This 1978 Dodge Power Wagon appears to be a genuine “Macho” edition, part of Dodge’s loud and proud lineup of Adult Toys. The Macho models featured some cosmetic upgrades from non-Macho editions, including body graphics and a roll bar in the bed, along with oversized tires. While many of these trucks disappeared due to abuse or because the original graphics were covered up, there’s no doubting this one as the real deal. Find it here on eBay with a suggested opening bid of $1,251 and no action yet.
Once clear of the weeds, the Power Wagon looks surprisingly complete, with many of the original clues as to its Macho configuration still plainly visible. The graphics kit, big tires, roll bar, and tailgate decor are all surprisingly still present. With so many of these original Macho models gone due to retirement in a junkyard or because those sweet original factory graphics simply disappeared over time, this is an exciting find for anyone looking to own an original Adult Toys model. Unfortunately, it does have a fair amount of rust in the fenders and door edges.
Given how high it sits off the ground and its location in Maryland, I’m surprised to see it sporting as much corrosion as it is. Perhaps it came from up north, or was ridden hard and put away wet. The interior doesn’t look nearly as bad as those rusty areas and is surviving well, all things considered. The buckets show far less wear and tear than you’d expect, but the driver’s seat will still need some work where the center section has peeled away. The dash and door panels appear un-messed with. Likewise, even the original carpets look clean and definitely usable as-is.
Out back, the tailgate may as well be the holy grail for anyone who is a Dodge collector and hunting for an authentic Adult Toys model. This is the ultimate proof that you own one of the baddest Dodge trucks made in the 1970s, as no one will doubt you drive a brute so tough they named it the Power Wagon. Overall, this truck is a mixed bag, with some details that point to a caring owner at some time in its history, while others suggest it’s been neglected for a while. Surely, though, it is at least worth the opening bid amount – right?
I will send Simon and Simon older brother Rick over to check it out in case its his old TV show prop from the 1980s 😎
FYI- i give kudos for not having a cra cra opening bid on the power wagon 👍
This is a 78 model. Their truck(s) .The first one was a 1949 model .Then later on the brought in a 1980,but painted it to look like the first one. I really like it-the dog and all the cast.Great show.
I helped out on the car crew when Simon & Simon came to San Diego, ’83-’87. They had two trucks, mostly matching, and constantly deteriorating on the OUTSIDE. McRaney was a bit of a clean freak, against type, so the interiors were SPOTLESS.
The Camaros were shiny 50-footer junk. One had been ‘Scheibed’ six times in three years.
What is this ? Obscure Chrysler product day
I sure hope he didn’t fall off of the garage roof taking some of those shots, but you really have to give this seller credit for taking all of those pictures.
As for the truck, I’m digging it! It is what it is and it is going to need a lot of work if want to restore this, but I think I would just go over it mechanically and drive it as is.
Roll bar, bucket seats, black bumpers, looks authentic. Should say PX9 on the underhood metal tag if still present. I own a very nice survivor Sunrise Orange 78 Macho, they are fun trucks. More info can be found here. http://machopowerwagon.com/jmnruf/macho_index.html
I notice it had a chrome bumper on the back and black one on the rear. I also noticed you are as much into your Dodge and I am into my 78 bronco,s. One has the chrome bumper on the front and black on the rear (Custom) and Ranger XLT(has both bumpers chromed. ) I like anything from 85 on back–truck or car
Is the saftey tape original too. I noticed it on both bumpers
1978—One thing for sure. Dodge put out ALOT better truck then they do now. Look at that dash. In good shape. Look at a 1996-2002 and look at the CHEAP BROKEN UP UNSAFE DASH WITH JAGGED EDGES. Put $4,000 in this truck and you have something. I love it.What about the engine–transmission and rear-end? It has no pictures or mention about them. These older Dodge truck would go alot better on slick roads then these new ones too. Plus it has a gear shift.Now Dodge is built so cheap.They replaced it with a knob. Chrysler is really getting cheap made ,but still saleing for way over high prices.
Not sure where you get your information, but Dodge builds a solid truck these days. I’ve had a 1993, 2003 and 2008 Ram 1500’s. The 93 got T-boned with 400K miles and it was still running strong. The 2003 is still going with almost 300K miles. The 2008 has about 275K miles and still running strong. The interiors on all three vehicles were/are in excellent condition. If you take care of your vehicles, they take care of you. If you don’t… then you have garbage… no matter what brand.
Lance the mileage on these late and new model vehicles ARE NOT accurate. I parked my 2001 Ram one evening and wrote the mileage down. The reaso is I had filled the tank and noticed when it reached 30,000 it started jumping up real fast. The next day I got in the truck and started it up and just glanced down. Over night–while it was parked. Had registered 95 miles. They late and new models also register miles when you back up. Its electonic controled. Mine went from 30,000 miles to 70,000 in about 6 months. The omly reason I can figure it out is the companys want the warraty to run out quick.So they don,t have to pay for anything. In 1974 I bought a 71 sweepline .The side of the bed was already rusted bad. I think abut 1970-74 all makes rusted bad. Start watching and keeping track of the mileage.
