47-55.1 Inspiration wanted! If Chevy made a Power Wagon, what would it look like?

[americanmusc1e]

I need some inspiration. Here's my 4x4 1949 Chevy 3800. It's on a 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 frame. Current tire size is 235/85r16, but I'm considering a 255/85r16 (33").

I've always loved the post-war Power Wagons and I really want to build this truck to look like a post-war Chevy Power Wagon. Having a power wagon vibe but uniquely AD. Something like what this company does with actual power wagons. https://www.legacyclassictrucks.com/...onversion.html

Pictures of NAPCO AD trucks or heavy hauler AD trucks are appreciated. Bumpers, PTO winches, beds, lighting, gin poles. and the like are also appreciated.

[mr48chev]

I'd say you have a decent plan. I'd make sure that the added external pieces such as bumper or winch mount are period correct for the era you are trying to hit. I can't find anything with a decent looking winch setup on it. About the only thing that got winches back then were Jeeps or Powerwagons.

[1project2many]

Power Wagons were made for the military. Here's GMC's CCKW military truck:


The "Power Wagon" option for smaller trucks back then was a Napco or Coleman conversion.

[1project2many]

Front mount PTO winch was a key part of the Power Wagon and CCKW. Others were aftermarket.

[57tailgater]

Sounds like a cool idea. First, I'd make sure it looks like the body and frame were meant to go together. 33" or 35" tall tires (depending on lift) would be good but not really wide or mounted on some modern looking 4x4 wheels. Keeping the body stock would be good but maybe adding some jerry cans on the running boards would work. I'd stay away from the 4x4 off-roader look as your theme is that of a power wagon (and stay on that theme). A winch could be added but not using a big bulky bumper like on some of today's 4x4's. Maybe just c-channel or stock commercial style bumpers. Tuck a winch behind the front bumper and use a roller fairlead in the bumper for the cable to come out. Shackles at tow points and maybe even a pintle hitch out back. Extra lighting (and no LED looking bars, lenses etc.) limited to a couple mounted around the front bumper and possibly a vintage brush guard. You may also want to look at Willys pickups of that era to get some ideas. Just a few thoughts. Good luck!

[dsraven]

to me, the wheels and tires are too wide for the body to make it look "right" for the period. you could widen the fenders to cover the stock wheels though. cut a straight line and then add strip of metal to make the wheels fit under the fenders.
not a fan of the reverse 1 ton style offset wheels on all 4 corners. ok if it were to be a dually but not for single wheels.
once the width is right I would leave dents and stuff as they are, make it look mean and used, like it could go anywhere and pull anything. a nice tough, but not overly large, front bumper with a winch. not overstated like a lot of modern 4x4's are running. more like something a shop would do for versatility back in the day instead of for looks. maybe like army styling where it is versatile but not fancy. just tough and durable. maybe a split front bumper with the winch housed in the middle but not a bunch of bright colors and overstated. if going with some extra lights make them look like the old fashioned work lights that had a purpose, not like they are stuck on there but never used. if you don't have a box yet maybe consider one of those work style sheet metal boxes with the squared off fenders like a power wagon would have used. I like the steel jerry can on the running board idea too. some visible stake pockets, ribbed sides on the box, flat, trailer style rear fenders maybe?

https://www.bestcarfinder.com/sale-b...-51202469.html

[57tailgater]

Although not a Chevy, here's a thread I think is similar to what you're going for:

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...river.1193623/

Maybe could use some taller and (or not) just slightly wider tires.

[dsraven]

a box like this is what I mean. somebody makes them for service trucks or parks/utility end users where the original truck box is removed and one of these is installed. maybe could find a used one with some "character". the custom build ones look a lot like the willy's box but different.

https://m.roadkillcustoms.com/1946-1...-pickup-truck/

[dsraven]

check out rebco logger box, it is the one I was thinking of. google images.
like this, modifiable to what you want/need.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...7561415662628/

[americanmusc1e]

Wow. Thank you all for the responses. I can understand some being upset about the tires sticking past the fenders, but I'm going to live with it for now. I'm casually looking for a deal on a big bolt front clip which i believe will clear the tires.

Early on, I considered doing a 4x4 durango frame instead of a 2500 frame. I think the durango is narrow enough that the tires would have fit, but I want to be able to pull my C10 to the track and I want to have a 8000lb towing capacity so I can drag nearly any project home. The 2500 will do this easy enough and the durango I wouldn't want to.

I chose these 238/85r16 tires because they are the skinniest tires that are a fairly modern profile and they are available everywhere. Though now I'm wanting to do a 255/85r16 tire because the truck looks like it needs more tire.

After looking at a bunch of pictures the last few days I think i'm going to make the original front bumper fit with a winch behind the bumper and go back to a stakebed on the back. I think period correct big mirrors are going on for sure. This mirror is almost worthless.

Here's a picture of when we pulled the truck out of a barn around 2010

[joedoh]

I dont mind the tires sticking out!

Originally Posted by 57tailgater

Although not a Chevy, here's a thread I think is similar to what you're going for:

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/...river.1193623/

Maybe could use some taller and (or not) just slightly wider tires.

what a cool truck!

[Tempest67]

Here my vision of an AD Power Wagon,

[americanmusc1e]

Originally Posted by Tempest67

Here my vision of an AD Power Wagon,

Yeah I just read through vintovka's build thread. It's a cool truck for sure. I'm going to skinnier, taller tires and a 9' flatbed like my truck orginally had. My donor Ram was a club cab swb so the wheelbase is within 1" of the original 9' bed 3800

[whitedog76]

A guy here in town used to have a 3600 flatbed riding on white wagon wheels and 31x10.50's. I loved the look.

It looked a lot like this one.

[mongocanfly]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RH_atpnbwpU

[mick53]

I had a blazer once, 70's I think. It had a "factory sidewinder" winch that was pto driven. It sat underneath between the frame rails I think. It was a long time ago. It was cool because you couldn't see the winch part. I have an old sm420 with a pto on it and I presume that's what it had.

[1project2many]

Originally Posted by americanmusc1e

Yeah I just read through vintovka's build thread. It's a cool truck for sure. I'm going to skinnier, taller tires and a 9' flatbed like my truck orginally had.

I love the bed in your original photo. It's uncommon imo to see fenders under a stakebed. Add a dump hoist and skinny, agressive tires on offset wheels and it would look more like an old 4X4 conversion.

[vintovka]

Originally Posted by americanmusc1e

Yeah I just read through vintovka's build thread. It's a cool truck for sure. I'm going to skinnier, taller tires and a 9' flatbed like my truck orginally had. My donor Ram was a club cab swb so the wheelbase is within 1" of the original 9' bed 3800

Wow Flattered To hell here. Will say the chassis/32" tires are stable to 85+ MPH. Too old and chicken to go faster.

[Tempest67]

well deserved vintovka, your truck looks great