2006 DODGE POWER WAGON Owners Manual

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 taller springs, the Power Wagon has an
increased ride height of approximately 1.9 inches in the
front and 1.5 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 onapproach/departure and break over angles. More ride
height allows for more aggressive angles, further improv-
ing off-road capability.
12,000 lb. Winch
The 2006 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
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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/
70R17D 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
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•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.
84 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

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).Automatic Dimming Mirror— If Equipped
This mirror automatically adjusts for annoying headlight
glare from vehicles behind you. You can turn the feature
on or off by pressing the button at the base of the mirror.
A light in the button will indicate when the dimming
feature is activated.
Adjusting Rear View Mirror
Automatic Dimming Mirror
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 85
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CAUTION!
To avoid damage to the mirror during cleaning,
never spray any cleaning solution directly onto the
mirror. Apply the solution onto a clean cloth and
wipe the mirror clean.
Outside Mirrors
To receive maximum benefit, adjust the outside mirror(s)
to center on the adjacent lane of traffic with a slight
overlap of the view obtained on the inside mirror.
WARNING!
Vehicles and other objects seen in a right side convex
mirror will look smaller and farther away than they
really are. Relying too much on your right side
convex mirror could cause you to collide with an-
other vehicle or other object. Use your inside mirror
when judging the size or distance of a vehicle seen
in the right side convex mirror. Some vehicles will
not have a convex right side mirror.
Exterior Mirrors Folding Feature
All6x9inchexterior mirrors are hinged and may be
moved either forward or rearward to resist damage. The
hinges have three detent positions; full forward, full
rearward, and normal.
86 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Electronic Power Mirrors — If Equipped
The controls for the power mirrors are located on the
driver’s door trim panel.Set the top switch to the left or right for the left or right
mirror, and set it to the center off position to prevent
accidentally moving a mirror when you are finished
adjusting the mirror. To adjust a mirror, select left or right
with the top switch, and press one of the four arrows for
the direction you want the mirror to move.
Power Mirror Movement
Power Mirror Switches
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 87
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Electric Rear Window Defroster and Heated
Sideview Mirrors — If Equipped
The Electric Rear Window Defroster and Heated
side view mirrors are activated by pressing the
heated grid button, located on the Climate Control panel,
with the ignition On. Turning Off the rear window
defroster or the ignition will deactivate the Electric Rear
Window Defroster and Heated side view mirrors feature.
These features also turn off after activation, when 15
minutes have elapsed. To reactivate, simply press the
button again.
Trailer Towing Mirrors — If Equipped
These mirrors are designed with an adjustable mirror
head to provide a greater vision range when towing
extra-wide loads. To change position inboard or out-
board, the mirror head should be rotated (flipped Out or
In). A small blindspot mirror is integrated onto the main
mirror surface.NOTE: Fold the7x10inch trailer towing mirrors
rearward prior to entering an automated car wash.
CAUTION!
Do not attempt to fold the7x10inch trailer towing
mirrors forward. The 7 x 10 inch trailer towing
mirrors are not designed to be folded forward and
doing so will damage the mirrors and/or vehicle.
88 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE