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Posted by Photo Classifieds [68.189.252.175] on Monday, January 02, 2012 at 16:36:51 :
I first acquired this truck in 1977 in San Bernardino, California. Since then, I haven’t driven the truck more than 100 miles. The original plan was for it to be the unstoppable winter vehicle for our mountain hideaway. At that time, the truck had the original Dodge flat-head 6 engine and the standard military 24V ignition. Locking front hubs had been installed, but it otherwise was original. The original body had undergone a backyard paintbrush camouflage scheme that looked pretty weak; there was a lot of body rot and rust. At the time I was being relocated to New England so the truck spent about two years in the Boston area. During this time, I came across another identical truck that was complete except for the engine and transmission. The body was almost perfect, complete with the original red cross. I had about 6 months off between job assignments so the two trucks became one.
I retained the frame, suspension, axles and transfer from the original truck. I replaced the flat-head 6 with a new small block Chevy V-8 crate engine (Edelbrock manifold, Holley 4-bbl) and replaced the original 3-speed non-synchro transmission with a Borg-Warner (?) 4 speed synchro from a 5-ton dump truck. These buttoned up very nicely and, since there was a short drive shaft to the input side of the transfer case, the swap was pretty easy. This also allowed conversion to a 12V system (ever try jump-starting a 24V set-up?)
I then replaced things like shocks and brakes, lubed-up the chassis real well and then got ready to put the “new” body on. After this, I wired up the ignition temporarily and gave the truck its first test-run since the engine swap: everything functioned surprisingly well the first time.
About that time, I got transferred back to the west coast. The truck and a slew of spare parts have been in storage in the desert (Redlands, CA) ever since about 1980. I am not (and will never be) in a position to finish this truck.
$10,000
Contact: For further questions or to arrange a time to see the truck, please contact Pat Anderson at 858-692-4523, or info@PowerWagonforsale.com
Extra parts included:
Transfer case
Steering gearbox, shaft and steering wheel
Front axle, complete
Headlights
Windshields
Front fenders
Front and rear bumpers
Several rims (9 total)
Brake drums (8 total)
Numerous other extra parts including gauges, switches, lights
The personnel carrier portion of the truck is double-wall insulated and is virtually original and complete including litter racks, overhead operating lamp, folding jump seat, sliding door, gasoline-fired personnel heater.
I also have the original shop manual covering the body, frame and power train, as well as numerous receipts and references for part numbers.
Needed for completion:
Engine: Headers or custom manifolds (stock exhaust manifolds are currently mounted upside done since the frame rails are too narrow for conventional placement)
Ignition/wiring: Several connections are necessary to adapt the 12V system to the old 24V fixtures. There is currently a column-mount style ignition switch from an old Chevy. I have a new generic ignition switch.
Interior: Seats are pretty worn. The transmission cover/floorboards (around the shift levers) needs to be altered to fit the new configuration of the transfer and transmission shift levers; two covers are included.
Brakes: Wheel cylinders need to be replaced or re-built; drums probably need to be turned
Frame: There is a custom-fabricated cross member under the bell-housing which has limited clearance to the front drive shaft. The cross-member should be re-fabricated or front axle vertical travel limited to avoid contact between the cross member and the front drive shaft.
Transport: It would take a fair amount of work to get this truck road-worthy under its own power. It would be easy to tow. I have a special heavy-duty towbar that was made just for this truck. I have towed it across the U.S. twice behind something like a 20-24’ Ryder or U-haul truck with no problems. The first time, the towing truck was loaded as well. It would be helpful to disconnect the Pittman arm.