Posted by Charlie on May 31, 1999 at 13:52:53:
In Reply to: Send Me Information and Picture of the New Dodge Power Wagon posted by Zach on May 25, 1999 at 18:27:25:
Hate to throw ice water on all the red-hot enthusiasm, but...
1) This concept truck will obviously require drivetrain upgrades to stay in one piece with 780 ft-lb: Allison automatic or "mid-range" 6 speed manual; some sort of killer transfer case; at least Dana 80 rear and Dana 60 front axles.
2) I was smitten with some enthusiasm when I saw pictures of the Dodge Rams when they were new a few years ago, especially the front grille. I went to the dealer and touched it; it was PLASTIC. I guess I'm ruined by too much contact with our old Dodges and even Landcruisers (the radiator is guarded by a heavy wire mesh that actually resists tree branches). Today, when upgrading a new truck to the standards set by Dodge in 1942, one must first remove masses of plastic from the front to get down to the metal, presuming of course that the frame, for instance, is adequate for the task at question, like attaching and hoding on to a Braden 10,000 lb pull, >300 lb weight winch.
Expect a lot of plastic on this new truck in places where metal ought to be, if it ever is produced.
Charlie