1957 Dodge W100 Power Giant Questions

[jddcarr]

Good afternoon. I'm new to this forum and new to Dodge Power Giants. I have owned a few Sweptline Power Wagons (1962 and 1965) but this is my first 1957 and I have some questions I wa shoping someone could help me with. My first question involves paint colors and options. Does anyone know colors you could get this truck in? I will eventually paint it and I would prefer to choose an original color. It's currently red but it looks like it might have had one repaint but maybe not. Does anyone have the paint codes or know where they could be found? I was also wondering about a black circualr hard rubber cap on the lower driver side portion of the cab. It looks like it might have been for a low gas tank but the truck is completely factory original and the gas tank is in the passenger rear. What is this black round hard rubber type stopper on the driver side just behind the door? Also, can anyone tell me the best place to get parts for this truck? I will add it to the registry this weekend if I ever come out of the garage or perhaps next week. Thank you in advance for any information you could provide. Cool looking truck. When I have more time I will tell the story behind it. Thanks again.

Justin

[Jeff in N.Tx.]

Check out www.autocolorlibrary.com for factory paint colors and codes.
You are not going to find much in the way body or interior parts for the truck. It was a "one year only" model, as far as body style goes. Check
Vintage Power Wagons, as they have a few parts that may fit the 57,and they might have one or two they are parting out in their yard. Rubber parts may be pretty generec, and auto restoration supply places may have some things you need. I restored a 58, and found that it takes a lot of searching around to find things you will need for those Power Giant trucks.
I really like the looks of the 57's. Have fun.
Jeff

[jddcarr]

1957 Dodge W100 Power Wagon Power Giant

Jeff,
Thanks so much for the great information. Fortunately the truck is 100% there as far as the body goes and there is virtually no rust on it. It is going to need a motor rebuild but it's all there right now. I appreciate the feedback. Any idea what that black circular grommet is on the driver side lower cab? Factory tank is under the bed on the passenger rear. Just curious what the story was with that thing. Thanks.

Justin

[Jeff in N.Tx.]

My truck had that also. As I recall, it was for an alternate fuel tank location that was either an option, or standard locaton, on some models of those trucks. Sounds like you have found a nice one. Post some photos here when you can.
Jeff

[MoparFreak69]

That cab was used on the larger trucks (2 ton+) of the day as well. The big trucks had the tank lower and that would have been the fill for it. My '59 has the plug as well. I am going to delete it when I get to the point of doing bodywork. Its up to you what you do with yours. If you are trying to keep it original then I would recommend leaving it in place.

Ron should pop around soon and he will be able to give you boatloads of information. He builds some pretty darn nice trucks (Power Giant series) and has a couple few of his own that he runs. He has plenty of sources for just about anything you could need, if it is available that is.

[Ron in Indiana]

The plug in question is because the two wheel drive cabs had a frame mounted tank. The four wheel, W series had the tank in the rear due to the transfer case cross member. Dodge didn't change cabs but came up with the plug. There was one on ebay just the other day. I don't know of any reproduction plugs being made but that may be subject to change. As far as colors go Jeff is correct with his link. Dodge Truck Red is a popular color and it's what my 59 W200 is wearing. There weren't a lot of colors back in the day but enough to satisfy most everyone. I will say this, I prefer Sand Dune White over Sahara Beige as a trim color. I have worked on a couple of 57's but more 58's than any other year. !957 Sheet metal is a one year only truck making parts a little more difficult to find. Mechanical parts are pretty readily available from the box stores and Napa. We look forward to seeing pictures of your truck. I don't know how far you are going into the tear down but the rear axles have tapered axles for the brake drums. These can be a bear to remove. Been there, done that. I have a trick that helps when you get to that point. Have fun and document everything. Digital cameras are our friends.

[mattsoldmopars]

Any idea what that black circular grommet is on the driver side lower cab? Factory tank is under the bed on the passenger rear. Just curious what the story was with that thing. Thanks.

Justin

The round rubber black, is the gas filler neck delete plug. Most of the D-series trucks (2 wheel drive) had the gas tank under the drivers side cab floor, and filler neck came up though that hole. On the W-series (4 wheel drive) trucks, the transfer case would kind of get in the way of the gas tank, so instead of making two cabs one for the 2x4 trucks and one for the 4x4 trucks, they devised the black circular grommet to fill the hole, when it was not needed.

