BoldAdventures 2015 Power Wagon Build
- Thread starter BoldAdventure
- Start date
BoldAdventure
Adventurist
Dethloff MFG Custom Build Stuff
So, my pal Marcus started up a fabrication business and I was to be his first customer. The plan, build me a custom Oil & Transmission skid plate, a custom Rooftop Tent Rack and if time permitted, build a custom rear high clearance bumper. With the long term plan being, that my truck would use prototype parts that Marcus could take to production for other Ram 2500 owners.
I also helped Marcus build his website: dethloffmfg.com - designed by yours truly :tongueout:
Skid Plate
So I dented my transmission skid plate in Moab last May. Ram doesn't offer any protection for this area of the vehicle.
Marcus spent A LOT of time engineering a solution for my truck. The first prototype
CUSTOM ROOFTOP TENT RACK - Designed for Ram's with Ram Boxes
No one makes a decent rack for the Ram 2500 with Ram Boxes. Nuthouse kinda sorta makes an overpriced joke, but it's fugly as all get out. And did I mention, OVER PRICED.
My requirements were first that the rack MUST match the design of the cab. It must follow the truck lines. It has to work with my Ram Boxes and I didn't want my tent completely at roof height. And the cross bars need to be removable so I can use my truck as a truck. I can still load a dirt bike or an ATV if need be.
Marcus spent A LOT of time designing and engineering a solution for me. One that he'll take to market shortly for others. This is the rack, the forward section matches the cab contours and clears the 3rd brake light. Custom mounting brackets and only weighs about 100lbs total. Made from 2 inch 120 DOM steel.
This rack also features custom mounting brackets that allow me to mount the RTT directly to the cross bars. So no need for those stupid cross bars these tents usually come with.
We also did a weight test. We put myself, my wife, Marcus and my two kids in the tent on the rack. The tent weighs 130lbs and say 690lbs for 3 adults and two kids, so about 820lbs with no bending in the tubes.
The rack underwent a lot of testing before we sent it off to powder coat.
This rack has been thoroughly Moab tested as well during our Labor Day 2017 trip.
No one makes a rack that sits this tightly to the cab
Ram boxes are completely useable with this rack
Completely trail worthy!
I'm extremely happy with how the rack turned out.
So, my pal Marcus started up a fabrication business and I was to be his first customer. The plan, build me a custom Oil & Transmission skid plate, a custom Rooftop Tent Rack and if time permitted, build a custom rear high clearance bumper. With the long term plan being, that my truck would use prototype parts that Marcus could take to production for other Ram 2500 owners.
I also helped Marcus build his website: dethloffmfg.com - designed by yours truly :tongueout:
Skid Plate
So I dented my transmission skid plate in Moab last May. Ram doesn't offer any protection for this area of the vehicle.
Marcus spent A LOT of time engineering a solution for my truck. The first prototype
CUSTOM ROOFTOP TENT RACK - Designed for Ram's with Ram Boxes
No one makes a decent rack for the Ram 2500 with Ram Boxes. Nuthouse kinda sorta makes an overpriced joke, but it's fugly as all get out. And did I mention, OVER PRICED.
My requirements were first that the rack MUST match the design of the cab. It must follow the truck lines. It has to work with my Ram Boxes and I didn't want my tent completely at roof height. And the cross bars need to be removable so I can use my truck as a truck. I can still load a dirt bike or an ATV if need be.
Marcus spent A LOT of time designing and engineering a solution for me. One that he'll take to market shortly for others. This is the rack, the forward section matches the cab contours and clears the 3rd brake light. Custom mounting brackets and only weighs about 100lbs total. Made from 2 inch 120 DOM steel.
This rack also features custom mounting brackets that allow me to mount the RTT directly to the cross bars. So no need for those stupid cross bars these tents usually come with.
We also did a weight test. We put myself, my wife, Marcus and my two kids in the tent on the rack. The tent weighs 130lbs and say 690lbs for 3 adults and two kids, so about 820lbs with no bending in the tubes.
The rack underwent a lot of testing before we sent it off to powder coat.
This rack has been thoroughly Moab tested as well during our Labor Day 2017 trip.
No one makes a rack that sits this tightly to the cab
Ram boxes are completely useable with this rack
Completely trail worthy!
I'm extremely happy with how the rack turned out.