Very interesting find! Love the old Power Wagons, even if they were 1/2 gimmic and 1/2 paint (318? My gramma had a 318 in her cordoba, AND Rich Cotintian Leather) Please tell Rick this isn’t his old truck.. Sad to see all the rust. Hope the new owner does this truck right…
Located on the shores of Chesapeake Bay, at 79 feet elevation, I’m quite surprised to see this not be a total rotbox! No plastic inner fender liners caused these to vanish from PA roads often before the loan was paid off.
Engine choices were better than Ford or Chevy, 225 six, 318, 360, 400, and 440.
If it’s not frame rotted it’s a good starting point for a restoration.
You’re wasting your time ( and money) trying to restore this thing. Get ‘er running, get a brake or 2 working, and hang a plow it. The farm I lived on had a 4×4 Dodge like this. It’s deplorable, yet still functioning condition, is a testament to how tough these are. I think that’s a 360, that’s what the farm truck had. 318’s were on their way out. You’d be nuts to restore this. Plow truck.
The small Carter 2 barrel says it is indeed a 318.
360 2 barrels we’re a big Holley 3220/2245, which had a different bolt pattern and weren’t interchangeable with the 318 Carter.
I,d rather have the 318. Seems you saw less of them blown up. I guess the 318 thicker cylinder walls made it stronger. I ran a 428 in my Fairlane and blew the INSIDE CYLINDER WALL. After tearing it apart. I seen how thin it was. Its one reason I stay away from bored motor. These old 318 are tough motors. I have one in my 71 . The Sox and Martin racing team proved it with their tow station wagon. They drained all the fluids out of it.Started it up. Put a brick on the gas pedal and set back for a good while.Till it over heated and quit. They let it cool down.Put the fluids–yes–oil and water –back in.Hit the starter. It took off and purred like a kitten. Then they decided to keep it and they started towing with it again. That is what you call a good motor. Try that today hahaha, Thanks Emmet
Now people are collecting these Howard and are bringing good money . It would be a good project for some to do. I have a 2001 that has a 318 in it. Bought it in 2002. I DO NOT KNOW–IF IT IS THE ORIGINAL MOTOR. Last year I had to do some work on the rear-end and could find parts for it. Come to find out–buy taking the parts and matching the numbers. It has a 1996 rear-end under it. I also have a 1971 with the 318. It ran alot better and held to the road better. I would much rather fix this one up. Then sink money in a new one. and watch the sun cook the high price–CHEAP PARTS AWAY. HAHAHA. I hope the frame looks as good as the body. It might have low miles with a blown motor or something. Maybe they just got another vehicle and park this one.Who knows what. Hope it also has a title and they can get it in their name without any problems.
The S&S truck was a long bed 👍
More of a long distance off road type of truck with the 318 2 barrel which is stated in the ad. I wonder how long a tank of gas would last out in the hills in four wheel low if it had a 440, low gears, and a granny 4 speed?
I like this body style, which was around for some time, more than the “big truck” ’94 and up. Roomy cab too, this truck could be a nice rig.
Bucket seat from a dodge van will bolt in. Did that on my 85 ramcherger when the seat back broke
have a friend with a 1986 Rod Hall Special factory roll bar. kinda same paint rollbar, bracings on front rear axles, 360 2 bbl, some had duel shocks and BIG sway bars
The picture of it in the weeds looked like it stalled out on the way to push it into a creek, and for laughs they put it on line, cause the tractor wouldn’t start to tow it the rest of the way
funny ain’t it if this was a chev blazer or a rusty ford bronco you guys would heaping praise to no end on it, this dodge is away better truck hands down than the other 2 ,you gonna tell me a bronco with a 400 v8 is good on gas! not!!! I laugh at these fools who buy 4x4s with 4.11 gears stick big tires and lift kits on them and get 6 miles per gallon and think there cool good for them and oh ya paint them flat black!
Not all Jerry. I have all three and each one has the good and bad. Hell yes I like this Dodge and would like to own it and tinker on it.hahaha
It’s A DODGE,,,,
RUN IT
WHEEL IT
BEAT IT
JUST LIKE THE ENGIZER BUNNY
KEEPS ON TICKIN………
Eh, They rusted away in the 70’s just sitting. My Dad had a 3/4 ton Dodge Van. It had spray foam all over from the factory and a section over the rear wheel well rusted through in about 4 years. The the rest went with the floors going. I am always amazed when I see one from then, since it is rare.
Great trucks, love the Adult Toys editions. There are codes on the body tag to confirm originality of this option package. Hope this one gets restored. Phoenix Graphix is one business that offers the replacement decal sets for these.