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1977 Dodge Power Wagon hunting truck.

93K views 373 replies 29 participants last post by  jungle 
#1 ·
I have been asked by a few members to start a build thread on this truck. My pictures are on my home computer (I am at work right now) but, I thought some may enjoy how this project came to me.

My brother in law is heavily involved with Top Truck Challenge and has been for a number of years. In 2008 I went and worked as part of the recovery crew and I was again asked to come back for 2012. I told them that I would but, I needed to find a new truck to build. I don't think my Ramcharger (aka the Beater) would really be up for the challenge. I wanted to find something that was classic, would look killer, and function well for the upcoming challenge.

I found a 1977 Dodge Power Wagon with a step side bed that has been in need of a new engine for a long time. I bought it from the original owners son and he had locked up the motor in February of 2002. The truck had sat in the same spot since that awful day. I went down to look at it in July of 2011. I bought the truck for $800.00 and took it home that same day. This truck had the right drive train I was looking for. 400 big block, 4 speed manual tranny, and a NP-203 T-case. I am a huge fan of doublers and this was going to work out perfect. The truck had a really solid body (It has lived in Santa Fe, New Mexico its entire life) except for the floor boards. Can we say Fred Flintstone mobile? Both sides are way past gone. I may even need to replace the tranny hump.

Fast forward a month to August and I had ordered a Dana 60 (from Boyce Military Equipment) front axle for a Dodge loaded with 4.88 gears, Detroit Locker, 9/16th studs, and Warn hubs. I knew what I wanted for tires and this would work well. I also installed a Chevy Corp. 14 bolt full floater in the rear at the same time. In September I bought a set of 2001 Dodge wheels and 285x75x16 tires to use as rollers. The axles went in at that time. I also bought a Warn 16.5 ti winch and I intend on having it mounted in a custom front bumper. In October I found a set of 5 40X13.50X17's Goodyear Wrangler MT/R's that were near new in Utah. I made the trip and brought them home. A few weeks ago I ordered my new wheels for the Goodyears. I bought a set of 5 Black Rock daytona styled wheels in 17X9 with the correct eight lug bolt pattern and with 4 1/2" back space. I bought these wheels mostly because they are made here in the USA. They came in yesterday and I headed up to the shop and mounted my tires and balanced them as well. Well, all but one. One tire and wheel was going to take 7 1/2 ounces on one side and 6 1/2 ounces on the other. I will break the tire back down and rotate the tire in an effort to get it to balance with less weight.

So, what is next? I want to get all my brackets from Jungle here on this site. I want to have the front brackets lowered 2" in an effort to get away with less spring arch. I also am going to move the axle forward 1 1/2" via an ez inch from DIY4X. I also want all the brackets for the rear springs. I will be using 56" long Chevy rear springs. Both front and rear springs are coming from Tuff Country and will be 6" lift. This should give me 8" of lift total and I have four EZ inches from DIY4X. I may want to move the rear axle towards the back as well.

After the suspension is all dialed in I will pull the motor. Right now I am looking at a couple of stroker kits from 440 Source. I don't need monster horse power but, the added torque would be welcome. I am looking at the 400 to 451 and the 400 to 470 kits now. I know that I am doing this a little backwards but, I am not too sure about what to do with the motor and I wanted to keep the build moving forward. I could not pull the motor and have the suspension dialed. The motor will only be around 400 to 500 horse and the torque should be around 500 to 600 foot lbs.

I also have the Chevy NP-205 and it is already rebuilt. I just need the doubler plate and the shifters and I will have the T-cases all done.

So, after the engine, suspension, new mounts, doubler then will come all the nickle and dime parts that seem to take way too long and drain the savings account. Brake lines, drive lines, steering, wiring, floor boards, and bed floor. So far the project is coming along well. Not as fast as I would like but, I think it will be done in time. If I can continue making major purchases every month it should be ready to pull folks out at Top Truck Challenge 2012.

I guess I should also add that this truck is going to see a lot of hunting. This is why I wanted to keep it on regular street wheels and not bead locks. It will still be streetable and I want to be able to drive it some distance to get to the hunting grounds. This truck will stay on the leaf springs to keep it ultra simple, and durable. Capable of hauling loads out of the woods and still drive down the highway at some reasonable speeds. All comments are welcome and if you can't wait to see pictures here is another build thread on it. This is also a short history of how others thought it should be. http://www.rme4x4.com/showthread.php?84206-Recovery-rig-thoughts

LT.
 
