If you are looking for a serious statement in the truck realm, this Power Wagon will resonate. It’s a one-ton, it’s a dually, it’s a 4×4 – and it’s orange. Listed here on eBay for $24,500 with the option to make an offer, this truck is located in Dixon, California. The drivetrain is original, though components have been repaired as needed. Don’t look for comfort enhancements, however: it remains “a rugged tank”, just as it came from Dodge in 1964. The Power Wagon market is a niche-y space with certain models selling for six figures – let’s see if the price on this one makes sense.
The base model W300 was supplied with a 251 cu. in. flathead six (light-duty W100s and W200s received the new 225 slant six), but this one is optioned with Chrysler’s robust 318 cu. in. poly V8, bringing a boost to 200 hp and 290 lb-ft of torque. An NP420 four-speed manual with three synchros handles gear changes; the 4WD components include an NP201 transfer case coupled with Dana 70 front and rear axles. The seller tallies several repairs and improvements, from new brakes and master cylinder to a rebuilt carb, fuel pump, and starter. The front driveshaft is new, and the fuel tank was relocated to the bed. The original PTO winch is included in the sale.
Restore that steering wheel and call it good here – everything else is in near-show condition. The headliner and dual sun visors are perfect. All electrical components are in working order.
The bed is 9′ long, and this is a rare step-side body. The tailgate is new, the bumpers were custom-fabricated and powder-coated, and the top of the cab was recently repainted. A few rust spots are showing up – on the door corners, a fender, beneath the hood. The underside is another reminder that the tin worm never sleeps. Writing “Power Wagon” on your bucket list is akin to listing “Porsche 911”: the question is, which one? Early flat-fendered Power Wagons can pull six figures, like this 1946 WDX; stock W100s will sell at $25k all day long; nice early W300s might bring $50k. These square-bodied trucks are at the low end of the price spectrum. What would you pay for this tough truck?
This is one cool truck,if you have a use for it.
When I ran the Lord Ellis Hillclimb around 1982,
I drove the local dealer’s Dodge tow truck,towing
our ’79 Ford Fiesta.
At first I grumbled about having to drive it,but
by the time I got to the hillclimb I was thinking what
a great driving truck it was.It climbed right up the hills.
It turned out to work out well,as I did a slow roll,
totaling the Fiesta while running the hillclimb,so I had
a way to get it back home.
1st, and foremost, a quick salute to the people who lost their lives on this day, 25 years ago. I think we all remember where we were, and changed our lives forever.
When this truck was new, we were recovering from another significant chapter in US history, and a different world it was. Today, this truck can be paraded around with flowers in the bed, but in ’64, the original purpose of this truck was remarkably different. It was all business, and used as such. Typically, any heavy duty 4×4 of this nature, not a 4×6, as I read 4×4 is determined by the number of drive axles, not how many tires,, was strictly a large scale plow vehicle. Plowing snow is probably the hardest application for a truck, and needs to be this heavy duty. Stadiums, airports, and such. It really had no other purpose, and garnered a spot in the corner of a municipal garage most of its life. I’m not sure future generations will be aware of its shortcomings, nothing today could prepare someone for this. It embodies everything an old truck represents. Fantastic find.
And another thing, I’d like to thank Jesse and the staff for being genuinely concerned about their members. He wants things to go smoothly and surely has their hands full. In case some may have not noticed, there has been a shift to more plausible offerings, and at this time, anyone considering a membership, and you long time holdouts, by all means don’t delay. As one of the oldest members here, and self-appointed recruiter, I feel I have the qualifications to say that. I kvetch about the moderation thing, but merely a safeguard for the ones that aren’t as appreciative. Their loss.
And, of course, it should, nay must be said,,,MORE TRUCKS PLEASE!! :)
Amen, brother.
An old friend of mine named Ralph Gaines had the crew cab version of this truck in the mid ’70s. It was painted that commercial mint green with white trim. He and his wife Darlene owned a small diner that
was just up the street from my
parent’s house and that’s where I
hung out when I wasn’t touring. He’d tell about the truck and what
he’d done to it since I’d last seen
them over one of their town famous patty melts with a heaping order of crinkle fries. Well, when the 318 took a 💩,
Ralph swapped in a 413 V-8 out of a ’64 New Yorker that was rusted beyond use. That truck was a real beast! No matter the
weather, that truck always got through and the diner was always
open. What I wouldn’t give for one of their patty melts, those crinkle fries, a large iced tea, and
being able to sit at the counter and shoot the breeze with Ralph,
Darlene, and all my friends who
went there (sigh)
A serious truck. A very cool, serious truck. It surely must be a beast to drive. But fun.
Thanks Michelle.
Amen, brother.
