Ram Trucks->ke4211 has just released the details and photos of its latest and greatest Power Wagon, a refreshed version of the heavy-duty, off-road champ that can handle nearly every strenuous task thrown its way. While the Power Wagon isn’t the only off-road-based truck out there today, it is certainly the only one capable of trudging deep ruts, climbing rocks, and fording 30 inches of water while hauling 1,490 pounds in its bed.

And yes, people actually do that.

While the obvious comparison is with the Ford Raptor, the trucks compete on two different playing fields. Designed as a high-speed desert runner, the Raptor is lighter and more nimble than the Ram while its suspension is designed to absorb jumps and bumps at tremendous speeds. Those Fox racing shocks work very well in those circumstances, but aren’t so great for towing or hauling.

That’s where the Power Wagon picks up. Built on the back of a Ram 2500 Heavy Duty truck, the Power Wagon has the strength of the heavy duty combined with the off-road prowess of a Jeep Wrangler. The fact both the Wrangler and Power Wagon come from the same manufacturer shouldn’t come as a surprise. They actually share some hardware – at least in concept -- namely the front axle’s electronic sway bar disconnect. With the push of a button, the massive solid axle is free to twist in full flex, keeping its 33-inch tall tires on the ground no matter how severe the terrain gets.

The list of impressive hardware continues throughout the three-quarter-ton truck as the Ram powers its way through Prius’ nightmares and Raptors’ dreams. Click past the jump for the full run-down.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2014 Ram 2500 Power Wagon.

Exterior

The Power Wagon seen in these photos is the SLT, complete with its in-your-face grille inserts, fake mud paint scheme, LED exterior lighting, and 1980s-style ‘Power Wagon’ lettering across the doors. Ram also offers two other, and much less ‘rad’ versions, the base trim level Tradesman and the leather-lined Laramie.

On the less gaudy Tradesman, monochrome paint extends all the way around with a black front grille, black headlight filler panels, and fender flairs. It does feature one ‘Power Wagon’ graphic along the bottom edge of the tailgate as in years past.

The top-line Laramie trim gets a full-chrome grille with bi-functional halogen headlights with chrome backgrounds. The fender flairs get a coat of body-colored paint and the graphics are nowhere in sight. Distinguishing the Power Wagon from a regular 2500 is a single chrome-plated ‘Power Wagon’ logo on the tailgate - besides the noticeable off-road hardware and two inches of suspension lift. Ram offers 12 separate colors for the truck, depending on trim level.

Interior

Like the outside, the Power Wagon’s cabin gets three separate treatments depending on trim level. While Ram didn’t dive into any detail in the press release below, there are a few features we were able to pick out.

With the Tradesman, things are going to be rather bare-bones. A standard radio, vinyl or cloth seats, rubberized floors, and few other options will be the norm. However, jumping into the other two trim levels, Ram mentions the 8.4-inch infotainment screen will be available, which will act as a view screen for two rear-facing cameras -- one on the tailgate for backing up and a second mounded within the third brake light housing for keeping an eye on payload inside the bed. We imagine that would also come in handy when connecting a gooseneck or fifth wheel trailer.

Also offered will be a power-sliding rear window with a defrost function, power locks for the tailgate and RamBox doors, auto rain-sensing wipers, SmartBeam headlights, a dual alternator option for running on-board equipment, extra wiring for aftermarket and upfitter attachments, and a ‘intelligent battery sensor’ that keeps any extra components from draining the battery dead.

Ram is also touting reduced NVH levels thanks to the Power Wagon’s new frame.

Drivetrain

Moving this off-road beast through the muck and mire is Chrysler’s 6.4-liter, HEMI V-8 cranking out 410 horsepower and 429 pound-feet of torque. It’s mated to a six-speed automatic transmission that puts power to the ground through the rear wheels. A Borg Warner BW 44-47 transfer case routes power to the front axle when the manually-operated ‘dog leg’ shifter is moved in to four-wheel-drive.

The transfer case offers the conventional two-wheel-drive, a four-wheel-drive ‘High’ setting for loose terrain like snow, mud, or sand; along with a four-wheel-drive ‘Low’ range for towing loads up steep grades off road or pulling another vehicle from being stuck. Low range is only usable at slower speeds, but the torque multiplication that occurs creates a huge amount of power for getting stuff done.

