In the long history of rugged and tough trucks, there’s one that stands above all others: the legendary Dodge Power Wagon. The beautiful 1946 example now listed on eBay Motors - opens in new window or tab. is one of the most striking Power Wagons to demonstrate the model’s mighty heritage.
Why It’s So Admired
Much of the aura surrounding the Power Wagon comes from its military legacy. A year or so before the United States entered World War II, Dodge began designing a four-wheel-drive truck exclusively for the military. The company would go on to build more than 255,000 4x4 trucks for the war effort. These came in many variations, from weapons carriers to field ambulances. During that time, Dodge built a strong reputation that would carry over to civilian models in the post-war years—and eventually lead to the first stock light-duty 4wd pickup in 1946.
The civilian versions of the Power Wagon were in high demand due to its military-based ruggedness and ability to traverse all types of terrain. Customers included farmers, ranchers, fire departments, and the US Forest Service. The early versions were not overly-powerful—the engine was a 94-horsepower, 230 cubic-inch flathead six-cylinder—but the trucks were nearly indestructible and inexpensive to repair.
In the following years, the Power Wagon evolved through upgrades but never lost its charm and stance. It lasted until 1968, but by then the flathead six would not pass emissions requirements and the vehicle was determined to be too expensive to find a more suitable engine. (However, Dodge continued to export the vehicle into 1978.)
Lasting Devotion to the Dodge Power Wagon
There continues to be a strong interest in early Power Wagons, and many have been restored and modified to today’s standards. One outstanding example is currently offered on eBay. A quick glance of the photos shows that many hours of labor were necessary to build it to such high degree of quality.
This 1946 Dodge Power Wagon, model WDX, is described as “a vehicle that could actually be used as a real truck in today’s world.” Given the level of craftsmanship and artistry that went into it, the only question is: would you really want to put this museum-quality vehicle to work?
We would answer: heck yes—especially if you consider what’s lurking beneath the authentic doors, fenders, running board, and interior details. What makes this Power Wagon special is its drivetrain. There’s a 5.9-liter DOHC Cummins 6BT turbo-diesel powerplant under the hood.
The engine was pulled from a 2003 Dodge Ram 3500 with just 13,000 miles on the odometer. It looks like a factory installation, with a whopping 500 pound-feet of torque. The five-speed manual gearbox is ready to serve, but perhaps you only need the top three gears for everyday use. The rest of the chassis and suspension have obviously been modernized and beefed up with the latest technology, including power-take-off.
Take a careful look at all the details and photos - opens in new window or tab.. A classic Dodge Power Wagon of this caliber doesn’t come along every day.
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.