The History of the Power Wagon

FCA US historian, Brandt Rosenbusch highlights seven decades of Ram Power Wagon history - a history that grew out of the U.S. government's reliance on the performance of Dodge Heavy Duty trucks during World War II.

[@Wiseguy1408]

I think the original Power Wagon is the coolest looking 4x4 ever!

[@luvsilly60]

Dodge needs a retro make. They nailed the Challenger.

[@SolamenteVees]

The red Wrecker that was in the Chrysler Museum was my Dad’s. He used it to plow Lockwood Drive in the winter before selling it to the museum… they did a wonderful restoration.

[@toomanyhobbies2011]

Those early Power Wagons were awesome looking and very strong, the first 1 ton 4x4 truck on the civilian market. Took a couple of decades for GM and Ford to see the market and make their own. By the 60s, Dodge was just another 4x4 truck. I have a '66 Chevy K20 that uses the same drive train as the Power Wagon.

[@douglasarrington8461]

My first truck when I was 17 was a 1967 Dodge Power Wagon when my buddies would get stuck I had to pull them out. Now I own a 1947 Dodge Power Wagon with a 440 in it. I would love to get a 75th Power Wagon.

[@vichedges8858]

That 75th anniversary PW is nice!

[@dmopar1136]

Keep this series going with brandt please!!

[@palco22]

I bought a brand new 1972 Dodge Power Wagon. It was a joy plowing snow but it was no match to these old Power Wagons. It didn't even come close ! These beauties are only in my dreams.

[@cats0182]

Why'd they change the body style? That red Power Wagon is a classic. I gotta believe they'd sell a gazillion of them.

[@karlk6860]

You know guys I picked up my first 1950 civilian Power Wagon out of Cali and got it to my house very early spring of this year, the truck has 18K original miles and virtually NO rust, like 61pwcc said the fellow doing the talking was a bit off on his facts mine has the 230 CI engine, exactly like the military used in the M-37 and mine is rated as a 1 ton. I will am doing a frame off and starting from the bottom and rebuild my way up, I estimate it will take 2 years to complete! Oh and one more thing, and I am sure 61pwcc will agree, WE DO NOT DRIVE RAMS, WE DRIVE POWER WAGONS!!!!!!!

[@danielrodriguez248]

Kool, hope to see it when it's done on you tube

[@nathanallen6411]

Hey any videos of that?

[@karlk6860]

@@nathanallen6411 Nathan no vids yet the truck is at the restoration shop getting the body and bed mounted on it hopefully that is pretty soon. I then need to do the wiring, mount the radiator and put the starter and build a battery holder then its pretty much reassemble the front end mount bumbers and winch and its done I will do a video of it before it sells!

[@nathanallen6411]

@@karlk6860 awesome!! I’m hoping to get a power wagon myself. Although I want a diesel, for vegetable oil conversion. I’ll subscribe to your channel to get updates

[@karlk6860]

@@nathanallen6411 Nathan the diesel upgrade is a very popular one and you have to change nothing on the drive train to accommodate it. Everything on these trucks is so overbuilt it will handle the diesel engine with no trouble. I am guessing you will have to increase the cooling capacity and the truck will have to be converted to 12 volt if it isn't already. It sounds like a fun conversion and will make the truck a bit more road able. With all that extra power you could handle an overdrive unit very easily. Keep me posted please! Karl

[@kwbarnes1]

I like the part about the "original Power Wagon" coming out in 1946. My brother used to own a trashed Power Wagon. It was a 1937 Plymouth Power Wagon 6x6 (duallies on the rear axle). Yes, I said Plymouth. The Plymouth data plate in the cab called it a Power Wagon. It looked very similar to the later flat fender dodges, except that the radiator was or at least looked )narrower, and the grill was curved.

[@leonfreeman5017]

Beautiful truck love to have one

[@Valor_73737]

I owned a '75 Power Wagon with factory snow plow setup! Because of the added weight of the snow plow it had stiffer than stock front springs! Roughest riding truck I ever owned. Although tough, it wouldn't hold a candle to the originals. Nothing could.

[@redman7834]

Tough powerful Trucks with tractor pulling power! Back in the day Dodge dominated Ford and Chevy when it came to hauling and pulling. If a Power Wagon pulled up to do a job the Ford and Chevy truck guys knew their pretty boy trucks were no match for a Dodge Power Wagon!