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BoldAdventure
Adventurist
DUDE!!! You know, you look at them, and you think maybe they're a little over priced. But HOLY CRAP, SO SO WORTH IT! Yes, all caps man. I love them. We'd hit our OEs regularly, I know we need King Shocks, but it just eliminated that hard teeth shattering THUD you'd get with the OE bumps. It was always obvious before when we hit the front bumps. Now I can't tell at all. And when we do hit them, very smooth, not jarring at all.
that is what I wanted to hear, the factory bumps might as well be cinder blocks, but I can't afford or justify hydro bumps. These seemed like they could be a good middle ground.
BoldAdventure
Adventurist
Final Touches
Painting
Since we modified the front bumper all the paint got removed. I considered for a good while powder coating the front bumper. But I scratched the hell out of it in Moab. So I decided the painting the bumper with a high-quality automotive paint might be a better idea. I etched the metal and used Eastwood Two Part Rat Rod Satin Black. I LOVE THE WAY it turned out. I also took the time to touch up my sliders, since they were scratched to hell and back also.
I finally got some new lights for the front bumper. Picked up a pair Baja Designs Squadron Sport S. They compliment the bumper very nicely.
And as you might have noticed, I replaced the front winch hook with a Factor55 Flatlink E. In safety orange of course.
Trolling IRL
To cap it all off, I had a set of these custom decals made to replace the White Knuckle logo on my sliders.
Painting
Since we modified the front bumper all the paint got removed. I considered for a good while powder coating the front bumper. But I scratched the hell out of it in Moab. So I decided the painting the bumper with a high-quality automotive paint might be a better idea. I etched the metal and used Eastwood Two Part Rat Rod Satin Black. I LOVE THE WAY it turned out. I also took the time to touch up my sliders, since they were scratched to hell and back also.
I finally got some new lights for the front bumper. Picked up a pair Baja Designs Squadron Sport S. They compliment the bumper very nicely.
And as you might have noticed, I replaced the front winch hook with a Factor55 Flatlink E. In safety orange of course.
Trolling IRL
To cap it all off, I had a set of these custom decals made to replace the White Knuckle logo on my sliders.
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BoldAdventure
Adventurist
Electric Upgrades & Communications
So, you could spend like 500 something dollars for an S-Pod thingy because you can't wire, or you could spend $65 dollars and learn to do some basic wiring. Those S-Pods do not have $500's worth of electronics in them. Sorry, it's relays and switches. There is a level of the amount I'd personally pay for ease of installation.
I've been meaning to upgrade my wiring for awhile. It was looking a tad nasty. So I spent some time cleaning things up. I also had a few new items to wire up. Such as the new Baja Designs lights and a new Yaesu ham radio.
I installed a RIGrunner 4005 to power the 12v accessories inside the truck. Not pictured, not only am I using the RIGrunner, but I used about 5 relays throughout the system. The large Anderson connector is for connecting other accessories, such as solar or my portable air compressors.
I love beautiful connectors.
My switch panel install, lovely OE look.
RADIO
To step up my communications game, I picked up a Yaesu FT-8900R and Larson NMO 2/70B antenna.
So, you could spend like 500 something dollars for an S-Pod thingy because you can't wire, or you could spend $65 dollars and learn to do some basic wiring. Those S-Pods do not have $500's worth of electronics in them. Sorry, it's relays and switches. There is a level of the amount I'd personally pay for ease of installation.
I've been meaning to upgrade my wiring for awhile. It was looking a tad nasty. So I spent some time cleaning things up. I also had a few new items to wire up. Such as the new Baja Designs lights and a new Yaesu ham radio.
I installed a RIGrunner 4005 to power the 12v accessories inside the truck. Not pictured, not only am I using the RIGrunner, but I used about 5 relays throughout the system. The large Anderson connector is for connecting other accessories, such as solar or my portable air compressors.
I love beautiful connectors.
My switch panel install, lovely OE look.
RADIO
To step up my communications game, I picked up a Yaesu FT-8900R and Larson NMO 2/70B antenna.
BoldAdventure
Adventurist
Moab Testing
I frequent Moab quite a bit. So all this stuff needed some durability testing. And I can't think of a better place to test things, than a weekend trip to Moab. This past Labor Day, I took the family down to Moab to test all our new modifications. We were just there in May, so everything is was still fresh in our minds.
We had a great time camping, hiking, and rock crawling in this magical place.
I put together a fun little video of our time in Moab
Flexing on the Pickle!
The 37's made quick work of obstacles on Seven Mile Rim.