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#5 ·
we need pics! sounds bad-ass!  {popcorn}
 
#6 ·
m-o-p-a-r said:
we need pics! sounds bad-ass! {popcorn}
Pictures are going to take me a while. I work anywhere between 10 to 18 hours a day. Most of my posting thus far has been from work. This does not leave me a lot of time at home. I did leave a link for those who really want to check it out. I don't think you have to be a member to view them either. I don't know how "bad-ass" it will be but, it should do well enough.

LT.
 
#7 ·
Hey y'all, I am in need of some help here.  First thing I am looking for is an idea of what to do for the bed floor.  The wood that is there is a little weak and I really do not want to go through the trouble of replacing the wood and hardware.  See, this truck will be getting used and I don't think it to be wise to spend lots of money and time to make the bed floor all wood again.  It will just get beat up.  I am thinking about placing some aluminum diamond plate over the wood that is there or remove the wood and replace it with some expanded metal.  What should I do and why?

Second, I am in need of a new dash.  The sun here in New Mexico has done a real number on it and it is caving in.  Large sections are missing and I want to do something about it.  Where would I find a new one at?

Third, I am looking for a new grill for the front end.  It appears to be all one piece and I don't have a clue where to find a new one.  Where is a good place for a new one?  Also, where would I find new floor boards?  I need them for both sides.

I am looking into some fiberglass front ends.  I would like to have the larger wheel well opening but, I think I will just move the front axle forward and trim the fender to make the tires fit.  I want to keep this truck all steel as much as possible.  Where can I find new front fenders as well?

Thanks in advance for all the help.

LT.
 
#10 ·
Rob,
I was also thinking instead of wood how about a decking material like Trex. The Aluminum diamond plate would look great but it is getting very expensive!! On the steel I'm thinking about perforated steel instead of the expanded steel. It would make a smoother surface & there is a lot of verity on the hole diameter available.
Somthing to think about,
Jim

PS;
We Love pics ;D
 
#11 ·
I will be checking out the perforated steel ASAP.  That is a great idea, thanks Jungle.  The site is telling me that my pictures are too large and I am only allowed 900 whosawhatsits.  I tried just to post one picture and it told me the same thing.

LT.
 
#14 ·
I got in contact with Jungle today.  I am ordering all his parts for the suspension today.  They will be the front spring mounts for a 2" lift, front spring shackle also for a 2" lift, front shackle bushings, rear spring front mounts, rear spring rear mounts with a shackle flip for good measure.  I am hoping to order my leaf springs for the front and rear either later this week or in a couple of weeks at the latest.  Once everything has come in I will pull the truck back into the shop and start the tear down.  I sent some pictures to another member on the RCC and he will post them up when he gets a chance.  I will take some more pictures when I do the tear down and install for all y'all.

LT.
 
#17 ·
I hope your not gonna carve this one up like the R/C behind it. Too many classic dodges are getting sawed up on here as of late  :(
 
#18 ·
Rob,
I see your going to build a & stroke a 400 why not do the same to a 440 & have over 500 cid? I think the build cost would be similar.
Thanks guys for the pics!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't wait to see this build in detail because it sounds AWESOME!!
What size tires are on your RC?
Jim

PS;
I'll be sending some parts to ya soon so you can put them under your tree ;D.
 
#19 ·
RAMTOUGH08 said:
I hope your not gonna carve this one up like the R/C behind it. Too many classic dodges are getting sawed up on here as of late :(
The goal was not to cut it up. I may end up trimming the front fenders in front of the tires. I have a bunch of Jungle's parts coming and I am hoping to move the front axle forward either an inch or an inch and a half. The reason is due to a couple of things. First the Dana 60's diff is much larger than the 44 it replaced. I want to keep the front drive shaft as long as possible so it is not too steep of an angle. The other reason for moving if forward is to achieve a better approach angle. And lastly because the front of the fender is easier to trim than the back of it. Due to the inner wheel well. The truck should be sitting on about an eight or nine inch lift and sitting on 40" tires.

LT.
 
