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75' to 78' Power Wagons?

13K views 19 replies 6 participants last post by  440_Offroader 
#1 ·
I've been, to some extent, looking for another truck. I hate starting up my diesel in the winter, just to do a quick trip. Usually need it plugged in for 3 hours first, as well. The RC is too much of a beast to be driving around town too.
I'm looking for:
1975-1978 Power Wagon
Single cab
Big block equipped
Full time 4x4 (should be in these years)
Body in really good shape (hate doing body work)
A driver. Few problems OK, but don't wanna be overhauling everything right off the start

I posted in the Alberta chapter, because I don't really want to ship something in. A truck out of Alberta will require an 'out of province' inspection, which can be a pain.
I'll pay good money for a decent truck... up to 6k. More than that and the truck will probably be too nice to drive around in the winter! I frequently check out kijiji, but if anyone knows of a gem, l could be interested. Thanks!
 
#3 ·
Thanks Chargeabob. I've checked those trucks out, and like you say 'close to what I'm looking for', but I want to hold out on a big block truck. My RC and Challenger are both big blocks, so I've got lots of big block parts. I don't want to start collecting small block parts too! Thanks for looking for me, and the response. Greatly appreciated! {cool}
 
#6 ·
I checked out that truck, and that is exactly what I'm looking for! Ya, I wish there were some of them kicking around up here... for sale!? I've been looking at many ads from down in the US, just to torture myself. If I can't find anything up here in the next year, I may have to do a trip down south to pick up one of them nice trucks!  {cool}
 
#7 ·
I realize that your looking for 75-78 Power Wagon, but my brother currently has an 80 extended cab. I bought it back in 01 at the start of a messy divorce. It's currently parked due to binding in the rear 9 1/4. I'm sure you have seen it around Red Deer. 4' lift 360 4spd brown with tan center stripe, and a fiberglass topper. It has bounced between me and my brother half a dozen times in the last 10 yrs. If your interested I can check if he wants to part with it. We both have to many projects going.
 
#9 ·
Thanks 88raminator, for the info. I'm still holding out for a big block truck though. The reason I'm looking for those years of trucks is for the full time 4x4 and the big block ceased to exist after 78 (unless swapped in). I know most people hate the full time 4x4, but I think they're great for loose traction driving. I imagine the 80' has hubs on it? I'm pretty sure I've seen the truck too. If it's the one parked up in Normandeau/Glendale area with chrome slot wheels, then I think I know the truck. I'll wait to see if I can find what I'm looking for, but thanks for the heads up. I may be interested if my search comes up dry.  ;)
 
#10 ·
it's usually parked on nash street. kinda weird but ended up buying a house across the street from my brother by accident. handy for me because he is a mechanic, and i have a very valuable access to tools. for the last stretch it's been run on the front axle. he twisted off the drive shaft racing a camaro, and i blew apart the steady bearing and rear half shaft attempting to keep a honda from getting ahead of me. the 9 1/4 seems to bind about every 3 revolutions, i believe it has something to do with all the shock loads it has endured
 
#11 ·
I had a 9 1/4 rear with 3.55 gears after I replaced it with the D70. I pulled out the sure grip carrier to give to my Dad then threw the rest to the scrap metal bin. It was still good, just didn't need it. If I would have known sooner... shoulda, coulda, woulda...  :p
 
#12 ·
as i get older i realize , shoulda, coulda, woulda, the older ya get the more you realize, the more you need to learn lol. life experience is expensive- especially the most expensive thing in the world; is a woman free for the evening
 
#13 ·
Looked at this truck on the weekend...
http://reddeer.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-classic-cars-1984-Dodge-Other-Pickups-Pickup-Truck-W0QQAdIdZ264017124
Although it would be cool to have a big block step side 4x4, this one needed some work. Ring gear had some teeth missing, so if it stopped in the wrong spot, needed the engine cranked over by hand a little. The paint had some cracking, even a small piece of bondo had fallen off. Was kind of a wiring nightmare under the hood... maybe it works. There wasn't any 6" lift for suspension. It had a 3" body lift, and with the 35" tires, maybe had 6" of extra HEIGHT. The tires were at about 30% too. The heater fan was stuck on hi. Oh, and the truck was originally a 2wd and converted to 4x4. This might have been OK, but the front leaf hangers were at a bad angle... almost hitting the frame while sitting there. It did have a AC compressor used as an air compressor, had an air tank under the bed. It sounded nice too when it was running. For $7000, I was expecting more of a driver, and not a project. I didn't want to offend the guy with a much lower offer, because I thought it to be worth probably $3500 - $4000. I guess in the end, it didn't have the full time 4x4 or the 70s' cool factor as well. I'll keep on looking.
 

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#16 ·
Well, my search is over. I just bought a 1979 macho Power Wagon. Very nice truck. The original owner had it restored 10 years ago, and still looks good. It's been garaged since the resto and the 2nd owner (whom I bought it off of) had only put on 1400 kms since he bought it in 2007. The ONLY thing that it doesn't have is the big block. It does have a 360 in it though. I'll see how it goes, I may put in a 400 in it, as I have some big block engines and trannys. Other possibilities are: the 4" lift springs that use to be in my Ramcharger, and some 33" tires. I'll probably keep it stock for a while, but it seems so small... almost like a 2wd. It still has the factory am radio (blah), so that may need to get upgraded as well. Keep in mind, any mods I do, will be able to go back to stock. Right now, I'm putting in new e-brake cables. They are seized on the left side, and the PO bought some that never got installed. Going to be a fun little truck!
 

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#18 ·
Cool, I saw the ad for that truck saved the pictures cuz i thought it looked neat. Good that a mopar fan has it ;D
 
#19 ·
Oh you asshole....your the one who bought it.....lol jk
I emailed them on sunday and said I have cash in hand....reply SOLD {yeah}
congrats on the truck man

you are how ever now forcing me to the dark side....Since I couldnt get the macho Im looking at this now

:p
 
#20 ·
I got the new e-brake cables installed yesterday. Noticed it puffed some blue on start ups when it's warm.  :( Did a compression test on it and they are all 125 -130psi, so I'm thinking valve seals. I'll replace those maybe this weekend. I don't want to use the OEM umbrella style seals, and I'm looking for some positive lock ones. I've seen some CAT engines with 3/8" valve stems, so I may experiment and try some on the 360.
I got it insured and registered today, so of course had to take it for a spin. Not happy with the acceleration... can you say, blah? Maybe I'm used to my 24v Cummins, the 440 in the RC, or the 383 in the Challenger. I'm pretty sure, it's plain slow. I'll have to go through and check timing, etc... do a tune up on it. The plugs looked OK when I did the compression test. It idles well and cruises nice... just no vrooom when you floorboard it. We'll see. Maybe the big block is in order!?

Boons, don't do it... did you see the 6 bolt wheels. Ew! It does look like a sweet ride though. Bet it would be a good little off-road rig. I checked out the local ads for Land Cruisers. Man, are they pricey, but they are good trucks.
Sorry for swiping the Macho from you. As soon as I seen the ad, I had to go look at it. "Must see" was the right wording for the ad. The pictures don't do it justice. I looked for a year or so, and I think it was worth the wait.
 
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