The Willys Jeep gets all of the credit when it comes to World War II-era vehicles that found a place in society after their military service, but the Dodge Power Wagon (the flat-tendered military-style type based upon the Dodge WC truck) did pretty well for itself, lasting with minimal changes until 1971, while sticking with the layout that they had since They were seriously geared down (5.83 gears!) so that the flathead six cylinder engine could put all of it’s horsepower to work, so while we love the big lumbering beasts, daily driving one is pretty much shot…unless, of course, you don’t mind a line of cars stretching behind you on even the most quiet country road possible.
That makes this custom 1947 Dodge Power Wagon 6×6 creation that much better. Not only is it mostly restored and visually gorgeous…and did we mention the six-wheel-drive part yet?-but the builder retrofit a Cummins 4BT turbo diesel four and an NV3500 five-speed manual into the Dodge. Now running 4.11 gears in the axles, the Power Wagon is capable of 25 MPG on road trips…which has been proven, according to the seller, on a 3,000 mile Pennsylvania-to-California trip. In low range, the truck will idle along “at a walking pace”, yet it will cruise at 70 MPH on the highway. Don’t worry about brakes, either…there’s a Hydroboost system that works six discs, so you’ll stop just fine. That’s a win-win right there.
The interior has seen the most updating…according to the seller: “A pair of charcoal gray leather buckets replace the original vinyl bench, and while the upgrade makes this Power Wagon strictly a 2-seater, the improvement in comfort is tangible. Other smart changes include a tilt steering column with a pretty wood-rimmed wheel, powerful Vintage Air A/C that’s neatly integrated into the dash, and a touch-screen AM/FM/satellite/iPod/Bluetooth stereo system that folds out of the center of the dash. Those handsome gauges have a vaguely aircraft look to them and monitor all the vitals, including exhaust gas temperature and boost, among others. But the overall shape of the dash will be familiar to any Power Wagon owner and the glove box lid still includes the iconic shift diagrams and warnings about top speed in various gears (all of which are completely moot, by the way). Carpets help control noise and heat and give it a nicely trimmed look, and simple door panels and a standard fiberboard headliner keep the look 100% Dodge. There’s space enough for a six-footer behind the wheel and the commanding view means you’re eye to eye with semi-truck drivers.”
Is this Power Wagon cheap? Oh, hell no. But consider all of the work that has gone into building this iconic vehicle into a perfectly capable, daily-driveable rig while at the same time managing to not spoil the character of the truck, and ask yourself if it’s worth it. In our eyes, if we had the money to burn, we’d go for it. Imagine using this monster to lug around a fifth-wheel camper across the country?
eBay Link: 1947 Dodge Power Wagon
I would only drive this absolute beauty on tarmac roads on dry days as I would hate to get even one speck of mud on it!
Awesome perfection – get an entry to the Pebble Beach concour’s modified/hot rod category and you’d win it outright…
Nice quip about line stretched out behind you. As that has the gearing and nuts to haul a 40′ trailer – do you really even notice who is behind you? I wouldn’t. It’s not perfection because there are better diesels out there, but for longevity (after all, it will take you forever to go across town) and zombie squishing ability… this one is tops. Thanks for Surfing McSas.
It\’s so beautiful, but not 6 figures beautiful. Nothing on it is exactly revolutionary. Seats 2, 4bt isn\’t much for a big truck, and an exhaust hanger at the tip that sticks out like a sore thumb.