What was the first ever Dodge Power Wagon?

The First Ever Dodge Power Wagon
The first-ever Dodge Power Wagon was unveiled in 1946, making it the first-ever 4×4 truck to roll off a major manufacturer’s production line. Initially, the Power Wagon started as a military truck used to haul loads and cargo across bases. After the war, the first civilian Power Wagon was introduced. This civilian model was popularly referred to as the flat fender Power Wagon (FFPW) or Military Type Truck. The Dodge Power Wagon is considered America’s first mass-produced 4×4 truck. It served as a predecessor to everyone looking to buy or build a 4×4 truck and offered a seamless transition from war life to a normal peaceful life.
The Dodge Power Wagon was derived mechanically from Dodge’s WC series military trucks, which were light 4WD and 6WD utility vehicles. It was introduced as the first civilian 4×4 truck and continued the already-started production of Dodge 4WD trucks that arose in the 1930s. The Power Wagon served as a nameplate for the Dodge Ram, the full-size pickup, from 2005 to 2013.
The Dodge Power Wagon played a significant role in American history and the pickup truck market, and it remains a beloved and iconic vehicle to this day.

How much horsepower does a 1948 Power Wagon have?

Despite its rugged looks and military reputation, this Power Wagon is quite underpowered by modern standards. Our example runs Chrysler’s tried-and-true 230ci flathead inline 6, making approximately 74 horsepower from the factory. This isn’t a fast truck, but it wasn’t designed to be.

What was the first Dodge Power Wagon?

The power wagon really starts with dodges involvement with world war ii. During the war dodge built over two hundred fifty five thousand military trucks all of them were 3/4 ton they came in various

When did Dodge start making 4×4 trucks?

Dodge had started developing designs for a 4×4 half-ton in 1939, and began production in earnest in 1940 — both 4×4 half-tons, as well as 1 1⁄2-ton 4×4 and 4×2 trucks.

What makes a Power Wagon special?

The Power Wagon comes standard with electronic locking differentials on the front and rear axles, so it’s built to help you keep the truck moving even in the harshest terrain. Also, this sturdy Ram comes standard with four-wheel drive, improving traction on unpaved surfaces.

What year did Dodge release the Power Wagon?

The result, though, was not called Power Wagon: Initially, it was called the Model WDX General Purpose Truck on its January 1946 launch. The decision to name it Power Wagon came a few months later, and was announced in the noted truck journal Power Wagon.

What years were Power Wagons made?

The Dodge Power Wagon was a four wheel drive light truck that was produced in various model series from 1945 to 1981 by Dodge. It was also produced as a nameplate for the Dodge Ram from 2005 to 2013, and, most recently, as an individual model marketed by Ram Trucks.

What engine is in a 1946 Dodge Power Wagon?

230ci Flat Head 6
Dodge used two different engines in the Power Wagons between the years of 1946 and 1968. The 230ci Flat Head 6 was used from 1946 until 1960 and the 251ci Flat Head 6 was used from 1961 onwards.

How many power wagons were made?

Dodge produced 95,145 Power Wagons through 1968, by which time the starting tab for a pickup had nearly tripled to $4,634. The peak year was 1957, when 8,706 were turned out, but other years saw anywhere from about 1,400 to 6,000 produced.

What was the top speed of the 1946 Power Wagon?

about 50 mph
Rear axle choice was limited to either a 5.83 or 4.89 final drive ratio — perfect for hauling heavy loads or pulling a plow through the field, but a handicap on the highway, where the top speed was only about 50 mph. The one-ton Power Wagon’s maximum gross vehicle weight rating was 8,700 pounds.

What was the first factory 4×4 truck?

Dodge developed its first four-wheel-drive truck in 1934 — a military 11⁄2 ton designated K-39-X-4(USA), of which 796 units were built for the U.S. Army in several configurations. Timken supplied front axles and transfer cases, added to militarized a civilian truck.