Power Wagon Resto-Mod Thread...

[Nor'Easter]

I have this build on a couple of forums but I figure all you folks would enjoy following along too!


The build will be as follows:


'96 180hp Cummins, mild pump mods, injectors, maybe a 62 or 63mm turbo.

G56, after towing with my friends 24v 6 speed, I'll never buy another 5 speed

NP241DHD, currently 23 spline. The input swap is very easy and I've done it before.

Dana 70 rear.

Standard DRW Dana 60 in front.

Full air bag suspension, 100% fabbed by myself, only utilizing some premade bag brackets. Rear will be parallel four link with track bar, front will be radius arm/coilovers with track bar. 2"x.25 wall DOM, 3/8" brackets all around.

Body will be left stock as it carries the Maine Forest Service badges, a piece of history that could not be duplicated properly. I'll build a doghouse to let the engine sit under the cowl of the cab.

Radius arms are done, just need to do the final welding. Got the 38x13.5R20 Toyos in but I am going to bring them back and get 40x15.5s as these aren't tall or wide enough. (done, see below)

And I bought a mill which I'm sure will come in handy for this builds somewhere.

 

[Nor'Easter]

Made up some pieces to do the duty of coilover until I get around to ordering them. Other than getting those in and installed, the suspension is totally done, which I am stoked on. Pretty good for two months.

 

[MadMechMaster]

Awesome

 

[koditten]

Please update often. I'm subd.

 

[Giddyup]

I'm impressed, that is some awesome machine. Subscribing, update often please....

 

[HOTFR8]

Now this project I like. The Cummins engine was the choice when I built my F4 (HOTFR-8) but you will have to explain to me the gearbox and what it is from and is it auto or manual ?

 

[tarbellb]

Impressive, making it look simple.

I love those old Power Wagons.

 

[APEowner]

Cool build. Really nice Fab work. How long is that track bar? It seems kind of short in the pictures and I wonder if it's going to result in some weird rear steer over bumps.

 

[FullRaceMerc]

Very cool. Subscribed.

 

[countryroad82]

Awesome! Keep us updated!

 

[Farmall 1066]

Very cool, and great fab work! Subscribed!

 

[Mgnu]

Wow! I've always wanted a resto mod Powerwagon! Nicely done, and your welding skills look amazing to me.

 

[jhn9840]

Very nice. Those welds are premium grade. Sounds like you got some other projects out there. Feel free to post those up as well.

jhn9840
John

 

[creativecars]

Impressive mods and heavy duty hardware. Very nice welding and fab work. The way its going together the frame looks to be the weak link.

 

[johnbennetch]

You are fulfilling my lifelong dream!!!!!

 

[MarkG]

Looks fun! BTW, I could duplicate the door lettering properly, but it probably wouldn't be worth the hassle for either of us working 'long-distance'! Here's a door I did for another forum member. He wanted the degree of weathering to match the door. Of course, I can leave the weathering new or age it to any degree a customer wants. The pics are kinda in backwards order! :S Keep up the good work!

P.S.---Look around your area for an EXPERIENCED sign painter and drop him a line or visit! He'd be glad for the work and you'll have some cool lettering!

 

[smuniga]

Working on my own '51' Power Wagon. looking forward to following your progress.

 

[sqznby]

Please update often. I'm subd.

THIS

Awesome work

 

[BajaScout]

Working on my own '51' Power Wagon. looking forward to following your progress.

Another nice project! Future plans?

 

[1949 caddyman]

Subscribed to this great build.

 

[smuniga]

Just keeping it stock for now with flat bed similar to pic below.

 

[harrytbagger]

Subscribed. Any history on the old girl.

 

[jeepinerdeep]

Ummmmm. Hell Yeah.

 

[2oolhound]

Nice work! and great to see these other PW's. I'm still hoping to revive mine someday (seen in my avatar) which has been parked for 30 years now 500 miles away. This rig is looking awesome, I'm subscribed too!

 

[Nor'Easter]

Wow what a response! Thanks guys!


Sure, a little history. As the title states it is a 1957. The truck was owned by the Navy, still has the Navy data plate on the firewall. After the Navy decommissioned the truck, it was given to the Maine State Forest Service, where it was used as a general transportation vehicle for a seemingly important ranger. When I cleaned it out I found an unused book of burn permits as well as some permits that had be written but never delivered. After the State of Maine was done with it, it went to the town of Rockland, Maine where it was used by the public works as a water truck. At that time the truck was stolen, and driven into a ditch. The tank full of water broke free from the bed, and put a huge dent in the cab (that I've mostly popped out) and the ditch bent the driverside fender.