Matt

[jddcarr]

WOW Great Information

Wow, Thank you for all the great information. I'm not sure how far down I am going to take it yet. I will see when I get started in the next week or so. The motor is coming out for sure and will get a complete rebuild. That will be the first thing. The front clip and the hood is off right now. I was looking at paint. Ron you prefer the white you mentioned over the Sahara Beige? I'm curious as to why. I haven't seen either color but I do want to make it look original. Does anyone know if the two tone color were only on D series trucks? I really like that look but if it's not correct to have the top the beige (or white) and the bottom red with the grill parts and rims beige I don't want to do it. I would prefer to do whatever is correct. Attached are some pictures of the truck. There are mostly the bad parts of it. The rust on each rear fender etc. I did take a picture underneath each front wheel. The truck has the original rubber flaps by the firewall. I was also wondering if anyone had ever seen a truck with a type of tan cloth over the passenger side oval plate in the dash. Not sure what this is? I did find a transistor type radio with all the parts. It looks like it would be something from 1957. Pretty cool. It has a speaker in the bottom of it. The old guy said he has done nothing to change it. Every time I asked him about something like the black grommet he would say. "That is how it came from Dodge. The truck is all original. I haven't changed anything". He does have two full sets of rims and two spares. He has different tires on each set. They are all ancient completely dry rotted tires. What size tire looks good or is good for this truck? Check out the pictures. I will post more later in the week. Thank you for all of the great information. I dig this old truck. It just seems so cool and I like that I got it from the family who bought it new. Let me know if the pictures come through OK.[IMG]file:///Users/justincarr/Pictures/1957%20Dodge%20Power%20Wagon%20Photos/IMG_4266.JPG[/IMG]
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[jddcarr]

Sorry about the pictures

Sorry guys, my user name is not set-up to post attachments. That is what it says on the bottom when I am logged in. If I can figure it out I will get some pictures uploaded. Have a great night.

[Ron in Indiana]

Justin, I'm afraid your pictures don't come up at least on my computer. I use Webshots as a free picture hosting site. It's easy to upload your pictures and you can make albums for different themes. I like Sand Dune white because the Sahara Beige is to pink. The SD white is a creamy white but not bright white if you know what I mean. Sand Dune White is a 59-60 color so if you want a white for 57 it's Alaska white which is a bright white. Various tire and rim options were available. What size are the tires you have with the truck? Here is a link for colors just click on a color for a larger view http://www.tcpglobal.com/autocolorli...truck-pg01.jpg

[jddcarr]

57 pw

I will have to go with the Sand Dune white then. I'm planning on using Dodge Truck Red for the main color and if there is any pink in that beige it will really come out against the red. I will hop on web shots tonight and set something up to add some pictures. I have to look at the tires. Thanks again for the information.

[jddcarr]

Pictures of 57 Dodge Power Wagon

OK, Here are a few pictures of the truck. These were taken in the sellers garage. I will document the progress as I go. Hopefully the progress won't be too slow. Ron, please me know if these come through ok. Thanks....

[jddcarr]

More Dodge Power Wagon Pictures

Let's just try a link to the web shots page. Hopefully this works. Please let me know............ Thanks :)

http://community.webshots.com/album/580699299lWbglG

[Ron in Indiana]

There you go they come up in Webshots. I ran your VIN and it comes up a 57 1/2 ton with a 315 and was number 207 on the line. Looks like a good solid truck with a few areas needing some welding and finish work. Do you do your own bodywork? Webshots is good site for making an album and you can write descriptions of what is being shown for others. Here is my page http://community.webshots.com/user/Powergiant Go to the 57 album to see a 57 that is now in Vermont. It has a 315 with a 3 speed. It's been painted a two tone red and white since those pictures where taken a few years ago. Where are you located? Have fun with your truck that's what it's all about.

[jddcarr]

1957 Dodge PW

Ron, Wow, I love the big windshield on that truck. Very cool. The hunt and the find is as exciting as the process of bringing it back. I'm pretty amped to get started on mine. I have different front locking hubs on mine? They are not like the warn hubs you had on that 57 in your gallery. I looked at the hubs on my truck very briefly but didn't try to figure out how they will work. They do look original though and very clean. I live in Colorado in the Denver area. This truck came from the Colorado Springs area close to Cheyenne Mountain. Thanks for sharing your pictures. I'm still going through them. The later year PG's are very cool. I don't do my own body work. I do have a guy that can help cut out and replace the metal but I have to find a good body guy. There are some small dents that need to come out of certain areas but the metal is overall very good. THAT W200 you have is UNREAL NICE