THE PICKLE
We tackled some new trails, and as far as I know, I am now the SECOND Power Wagon to have tackled the first obstacle on the PICKLE. And I'd just like to brag a little more, but this is one of the hardest trails in Moab.
Sadly though, our attempt left some marks when we got to the second obstacle. See the video of damage here: https://www.instagram.com/p/BYpNMJih2Kv/?taken-by=herboldadventure
I frequent Moab quite a bit. So all this stuff needed some durability testing. And I can't think of a better place to test things, than a weekend trip to Moab. This past Labor Day, I took the family down to Moab to test all our new modifications. We were just there in May, so everything is was still fresh in our minds.
We had a great time camping, hiking, and rock crawling in this magical place.
I put together a fun little video of our time in Moab
Flexing on the Pickle!
The 37's made quick work of obstacles on Seven Mile Rim.
THE PICKLE
We tackled some new trails, and as far as I know, I am now the SECOND Power Wagon to have tackled the first obstacle on the PICKLE. And I'd just like to brag a little more, but this is one of the hardest trails in Moab.
Sadly though, our attempt left some marks when we got to the second obstacle. See the video of damage here: https://www.instagram.com/p/BYpNMJih2Kv/?taken-by=herboldadventure
BoldAdventure
Adventurist
So I decided to start a VLOG about our adventures and our Power Wagon build. Just put together this first video from a trip out to Indian Springs this weekend.
BoldAdventure
Adventurist
Highlight reel from our most recent VLOG of just the Power Wagon wheeling in the snow up at Stanley Lake in Stanley, Idaho, along with a recovery and my thoughts on our 37-inch Toyo Open Country MT's in the snow.
BoldAdventure
Adventurist
In other news, we've been pulling people out of the snow and the mud here lately. After the Jeep recovery in my video above, we came across this fellow who got stuck the next day.
After that, I decided to pick up soem soft shackles and a Factor55 Hitchlink 2.5. I had planned on building a rear bumper, but that didn't happen, and it's going to probably be awhile, so this should cover me for a good amount of time on the rear recovery point.
And then today I saw a guy stuck on the SW Idaho 4x4 Recovery FB Group, so we drove out to give him a hand and used the new gear.
Today's recovery made me think that their shorty strap would actually come in handy. I need to go over my kit, but getting more practice is always a good thing.
After that, I decided to pick up soem soft shackles and a Factor55 Hitchlink 2.5. I had planned on building a rear bumper, but that didn't happen, and it's going to probably be awhile, so this should cover me for a good amount of time on the rear recovery point.
And then today I saw a guy stuck on the SW Idaho 4x4 Recovery FB Group, so we drove out to give him a hand and used the new gear.
Today's recovery made me think that their shorty strap would actually come in handy. I need to go over my kit, but getting more practice is always a good thing.
BoldAdventure
Adventurist
It's happening!!!! Now the waiting begins.
BoldAdventure
Adventurist
6-8 weeks, said I should have them before PWIM, fingers crossed.
I'll be doing an axle truss and some other goodies next month.
BoldAdventure
Adventurist
So, I've started a video series on our build.
The first video is up, detailing why we chose the Power Wagon. Working on the next video going over our mods to our truck, some of my thoughts on the parts. And the third video will detail our Overlanding/camp setup. And the fourth one, I plan on detailing upcoming mods, such as axle truss, gears, king shocks, etc.
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Also looks like I've got a bunch of broken image links to fix in this thread. LAME.
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BoldAdventure
Adventurist
Did a little adventuring this weekend with some local guys. Great bunch of guys, some awesome rigs.
Also just published part 2 of my Rocklander Build videos, discussing all the mods on the truck.
Also just published part 2 of my Rocklander Build videos, discussing all the mods on the truck.
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jscusmcvet
Adventurist
Great videos. Most important or wisest thing I heard or saw was decide on your truck's mission or purpose before building. Nice work.
Was that Jeep in park? Does not seem like the wheels are turning
BoldAdventure
Adventurist
Yeah, not sure what they were doing. They were pretty clueless. Kinda funny since they're Idaho natives and I've got Florida tags. lol
BoldAdventure
Adventurist
A few pieces of the upcoming additions arrived today. Still will be a few weeks before I install this. Will be the weekend I do the axle truss.
BoldAdventure
Adventurist
Axle got trussed today, and my King shocks and Thuren rear coils are going in tomorrow.
