New build '74 Power Wagon

[TrueCowboy426]

Picked up my new build project (hopefully work on it this winter). I don't have any good pictures of it, just what the previous owner sent me when I bought it. I'll try to get better pictures this weekend.
It is a 1974 Dodge Power Wagon step side short box. Currently it doesn't have an engine, but it does still have a NP-435 transmission so I'm a little torn on what to do. My initial thought is that I would get a bell housing for a big block, and put my 413 out of the Dakota in it, and just finish restoring it. But now I'm thinking I will use my spare G-56 and hemi that I have and turn this truck over to a more modern drivetrain. Not sure yet which route I'm going to go, but if I can figure out the passender side drop issue for the transfer case, I think it will go hemi, 6 speed.
Overall the truck is in pretty good shape, and I only really need doors as these are a little rough, but salvagable, and I will use my new cab I have stored.

[06wagon]

Might be easier to just swap to a ford front axle.....

[TrueCowboy426]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking too, but I've heard of guys re-clocking the transfer case basically 180° and just having to move the vent line, so I think I'm going to give that a shot. I got nothing to lose, and I think a 6 speed 74 would be cool!

[NovA ProspekT]

Seriously man, that's awesome!I want to get a 70's Power Wagon or Ramcharger to build-up someday, ill be watching this build closely.

My vote goes to the Hemi and G-56. Have you thought about swapping a set of modern Power Wagon axles under it? Grab a NV271 while you're at it and everything should bolt together pretty-easily.

[MOPARManiac]

I like that, Step side takes it over the top. Why does it have a 77/78 front grille?

If it was my build I would put a big block, 383 or 440 in it, manual tranny with an NP205 T-case. Dana 60 front, 4:10's with a 4 inch lift and 35's.

[TrueCowboy426]

Finally actually starting on this build. Changed plans a little bit from my initial thought, but for the first iteration of this build it will be built using a 5.7 hemi with the 5-45 RFE automatic. My plan is to try and stuff as many of the modern electronics in this truck as I can, but I have a feeling I will get frustrated with the wiring and revert to old school what I know on some stuff. Axles will eventually be upgraded to D60/70 so I can share my 8 bolt wheels from my other 3/4 tons. I wouldn't swap them out if they were the 5x5.5 bolt pattern with manual hubs, but sadly they aren't.

I didn't take any pics of the body but only thing I really care about is the box, and there is the typical rust. The side panels and tailgate which you can't buy repo parts for are in really good shape and I can save them, so all good with it. I am not going to use the cab it came with as I have a NOS cab in my barn I'm going to use for this build.

Frame all stripped down ready to start the new build up.


Donor vehicle. 2004 Durango. Body is pretty rusty, but the drivetrain is in good shape.


The powerplant


Stripped down and almost ready to pull:


Hopefully next weekend I can get the engine and trans out of the durango and start getting the real build underway.

[Colibri]

I'm really excited to see this project progress! Very cool build

[DamageWagon]

What trips me out on those trucks is that the most structural member of the entire frame is the radiator crossmember...


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[TrueCowboy426]

Damage, yeah there is not really a whole lot of structure in those old frames, and with that they do flex a LOT more than the modern hydroformed frames.

No real pictures of the updates this weekend, but got the engine and trans out of the Durango. I will say I will NEVER take on a customers job of swapping an engine or trans in that generation of vehicle. Everything is so tightly packaged that they are a nightmare to work on. What should have been a 3hr max job, turned into about 5 getting the engine and trans out. If I was doing it again I would take the transfer case off, as there is not enough room to get the trans and transfer case out together between the crossmembers. I had to shove the trans into the engine bay, then tip the transfer case down a slip the entire thing out on a 30° angle. Super sketchy job, and was worried a few times I was going to drop the entire thing on myself (working just with the vehicle on jackstands, no hoist).

However all out and I have a solution to the passenger side drop problem I have with using my older axles. I have a NP208 (and a 205 but saving that for another project) that will give me the passenger side drop I need and good old Mopar has kept the input spline count the same and the mounting pattern the same. The only thing I have to do is make a flange as the old t-case has appox. a 1" longer stickout and the 545RFE can't accept that long, and get longer studs to account for the adapter. Got the flange drawn up tonight and hopefully can get it out of the machine shop by the end of the week.

[olyelr]

Just saw this. Interesting!

[TruckerZoom]

Nice progress. will keep an eye out for more updates

[TrueCowboy426]

Little more done this weekend. Got the motor fixed up for how I want it for now (basically knock the rust off and fix the broken exhaust manifold studs), and reassembled the trans and motor together and got it stabbed in the truck. For this truck i moved the motor ahead a coulpe inches to help in oil filter clearance and exhaust fitment with the manifolds. The hemi swap I did on my 87 W100 i left the trans in the factory location, and it is super tight to the firewall. Plus now there is more room when and if I pull the heads for future upgrades. Also set my good cab on and started fabing getting the modern electronics and steering wheel in the old truck. Plan is go get it up to a running driving truck, then i can start cleaning up the wiring harness to the minimum I need.

[TrueCowboy426]

Little more update. Not much picture worthy but have a few.
Got most of the wiring hung on the truck and got the Durango gauge cluster in the old dash. It doesn't look the greatest right now, but once I get the face plate fabbed up and metal finish the dash it should look pretty good. Soon will start to hang the front sheet metal and get this thing back looking like a truck. Only small hurtle to get thru now is to get a fuel system. I'm going to try and mount the tank from an 05 RCSB hemi Ram. The new tanks are a little taller, but I should be able to get it in the stock location and not look terrible. That's the plan anyway.

Few pics

[nts007]

Looking fantastic!!! I'm subscribed!!! Keep it coming

[TrueCowboy426]

Little update.

Got a few little items buttoned up, so I started to hang the front clip back on the truck and get it all swapped over. I personally don't really care for the 74 style grill, but I has almost all new 80 grill parts which I much prefer (I like the quad headlight look). Was a little bit of work modifying the core support for the different headlight style to make sure they are aligned correctly, but worked out good. Also got the Durango rad mounted. I want to stay with as much Durango OEM parts as I can to make it easier for repairs in the future by me or the next owner. Having build sheets like I have for my Dakota and Fargo is a pain.

Also got the engine refired, so I guess I got all the wiring back together correctly. Just need to get the fuel tank modified to accept the newer fuel pump (can't get the Durango or other tank to fit how I like) get the drivetrain buttoned up and I can take it for a test drive.

[olyelr]

Progress is looking good!

[Colibri]

Oh hell yes

[TrueCowboy426]

Truck is getting closer to it's first drive.
Got the spacer made up to mate the passenger side drop transfer case to the hemi transmission, and lengthened/shortened the driveshafts to fit.
Also go the fuel tank modified to use the stock Durango fuel pump. I was hesitant about cutting up a perfectly good tank, but now I can just make new top plates and modify to whatever fuel baskets pumps I ever want to run in the future. Ignore the retaining ring, was a quick mockup pc to prove out the theory that this would work.
Just need to get some sort of exhaust on it (at least down pipes), and I can take it for a drive.

[nts007]

Looking awesome!!!