Buying a Ram Power Wagon

The One Thing to Know First

Every Power Wagon from 2005 onward has factory front and rear electronic lockers, a Warn winch, and an electronic sway bar disconnect. These are not trim options — they're standard on all Power Wagons. What changed over the years is the quality, integration, and geometry of those systems. The 2014 introduction of Articulink is the most significant engineering upgrade in the truck's history.

Generation Breakdown

What to Inspect at Any Generation

• MDS lifter tick on cold start Start the truck cold and listen for 60 seconds. A tick that clears as oil warms is early-stage MDS wear. A tick that persists, or a misfire code on cylinders 1, 4, 6, or 7, indicates an active failure. This is the most important inspection item on any Power Wagon above 75,000 miles.
• Front and rear locker engagement In a parking lot, enter 4WD and come to below 8 mph. Press each locker switch and wait for the solid indicator light. Both should engage without grinding or hesitation. If an indicator flashes but doesn't go solid, suspect a solenoid or wiring issue.
• Sway bar disconnect operation In 4WD at low speed, the Smart Bar disconnect indicator should activate automatically. The system should reconnect above 18 mph. Listen for any hydraulic pump noise that's louder than normal — weak pump or low fluid are early signs of actuator trouble.
• Articulink joint condition (2014+) With the front wheels off the ground, grab each front tire and attempt lateral movement at the axle end of the control arms. Any perceptible play indicates worn Articulink joints. Also inspect the rubber boots on each joint for cracking or tears.
• Winch operation Run the winch in and out through its full cable or rope length. Check line wrap on the drum — uneven layering accelerates wear. On wire rope trucks, inspect the full length for kinks or fraying. Listen for motor strain or stuttering.
• Frame and skid plate condition Get under the truck. Look for weld repairs, cracks at body mount locations, and any evidence of significant impact on the skid plates. Minor scraping on skid plates is expected on a truck that's been used. Bent or cracked plates warrant further investigation into what was hit.
• Transfer case operation Cycle through 2H, 4H, and 4L. All shifts should be clean and positive. Verify that 4WD-indicator lights match the selector position. A delayed or grinding shift into 4L indicates chain or shift fork wear.
• OBD scan before purchase A dealer or shop scan that reads Ram-specific body and TIPM codes will surface locker, sway bar, and driveline faults that don't show on the dash. Generic OBD readers miss many Ram-specific codes. Worth the cost of a pre-purchase inspection.

Watch List — Known Issues

• MDS lifter failure (all generations, 80k–120k miles) This is the dominant reliability concern on the 5.7L Hemi across all Power Wagon years. A cold-start tick that persists is the early warning. A misfire code on an MDS cylinder is an active failure. Budget $1,500–$3,500 for a full MDS delete or lifter replacement job if purchasing a high-mileage example with any tick.
• Articulink joint wear (2014+, high off-road use) Trucks that have been used hard off-road will show Articulink wear earlier than the average. Joint inspection at purchase is mandatory on 2014+ examples — worn joints are a $1,000+ repair and affect both on-road handling and off-road capability.
• Sway bar disconnect actuator leaks The hydraulic actuator seals fail over time, particularly on trucks that have seen repeated water crossings. External fluid seepage at the actuator is visible on inspection. Seal kit repair is straightforward; a failed pump is more involved.
• Wire rope on winch (pre-2016 trucks) Many early Power Wagons still have the original steel wire rope. This is not a defect — it's a maintenance item. Budget for a synthetic rope swap ($180–$250) if purchasing a truck with wire rope. It's a safety upgrade, not optional.

The Verdict