Lumpskie's Prospector (Diesel Power Wagon) Build

[Eatonpcat]

We're gonna have to upgrade your trailer ramp...LOL

 

[Lumpskie]

We're gonna have to upgrade your trailer ramp...LOL

Yeah, I almost climbed to the point where my rear tire got to the ramp. Now, I've got to resist the temptation to make a change to get me there!

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

Yeah, I almost climbed to the point where my rear tire got to the ramp. Now, I've got to resist the temptation to make a change to get me there!

Flex is overrated lol. Just kidding

 

[Lumpskie]

I actually got out and wheeled the Prospector last weekend. I wasn't prepared at all... I was hanging out with the family up north a bit. A buddy of mine talked me into going out with him and a small group. (2 Tacomas, an XJ Cherokee and a Gladiator) I didn't even air down, just went out and wheeled with them. The Ram did great. I only had to re-attempt 1 obstacle before clearing it the whole day. We got just a couple short videos from the day.

Here is a bit of a rocky section. The Ram is so big, it's hard to see the terrain in the video. But, it was a will with bowling ball sized rocks. (nothing extreme but about as rocky as I plan to get with this rig)

AEV Prospector on the Trail

American Expedition Vehicles upfitted Ram 2500 Cummins Diesel running exploring in New Hampshire.

rumble.com

This one is a mud hole. Again, the Prospector made it look easier than it was... and it cleared a good track for the Jeeps running with me.

Ram and Jeeps cross shallow mud hole

AEV Prospector, Jeep Cherokee (XJ) and Jeep Gladiator exploring in New Hampshire.

rumble.com

Sorry about the Rumble videos not embedding on this site.

 

[UglyViking]

I was up in VT wheeling with a bunch of jeeps, tacos and 4runners about 2 years ago. I remember the lead guy talking about how tricky sections of this specific trail were and we needed to pick our lines carefully. I basically just walked up the section in less than a quarter the time the 4 runner took and the guy goes "well I guess everything is easy for that goat". These trucks are really capable off road and their only real downsides are wheelbase, turning radius and width for new england trails.

 

[Lumpskie]

Here's another video. You don't see the Ram as much, but it gives you a feel for the trails. There a little bit of rock work at 7 minutes, if you want to fast forward.

 

[Lumpskie]

My CP3 arrived at 2D Diesel!

 

[UglyViking]

I want mine! When do you go in for the install?

 

[Lumpskie]

I want mine! When do you go in for the install?

Scheduled for June 8th. Dave could have gotten me in earlier, but I have some stuff I need to work around on my end. I can't wait to have this done and just enjoy the truck without thinking about it.

 

[UglyViking]

Same dude, same. I was hoping mine would be in the same batch as yours, but here I wait…

 

[Lumpskie]

Thanks to 2D Diesel, my rig is now powered with the S&S CP3!

Old CP4 is the one with the black top:

Installed:

David, at 2D, gave me a couple pictures of my rig next to @UglyViking 's cool rig:

I submitted the reimbursement form with Ram... I'll update here as things progress. Hopefully, they pay me back without too much issue.

 

[nater]

For the single power wagon arm - what did you need other than the arm? Bushings? If you have the part numbers handy, that would be amazing!

 

[Darkone]

@nater
Left arm 68195545AI
Right arm 68195544AI

 

[nater]

@nater
Left arm 68195545AI
Right arm 68195544AI

Thank you - was wondering about the bushings for the arms since there seemed to be some debate about what was needed?

 

[Darkone]

should be able to reuse your factory bushings

Part number for the bushings 68480121AA

 

[Lumpskie]

Yep, @nater . Like what @Darkone said, I just ordered the arm. It came with all the bushings installed. Simply unbolt the stock arm, bolt the PW arm in and get it aligned!

 

[Lumpskie]

Here's a mod that might be cool or might be a total fail. I got together with the owner of Tentsmiths in Gonic NH. I had an idea for a tent that would integrate with my topper. Together, we worked out the details of the design. They are booked out months in advance, so I've been waiting to get started. Yesterday, we got started by putting some UV proof, industrial velcro on the topper. This will be the interface with the tent to enable it go from a free standing tent to "garage mode" where it interfaces with the truck.

Stephan (the owner) took the topper into his shop and did some quick measurements

Then he made quick work of the sewing

Here's what the velcro strips look like on the truck. ( you can't even tell they are there from the side)

I can't wait to get the canvas part of the project started.

 

[Lumpskie]

I got an email from RAM stating that my CP3 swap will be paid in full! The emails says that I should expect a check within 30 days. I'm tentatively excited.

 

[Lumpskie]

I got my reimbursement check in the mail today! Thanks FCA.

 

[Lumpskie]

Something that has been in the works for a while finally came in. I'm one of those people that has used roof top tents, ground tents as well as a truck bed as a tent. I wanted something that took elements of each to make a camping setup for my family of 4. The idea is a canvas hot tent which attaches to my truck, so I can sleep in the bed. I teamed up with a local tent maker to put my idea into action. We used industrial velcro to attach the tent to my truck and adapted a classic canvas design (called a Baker tent) for the form. I used a 2x4 as 2x2s with solid steel rod to create the tent frame... fitting the rod into grommets built into the tent. The material is a chemically impregnated canvas to provide water as well as fire resistance.

Here's the prototype set up in the yard:

Here's a quick view of the inside without tying everything together:

Close ups of the grommets and toggles

Once I got the frame as well as setup figured out, it was time to take it out and give it a quick test. I'll post on that in a bit.