[@51WCDodge]

Hey my two 1944 Dodge WC51 and a 54 can both outpull a lot of modern junk, and go more places, plus you actually DRIVE them. Not a computer decding what should happen.

[@AlejandroP1980s]

51WCDodge hey did they made any automatic dodge trucks during 1932-1939 dodge truck I like the ram hood ornament

[@eloymorales1699]

Dodge its dominating again.....

[@charleschapman6810]

The civil-style"fenders"didn't last long, being replaced by simple curved pieces to keep mud and water from being thrown pinto the cabor the truck bed.

[@jeepguy220]

first experience with the power wagon was Simon and Simon TV show. Rick Simons power wagon was bad ass, looked like a battle scard war horse, pipe bumpers and the decals made the cool look. and also 70s TV show Vegas harlin twoleafs power wagon drove into a house, Dan tanna said they could use it like a half track. that's just two serious power wagons on TV, anyone have anymore TV or movie appearances of power wagons?

[@vichedges8858]

Lone wolf mcquade

[@rogeralsop3479]

Beautiful vehicle!

[@soapbox187]

This pickup, 1950 Ford F100 and 1976 Chevy k20 are some of the most beautiful trucks ever made. Throw in a 80s Toyota Hilux as well.

[@georgecass8529]

I wish they would bring the 40s power wagon back . Them are real trucks unlike the crap they build today.

[@oldgysgt]

The Dodge Power Wagon was NOT the first American civilian vehicle to offer four wheel drive. Designs for four-wheel drive in America came from the Twyford Company of Brookville, Pennsylvania in 1905, (six were made there around 1906); one still exists and is displayed annually. The second American four-wheel-drive vehicle was built in 1908 by (what became) the Four Wheel Drive Auto Company (FWD) of Wisconsin (not to be confused with the term "FWD" as an acronym for front-wheel drive). The Four Wheel Drive Auto Company, more often known as Four Wheel Drive or just FWD, was founded in 1909 in Clintonville, Wisconsin, USA as the Badger Four-Wheel Drive Auto Company by Otto Zachow and William Besserdich. FWD built trucks and cars for the civilian and military market. In the early 1930s FWD even got together with race car constructor Harry Miller and that collaboration resulted in the “Four Wheel Drive Miller” that competed successfully at Indianapolis in 1931, (and the Four Wheel Drive Miller was definitely a civilian vehicle). All of this information is available on the Internet if someone bothers to take the time to look it up!

[@miguelangelsanchez7264]

Maneje' estás bestias en mi servicio militar,era lo único que nunca,nunca se rompía

[@philipperiopel1911]

Even fire trucks, mining industries, railroads etc.

[@davesanders95]

the soldiers returning home demanded something as reliable as the military trucks. Dodge was caught completely off guard.

[@51WCDodge]

Most of the Dodges built in WW2 were still in Europe working on rebuilding the place. Plus, why ship back a load of vehicles to sell on the US market, depressing new production and putting a lot of people out of work? Though India, Burma French North Africa and Russia, Australia and New Zealand they got everywhere!

[@bullrambler]

awesome truck and I seem to recall Dodge doing a revamped concept that had similar body lines that was in retrospect to the one featured in this video. It never made production - but I was of the opinion that if they had made it... It would have been a smash hit on the market. The new stuff is nice but it doesn't warm the heart the way the original body lines does.

[@51WCDodge]

I have two 1944 Dodges a WC51 and WC 54. If you drive the equivalent British Military vehicles of the time, you know why I own Dodges. The Jeep posed for pictures, Dodges were to busy working. They wer ebuilt by people who knew if a truck failed men could die. I don't own mine, I'm just the one looking after them in this generation. They belong to those who built them, and those who fought with them.

[@ScoutCrafter]

To me that body style is just as appealing today... Sadly, I find no appeal in anything built today.

[@51WCDodge]

As the Land Rover saying goes 'Now built for footballers wives and Hairdressers.

[@douglasarrington8461]

You are not a power wagon fan or a owner

[@DAVIDPEREZ-ux8cp]

Love my 05' 👍🇺🇸 Would love a 49' flat fender..😛

[@runnersworld6531]

Wow! Now I know!!

[@erikkunkle9574]

They were not all 3/4 ton. I have a Dodge 1943 WC-63 1 1/2 ton 6x6 sitting in my garage. Stays in 4 wheel drive unless you engage the front axle. It was developed when the rifle squad increased in size and needed something bigger than the 3/4 ton WC-52/53

[@douglasdailey5998]

Now that is a 4 wheel drive truck.