It was then sold to the gentleman I bought it from. I actually was selling another 'Wagon when he sent me an email saying he was looking to sell the two he owned. I went and looked at them and we made a deal on the spot. I got them home before I sold my first one so I did, for a few weeks, have 3 'Wagons in the driveway.

As to answering questions:

Track bar angle, yes I am a little unhappy with the angle, however the lateral movement on full compression is under 1/2", so I am going to run it for now. If it ends up being a problem I can fix it.

Transmission, the G56 is the 6 speed manual found behind 2005.5+ Dodge Ram trucks with a Cummins engine. It is an aluminum case synchro'd transmission. It's one downfall is case flex under high horsepower applications, meaning the main and countershafts push against each other so hard that the case flexes, gear mesh becomes inconsistent, and the gears either chip, strip, or fail completely. Luckily there are a few companies out there that produced a girdle that straddles the points where the two shafts are supported, thus reducing the case flex.

To the sign painter who responded, right now I plan on keeping the body as is, as it's a pretty cool piece of history. In a year or two I will do a complete restoration, although I have no decided how it will end up looking. The good news is that I've spoken with the ranger who oversees all vehicles owned by the Forest Service and he said that I am free to use the badges as long as it isn't for anything suspicious or illegal.

While the other two are now sold, these are the rigs I had in the yard all at once. The '47 was in pieces, as you can see.

And this was the truck I actually finished this spring, and later sold. Full frame off restoration, twin turbo Cummins diesel, the whole nine yards.

 

[magrahamkp08]

this is a dream build for me
can't wait to see it finished

 

[MP&C]

Mike, some nice projects you have there. "The Key to Metal Bumping" is a good resource for learning the where, why, and how to's of removing the dent in that front fender, although the thickness will be your biggest challenge. Check on Amazon for some of the better prices for the book. That panel doesn't appear to have much shape, it looks more of just a roll. You may find it easier to make a new one rather than fighting removal of the creases..

 

[Nor'Easter]

Mike, some nice projects you have there. "The Key to Metal Bumping" is a good resource for learning the where, why, and how to's of removing the dent in that front fender, although the thickness will be your biggest challenge. Check on Amazon for some of the better prices for the book. That panel doesn't appear to have much shape, it looks more of just a roll. You may find it easier to make a new one rather than fighting removal of the creases..

Thanks Robert! There is a guy in that makes repro PW sheetmetal but he has not finished fenders yet. It is just a roll and lip, but I don't currently have the equipment to make one. Other option is buying one, in used needs work shape they still go for $350!

 

[Grizzly Guy]

Your fabrication skills look great.I really like those old PWs.

 

[cwh]

Craigslist searches for "Power Wagon" have tripled because of this thread.

Looks awesome - looking forward to the progress pictures.

 

[Hammer1963]

Man, this is an awesome project. I like that it's not the same old thing. Your fab skills are top notch. I'm guessing you have oval track or road racer building experience in your background. Just a hunch looking at your style of fabricating.

 

[Strouty]

Looks great so far, my Dad is building up one of the carry all versions. He has an F350 diesel drivetrain under it, he has put the project on the back burner, but it still looks cool. IMO the cabs are much nicer looking than the carry alls, I almost bought one myself from New Hampshire, but I waited a couple days too long and it was gone.

 

[IRQVET]

Love this thread . . . those look like some fun projects!

 

[dwysywd]

Wow...just wow... My brother is building m37 1961 PW. Similar. Shared this with him!

 

[CudaChick1968]

Subscribed!!!

 

[csp]

What is this piece?

I'm also curious what determines which parts are bolted vs welded? Seems that a lot of bracketry is bolted to the frame.

Nice workmanship!

 

[Nor'Easter]

What is this piece?



I'm also curious what determines which parts are bolted vs welded? Seems that a lot of bracketry is bolted to the frame.

Nice workmanship!

That is the rear support of the hitch.

99% of all the required brackets are bolted on because I'm not a fan of bastardizing a beautiful frame. And, should I ever want to return it to stock, I just unbolt everything, rather than spend days cutting a grinding and possibly damaging the frame itself.

 

[Rocker4x4]

Nice build! I did a little newer PW build few years ago, a 1979 step side! Man I miss that truck,,haha, Looks like your doing this right the first time and not cutting any corners! So I hope your doing away with the junk 2-piece fly wheel that the G56 had and go to single with a good clutch. I had one that caused a lot of problems until I change to a South Bend dual disk! Keep the pics coming!

 

[Ironhorse74]

I have wanted to do the same build. I will be waiting for the next installment.

Brad

 

[NakeDiesel]

I have a '46 power wagon body on my 12 valve mud race truck on a shortened 96 dodge frame. Good work so far.

Here is my spooling up at the starting line: