Posted by Jonas on Wednesday, June 25, 2003 at 8:28PM :
In that pile of parts I got there were a set of Power-Wagon wheels that were modified (offset changed) to run duals on the back. I have seen a couple of pictures of the 1/2 ton WC's running duals, but none of the Power-Wagons.
I have a rolling chassis with no bed.
Uh Oh!!
I was thinking of building a 9' flatbed, with modular sides. Meaning that you could run duals or singles with it. I would make it so that there were removeable side extensions to cover the outer wheels, then if you wanted to run just the singles, you could pull out a couple of pins and pull the extensions out and stow them vertically along the sides of the deck, making them into your sideboards.
The reason I'm thinking a 9' long deck is that I have a Miller 300 amp welder that I would like to mount crossways behind the cab. The welder is 5' long, by 2' wide. I'd still have 7 feet of cargo space to the edge without too much overhang off the back.
Also, since I'm dreaming here with the parts I have at hand...
I have that 413 BB motor with a attached NP 540 5 speed, I also have a 291 desoto hemi with a attached 5 speed. They both have single direction PTO's on them on the passenger side. I could use The Helitool v8 kit to put in the 413. I have heard that there are cooling problems with the big blocks in the Power-Wagons because theres not enough air flowing past the engine. I would think a set of well placed louvers in the top of the hood would solve that problem, maby also change the direction of the louvers in the inner fender wells. Or maby I could just fabricate a new set of hood side panels with louvers that are vertical like the ones founr on the WWII internationals. Combination of all three? The 413 I have has a fresh rebuild on it.
Another consideration... the nostalga of the low deck Hemi. It will fit in the engine compartment a bit better than the big block. No need for louvering the hood or customizing out a radiator as would be needed with the big block. Condition of the hemi is unknown, said to be a runner, and it does turn over by hand, but rebuilds on those motors can get quite expensive.
I have a centered rear axle and a set of 4.89 gears. The v8 may sound a bit of overkill, but I've never heard anyone complain of too much horsepower, especially with all the weight (steel bed, welder, cutting torches, associated tools and equipment) I'll be hauling around.
I'd also run the single direction PTO to a Hydraulic pump to drive a Koening 15K winch off the front bumper. Hydraulic winches are nice, because it's a true 1 man winching operation (considering you have a good set of wheel chocks down!)
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