#20 ·
jungle said:
Rob,
I see your going to build a & stroke a 400 why not do the same to a 440 & have over 500 cid? I think the build cost would be similar.
Thanks guys for the pics!!!!!!!!!!!! I can't wait to see this build in detail because it sounds AWESOME!!
What size tires are on your RC?
Jim

PS;
I'll be sending some parts to ya soon so you can put them under your tree ;D.
I just got a lead on a 440 but, it is out of a motor home. For some reason I thought they were different than a 440 out of a truck or car. I don't really know what to do with it. What do you suggest? I already have the 400 and I know it is going to fit perfectly since it is already in there and it was original equipment.

The Ramcharger (aka the Beater) is running 42" Pitbull Rockers. Just about everything on the Beater is custom. Not much left on the truck is from Dodge. It was built as just a rock crawler. The less body there is on the truck the better it preforms out in the rocks. Less panels to dent and more visibility. All go and no show so to speak. I would be willing to put the Beater against just about any other Ramcharger in the rocks or trail. When it comes to pure function the Beater has it all pretty well covered.

LT.
 
#22 ·
Boons said:
Refresh my memory, Your ramcharger is Auto or stick, what transfercase, and whats your ring and pinion?
The Beater is just a stock 360 with a carb (I have a 1998 360 with the factory fuel injection and computer) for now. The engine swap should be done this winter. I run a TF-727 tranny, NP-203/205 doubler, Dana 60 front, 14 bolt rear, detroit locker, spool, 5.13 gears, 17X9 Spyder lock wheels, one ton u-joints through out all are 1350's. I stripped the truck to the bare bones. If it did not help it wheel better than I got rid of it. Interior, dash, radio, wipers, you name it. The t-cases are set up with a triple stick so I can have any arrangement I could want.

LT.
 
#23 ·
Some of the car 440s are different than the truck 440s but I would think the motor home would be similar to the truck one but ask on the vehicle help board. Someone over there will have the answer your looking for. But I would think it would be a good platform to build a strong torque motor.
Jim
 
#24 ·
jungle said:
Some of the car 440s are different than the truck 440s but I would think the motor home would be similar to the truck one but ask on the vehicle help board. Someone over there will have the answer your looking for. But I would think it would be a good platform to build a strong torque motor.
Jim
I remember that there was at least a few differences between the truck and RV. First being the oil pan, oil pump, and the pickup. Next was the cam profile (obviously) and then the exhaust manifolds are different as well. The last thing that I can remember off the top of my head was a good number of RV's had some sort of an air compressor on them. Not that having the air compressor was bad but, it was a little tougher finding fan belts. Other than that I think they are similar enough. I would also suppose that the RV would have a higher nickle content in the block but, I don't have any facts to support that.

LT.
 
#25 ·
Okay, so it looks like I have a 440 with 30,000 miles on it.  I also have an automatic tranny to go with that motor.  I don't know what I am going to do with the tranny so I will just hang onto it for a while.  Now for the next problem.  I am looking for a Ramcharger fuel tank to put in the stock ramcharger fuel tank location.  This way I can make room for the exhaust.  The stock pickup truck fuel tank is in the way so it has to go.  I was thinking about using a fuel cell and mounting it in the bed but, for a hunting truck I will want to keep the storage space in the bed as free as can be.  So, if anyone has a Ramcharger fuel tank and mounting straps I would be interested.  I am looking for one that is 30+ gallons.  Please let me know if you have one.

Thanks in advance.

LT.
 
#26 ·
jungle said:
Some of the car 440s are different than the truck 440s but I would think the motor home would be similar to the truck one but ask on the vehicle help board. Someone over there will have the answer your looking for. But I would think it would be a good platform to build a strong torque motor.
Jim
There are a few differences. For one the motors differ between classes. There is a class A, B, and C motor home. Class A is a van/motor home. Class B and C are larger motorhomes. The good thing about class A is that the motor should have the same heads as a car 440 or truck 440. The bigger motorhomes have a huge water pump, bigger cooling ports, etc. So you can't switch heads around on these or the motor will overheat and have major problems. You would also have to run the huge 4 core radiator to keep it cool. I could go on-and-on. Hope this helps. The 440 in my crew came out of a class A. It was quite a bit of work though to be honest..
 
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