Universal Spares — All Vehicles
These spares belong in every rig. Carry them regardless of platform.
Driveline
- U-joints — 1–2 that match your front and rear driveshafts; both sizes if front and rear differ
- Driveshaft slip yoke grease — heavy grease for the slip joint spline
Cooling
- Radiator stop-leak tablets — Bar's Leaks or equivalent
- Upper radiator hose — OEM equivalent, labeled with your year
- Thermostat + gasket
- 1 gallon premixed 50/50 coolant — Mopar-spec coolant for the 5.7L Hemi
Belts and Hoses
- Serpentine belt — write the exact OEM part number on the bag; the 5.7L Hemi belt routing varies by year and options
- Lower radiator hose
Electrical
- Fuse assortment — blade style, 5A–40A; include the specific locker solenoid fuse amperage for your truck
- Spare relay — 87/30/85/86 style
- Spare bulbs — headlight fitment, brake light, turn signal
Fluids
- Engine oil — 2 quarts 5W-20 or 0W-20 (check your year's spec and label it)
- Brake fluid — 1 small bottle DOT 3
- ATF — 1 qt Mopar ATF+4 for the 68RFE automatic; label the spec
- Gear oil — 1 qt 75W-90 synthetic for the front and rear axles
- Transfer case fluid — 1 qt per the NV271/NV273 spec for your year
Fasteners
- Grade 8 bolt assortment — M10, M12, M14 in common lengths
- Nylock nuts to match
- Cotter pins — assorted; front axle tie rod ends use them
Power Wagon-Specific Spares
These are the parts that distinguish a prepared Power Wagon from an unprepared one.
Locker solenoid fuses (2× correct amperage) — carry in the cab
A blown locker solenoid fuse kills engagement entirely. The symptom is a switch press that does nothing — no indicator flash, no sound. The fix is two minutes with the correct fuse. Without it, you're running unlocked. Check the PDC cover or owner's manual for the exact fuse rating for your generation — it varies. Mark them clearly and keep them in the cab.
Locker solenoid (one spare, either front or rear)
The locker solenoids fail more often than most owners expect — particularly on trucks that have seen repeated water crossings. The symptom is a fuse that's fine but 12V doesn't produce engagement. A Mopar solenoid is $85–$100. It's a bolt-in replacement you can do on the trail if you have the right socket. Decide which axle you'd rather have locked in an emergency and carry that solenoid.
Winch synthetic rope section (3'–5') + clevis
If the rope frays or takes damage near the hook end during a recovery, cutting the damaged section is faster than trying to work around it. Carry a short length of spare 3/8" synthetic rope and a soft shackle so you can rig the shortened rope back to the hook. This also covers a fairlead groove damage scenario where the rope cuts on the lip.
Hawse fairlead spare (or spare rollers if wire rope)
The aluminum hawse fairlead that guides synthetic rope wears over time — particularly in sandy conditions. If the fairlead develops a groove or burr, it accelerates rope wear and can cut the rope under load. A spare hawse weighs almost nothing and is a 10-minute swap.
Factory lug nuts (4×) — the cap style corrodes
The factory Power Wagon lug nuts use a chrome cap over a hex body. That cap corrodes at the joint between cap and body, especially in winter environments or trucks that see trail dust regularly. The cap loosens from the body so the socket spins on the cap rather than turning the nut. A cheap bag of spare OEM-style lug nuts prevents stranding yourself over a tire change. Carry four minimum.
Sway bar disconnect actuator fuse (correct amperage)
The Smart Bar hydraulic pump has a dedicated fuse. If the bar won't disconnect and the switch is pressed, the first check is this fuse. A blown fuse on the trail means a manual reconnect procedure to get the bar locked before highway driving. Carry two spares.
Winch remote backup (wired remote) — always in the cab
The factory wireless remote fails from water exposure, battery death, and impact damage. A wired remote is not optional for serious trail use — it's the backup that guarantees you can operate the winch regardless of what happened to the wireless unit. Keep it in the cab, not in a bag buried under gear.
Correct fluids — double-check your powertrain spec
5.7L Hemi (pre-2019): 5W-20. 5.7L Hemi (check 2019+ spec — same but confirm). Dana 44 front and rear: synthetic 75W-90 with friction modifier if your truck's service history shows it was used. NV271/NV273 transfer case: confirm exact fluid spec in the service manual for your generation — specs changed between model years. Carrying the wrong fluid is not better than carrying nothing.
Power Wagon Field Verdict
Field Verdict
The two items that strand Power Wagon owners most often are a blown locker fuse and a dead winch remote. Both cost under $20 to carry. The lug nut cap problem is the other common surprise — inspect yours before a trip and replace any that show corrosion at the cap-to-body seam. The rest of the list is standard off-road prep, sized for a 7,000-pound truck.