Power Wagon value

[Steve G]

I have a friend that is pondering selling his power wagon and he asked me what I thought it was worth. He has owned his truck since about 1971 and now he is 70 and realizes he will not be able to resto the truck because of finances and health. The truck is a 1964 WM300 original 251 ex LE Meyers with winch, last run in the late 1980's. It has an old Ford stepside box on it and will need full resto of brakes, glass, interior, ect. From what I have seen sell over the years I would think the truck would be in the $2000 to $3000 range. The variables that I'm not sure about, he has a new crate 4B cummins non turbo engine to go with it, a '90 2wd diesel parts truck with Getrag 5 speed, and a Dodge stepside box (power giant, I think) with hydraulic pump and dump cylinder to go with it. I'm not sure if those are the right parts for the diesel conversion but someone here should know. Any thoughts on the value of this package?

[Charles Talbert]

It would be severely under powered with a non-turbo Cummins, and you couldn't give me a Getrag transmission. Of course it is up to the individual, but in my eyes, the stuff you have mentioned that goes with it would add very little to the value of the actual truck; just isn't the right stuff to build a nice truck.

[Steve G]

His plan was to use the turbo from the 6bt parts truck. I think rebuilding the original 251 and keeping it stock would be the way to go on this truck since it's complete. But like you said, it's up to the individual.

[Kevin Mienke]

Steve,

It's hard to come up with a package price.

Like almost everything these days, we have to figure out how much we've got invested and then figure out how much we're willing to lose. I am finding this to be true as I am selling a few things myself, and selling them at a loss.

Considering the fact that the truck can stand alone with a fairly good value, and that the crate Cummins can stand alone with a decent value, I think he might be better served to split up the package and sell the Cummins separate from the truck. Especially since the truck has a serviceable 251.

By the way, I have been meaning to get up to your place but circumstances have not allowed. Where do you stand in your Power Wagon project?

I have only 7 months left before Colt graduates, upon which occasion Momma and I plan to leave Altoona for the climate and beauty of North Carolina, which explains to you why I am selling a few things. Also I have a few things set aside which I intend to give to you as they might help you in the completion of your Power Wagon.

[Charles Talbert]

I think probably Kevin's suggestion to split the package for separate sale is the better idea with simply selling out of the business in mind. I feel sure he will pocket more cash this way than any other.

On another hand, Kevin I have never before heard you mention relocating to NC. Where in the state do you plan to settle or is that still an unanswered question? Sure hope we can meet up, and it would be great if you decided to settle near by. Our youngest daughter is graduating next spring also.

[Kevin Mienke]

I think probably Kevin's suggestion to split the package for separate sale is the better idea with simply selling out of the business in mind. I feel sure he will pocket more cash this way than any other.

On another hand, Kevin I have never before heard you mention relocating to NC. Where in the state do you plan to settle or is that still an unanswered question? Sure hope we can meet up, and it would be great if you decided to settle near by. Our youngest daughter is graduating next spring also.

Charles,
We visited NC a few months ago and tried to determine an exact plan but were unable to do so. It seems I am partial to the western part of the state, and the Blue Ridge range with its many miles of fly-fishing streams, but Momma more favors the Central part of the state. We will likely settle on a compromise. Either way, I can assure you, I will find my way to your shop. And I look forward to meeting you.

Colt will be relocating to Winston Salem where he will start his college education.

[Charles Talbert]

Charles,
We visited NC a few months ago and tried to determine an exact plan but were unable to do so. It seems I am partial to the western part of the state, and the Blue Ridge range with its many miles of fly-fishing streams, but Momma more favors the Central part of the state. We will likely settle on a compromise. Either way, I can assure you, I will find my way to your shop. And I look forward to meeting you.

Colt will be relocating to Winston Salem where he will start his college education.

Winston Salem is 1 3/4 hours drive north from us. We are located at almost the geological center of NC, so if the wife gets her way, maybe you will end up close by. My wife and daughter love to go shopping at the Hanes Mall at Winston, she has relatives in that area also. I'll look forward to a meeting most definitely.

[Steve G]

Hey Kevin, I was wondering what you were up to. I think you guys are right about splitting up the package deal. It's a brand new crate engine but I'll have to check out some numbers to make sure it's an automotive one versus industrial. I will give him the recommedations.

My power wagon project has not gotten too far. I have the front axle torn down to bare housing, new bushings and bearings still in the boxes, and Ray's Helitool disc brake conversion strung out on the table. Winter is usually when I can get some garage stuff done. Hopefully the axles will be under the frame and the engine/bellhousing installed by next spring.

Congrats on moving to NC. It will be nice to not be far from the mountains or the oceean. Altoona is getting too big and busy for me too. I used to be in the country and sometime in the future the possibility of annexation will come up again. Come over anytime (in the next 7 months!), I'm usually around about 5pm. I hope Fenway is not on the list of things to sell, I still have not seen it in person. Thanks for thinking of me concerning your extra parts, every little bit helps.