What an Awesome truck!!! Thank you Michelle for the write up.. And again our great Howard has hit the high points. Welcome back!!! This truck will haul and/or tow anything you want, but not very fast as it is probably geared very low. I see it has a trailer brake module installed. Although it would be best used on a hobby farm/ranch, It would be very useful for almost any home owner. As well as being a turnkey entry vehicle into the historic truck hobby. Definitely a conversation starter at any event you took it to!!
That looks like a LA 318, not a poly. Either way I would love to have it in my garage.
This truck is painful to drive, an automatic transmission would be welcomed and take some of the edge off
I disagree – the tow truck I drove was a 4 speed,it
drove like a truck – I mean that in a good way.
I’m seeing a newer 318/340/360 in there.
I would put a Cummins straight 6 or a 6/ 71 Detroit.
TOO HEAVY!!!!! Even with this 1 ton suspension you would be overloading the steering axle. Besides this truck is all original!!! The only engine upgrade needed would be necessary if this one goes sour, Then replace it with a larger MOPAR V-8 engine.
You will definitely know you’re driving a truck!
And the grandkids would love it.
A full, [super?] sized Tonka Toy.
Where to contact the owner … I want it!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/287565448036?mkcid=1&mkrid=711-53200-19255-0&siteid=0&campid=5336858830&customid=953429&toolid=10001&mkevt=1
National School Bus Yellow is the color not Orange. Nice looking truck though! I have a 69 Ford that is the same color but is called Chrome Yellow
Vy. Cool Ride.
25yrs. Never forget. God bless America
Purists… don’t read this!
If it were mine (dreaming) I’d pull the front bumper and steps, shorten the bed to the fenders and swap in a 12 valve.
Go crawling.
I really like the stepside dually bed. Its very unique. I can’t add anything of any value here, other than, this, is a truck. Definitely built to work. I’m glad that it’s so nicely restored. And in original condition. I’d have a blast driving this beast. Even if it’ll only do 45 flat out due to the low gears. I’d love it. Thank you Michelle this is great!!!
Back when 4WD was required and meant it was mandatory for real work. Wonder if geomechs came across these ones.
It was a great idea to relocate the fuel tank to the bed. It would add to it if there was some protective welding in place to prevent anything from hitting it, like a stack of 6×6 PT beams or cast iron conduit. After all, it’s not built for getting ice cream. Just my $.02
I’ve had old trucks for years, including ’60’s W200 Power Wagons, and hi-boy F250, all with the fuel tanks in the cab. I always figured it was the best place for it. It left the frame free for mounting equipment (dump hoists, for example), protected the tank from rust and punctures, and inside the cab was a well protected location in a collision. I always figured if I got hit hard enough to rupture an in-cab tank, I probably wouldn’t have survived the collision. Mercifully I never tested my theory!
The better place for mounting is actually between the frame rails with a skid plate for protection. See below: https://www.bing.com/search?q=is+an+out+cab+relocation+for+fuel+tanks+on+older+pickups+a+safe+idea&form=ANNTH1&refig=6aa4c7bc6b804b00be6626d1d30ce6d8&pc=EDGEDS E. BTW—I’d be willing to bet this Power Wagon doesn’t have a collapsing steering column as well
That is not a Poly Engine.
They never made 4×4 long bed step side dually dodge trucks , also the article is correct that it should have a ” poly ” 318 , but the engine in it is a newer LA version
Don’t get me wrong it’s an Awesome looking truck , just Not real
I love it, very cool truck. But if I’m buying a Power Wagon, it’s got to be a flat fender!
Great Dodge Power wagon.Built at a time when quality matters
I worked for the USFS a few times while going through college. The Routt Forest had one, non-dually but all the rest. We used it up Beaver Creek to trim buck brush all summer, narrow two track road ?? , great vehicle. Go anywhere. Believe e it was a slant 6, 4 spd, narrow box. Green, of course.
Fordfixer makes a good point. Hardly anyone would believe how a slant 6 in one of these makes a very satisfactory engine for a real work truck. I plowed snow with our W200 with a 6, and I had no fault to find with its performance, even with heavy wet snowfalls. I also worked with a nearby farmer who sold wood as a sideline. He had a D500 with a slant 6, the same 4 speed as this truck, and a two-speed rear axle. He had a14 foot bed with about 4 foot sideboards, and we loaded that truck to the hilt. It may not have been the fastest truck on the road, but it kept up nicely on our local secondary roads. 8’s are great for play and travel, but for real work, give me a straight 6 any day. (Don’t forget that in-line 6 cylinder Diesels are under the hood of 95% of the heavy trucks and semi-tractors in this country–there must be a reason! 6’s are inherently more well balanced than any other cylinder configuration. The Ford 300ci, the Chevy/GMC 292 and the Slant 6 are testimony to that!)