As someone who has considered a Prospector XL for a long time, I enjoyed your thoughts and sharing your firsthand experiences. I really enjoy AEV and Dave is a standup gentleman. When I used their hemi swap kit back in 2008 on a Wrangler (JKUR), he gave me his cell phone when I was having an issue with a PCM. He took time out at SEMA to speak with me and helped me diagnose the issue. And I agree they put out some really great products and vehicles!
Sad that you overlooked the 37" Prospector. I think that is the best do it all truck. Not too big as the PXL but still has all the AEV goodies and more than most people need. I have a 3500 4th Gen Prospector on 37" tires with the 6 speed manual. I think that is the best combination ever. So sad RAM dropped this in 2019.
Been running a Prospector XL since 2020. Agree with most of what's been said here. The size thing really hasn't been as bad as you think, mine has been in some wild rock crawling situations that are way outside your typical Overland use case. Someday I'll have a tray bed, which will remove a lot of vulnerable sheet metal. The biggest problem off road is visibility, especially coming from a Wrangler. You have to memorize a lot more of the trail, and know where your corners are, or use a spotter. Turning radius is a problem on tight Colorado switchbacks, but I wonder if a Gladiator is really much better. I don't have steps, AEV though I was nuts when I specced it that way, but it's not my daily, and I wanted rock sliders. Scott is right, it's so well proportioned that you don't realize how tall it is till you have to reach up to the door handle. Articulation is pretty bad unless you disconnect the swaybars, that made a massive improvement, particularly in the front. The Radius arms are a problem. I would call the Powerwagon setup a "jointed" radius arm, 4-link is a stretch. I will probably convert to a true 4-link at some point. I went with the 2500 specifically for the coil springs, would probably go 3500 if I did it again, for all the same reasons mentioned here. I tow an off-road camper, not a fan of the slide-ins because of the high CG, and it's nice to drop the trailer at camp and go explore. It does make for a large footprint though. Gears are needed for sure. I monitor EGTs all the time, and it's amazing how high they get if you let the transmission shift itself. I basically never let it use 6th gear. I wish I had lockers, but the capability with just a limited slip and 15psi is well beyond the typical overland needs. Great review, and Scott is right, a single cab manual tray bed would be the ultimate.
@@ExpeditionPortal lol awesome. I'm a new viewer but man alive yall have amazing content. I consume tons of offroad enthusiast content and journals but ya'll do it the best, 10/10. Looking forward for more! btw this turned me onto the prospector...soooo I'm gonna get one when my wife lets me :)
Aisin is the reliable option regardless of manufacturer. There was a machining issue with the snap ring groove on the 22 models that was identified and corrected. Outside of that problem, the Aisin is a medium duty transmission meant to pull and is known to go 500K+ miles without issue. Ram has not been quick to update or replace this unit as it's a go to option for those who earn a paycheck with their truck. Fords 10 spd is nice but has had issues and recalls out of the gate. Im sure Ford will continue ironing out and refining it making it a stellar option but right now it still needs to prove itself.
Yes there is a bolt that is on the intake that eventually works its way loose and then it is goodbye engine. Upgrade to the banks power intake and it fixes the problem,
As someone who has considered a Prospector XL for a long time, I enjoyed your thoughts and sharing your firsthand experiences. I really enjoy AEV and Dave is a standup gentleman. When I used their hemi swap kit back in 2008 on a Wrangler (JKUR), he gave me his cell phone when I was having an issue with a PCM. He took time out at SEMA to speak with me and helped me diagnose the issue. And I agree they put out some really great products and vehicles!
totally agree with you on longest lust for a truck “cab only with tray”
Sad that you overlooked the 37" Prospector. I think that is the best do it all truck. Not too big as the PXL but still has all the AEV goodies and more than most people need. I have a 3500 4th Gen Prospector on 37" tires with the 6 speed manual. I think that is the best combination ever. So sad RAM dropped this in 2019.
Nicely done, gentlemen -as always 👍😁
Awesome, my personal truck is a 3500 PXL and it’s outstanding.
Been running a Prospector XL since 2020. Agree with most of what's been said here.
The size thing really hasn't been as bad as you think, mine has been in some wild rock crawling situations that are way outside your typical Overland use case. Someday I'll have a tray bed, which will remove a lot of vulnerable sheet metal. The biggest problem off road is visibility, especially coming from a Wrangler. You have to memorize a lot more of the trail, and know where your corners are, or use a spotter. Turning radius is a problem on tight Colorado switchbacks, but I wonder if a Gladiator is really much better.
I don't have steps, AEV though I was nuts when I specced it that way, but it's not my daily, and I wanted rock sliders.
Scott is right, it's so well proportioned that you don't realize how tall it is till you have to reach up to the door handle.
Articulation is pretty bad unless you disconnect the swaybars, that made a massive improvement, particularly in the front. The Radius arms are a problem. I would call the Powerwagon setup a "jointed" radius arm, 4-link is a stretch. I will probably convert to a true 4-link at some point.
I went with the 2500 specifically for the coil springs, would probably go 3500 if I did it again, for all the same reasons mentioned here.
I tow an off-road camper, not a fan of the slide-ins because of the high CG, and it's nice to drop the trailer at camp and go explore. It does make for a large footprint though.
Gears are needed for sure. I monitor EGTs all the time, and it's amazing how high they get if you let the transmission shift itself. I basically never let it use 6th gear.
I wish I had lockers, but the capability with just a limited slip and 15psi is well beyond the typical overland needs.
Great review, and Scott is right, a single cab manual tray bed would be the ultimate.
2500 Power Wagon or the 2500 Cummins 🤔 for the XL conversion!? Guessing the diesel for long distance Overlanding !
Does it fit in a shipping container with a rooftop tent?
👍👍👍
Long discussion, short on images.
Almost like it was a podcast 😉
At 14:40, did he say “Cardboard-aided design” for CAD?
Yep :)
@@ExpeditionPortal lol awesome. I'm a new viewer but man alive yall have amazing content. I consume tons of offroad enthusiast content and journals but ya'll do it the best, 10/10. Looking forward for more! btw this turned me onto the prospector...soooo I'm gonna get one when my wife lets me :)
I have 4.44 gears in my 2021
Aisin is the reliable option regardless of manufacturer. There was a machining issue with the snap ring groove on the 22 models that was identified and corrected. Outside of that problem, the Aisin is a medium duty transmission meant to pull and is known to go 500K+ miles without issue. Ram has not been quick to update or replace this unit as it's a go to option for those who earn a paycheck with their truck.
Fords 10 spd is nice but has had issues and recalls out of the gate. Im sure Ford will continue ironing out and refining it making it a stellar option but right now it still needs to prove itself.
Yes there is a bolt that is on the intake that eventually works its way loose and then it is goodbye engine. Upgrade to the banks power intake and it fixes the problem,
What dealership deals these trucks out