Ideas for a rear bumper?

[chance9888]

Hi guys,

I have just about finished on my 1949 PW, but now, i wonder, were there ever rear bumpers for these trucks? My Uncle, who used to own the truck, really wants me to install one, but I can't find anything on one. I believe most of them are just custom made. Does anybody have ideas for a rear bumper? Has anybody actually put one on their truck?

Thanks,



Spencer

[PWFFnut]

no stock rear bumper

There was a home made rear bumper on My 56 pw when i got it,it was 4 in. chanel iron but over time it got bent up like a pretzel so I made a 8 in chanel iron bumper for it it was easy to make and it looks like it would belong but as far as a stock bumper goes DODGE never made one.

[Paul Cook]

Yes they did.

Many "Flat Fender" Power Wagons on US Government procurement contracts were equipped with military style "bumperettes". Here's a picture of my 1958 W300M that was frst owned by the US Department of Agriculture.



However, they were not equipped with a single, full-width bumper since that would interfere with the pintle hitch or rear mounted pto. These were common options that the users of these trucks selected to do the job for which the trucks were bought in the first place.

[Jason Mills]

However, they were not equipped with a single, full-width bumper since that would interfere with the pintle hitch or rear mounted pto. These were common options that the users of these trucks selected to do the job for which the trucks were bought in the first place.

Totally off the subject: what did people use the rear mounted PTO for? I have been wondering about that on and off for awhile.. Mowing a field? Pulling a bailer, or conditioner? What else could/might a Power Wagon realistically do in 1950?

[chance9888]

Totally off the subject: what did people use the rear mounted PTO for? I have been wondering about that on and off for awhile.. Mowing a field? Pulling a bailer, or conditioner? What else could/might a Power Wagon realistically do in 1950?

From:http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1946-1...ower-wagon.htm

"The available implements were a plow, cultivator, rotary hoe, terracing blade, harrow, hydro grader, land leveler, a lift-type scoop, earthmover, buzz saw, posthole digger, spring-tooth harrow, and double-disc harrow. Dodge advertised that the Power Wagon could easily pull a three-bottom 14-inch plow and encouraged farmers to use the Power Wagon in place of a conventional tractor for all of their farming jobs."

[Clint Dixon]

Totally off the subject: what did people use the rear mounted PTO for? I have been wondering about that on and off for awhile.. Mowing a field? Pulling a bailer, or conditioner? What else could/might a Power Wagon realistically do in 1950?

Jason, Chance9888 covered all of the implements supplied by Newgren, sold under the Monroe Auto Equipment Company brand, and as found available in the Dodge Special Equipment Catalogs from 1949 and 1951.

Basically, when equipped with the optional adjustable drawbar, the Power Wagon could pull any of the same trail-behind implements that a tractor of the same horsepower could pull. Add the rear PTO tailshaft to the Power Wagon and it could now pull and power any of the PTO driven implements that that same tractor was capable of pulling and powering. Add the belt pulley drive to the rear tailshaft and the Power Wagon could power any of the belt driven equipment that was meant to be powered by either a tractor or a stationary power plant (as long as the equipment in question did not require more horsepower or speed than the Power Wagon could produce). Add the available Monroe 3-point Lift implement hitch system to the rear of the Power Wagon and Catagory "1" implements could now be attached and hydraulically raised, lowered, and operated as an extension of the truck.

The key word in your question was the term "relistically". Some implements pulled and powered by a tractor require that the operator continually observe them in operation, while at the same time, drive the tractor. Realistically, the Power Wagon does not make a very good tractor for those particular implements. It is real hard to observe the operation of implements trailing close behind the truck - even with the tailgate removed.

I have successfully used my Power Wagon with Monroe Lift, rear tailshaft, and belt pulley drive to power a post hole digger, cordwood saw, and screw type log splitter. These implements require that the truck remain stationary and that the operator stand at the implement to control it. I have pulled and powered an agricultural trail-behind rotary mower with my Power Wagon with good results and I have a few other implements that I have not yet tried: plows, scoops, PTO chainsaw, etc.

[Jason Mills]

I have successfully used my Power Wagon with Monroe Lift, rear tailshaft, and belt pulley drive to power a post hole digger, cordwood saw, and screw type log splitter. These implements require that the truck remain stationary and that the operator stand at the implement to control it. I have pulled and powered an agricultural trail-behind rotary mower with my Power Wagon with good results and I have a few other implements that I have not yet tried: plows, scoops, PTO chainsaw, etc.

It becomes easy to get lost in the vastness of ideas that begin to flow upon reading about all of the above.

Most exciting for me would be the screw type wood splitter, although I have never actually used, or even seen one in use. I suppose a 6 cylinder wood splitter is a bit overkill..

[chance9888]

Does anyone have any other comments? I'm looking for something more like a full bumper -- not just the little squares. I'm already aware it's going to need to be custom made, but I'm having a hard time coming up with something that fits the original style of the truck.

[Jason Mills]

how about something styled after the front bumper.. maybe with some place to put your foot when climbing in the bed. Rugged and functional and you can't go wrong..

[Tom Petroff]

Not Mine but Jack McDevitt example of his rear bumper.
Nicely Done.

TGP

[Gordon Maney]

My view on bumpers is that they need to be able to survive contact, like getting bumped by another vehicle or backing into a loading dock.

The worst case scenario involves the military style push pads. They look great, but leave too much of the truck vulnerable to damage.

Evaluate any bumper design by asking, what will happen if my truck is hit by some other vehicle? On the Power Wagon you want to protect your box and tailgate. Consider also the possibility of impact at an angle at the rear corner. Understand, with a really effective bumper you will affect approach angle, as the best bumper will drag on the wrong terrain.

Years ago you saw bumpers that not only protected the back, but also wrapped around the corners and extended forward to the rear fenders. Such bumpers presented tread plate surfaces on which you could stand, allowing you to more easily enter the box, and I am meaning also from these extensions.

A bumper can be a fun design project. Be sure to use mounting methods equal to your bumper.

Perhaps include some dock bumpers, if you plan on much of that.

Linky

[Gordon Maney]

Not Mine but Jack McDevitt example of his rear bumper.
Nicely Done.

TGP

Very nice, and also allows the pintle hook to be retained.

A big clevis on each side is a great idea, too.

[olgraybeard]

I think Tom has a winner

[chance9888]

Tom, I appreciate it. That is exactly what I was looking for. Now i just need to look into making one for my truck :)

EDIT: However, I may look into making it more generic and square because I have a First Series

[Doc Dave]

Does anyone know how Jack's bumpers are mounted to the rear of the frame? Very nice from the back IMHO. Really blends with the lines of the truck and style of the front bumper.