It has taken me a long time to get used to calling a Dodge pickup truck a “Ram”. The name has been associated with Dodge trucks for years but referred to in make and model naming convention as Dodge Ram, now it’s just a Ram and Dodge, what little is left of it, is focused on performance cars and a single SUV. But back in 1974 when this Power Wagon W300 was constructed, it was a Dodge pickup. So, with that thought let’s look this pre-Ram over. It is located in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $2,025, reserve not yet met.
This one-ton pickup is a nice-looking ride! It is claimed to have 16K miles as it was a former fire department vehicle but there is no supporting documentation presented. Off the road since 2012, when it last answered a fire alarm, it has been repainted a dark metallic blue. The deep finish over the straight body works really well with the raised stance, white letter tires, and black steelies. Ditto the condition with the chrome, stainless, and cargo bed integrity – nothing is amiss.
Except under the hood where there is a lot amiss – no engine! The seller claims that the original 318 (the VIN claims a 180 net HP 360 CI V8) was removed and the engine bay was set up for a big block. There is a lump of some sort under the hood now but it’s not defined. Which begs the question, why ditch a 16K mile 360 CI engine unless you were really looking for a lot more power? This is a 4X4 truck with a four-speed manual transmission so that’s a solid start.
The interior got the “blue” treatment too and actually presents well in its minimalist approach. There is no floor covering but that circumstance shows off the soundness of the floors. The dash panel is not showing lots of extra switches like one frequently finds on fire department vehicles but there is a big round hole clearly marked as “MASTER SWITCH”. The door cards, seating upholstery, and instrument panel look fine; the oversized opening in the dash may be due to a former fire department radio. All in all, it’s a spartan but purposeful environment. Of note, there is no transfer case lever visible through the vertical transmission hump slot so something more than a usable engine may be missing – further inquiry required.
This Power Wagon is a good start, the seller claims, “Basically, it needs a motor and clutch, and it’s ready for the road“. So running with that thought this could be a solid build-it-your-way project, wouldn’t you agree?
Maybe just too much idle time for the 360. Those short trips don’t help. Could be a good starting point for some MoPar type though.
That needs my 440 under the hood.
First gen. Cummings for this rust free beautiful truck.
CUMMINS CUMMINS CUMMINS! NOT Cummings
It’ll be a Dodge to the end.
I see adds like this and think, “oh wow”. Then, I read on and original 318. Those engines were fairly durable. Perhaps a lack or routine maintenance.
Grille is from a ’72/73 if that means anything.
Looks like a 413/426/440 block from the Id stamping area.
I don’t see anything that says “I was a fire truck”.
Right on, pal. I highly doubt a fire dept. would have a 318, and someone sure did paint everything, which is pretty hard to do. I think it’s a cool find, just t’aint no fire truck.
Most fire equipment is very well maintained, paid or volunteer. No tailgate, so that is a clue that it was a fire truck, the bed would have held a water tank of 250 gallons, more or less, hoses, a pump, and hand tools like shovels, axes, and more specialized wild fire tools, and room for more gear. It would have low miles compared to the hours on the engine, with a lot of idle time. And, underneath that blue paint, which looks close to correct for a Dodge, there would be red paint – if I were trying to pass this off I would scratch some under a fender or somewhere else where it would not show, and show us the red. There are many trucks like this still in service in rural volunteer departments, and this would be great in the wildfires of the west, with lots of clearance, and 4 wheel drive.
That motor in the engine compartment is a 440 RB motor ( Raised block ) Looks like not much more than a core, but still a great starting point.
and it’s Door PANELS…this isn’t England.
Uh, no, since I’m doing the writing, it’s whatever I want to call them, be they door cards, upholstery panels, interior panels, side panels, door inserts, and yes, sometimes even door panels. Stay tuned, you’ll see them all used.
JO
I’ve noticed that many authors take literary license and throw naming conventions to the wind. This is how our language evolves. As long as it isn’t codified it’s fair game.
well blimey mate! this here is the United States, not bloody England.