[@hockeyman2298]

Also dodge did not realize the demand, it was demanded by soldiers returning to jobs on farms and in mines. So no dodge did not have that foresight.

[@meinradsigner203]

After world war II, the Swiss Army purchased hundreds of those half-ton and three-quarter-ton Dodge vehicles for basically scrap price from the US army in Europe. Those vehicles were in service till 1973 and then replaced by new Steyr Pinzgauers. In 1973 and 1974 anyone could purchase at auction those Dodges and most went for crap value again. MS

[@novaman3509]

What I wouldn't do to own original power wagon....

[@51WCDodge]

I suppopse I could say I do. A WC51 and a WC54, both 1944 and still going strong.

No they weren't all 3/4 ton the wc-12 and wc-40 dodge was built for ww2 they we four wheel drive and were 1/2 ton.

[@donnovicki9771]

The original and still the best. I'd give anything to own a 48. Try plowing your fields with a new one and see what happens.

[@6h471]

You mean to tell me people actually believe the modern Fiat 'Ram truck' has any relationship at all to a Dodge Power Wagon? That'd be doing the Power wagon a real disservice.

[@1gr8oil]

FORD or GM doesn't have ANYTHING that compares to the POWER WAGON!

[@ramtrucks721]

Pete 913 Shut up idiot

[@cliffcampbell8827]

I think the current iteration of the power wagon is a sign of the times with all the computer, fuel injection, radio, not having wood for the bed floor, automatic transmission, etc. A well restored and somewhat modernized first generation power wagon can fetch anywhere between $150,000 and $270,000. I doubt these new power wagons will command that kind of a jump in price 60 years from now, but who knows, stranger things have happened.

[@DAVIDPEREZ-ux8cp]

Poor poor pete..👉💩👈😆

[@williamg2552]

They should put the "DODGE" name back on the trucks !!! Just what kind of STUPDITY is this , FIAT ??

[@51WCDodge]

In England they are still Dodges, FIAT use the name IVECO on thier trucks, mainly because FIAT is consedered a joke.

[@cliffcampbell8827]

@@51WCDodge fiat makes a truck? I'm going to look into that.

[@KamikazeGrunt063]

I was unaware Fiat made a truck. I thought Ram did. Also, Ram separated from Dodge so they could focus solely on the trucks. How is that stupidity ?

[@mrserious444]

@@KamikazeGrunt063 no fiat makes ram now.

[@اللهأكبر-ص5ز7ف]

very nice thanks so much my first power wagon ride in las vegas please tell me what was the first power wagon the Desoto or Fargo or Dodge please soome one could know i really want to know this biggest fan since first invention in his brain/soul

[@samgarofalo2461]

اللهأ كبر Fargo was Canadian

[@61pwcc]

Why did he not at least read the facts off a cue card or two? No, the WW II Dodge 4x4s were NOT all 3/4 ton: there was a COMPLETE 1/2 ton line of pick ups, ambulances, carryalls, etc. First Power Wagon engine size was 230 cid NOT 240. First year for Dodge civilian 4x4 was 56' in the TWO ton model only. You could get the civilian 4x4 also in 1 ton starting in 58'. Don't use most of those photos as reference for going to find your own civilian 4x4 because those were prototypes pictured. Instead of Power Wagon, the original name was going to be Farm Utility Truck. Dodge's MILITARY 4x4 history STARTED before WW II back in the mid 1930s.

[@ramtrucks721]

61pwcc Great.. You got that off Wikipedia. Congratulations

[@51WCDodge]

RAM TRUCKS There was the 1/2 ton range, butit never went overseas, Dodge them selves following the 1938 army manouveres saw thw short comings and redisgined them to 3/4 ton, using about 80% of the 1/2 ton parts then persuaded the US Quartermaster's to reopen the selction. The 1 1/2 ton 6X6 was only built for about 18 months, didn't do much better than the 3/4 ton and couldn't do as much as the 2 1/2 ton trucks. And I own two a WC51 and WC54, still working , they go around England, Jersey, where I come from Belgium, France , especially Normandy, and anywhere (Well Almost!) else I want them to go.

[@cliffford2897]

I would also like to add that Marmon Herrington build Ford trucks before 1940 in 4 by 4 version.

[@markthompson4099]

It is to bad they do not make a reto of the 1946 version. The new trucks just do not have the style these old ones do.

