45/35.

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

I mounted and balanced the tires and wheels this afternoon. I've always liked Nittos, they balance easy. one of the tires only needed two ounces. I ordered TPMS through Rock Auto so I didn't have to break down the factory stuff, also makes selling the take off stuff easier when the sensors are still in there. The wheels are 17" AEV Katla's, in onyx gray. The tires are 37" Nitto Ridge Grapplers. I set pressure to 45/35.

View attachment 32692

37x12.50 or 11.50? Look great. I’m thinking about doing the 11.50s on my truck

 

[Trail_Wagon]

37x12.50 or 11.50? Look great. I’m thinking about doing the 11.50s on my truck

Thanks! These are 37x12.50. I think that the 11.50 (do they make these tires in that size?) would free up a little fender room.

 

[Trail_Wagon]

Yes, but can she flex???



Yes. Yes she can.



I took Hope out to Broken Arrow trail this morning to flex on the rocks and start to get an understanding what shes capable of. The tires rub very lightly on the plastic inner fender well, and get really close to the front bumper. I was thinking there was no way it wasn't going to rub bad, but... I was wrong. The plastic fender linners easily flex out of the way. These 37's just barely clear the front bumper at full flex. If the tires were a quarter inch larger, or the wheel backspacing where a few mm further out, it would rub enough to be a problem. The rear has plenty of space.

I twisted the truck up every way I could, disconnected the sway bar, climbed ledges, engaged the lockers. Hope handled everything effortlessly. She can't flex as much as a Gladiator Rubicon, but its close. Surprisingly, its the rear suspension that's holding her back. The front articu-link seemed to be great.

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

Thanks! These are 37x12.50. I think that the 11.50 (do they make these tires in that size?) would free up a little fender room.

I realized you probably have 17s. I have 18s. They make a 37x11.50 in 18” flavor 3860 lb load

 

[UglyViking]

Love those pictures man! I really dig the headlights on that PW and overall it's just such a great looking rig. Can't wait to see where you take this thing!

 

[Trail_Wagon]

Love those pictures man! I really dig the headlights on that PW and overall it's just such a great looking rig. Can't wait to see where you take this thing!

Thanks. I really like the headlights too. They look even better in person. I can't wait to go exploring in it!

 

[Etoimos]

Some more great pics man and she is flexing pretty good! My buddy at work wanted me to ask if you rain the whole trial and did the steps coming down? It's a Jeep vs PW thing between us (I've been a Jeep guy for a good while and just sold my JKUR and TJR within the last couple of years). lol

 

[Trail_Wagon]

I just tested the flex on the first set of rocks at the beginning. I own a TJ, JLUR, and just sold my Gladiator so I'm very familiar with thier capabilities. I'm confident the power wagon will walk down the steps, no problem. I think of it as a gladiator on steroids

 

[Etoimos]

I just tested the flex on the first set of rocks at the beginning. I own a TJ, JLUR, and just sold my Gladiator so I'm very familiar with thier capabilities. I'm confident the power wagon will walk down the steps, no problem. I think of it as a gladiator on steroids

I don't know that trail, but I doubt the PW will have any issues either. He has ran that trail in his JKU, so want to give me crap that he did not see any pics of your PW on the steps. It's all in fun between us though.

Based on your photos, I'm going to have to make a trip down there and do some of those trails.

 

[Trail_Wagon]

Sedona is full of beautiful trails, none of them are very difficult, even broken arrow, but we beat everyone on natural beauty

 

[Etoimos]

Sedona is full of beautiful trails, none of them are very difficult, even broken arrow, but we beat everyone on natural beauty

Might have to argue with you on that last bit

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

Sedona is full of beautiful trails, none of them are very difficult, even broken arrow, but we beat everyone on natural beauty

Might have to argue with you on that last bit

I have to argue with that as well.

You do not have Halle Berry beat in natural beauty

 

[Hibiki54]

Yes, but can she flex???

View attachment 32704

Yes. Yes she can.

View attachment 32705View attachment 32706View attachment 32707View attachment 32708View attachment 32709View attachment 32710View attachment 32711

I took Hope out to Broken Arrow trail this morning to flex on the rocks and start to get an understanding what shes capable of. The tires rub very lightly on the plastic inner fender well, and get really close to the front bumper. I was thinking there was no way it wasn't going to rub bad, but... I was wrong. The plastic fender linners easily flex out of the way. These 37's just barely clear the front bumper at full flex. If the tires were a quarter inch larger, or the wheel backspacing where a few mm further out, it would rub enough to be a problem. The rear has plenty of space.

I twisted the truck up every way I could, disconnected the sway bar, climbed ledges, engaged the lockers. Hope handled everything effortlessly. She can't flex as much as a Gladiator Rubicon, but its close. Surprisingly, its the rear suspension that's holding her back. The front articu-link seemed to be great.

I'm jealous. Let me get a loan, bruh.

�

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

Yes, but can she flex???

View attachment 32704

Yes. Yes she can.

View attachment 32705View attachment 32706View attachment 32707View attachment 32708View attachment 32709View attachment 32710View attachment 32711

I took Hope out to Broken Arrow trail this morning to flex on the rocks and start to get an understanding what shes capable of. The tires rub very lightly on the plastic inner fender well, and get really close to the front bumper. I was thinking there was no way it wasn't going to rub bad, but... I was wrong. The plastic fender linners easily flex out of the way. These 37's just barely clear the front bumper at full flex. If the tires were a quarter inch larger, or the wheel backspacing where a few mm further out, it would rub enough to be a problem. The rear has plenty of space.

I twisted the truck up every way I could, disconnected the sway bar, climbed ledges, engaged the lockers. Hope handled everything effortlessly. She can't flex as much as a Gladiator Rubicon, but its close. Surprisingly, its the rear suspension that's holding her back. The front articu-link seemed to be great.

Serious question and I’m not hating because I also have ridge grapplers.

Are they any good off-road in your experience? I have not been super happy with them in anything other than dry pavement. I do really like them because they get good life on the road and they look good.

 

[Trail_Wagon]

Serious question and I’m not hating because I also have ridge grapplers.

Are they any good off-road in your experience? I have not been super happy with them in anything other than dry pavement. I do really like them because they get good life on the road and they look good.

It's really too soon to tell. This is my first set of Nittos and I'm trying them out due to overwhelming praise in just about every forum, you tube video, and insta story I've seen. A few friends have them and won't shut up about how amazing they are.

They did well on the slick Rock in these photos, but let's face it, lawn mower tires do good on that stuff.

 

[Hibiki54]

They did well on the slick Rock in these photos, but let's face it, lawn mower tires do good on that stuff.

I want to actually see that.

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

It's really too soon to tell. This is my first set of Nittos and I'm trying them out due to overwhelming praise in just about every forum, you tube video, and insta story I've seen. A few friends have them and won't shut up about how amazing they are.

They did well on the slick Rock in these photos, but let's face it, lawn mower tires do good on that stuff.

I like mine for pavement. They ride nice, are pretty quiet, wearing well and look good. Off pavement I have to be careful, grass may as well be ice. Truck is mostly pavement, though, so I’m considering another set.