The Power Wagon was the name used on Dodge’s four-wheel-drive, light, and medium-duty trucks that were produced for more than 35 years (1945-80). It was revived in 2005 and is part of the Ram 2500 models today. This edition, from 1978, has been in the same family since it was new but has not been registered in more than 20 years. Our thanks to T.J. for this tip from a barn in Blue Springs, Missouri where this old truck is available here on craigslist for $3,000.
From the fender script, this looks like a 100 series long-wheelbase truck, making it a ½ ton model. Those were first available in 1957. Dodge’s trucks would receive fresh styling in 1972, carrying over through 1980 and including the seller’s old workhorse. The previous owners of this Power Wagon like to hold on to things as this pickup was in their possession for more than four decades. It lived on a farm all its life and entered the barn for the last time 20 years ago (until the seller rescued it).
Under the hood is Chrysler’s tried-and-true 318 cubic inch V8, which the seller got to start up simply by installing a new battery and putting in some fresh gas. But that makes it far from roadworthy and a thorough going over will surely reveal the need for a variety of work. We’re told the tires have loads of tread left, but I wouldn’t trust them after all this time. The V8 is paired with a 4-speed manual transmission and 4WD transfer case.
The body looks to be in solid condition except for the big dent in the right rear panel. Rust doesn’t seem to be a huge issue and the bed floor looks in surprisingly good condition. Not much is seen of the interior, but perhaps new seat covers and a headliner would make its day. This old truck has 74,000 miles on the odometer, but we’re told it turned over, so this farmhand has seen plenty of use over the years. Would you restore it or just get it running and use it as-is?
Honestly, this is a great price for an inexpensive-ish restoration.These trucks are dead simple to work on.
Looks like there’s already been some work done on the brakes with a new master cylinder and brake lines. You might as well chuck the bed and get yourself another one. In addition to the big dent, there’s also rust along the upper portion of the wheel well and that’s not counting on what the other side looks like. The price though, I think makes this a candidate for restoration. That 318 will run forever but I imagine it will in the not too distant future require a re-build.
My old man had one that looked like this one, but it was a Club Cab, had an automatic transmission, and wasn’t four wheel. I’ll be damned though; other than the Club Cab extension I had to take a double-take!