2005 DODGE POWER WAGON wheel

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS

Power Wagon Features....................80
▫Locking Front And Rear Differentials........80
▫4.56:1 Gears..........................80
▫Electronically Disconnecting Stabilizer/Sway
Bar ................................81
▫Increased Ride Height...................81
▫12,000 Lb. Winch.......................81
▫High-Pressure Monotube Shocks/New Front
And Rear Springs......................82
▫Off-Road Tires........................82▫Skid Plates And Underbody Protection.......82
▫Wheel Flares..........................82
▫Wheels..............................83
▫Standard Package Features................83
▫Mopar Options........................84

Mirrors...............................84
▫Inside Mirror.........................84
▫Automatic Dimming Mirror—If Equipped....85
▫Outside Mirrors.......................86
3

POWER WAGON FEATURES
Locking Front and Rear Differentials
Most 4WD trucks are equipped with open differentials
front and rear. This design is used because it allows each
wheel to turn independently helping to eliminate bind-
ing when cornering. A disadvantage of using an open
differential is when one or more wheels lose traction; all
of the power is directed to those wheels resulting in a loss
of momentum. The Power Wagon is equipped with
electronically locking front and rear differentials. These
differentials, when engaged, mechanically lock together
the axle shafts forcing the wheels to spin at an equal rate.
This allows the vehicle to maintain its momentum and
thus prevents it from becoming stuck. The locking front
and rear differentials should only be engaged during
low-speed, extreme off-road situations where one wheel
is likely to not be in contact with the ground. It is notrecommended to drive the vehicle with the differentials
locked on pavement due to the reduced ability to turn
and speed limitations.
4.56:1 Gears
This is the highest axle ratio available in a full-size
pickup. The high gearing helps to compensate for the
increased rolling mass and increase diameter of the
off-road tires. As well, there are many advantages to a
higher axle ratio in off-road applications. When driving
downhill the high gearing enables the driver to use the
engine to slow the vehicle down in a more controlled
manner. When driving up a steep grade, the ratio helps
by keeping the truck in its power band helping to
maintain upward momentum.
80 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Electronically Disconnecting Stabilizer/Sway Bar
Stabilizer bars are used to help distribute load force from
one side of the vehicle to the other. This helps to reduce
body roll and create a smoother ride during on-road
driving. However, this becomes a disadvantage when the
vehicle is driven off-road when a higher level of suspen-
sion articulation is needed. By disconnecting the stabi-
lizer bars, each wheel can now reach its maximum range
of movement. This enables the vehicle to maintain a
greater tire contact patch, and thus more traction, when
traversing severe off-road terrain.
Increased Ride Height
Due to the use of longer springs and monotube shocks,
the Power Wagon has an increased ride height of ap-
proximately 1.4 inches in the front and 1.0 inch in the
rear. It allows the truck to traverse larger obstructions
and provides a better seating position from which to
view the trail. A major advantage to increasing ride
height is the positive effect it has on approach/departureand break over angles. More ride height allows for more
aggressive angles, further improving off-road capability.
12,000 lb. Winch
The 2005 Power Wagon is theonly pickup truckto offer
an electric vehicle recovery winch from the factory. The
winch provides the vehicle with an additional level of
capability and versatility. This winch uses the electrical
power from the vehicle charging system to power a
motor that winds wire rope onto the winch drum via
planetary gear reduction. By nature, a winch is capable of
generating very high forces and should be used with
care. Do not operate the winch without reading and
understanding the complete winch section of owner’s
manual, including all warnings and cautions.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 81
3

