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Dodge Power Wagon
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Dodge Power Wagon
The Dodge Power Wagon is a four-wheel drive medium duty truck that was produced in various model series from 1945 to 1980 by Dodge. The Power Wagon name was revived for the 2005 model year as a four-wheel drive version of the Dodge Ram 2500. As a nameplate, "Power Wagon" continues as a special package of the four-wheel drive version of 3/4 ton Ram Trucks 2500 model.
The original civilian version, commonly called the "flat fender" Power Wagon (FFPW) or "Military Type", was mechanically based on Dodge's 3/4-ton WC series of World War II military trucks. The Power Wagon was the first 4x4 medium duty truck produced by a major manufacturer in a civilian version. It represents a significant predecessor to the many modern four-wheel drive trucks in use today. It was marketed as the WDX truck. The 230 cubic inch six cylinder engine in the first Power Wagons was known as the T137 – a name still used for the original series by enthusiasts. Following Chrysler Corporation policy of badge engineering to provide a greater number of sales outlets overseas, Power Wagons were also marketed around the world under the Fargo and De Soto badges.
Starting in the 1957 model year, factory four-wheel-drive versions of the Dodge C Series trucks were produced and sold as the W-100, W-200, W-300, and W-500, alongside the older Power Wagon. The pickups had the "Power Wagon" badge on the fender. The older design Power Wagon was marketed as the "Military Type" to distinguish it from the styled pickup versions. Later the "Military Type" was given the series number W-300M, and ultimately WM-300.
The heavy-duty four-wheel-drive W-300 and W-500 trucks were marketed as "Power Giants". The four-wheel-drive version of the Dodge Town Wagon also got the "Power Wagon" badge. The "Military Type" sales in the United States ended by 1968, because the vehicle did not comply with new federal light-duty truck regulations. The "Power Wagon" options continued on the Dodge D-Series through the 1980 model year. For the 1981 model year, "Power Ram" became the marketing name for four-wheel-drive Ram pickups, and aside from a 1999 concept vehicle, the "Power Wagon" name was not used until the 2004 revival.
The military style Power Wagon had three series during its lifetime, with different model numbers. The nominal one-ton rated Power Wagon's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) was 8,700 pounds. Its maximum payload was 3,000 pounds. It was produced starting in the 1946 model year, and U.S. sales ended in 1968. Export sales continued through 1978.
The civilian Power Wagon continued the lineage of limited production Dodge 4WD trucks from the 1930s, that proved basic four-wheel drive design concepts, primarily for the military. Mechanically derived from Dodge's 1942–1945 3/4-ton WC series military trucks, the Power Wagon was introduced in 1946 as the first civilian production 4x4 truck. During its development phase, it was initially named the WDX General Purpose Truck, a name still used on some of the preliminary materials handed out by Dodge, before sales began in March 1946. The 'W' was a continuation of the 1941–1947 model year series, followed by a 'D' instead of a 'C', because the civilian truck was a 1-ton rating instead of the Army's 3⁄4-ton, and the 'X' was added to indicate four-wheel drive, as opposed to all previous civilian two-wheel driven models.
Meant to compete with military-based Ford/Marmon-Herrington and GMC trucks, it had an enclosed all-weather civilian cab and a purpose-designed 8-foot cargo box. It had a 126-inch (3,200 mm) up to a 147" wheelbase chassis and featured the 230 cubic-inch flathead inline-six engine, a 4-speed manual transmission, a two-speed 1.96-1 ratio low range transfer case for part time 4-wheel drive with a power take off (PTO) which would send power front or rear for operating auxiliary equipment, and 9.00/16-8 ply tires on 16×6.50 inch 5-stud split ring steel rims. In 1961 the 230 was replaced with the 251 cubic-inch flat head six.
Includes the following years and model numbers: 1945-47 WDX; 1948-9 B-1-PW; 1950 B-2-PW; Additional Distinguishing Features: (4) rectangular stake pockets on each side of the bed; round speedometer with a rectangular gauge cluster on each side. The two rectangular gauge housings have the instrument lettering on the glass instead of the face of the gauge.