While the Power Wagon’s list of priorities does not feature fuel economy anywhere close to the top, Ram engineers included cylinder deactivation on the massive 6.4-liter for helping cut fuel costs. Along with that, the rear axle’s gear ratio was dropped from 4.56 to 4.10, compensated by the 6.4-liter’s increase in torque over the outgoing 5.7-liter. Holding those gears in place are huge American Axle Manufacturing-built axles with beefy 38 mm shafts in the rear helping to ensure the truck is never short of muscle.

Within each differential are electronic lockers that bind together both axle shafts for even power distribution to both sides. This gives the Power Wagon a huge advantage even when only one side of the truck has traction; say climbing a muddy hill or pulling a boat up an algae-covered ramp.

Suspension

A major part of the Power Wagon’s magic lies within its suspension components. Designed to handle rough terrain yet still capable of hauling over 1,490 pounds in its bed and towing 10,810 pounds, the components are extra strong with innovative engineering holding them together.

This model year represents the first time the Power Wagon has used the Ram Heavy Duty’s new front three-link and rear coil spring suspension setup. This presented engineers with some extra challenges of recalibrating the suspension to handle the extra stresses that come with Power Wagon duty, while also adding an additional two inches of lift over the standard Ram 2500.

One of the most unique components is an all-new “Ram Articulink,” an extra linkage between the front axle and its control arms. It allows for extra articulation while still managing body roll and payload control through turns.

Carrying over from years past is the heavy-duty front say bar disconnect. Just like on the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, it disconnects with the push of a button to allow for greater articulation in the front wheels. Also carrying over is the 12,000-pound-capacity Warn winch hidden behind the front bumper. That’s an industry-exclusive coming as standard equipment.

Lastly, the chrome-clad wheels are wrapped in 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac tires designed for hard core off-roading while still providing a compliant ride on the street.

Prices

The Power Wagon’s price tag isn’t cheap – even in the base Tradesman form, the starting price begins at $45,690. Jump up to the SLT trim, and you’re looking at $50,340. Lastly, the top-dog Laramie trim will set you back $56,015.

That’s a lot of scratch, but it brings home a lot of truck.

Competition

Ford F-150 Raptor

If you read the article above, you’d know the Raptor isn’t a direct competitor with the Power Wagon, but it does represent the only other purpose-built, off-road truck rolling off assembly lines today.

Powered by a 6.2-liter V-8 making 411 horsepower and 434 pound-feet of torque, the Raptor comes complete with Fox racing shocks front and rear with loads of suspension travel for conquering off-road obstacles at high speed like a Baja trophy truck.

Available in both the SuperCab and SuperCrew cab versions, The Raptor has plenty of room for toting the family or extra gear around. Prices for the Raptor start at $44,705 but quickly escalate to beyond $50,000 with all the option boxes checked.

Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD

Competing more with the heavy duty side of the Power Wagon is the all-new 2015 Chevy Silverado 2500HD. Comparing apples to apples, the Silverado can come with a 6.0-liter V-8 making 360 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque but can be mated with the Allison 1000 six-speed automatic transmission -- an industry leader for heavy duty hauling.

While the Silverado is available with its Z71 off-road package which includes four-wheel-drive, stronger shocks, skid plates, tow hooks, and hill decent control – the packages is no match for the all-out Power Wagon.

Though it can’t keep up off the beaten path, the Chevy will out haul the Power Wagon. The Silverado in Crew Cab, short bed form with the 6.0-liter engine will haul 3,152 pounds in its bed or a 14,000 gooseneck trailer. Compare that to the Power Wagon’s 1,490-pound payload capacity and 10,810-pound tow rating and you can see the off-road shocks and suspension systems take their toll on the truck’s hauling abilities. It’s up to the owner to pick their poison.

Conclusion

The Ram Power Wagon is in a class all its own. Sure, the Raptor is another purpose-built off-road truck with plenty of technology in its suspension, but the Power Wagon operates at the opposite end of the spectrum -- slow and powerful. The updates Ram included for 2014 make the truck more capable all around, plus more manageable on the road.

Besides the rather silly graphics on the SLT trim level, the Power Wagon is a serious truck for folks to who do serious work on and off the beaten path.