This 1976 Dodge Power Wagon 4×4 is equipped with the Adventurer package and is a nicely preserved survivor with under 70,000 original miles. The seller notes that it is as stock and unmolested as they come, and the pictures certainly seem to validate those claims. The Adventurer package really was a case of cosmetic dress-up, but it worked well and with the right wheels and tires, these Power Wagons look ready for anything. The two-tone paintwork appears to be in excellent shape, and overall, there’s a lot to like here. Find the Dodge here on eBay with bids to $12,800 and no reserve.
The body is nice and straight going down the sides, and the tailgate sports a rear tire mount with an integrated off-road jack, a dealer-installed option that’s explained later. The bed features a period-correct roll bar while the nose of the truck has some additional decor as well, sporting a tough-looking brush guard. The chrome bumpers still present well front and back, and the must-have Adventurer badges remain affixed to the bedsides. The package featured additional moldings, color-keyed details, brightwork around the taillamps, fiberglass door trim panels with integrated armrests, and more.
This Dodge Power Wagon retains all of its must-have features and clearly hasn’t been dramatically altered from stock. The wheels aren’t stock, but there’s a good reason for that (explained below). Additional comfort and convenience features include power steering and brakes, a bench seat, AM/FM radio, and more. The seller notes that in addition to the Adventurer spec, the Dodge is further optioned with the California-only “Desert Runner” package that included upgrades like heavy-duty shocks, fender flares (included but not installed), front and rear differential skid plates, and the “Hurricane Turbine” wheels, and this rare off-road package also came with the roll bar and front brush guard.
I would love to know what brand those driving lamps are, as I suspect they’re period-correct KCs or Marshals that still sport the rare, factory soft covers. Overall, there’s not much out there about the Desert Runner package, so I can’t validate the seller’s claims – but given how cleanly the modifications were integrated and the Baja culture of southern California, it wouldn’t surprise me in the least to find out California dealers offered such a trim line. With what sounds like respectable off-road equipment underneath and the tried-and-true 440 V8 under the hood, this Power Wagon is not only desirable for being a survivor but also for having the ability to tackle the trail and not break a sweat.
Might be fun, but that 440 is going to get 8-10 MPG on the road, off road is anyone’s bet. Still, a nice truck. Too bad it isn’t a tried and true 318.
The 318 would be just as bad as the 440 on gas. It wouldn’t e a daily driver…. I would that the 440 anytime.
Nice truck. There is good reason for the strong interest, it’s a well rounded package, condition, off road package and optional engine only add to the desirability.
The seller stated in his description that it is for sale locally for $29,900 and that he will listen to offers, potentially ending it early.
Steve R
To me something doesn’t look quite right here. I had a 76 Power Wagon with the camper package and looked at several others before buying that one. I looked at a 440 Snow Commander package and a couple of others before buying the one I had, bought new off the dealers lot. This one looks like it has lockout hubs on the front axel from what I’m seeing. Every one I looked at, including the one I bought had the NP203 (think that was the model) transfer case which was a full time unit and did not including locking hubs. Even though it was rust proofed at he dealer, it started rusting out in a few years taking a bunch of repairs to the body and box.
Even the 360 was a thirsty engine and the 440 was worse so be prepared to buy some stock in a gas company before you are done.
If there are locking hubs there, they’re hidden under those huge center caps on the front wheels. I’m guessing it’s a full time 4wd rig like yours with the NP203 t-case. Otherwise it would be very laborious and time-cosuming to get to those locking hubs!
Yeah the horizontal line in the middle of the cap almost looks like a locker, but it’s just the “Adventurer” script on the cap.
Am I the only one flashing back to the Power Wagon that Gerald MacRaney drove in SIMON & SIMON?
first thing i thought of was simon and simon!
The hideous rool bar and push bar need to go… Take the fog lights with them also.
Heathen! Not only do they stay, the truck needs two KC Highliters and a CB radio antenna on the roll bar to be period-correct. White wagon-wheels shod with Goodyear Tracker A-T tires complete The Look.
My red ’75 Adventurer Sport had 3″ wider brushed aluminum trim.
Overspray on drivers side door tag and weatherstripping. Flares were installed at one time.
Looks raised to me
Definitely a beautiful truck, but has a few non-stock things to sort through. The Adventurer badge on the right side of dash should be mounted above the chrome strip, not on top of it. That style of chrome dash trim did not come out until 1977. Power Wagon emblems on door panels have been added on, as they were only used on the hood from the factory. The emblems on the hood are still there, and can be seen in the photos. Axle trusses are visible, and are NOT skid plates by any means, as mentioned in the ad. Truck does not have the factory optional transfer case skid plate, an item you would definitely expect to find on an “Off-Road” package. Dual shocks would be much more useful up front rather than in the rear. Truck does have a 4 inch lift kit. Was probably a hard sell when new in southern California without factory A/C. Factory never does two tone paint in the way this truck is shown to have. Two tone stops right inside the door jamb area, and does not do the entire inside of the doors as is shown here. Ridiculous looking. Despite all this, it is a great and extremely clean truck, and will make any new owner very proud. Hope the new owner keeps it this nice.
After looking at the photos a second time, I see that the radio antenna is not a factory Chrysler antenna, and is also mounted in the wrong place on the fender. Fender on that side may have been replaced, or the truck may have been radio delete from the factory.
Item location:
Etters, Pennsylvania
I graduated high school in 1976. Small farm town in central California. We all drove pickups just like our Dads. Coupla friends had Dodge Power Wagons with 360s and 440s total brute trucks. In fact my Dad ran strictly Dodge 1/2 ton rigs for the men on our 1300 acre ranch. After about 5 years of daily abuse, neglect and generally getting beat on we would then cut off the cab and front suspension, bend the front frame together into a draw bar hitch and use it as a trailer until finally it gave up the ghost. GM definitely had the corner on styling but Dodge always left the boxing ring last…IMHO.