Why a 2014 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor and not a Ram 2500 Power Wagon for TFLTruck?

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Everyone at The Fast Lane Truck loves the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor – but the Ram 2500 Power Wagon is a ridiculously capable, tough and friggin’ cool truck too. So, why are we omitting the Ram 2500 Power Wagon? There are a few reasons, all of them break my heart. You see, I was the one of the dissidents who felt the Ram 2500 Power Wagon was the right truck for our long term test vehicle.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor, but it’s a little bit of recreational ride whereas the Ram 2500 Power Wagon is a paramilitary-like badass. Dudes on dirt-bikes (like Roman) dig the Raptor, dudes who blow up things (yours truly) love the Power Wagon. Both are cool, both are manly, both represent two different types of thinking when it comes to off-road pickup truck supremacy.

Three reasons why we didn’t get the Ram 2500 Power Wagon:

Timing: Alas my friends, there is no 2014 Ram 2500 Power Wagon to be had – not until the actual year of 2014. We needed to get our truck in 2013 (for tax purposes and other financial reasons). The next Ram 2500 Power Wagon will arrive very soon – in early 2014. It will have a base price of $49,725. A badass 6.4-liter HEMI V8 will make 410-hp and 429-lb-ft of torque. A six-speed, heavy-duty automatic should be the transmission of choice (I doubt they’ll use the eight-speed with the big V8). The curb weight is estimated at 6,100 lbs with towing capacity is estimated at 11,300 lbs and the max payload is estimated at 1,810 lbs. – – – Still no diesel for the Power Wagon.

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Democratic retribution: Despite the notion of having a (standard) electric front winch, 4.56 rear axle ratio, disconnecting front sway bar, under armor (full skid plates) and that evil 6.4-liter HEMI which replaces the 5.7 V8 – the Ram 2500 Power Wagon is not a big seller. The niche market it represents is very small compared to the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor. The Raptor is (by comparison) hugely popular despite its hefty price. Sadly, public demand (and Andre’s insistence that the Raptor is too cool to deny) made the choice of the Ram 2500 Power Wagon less logical. Can’t fight the numbers… or Andre.

Ford helped: At the end of it all, and after soliciting every automaker in North America that builds a full-size pickup truck, Ford worked with us. No, we did not get a free truck… we did get one at costs and we were able to document/follow its construction. Oh, and why no General Motors’ product? There are a few reasons; the main one being that our first project pickup truck was an older Chevrolet Silverado 2500. Also, just like the other automakers – only one stepped forward.

Am I bummed? Sure, and so are many of you. Like me, you all know that we will beat the ever-loving crap out of any truck that comes our way. You want lone-term reliability? You’ll get it in spades. The 2014 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor will be put to the test in one of the most inhospitable environments in the USA. No, I don’t just mean the choking, high altitude and severe weather of the Rocky Mountains – I mean in TFLTruck’s care.

This is our first and, by no means, our last long term pickup truck. Hopefully, we can add some serious beef to our stable with the next Ram 2500 Power Wagon!

Check out our recent video(s) of the TFLTrcuk Ford F-150 SVT Raptor!

Nathan Adlen brings an uncompromising passion and love for cars to TFLcar & Truck. Not only does Nathan add his talents to this website,he also works with Roman to review cars for the TFLcar & TFLTruck channel. Easily amused by anything with four wheels, Nathan Adlen reviews vehicles from the cheapest to the most prestigious. Wrecking yards, dealer lots, garages, racetracks, professional automotive testing and automotive journalism – Nathan has experienced a wide range of the automotive spectrum. Brought up in the California car culture and educated in theater, childhood education, film, journalism and history, Nathan now lives with his family in Denver, CO. His words, good humor and video are enjoyed worldwide.
Nathan Adlen brings an uncompromising passion and love for cars to TFLcar & Truck. Not only does Nathan add his talents to this website,he also works with Roman to review cars for the TFLcar & TFLTruck channel. Easily amused by anything with four wheels, Nathan Adlen reviews vehicles from the cheapest to the most prestigious. Wrecking yards, dealer lots, garages, racetracks, professional automotive testing and automotive journalism – Nathan has experienced a wide range of the automotive spectrum. Brought up in the California car culture and educated in theater, childhood education, film, journalism and history, Nathan now lives with his family in Denver, CO. His words, good humor and video are enjoyed worldwide.

More information about the upcoming Ram 2500 Power Wagon:

BASE PRICE $46,995
LAYOUT Front-engine, 4WD, 5-pass, 4-door pickup
ENGINE
TRANSMISSION 6-speed automatic
WHEELBASE 148.9 in
LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT 237.4 x 79.1 x 77.7 in (est)
CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST) 6700 lb (est)
GVWR 8600 lb (est)
PAYLOAD CAPACITY 1810 lb (est)