1953 PW Build

[Wtrimble]

Hi all. I'm brand new to the forum and to Power Wagons. I spent years building up Jeeps and Willys' for offroad use. Built several Willys trucks as well as a frame up 1941 MB for my Dad.
I've always loved the old Power Wagons, but up here in Canada they seem really hard to find. A month ago I finally picked one up.
It's a 1953, all original drivetrain, runs and drives.
My plane is, frame off restomod.
- Cummins 4Bt, NV4500, 205, Dana 60 front, Dana 70 rear

Here it is coming home.

[Wtrimble]

A few more pics of what I'm starting with

[Wtrimble]

This week I got it moved into the shop and started taking it apart.

I found a buyer for the entire original drive train, so I need it all out ASAP to get some more money for parts.

[Wtrimble]

I picked up a set of 1993 Dodge Diesel diffs. Dana 60 front and Dana 70 rear.

[Wtrimble]

Got a cheap set of GM 2500 4" leaf springs that I'm gonna try

[Wtrimble]

And scored a low hour 1998 Cummins 4BT turbo 4 cylinder, with the P7100 pump

[Desoto61]

The modern axles definitely make a lot of things easier (and some stuff harder), I just hate loosing that very unique BUDD wheel look though.

One suggestion, if you're going with an attached NP205, I'd really look for a later model 6-speed trans. The short RPM range of the 4BT and that big gap between 2 & 3 are rough in finding a happy spot. If you're building custom drive-shafts anyway then moving the transfer case back a bit isn't as big of a problem.

Will be looking forward to more pics of how you get it all to fit! It's a challenge.

[Wtrimble]

The modern axles definitely make a lot of things easier (and some stuff harder), I just hate loosing that very unique BUDD wheel look though.

One suggestion, if you're going with an attached NP205, I'd really look for a later model 6-speed trans. The short RPM range of the 4BT and that big gap between 2 & 3 are rough in finding a happy spot. If you're building custom drive-shafts anyway then moving the transfer case back a bit isn't as big of a problem.

Will be looking forward to more pics of how you get it all to fit! It's a challenge.

Yeah I'm definitely not opposed to using a NV5600 6 speed, its gonna likely be determined on what I can get a hold of for a decent price. The engine will be getting automotive governor and I will likely increase to a 3200rpm spring. Will be doing some pump mods and injectors to get in the 200hp range as well.
Then tires around 38"

[Matthew Welcher PWA]

That is going to be a great project, thank you for sharing with us all and welcome aboard!

[aeblank]

Man, sure looks a lot like my '48.

[grover26]

Regarding the plow set-up: Amazing what man will fabricate to make his vehicle more useful. Form definitely followed function on this one.....and even that is questionable. LOL.

Good luck with your project. A lot of work, but should turn out real nice.

[aeblank]

I used mine to plow for a couple seasons. Pretty exhausting on the clutch leg, between stop/go and up/down with the winch.

[grover26]

I used mine to plow for a couple seasons. Pretty exhausting on the clutch leg, between stop/go and up/down with the winch.

I know the feeling. I also plowed for many years with a truck, though not a PW, ('66 GMC) with no power steering....no power brakes....no power angle....minimal heater/defroster. However it did have hydraulic lift for the blade, albeit a hand pump. Both truck and I got too old to do the dance anymore. Now, only 'recreational' plowing (Friends, neighbors & family.

[Wtrimble]

Got some more work done this week. Pulled engine and trans. Removed the running boards, rear fenders, box, and one of the fuel tanks. Should have the tcase, and diffs/suspension off this week. I have a buyer for all the driveline, so that will give me a small cash injection to purchase a trans/tcase, and some steel and brackets so I can start hanging the new suspension.

Now to move some parts out of the garage, a small shop has some challenges.

[Wtrimble]

Frame is in really good shape, front and rear cross member are both broken off the frame on the drivers side. Definitely will need to square everything up, repair the two breaks, and then will likely do a bit of boxing to strengthen the frame up before dropping the diesel in.

The drivers side running board had a large heavy gauge steel tool box to it that did a lot of damage, so that running board will need some repairs.

The running boards were mounted through wood blocks to the brackets? Not sure if that's original but it sure rotted all the mounting hardware. To remove the fenders, running boards, and box there was not a single bolt that would break free. Every single one required a cutting blade or torch to remove.

The box has heavy gauge diamond plate steel welded in for a floor. Which would be fine, except it was welded in over top of the wood slat. Gonna be a lot of hours to fix this box up.