The purpose of this page is to chronicle our efforts to restore a Dodge "Civilian Power Wagon". Please note that we are beginners at this. I have never done any body work or restoration on any vehicle of any type. This project is taking place in the Danville Pa area so if your nearby and interested drop me an email.
Revised 03-10-01 The cab is painted and ready
to go back on the frame!!
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We are attempting to restore a 1946 Model WDX which happens to be #3481 off the production line. The "Civilian Power Wagons" were built from 1946 to 1968 with this exact body style. There were only several thousand of them built each year as opposed to the hundreds of thousands of common pickup trucks that were built each year.
Special thanks to a great guy who sold me these trucks Dave Winslow,
pictured above. Also thanks to his friend Dave Buffone.
How heavy a load can you lift with the winch and poles on the back?
Well I don't know, but if its too heavy the front end comes off the
ground!
Here's the red 1949 B-1-PW serial # 83914258 originally owned by Dave's
grandfather. Riding on back is the 1946 WDX cab serial # 83903481. Lettering
on the cab is Russel's Garage Curwensville Pa. Riding up front is the 46
frame.
These trucks came from the Indiana, Pa area.
This truckload is the starting point for the project. We are going to be putting that green 46 cab back on its frame. The running gear is going to come from the red 49.
My wife Linda is glad to see the 1956 C-3-PW arrived safely. The dual
wheels had to be removed and the 12 foot gin poles strapped down for the
cruise across Pa on I-80. According to the certified scales at the Milton
truckstop Dave's 454 Chevy Dually, 26' trailer, and the PW with full diamond
plate deck grossed out at 18752 lbs!
First job is new brakes for the 56. This included an early 70's Dodge dual master cylinder NAPA # 4736308, rebuilt wheel cylinders, and new lines. More details on the master cylinder conversion listed on th Brake page. The lining and drums were in good shape. By the way, a 3000 psi hand pump from a porta-power works great to remove the pistons from wheel cylinders that haven't moved in years. Keep the cylinder inside your vise unless you need a new hole in your basement wall.
Now its time to get all the parts we need for the rebuild off of the 49. Linda was a big help and intends to work with me throughout the project. I loosen things up and she takes them off. She's doing a good job! Look at the next picture to see the mess she made in the driveway, and I'm sorry Dave, look what she did to your GrandDad's truck.
Here's the plan. We are taking the 46 frame, 46 cab, and running gear from the 49 to get the 46 back on the road. Of course the 56 with the front and rear winches and gin poles will be kept "as is" right now just for odd jobs around the house and yard. It's handy to have around for odd jobs as shown in the next picture.
Just your "standard" engine lift. Lots of guys that work on cars have
these.
Now if we lift up the front of the 49 with the back of the frame on blocks we can just back the trailer underneath.
Yes, that stack of blocks on the back end was real shaky.
Notice the blue cab in the background. According to the nameplate on the door post, its a Dodge Bros. Serial # 81350042. Nameplate also saysWFA32, 4112-125375, 14000 gross, 95 Hp. I don't know what year and model truck this came from. I think it might be from a 1939 truck. It's not off a PW but is almost identical.
Originally we were going to use this cab. It is in the best shape
of any of the cabs I have. But the floor and firewall are different
from the Power Wagon's. After we get the 46 finished we are going
to put the firewall from the red 49 on this cab, build a new floor, and
put this cab on the 56.
If anyone out there wants to trade any info drop me an email. If anyone has already done this and has any suggestions I'm interested in hearing them.
Email me at: kkull99@verizon.net