[Clint Dixon]

I may have a solution for both of you.

Charles,
We visited NC a few months ago and tried to determine an exact plan but were unable to do so. It seems I am partial to the western part of the state, and the Blue Ridge range with its many miles of fly-fishing streams, but Momma more favors the Central part of the state. We will likely settle on a compromise. Either way, I can assure you, I will find my way to your shop. And I look forward to meeting you.

Colt will be relocating to Winston Salem where he will start his college education.

Kevin, check out Wilkes County. This is where Todd Somers lives at Somers Crossroads on Somers Road. His place is right where the farm fields meet the foothills - literally. The dividing line runs right through his property. I think it is located about 30 feet out his back door. It is only about a 40 mile drive to the Blue Ridge Parkway from his place and only a few minutes from major shopping areas like Union Grove, Shilo, and Clingman.

I know you would really like the area and you would fit right in with Spence and Junior when they get together and go snooping around. One word of warning though, Wilkes county was/is the moonshine capitol of the world so you need to hug the insides of the curves on those dirt roads.

[Kevin Mienke]

I hope Fenway is not on the list of things to sell, I still have not seen it in person.

I could never sell that beloved old truck unless of course my family fell on hard times that required it. In fact, it will become my only truck in the near future. My only means of transportation.

The '04 Cummins truck is on the list of things to sell. And Momma's Ford, well, it's a Ford. You know how I am about that.

Old Fenway will have to pick up the slack in NC, meaning it will have to haul me and my fly rods to the river a few times a week. That's pretty much all the driving I intend to do. It's pretty much all the driving I do right now.

[Kevin Mienke]

Kevin, check out Wilkes County. This is where Todd Somers lives at Somers Crossroads on Somers Road. His place is right where the farm fields meet the foothills - literally. The dividing line runs right through his property. I think it is located about 30 feet out his back door. It is only about a 40 mile drive to the Blue Ridge Parkway from his place and only a few minutes from major shopping areas like Union Grove, Shilo, and Clingman.

I know you would really like the area and you would fit right in with Spence and Junior when they get together and go snooping around. One word of warning though, Wilkes county was/is the moonshine capitol of the world so you need to hug the insides of the curves on those dirt roads.

That's the area I've always loved. And now that I know Todd is there it makes it even more appealing. I spent some time up in Boone, about 35 miles from there, and I couldn't get enough. Did some fly fishing and spent some time on the porch of an old general store listening to some gospel bluegrass. I can't think of a better way to spend my days. Momma's got family down the mountain in Lenoir. The fishing streams are nothing short of amazing.

[Kevin Mienke]

Winston Salem is 1 3/4 hours drive north from us. We are located at almost the geological center of NC, so if the wife gets her way, maybe you will end up close by. My wife and daughter love to go shopping at the Hanes Mall at Winston, she has relatives in that area also. I'll look forward to a meeting most definitely.

Momma is right in line with your thinking. She fell for a rural town called Cooleemee, (pronounced cool a me) which is about halfway between your place and Winston. It's country living, but close to Charlotte and Winston. I believe the Yadkin river runs through it.

[Charles Talbert]

Momma is right in line with your thinking. She fell for a rural town called Cooleemee, (pronounced cool a me) which is about halfway between your place and Winston. It's country living, but close to Charlotte and Winston. I believe the Yadkin river runs through it.

That's correct, my neighbor is from there originally. We are an hour from Salisbury, just south of Cooleemee. You would be in AB Linn's back door; an excellent source for Dodge parts. The Yadkin comes within a mile of us, in fact we are in the "Fork" community where the Yadkin and Rocky rivers join. If you look at us on an NC map, on the extreme southeastern corner of Stanly county, there is a peninsula that resembles the state of Florida on a US map. We are on the very tip, in walking distance of the Fork,; right at the borders of Stanly, Montgomery, Richmond, and Anson counties. Check out the forkfarm.com to view some great pictures of the area.

[Kevin Mienke]

Thanks for the link Charles. It surely is an alluring place. I don't think a man could go wrong settling anywhere in the whole beautiful state.

I do love Iowa. Always have. It's got a beauty all its own. But Momma and I decided a long time ago that if we ever moved it would be to such a place as your North Carolina. No other place we've ever travelled to struck us quite like it does. I think it will quickly feel like home.

[Steve G]

Wilkes county was/is the moonshine capitol of the world so you need to hug the insides of the curves on those dirt roads.

Momma's got family down the mountain in Lenoir.

Small world. The wife's grandparents were born and raised in Lenoir. Her grandpa earned some extra income in '49 & '50 driving around the backroads hauling some moonshine! He also had a service station at one point. Too many friends and less paying customers.