[@samgarofalo2461]

Also a Longer production run than corvette

[@leloodallasmultipass]

yeah, but if you are serious about plowing, there is no substitute for the vette.

[@edwardlivengood4468]

Hard to find parking spot in Walmart parking lot

[@user-nz4wg8gn6j]

Can we put a hellcat engine in it tho???? 👀

[@Bru946]

What are those power things he was talking about in the front and back that provide power?

[@samgarofalo2461]

The Old Gentleman PTO's

[@51WCDodge]

Sam Garofalo Power Take Off (PTO) as used on things like tractors to drive machinery. There is a gear splined shaft, or in older ones a pulley wheel on which a belt is put. Engine and transmission of vehicle drive them and the shaft or belt powers the other equipment. i

[@georgecass8529]

Dodge should have kept after that market

[@bigcatproductions2789]

No CHIP needed 💪

[@TheInkPitOx]

When the Hummer and FJ Cruiser were revived, Dodge could've revived this

[@sergiochaverri8715]

Por favor traducir al Español

[@donnovicki4104]

Today's power wagon would wilt under the work load that this baby can do. What a truck....

[@beaterbutch3924]

230 c.i.

[@dlansburg2673]

Is this the dishonest stellantis that does not honor your warranty

[@macbomb]

Defiantly NOT the first civilian 4 wheel drive ever available... Mercedes started building 4WD vehicles 1903 - some of them already with all wheel steering. The first US four wheel drive vehicle, was built 1911 by the Four Wheel Drive auto company (FWD) .

[@williamg2552]

Yes, but DODGE was first in the U.S. ..before Ford and Chevy . Really STUPID for FIAT to take the DODGE name off of the trucks.

[@macbomb]

No the Four Wheel Drive Auto Company was the first in the US, before the Dodge Brothers even started making cars, let alone trucks and 4x4's. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Wheel_Drive

[@williamg2552]

And how long did THAT company stay around ?

[@macbomb]

If you read the link you would have seen they were Seagrave after a merger in 1963. They are still making commercial chassis for trucks till this day.

[@ramtrucks721]

williamg2552 Fiat bought Chrylser in 2009. Dodge name came off trucks in 2004. Stfu

[@hockeyman2298]

also trucks did not gain mass appeal until the dodge ram...

[@hassank2341]

Nach dem dodg FORD ist klassikal und mach mit der arbeit .ich meine :das auto versucht die probleme und map hoursepower und argonomy den raum macht alles in ordnung .ich entscheide ford suv.oder truk.meine liebe ist uaz 469 russia allgeine hunderprozent manual carbrator 2000 c 4×4 kraft wie bear vol suv.

[@rooster7658]

The legendary Power Wagon the original 4x4

[@vintageoverland7762]

Not even 20 seconds into this video your so-called “Manager of historical services” gives incorrect information you should really pick better references

[@oinn8003]

The newer 5th gen 2020+ PW are the best trucks out there for now…

[@Wilett614]

This Guy is MISTAKEN NOt all WW2 Dodge 4x4 were 3/4 ton vehicles ... I OWN 2, 1/2 TON 4x4 Dodge Weapons Carriers WC 12 AND a 1/2 ton WW2 Dodge Ambulance JUST like the one on MASH ... all of them are 1/2 TON Trucks

[@mikeyoung6347]

Since Fiat took over, poor Chrysler wishes it could build a truck like those old power wagons. The bailouts secured the last dime those shysters shall ever get from me. #1 worst truck built today= Dodge, #2 = GM.

[@benterbieten9540]

I don't like the fact that Fiat owns Dodge, But i'm still damn proud of my 18 4x4 wwith a Hemi, it's a Damn good truck

[@DAVIDPEREZ-ux8cp]

Poor mike.👉💩👈😆

[@cjjackson479]

This guy is MISTAKEN DODGE built MANY WC series 1/2 TON 4x4 trucks These trucks are more similar to the Civilian Power Wagons that were built Post WW2 I OWN 2 of them and 2 WM 300 Power Wagons . NOT all Dodge Military Trucks in WW2 Were 3/4 TON Dodge Power wagons today are worth 10 TIMES what they sold for originally . AND they DONT RUST OUT either : )

[@АлешаМудаков]

Я тоже хочу красную машину

[@barbarakonefa6917]

Wygląda jak mały zil 157 🙂

[@candisully8209]

new models are junk