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Dodge Power Wagon
The Dodge Power Wagon is a four-wheel drive medium duty truck that was produced in various model series from 1945 to 1980 by Dodge. The Power Wagon name was revived for the 2005 model year as a four-wheel drive version of the Dodge Ram 2500. As a nameplate, "Power Wagon" continues as a special package of the four-wheel drive version of 3/4 ton Ram Trucks 2500 model.
The original civilian version, commonly called the "flat fender" Power Wagon (FFPW) or "Military Type", was mechanically based on Dodge's 3/4-ton WC series of World War II military trucks. The Power Wagon was the first 4x4 medium duty truck produced by a major manufacturer in a civilian version. It represents a significant predecessor to the many modern four-wheel drive trucks in use today. It was marketed as the WDX truck. The 230 cubic inch six cylinder engine in the first Power Wagons was known as the T137 – a name still used for the original series by enthusiasts. Following Chrysler Corporation policy of badge engineering to provide a greater number of sales outlets overseas, Power Wagons were also marketed around the world under the Fargo and De Soto badges.
Starting in the 1957 model year, factory four-wheel-drive versions of the Dodge C Series trucks were produced and sold as the W-100, W-200, W-300, and W-500, alongside the older Power Wagon. The pickups had the "Power Wagon" badge on the fender. The older design Power Wagon was marketed as the "Military Type" to distinguish it from the styled pickup versions. Later the "Military Type" was given the series number W-300M, and ultimately WM-300.
The heavy-duty four-wheel-drive W-300 and W-500 trucks were marketed as "Power Giants". The four-wheel-drive version of the Dodge Town Wagon also got the "Power Wagon" badge. The "Military Type" sales in the United States ended by 1968, because the vehicle did not comply with new federal light-duty truck regulations. The "Power Wagon" options continued on the Dodge D-Series through the 1980 model year. For the 1981 model year, "Power Ram" became the marketing name for four-wheel-drive Ram pickups, and aside from a 1999 concept vehicle, the "Power Wagon" name was not used until the 2004 revival.
The military style Power Wagon had three series during its lifetime, with different model numbers. The nominal one-ton rated Power Wagon's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) was 8,700 pounds. Its maximum payload was 3,000 pounds. It was produced starting in the 1946 model year, and U.S. sales ended in 1968. Export sales continued through 1978.
The civilian Power Wagon continued the lineage of limited production Dodge 4WD trucks from the 1930s, that proved basic four-wheel drive design concepts, primarily for the military. Mechanically derived from Dodge's 1942–1945 3/4-ton WC series military trucks, the Power Wagon was introduced in 1946 as the first civilian production 4x4 truck. During its development phase, it was initially named the WDX General Purpose Truck, a name still used on some of the preliminary materials handed out by Dodge, before sales began in March 1946. The 'W' was a continuation of the 1941–1947 model year series, followed by a 'D' instead of a 'C', because the civilian truck was a 1-ton rating instead of the Army's 3⁄4-ton, and the 'X' was added to indicate four-wheel drive, as opposed to all previous civilian two-wheel driven models.
Meant to compete with military-based Ford/Marmon-Herrington and GMC trucks, it had an enclosed all-weather civilian cab and a purpose-designed 8-foot cargo box. It had a 126-inch (3,200 mm) up to a 147" wheelbase chassis and featured the 230 cubic-inch flathead inline-six engine, a 4-speed manual transmission, a two-speed 1.96-1 ratio low range transfer case for part time 4-wheel drive with a power take off (PTO) which would send power front or rear for operating auxiliary equipment, and 9.00/16-8 ply tires on 16×6.50 inch 5-stud split ring steel rims. In 1961 the 230 was replaced with the 251 cubic-inch flat head six.
Includes the following years and model numbers: 1945-47 WDX; 1948-9 B-1-PW; 1950 B-2-PW; Additional Distinguishing Features: (4) rectangular stake pockets on each side of the bed; round speedometer with a rectangular gauge cluster on each side. The two rectangular gauge housings have the instrument lettering on the glass instead of the face of the gauge.