High-Pressure Monotube Shocks/New Front and
Rear Springs
The new variable-rate shocks and revised springs help to
create a suitable on-road ride without compromising
off-road competency. The shocks are designed to provide
improved stability, durability, and suspension articula-
tion.
Off-Road Tires
These tires are specifically designed for extreme off-road
use, while also maintaining quite on-road operation.The
tires utilize long-life compounds for increased durability,
and a deep-groove tread for extra traction. The LT285/
70R17 used provides a large contact patch for better
traction, two full-width steel belts for improved strength,
as well as a reinforced sidewall to help protect against
bruising and shredding.
Skid Plates And Underbody Protection
Steel skid plates protect the major driveline components
of the truck including the fuel tank, transfer case and
steering damper. In addition the Power Wagon is
equipped with boxed cross membes and fore/aft rails.
This additional protection allows the vehicle to be uti-
lized in severe off-road situations that would be consid-
ered impassable by a normal truck.
Wheel Flares
Not just for looks, the wheel flares on the Power Wagon
were designed to help cover its new larger off-road tires.
The larger flares also help to reduce the amount of debris
that can be flung up by the more aggressive tread pattern
on the tires.
82 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Wheels
Stylish forged aluminum 17wheels give the Power
Wagon a powerful stance. Forging a wheel from alumi-
num produces a stronger, lighter weight wheel than
machining or casting the wheel out of the same material.
Standard package features:
•
Fuel Tank Skid Plate - protects the fuel tank from
impingement damage.
•Transfer Case Skid Plate and Tubing - protects the
transfer case and exhaust catalyst from impingement
damage.
•Heavy Duty Cross Members - protects the under
carriage and supports the under body protection skid
plates.
•Fore/Aft rails - which connect the cross member for
additional support and prevent the truck from getting
hung up on large rocks between the cross members.
•Steering Dampener Skid Plate - protects the steering
dampener from impingement damage.
•Electronically Locking Front And Rear Axle Differen-
tials With 4:56 Gears - improves mobility and articu-
lation by locking the differentials.
•Electronically Disconnecting Stabilizer/Sway Bar - im-
proves mobility and articulation by disconnecting the
Stabilizer/Sway Bar.
•160 Amp Alternator - supplies increased electrical
power for the winch and other off-road accessories.
•Heavy Duty Battery - supplies increased electrical
power for the winch and other off-road accessories.
•Heavy Duty Cooling Fan - provides enhanced engine
and transmission cooling under vigorous off-road
conditions.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 83
3

•Off-Road Tuned Suspension And Shocks - improves
mobility, ground clearance and ride comfort.
•Heavy Duty Thermally Protected and Sealed Electric
Winch With Roller Fairlead - Useful for work and
vehicle recovery.
•17 Inch Forged Aluminum Wheels With 33 Inch Tires
- improves traction and differential ground clearance.
Mopar Options:
•
Rock Rails - protects the door sills from impingement
damage and provides a vehicle jacking point.
•Winch accessory kit - Contents include:
•Snatch Block/Pulley
•Clevis
•Tree strap
•Tow Strap
•Gloves
•“Power Wagon embossed”storage bag
•Bed Liner - protects the bed from impingement dam-
age
NOTE:These Mopar options have been specially de-
signed and tested for the Power Wagon to meet the
vigorous off-road conditions.
MIRRORS
Inside Mirror
The mirror should be adjusted to center on the view
through the rear window.
Annoying headlight glare can be reduced by moving the
small control under the mirror to the night position
(toward rear of vehicle). The mirror should be adjusted
while set in the day position (toward windshield).
84 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE HOOD
To open the hood, two latches must be released. First pull
the hood release lever located below the steering wheel at
the base of the instrument panel. Once the hood is
released you must reach into the opening beneath the
center of the grille and push up the latch to release the
safety catch before raising the hood.To prevent possible damage, do not slam the hood to
close it. Use a firm downward push at the front center of
the hood to ensure that both latches engage.
108 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Interior Lights
Courtesy/ dome lights are turned on when the front
doors are opened, when the dimmer control (rotating
wheel on the right side of the switch) is rotated to the
second upward detent position, or if equipped, when the
UNLOCK button is pressed on the key fob. Rotating the
dimmer control to the optional fully upward position willturn on the cargo light located on the back of the cab.
When a door is open and the interior lights are on,
rotating the dimmer control all the way down to the OFF
detent will cause all the interior lights to go out. This is
also known as thePartymode because it allows the
doors to stay open for extended periods of time without
discharging the vehicle’s battery.
The brightness of the instrument panel lighting can be
regulated by rotating the dimmer control up (brighter) or
down (dimmer). When the headlights are ON you can
supplement the brightness of the odometer, trip odom-
eter, radio and overhead console by rotating the control
up until you hear a click. This feature is termed the
“Parade”mode and is useful when headlights are re-
quired during the day.
110 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE