This 1948 Dodge Power Wagon was found on Craigslist in the hills north of Los Angeles. The frame is gone, but a donor with original MU-2 winch was found along with a new bed and disc brakes front and rear. Originally I planned to use the donor frame, but as costs added up, plans changed significantly.
Keeping a factory frame and making a great driver seemed inconsistent, so I sourced a Tisdale Coachworks custom frame. This linked suspension frame is built from 3/8 CAD bent steel rails. It features a full power train from B&R Auto Wrecking- a 5.7 Hemi, 545RFE and NV271, AAM axles, and 6 bolt steering. These came out of 2005, 2007, and 2018 Ram 2500s.
The truck cab and all sheet metal were sandblasted and zinc powder coated. The firewall and dash were sourced and replaced from a donor vehicle. New doors, bed, and running boards all came from Tisdale Coachworks.
The 5.7 got a few upgrades including a camshaft from Comp Cams, MSD coils, Flowtech headers, a Holley fuel system, and full harness from Hotwire Auto.
The axles got 4.56 gears from G2, an AAM e-locker front and limited slip rear, and G2 diff covers. The front axle got Yukon Free Spin hubs for better drivability. R1 Concepts Geomet slotted and drilled rotors and Heavy Duty pads will stop this truck easy via PowerStop coated calipers.
The shocks on this truck are 2.5” Fox units, custom valved with their DSC adjusters. Springs are from Eibach. An updated Moog steering set will keep the truck going it’s intended direction. The Smittybilt 17.5K winch replaces the MU-2 equipped from the factory and looks the part.
Wheels and tires are the all new Method 709HD wheels in a 20×9 configuration wearing Mickey Thompson Baja Boss MT 42×13.5R20 tires. The Methods got custom painted trim rings to match the truck. The 42s will give the look this truck needs.
Aries power steps got custom mounts to tuck under the factory running boards and give some hope of getting in easily.
Inside the cab a Wilwood pedal and Baer master cylinder provide stopping power. Steering comes via a Flaming River tilt column and Grant wood steering wheel. The back seat from a Chevy Colorado mounts to a custom base. Autometer gauges will provide the necessary information on the 5.7. A Restomod Air system was added to keep things comfortable.
3″ stainless exhaust runs through an X pipe and Dynomax mufflers to let the hemi breathe.
Power Wagon specific parts came from both Vintage Power Wagons and DCM classics including a new windshield frame and glass for the truck, as well as a new stamped Dodge tailgate and wood for the bed.
Lots of people have been involved with this build so far, I post updates to @jhettinga1 on Instagram whenever I get the chance to work on it.
Images
Parts on the Truck
Parts on this truck have come from a number of great companies (links below) including:
G2 Axle gears, lockers, differential covers
MSD coils, plug wires, Holley fuel system, Flowtech headers
Wilwood pedal and master cylinder