Posted by Chris Lube Lublin on Monday, November 06, 2000 at 01:49:57:
In Reply to: Why like powerwagons? posted by Melissa on Sunday, November 05, 2000 at 13:06:43:
For Starters:
A Few years ago 'Petersens' 4Wheel and Off Road' Magazine did a feature that named what their editors considerd to be the best trucks made, and the origional 46-68 Dodge Power Wagon made the top 10 in the "Just plain Coolest" Category.
The 46-68 Dodge Power Wagon is quite a beast itself. The Basic truck was tested thru the Rigors of WWII (in Various forms of the WC) and when the war was over was redesigned a bit to adapt it to civilian use and given a rating of one ton payload capacity (capable of hauling much more tho) The truck is very very simple in nature and easy to service. With a Crecent wrech, hammer and a couple of screw drivers, you could do almost any repair or service on it...Try that on a new one! They are also very utiliarian and even tractor like in nature, the Power Wagon rides like the proverbial "Lumber Wagon" and is harsh and noisy and slow! the old flat six is matched well and has decent power for the gearing and weight rating, but dont expect to go too much faster than 40 MPH in stock form. This is definatly a truck by all definitions. The brakes are poor by todays standards and dont take too well to panic stops They are not very comfortable, and double clutching takes time to master. you gotta love having to engage the starter with a pedal tho. Also those big flat front fenders are great for tool trays during engine maintence :))
If he has a 57-60 Power Giant Civilian W-series, (since you did not specify which, I will go into details of all the eras) he has the option for V8 Power and somewhat better rear gearing. Also very very few of these trucks of this era come with Power Steering and automatic. the ride is not much better either. And the '58 Dodge trucks are sooo ugly they are cool.
My personal favorite are the 61-71 or Sweptline trucks. These trucks have a very high stock height which is good for off roading as well as ground clearence in snow and such. They are the best in my mind and if I go into further details, I will write a book on them!
'72-74 are Ok. They have the basically same drivetrain as the 69-71, and such but a newer more comfortable cab as well as more options. The 75-79 I am not too crazy about the full time 4X4, BUT in this era, you get some cool trucs like the military M-880 series, the Warlock optional Power Wagon, The Macho Power Wagons as well as Ramchargers with many other options. By this era the Power Wagon has Civilized to the point of almost being car like in nature.
The 1980 model was the last year the Power Wagon name was used..This truck is bascially the same as the 79 BUT were better I THINK because they went back to part time 4X4 and Lock out hubs.
The People who mess with Power Wagons or should I say Dodge trucks seem to be the best ones I have encountered. I have played with many other Vehicles and types of vehicles, but the Older Dodge people seem to be the most helpfull and assiting and easiest to deal with of them all.
The Power Wagon seems to be a manly macho image thing. It is the kind of vehicle you would expect a Flannel and jean wearing, boot stompin' Country listening, unshaven, deer huntin' backwoods redneck type of truck. Atleast I fit that kinda bill. They portray these newer trucks on TV that same way, but they are cars as far as I am concerned.
Besides, you should not pretend to be interested in his new toy, but ask him to use it for something special like suggest a romatic outing starting off as a jaunt down a back country road in the Power Wagon as the leaves start to turn color in the fall. Nothing more relaxing than just toolin around down the back country roads in early fall seeing the colors as well as deer and other animals at play. Once you drive for a bit, suggest he pull over and get out some sandwiches and have a picknick..Why not?
Also take note..Power Wagons or any type of old vehicle tends to "Grown on you" after a while...
I would just LOVE to find a woman with my interest in old iron like old Power Wagons and such... It would make the hobby 100 time more enjoyable not only for me but her as well. Most girls of my generation or so prissy and stuck up they see me as some sort of 'freak' with these old trucks and such.
Power Wagons are not only just plain coolest trucks around, but are also so ugly they are cool!
Good luck with yer man and his new toy.