2008 DODGE RAM 2500 POWER WAGON wheel

Maintaining Your Airbag System
WARNING!
²Modifications to any part of the airbag system
could cause it to fail when you need it. You could
be injured if the airbag system is not there to
protect you. Do not modify the components or
wiring, including adding any kind of badges or
stickers to the steering wheel hub trim cover or the
upper right side of the instrument panel. Do not
modify the front bumper, vehicle body structure,
or add aftermarket side steps or running boards.
²You need proper knee impact protection in a
collision. Do not mount or locate any aftermarket
equipment on or behind the knee bolsters.
²It is dangerous to try to repair any part of the
airbag system yourself. Be sure to tell anyone who
works on your vehicle that it has an airbag system.NOTE:
Perchlorate Material ± special handling may apply,
See www.dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate
Enhanced Accident Response System
If the airbags deploy after an impact and the electrical
system remains functional, vehicles equipped with
power door locks will unlock automatically. In addition,
approximately 5 seconds after the vehicle has stopped
moving, the interior lights will light until the ignition
switch is turned off.
Airbag Light
You will want to have the airbags ready to
inflate for your protection in an impact. While
the airbag system is designed to be mainte-
nance free, if any of the following occurs, have
an authorized dealer service the system
promptly:
58 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

Safety Checks You Should Make Outside The
Vehicle
Tires
Examine tires for tread wear or uneven wear patterns.
Check for stones, nails, glass or other objects lodged in
the tread.
Inspect for tread cuts or sidewall cracks. Check wheel
nuts for tightness and tires for proper pressure.
Lights
Check the operation of all exterior lights. Check turn
signal and high beam indicator lights on the instrument
panel.
Door Latches
Check for positive closing, latching and locking.
Fluid Leaks
Check area under vehicle after overnight parking for fuel,
water, oil, or other fluid leaks. Also, if fuel fumes are
detected the cause should be located and corrected.
78 THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE STARTING YOUR VEHICLE

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE
CONTENTS
mPower Wagon Features....................84
NLocking Front And Rear Differentials........84
N4.56:1 Gears..........................84
NElectronically Disconnecting Stabilizer/Sway
Bar ................................85
NIncreased Ride Height...................85
N12,000 Lb. Winch.......................85
NHigh-Pressure Monotube Shocks/New Front
And Rear Springs......................86
NOff-Road Tires........................86NSkid Plates And Underbody Protection.......86
NWheel Flares..........................86
NWheels..............................87
NStandard Package Features................87
NMopar Options........................88
mMirrors...............................88
NInside Mirror.........................88
NAutomatic Dimming Mirror ± If Equipped....89
NOutside Mirrors.......................90
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.
84 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 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 Power Wagon is the9only pickup truck9to 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 85
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/
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 members 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.
86 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE

Wheels
Stylish forged aluminum 179wheels 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:
²
Fuel Tank Skid Plate - protects the fuel tank from
impingement damage.
²Transfer Case Skid Plate and Tubing - protects the
transfer case and exhaust catalyst from impingement
damage.
²Heavy Duty Cross Members - protects the under
carriage and supports the under body protection skid
plates.
²Fore/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.
²Steering Dampener Skid Plate - protects the steering
dampener from impingement damage.
²Electronically Locking Front And Rear Axle Differen-
tials with 4:56 Gears - improves mobility and articula-
tion by locking the differentials.
²Electronically Disconnecting Stabilizer Bar - improves
mobility and articulation by disconnecting the Stabi-
lizer Bar.
²160 Amp Alternator - supplies increased electrical
power for the winch and other off-road accessories.
²Heavy Duty Battery - supplies increased electrical
power for the winch and other off-road accessories.
²Heavy Duty Cooling Fan - provides enhanced engine
and transmission cooling under vigorous off-road
conditions.
UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 87
3

²Off-Road Tuned Suspension And Shocks - improves
mobility, ground clearance and ride comfort.
²Heavy Duty Thermally Protected and Sealed Electric
Winch with Roller Fairlead - Useful for work and
vehicle recovery.
²17 Inch Forged Aluminum Wheels With 33 Inch Tires
- improves traction and differential ground clearance.
Mopar Options:
²
Rock Rails - protects the door sills from impingement
damage and provides a vehicle jacking point.
²Winch accessory kit - Contents include:
²Snatch Block/Pulley
²Clevis
²Tree strap
²Tow Strap
²Gloves
²ªPower Wagon embossedº storage bag
²Bed 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).
88 UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE