1977 dodge power wagon

spartan22 · Oct 3, 2013

Hey I'm new to the forum and have couple questions. First off I'm in highschool and I'm looking for a project truck to make a mud truck. Nothing super complicated just simple work that my friends and my dad and I can do. So I'm checking out buying a 1977 dodge power wagon with a 360 v8. The engine and transmission were rebuilt and the guy is about to change the module. I looked around it has typical rust, no paint, brand new mud tires, and no stereo and its a automatic with full time 4wd. The problems I see are the back axle is covered in some grease or oil. Idk what it means or how hard and the cost to replace or fix. Also on the left side in the middle there is a bar with some sort of connecting bracket that when lifted up can reach a couple other bars buts its hanging down and I don't know what it is. Do you guys think it would be worth buying he wants 1500 but will it be expensive to fix those problems?.

WhiteExpress · Oct 3, 2013

As a general rule of thumb, a functioning 4wd is worth 1000.
Sounds like it's got a leaky rear diff, shouldn't be much of an issue provided it's a seal or a gasket.

Your description of the front 'bar' sound like maybe it's steering related. It was likely ridden pretty hard. You can likely find out what part it is and replace it for 40-60 bucks.

spartan22 · Oct 3, 2013

Thanks for the info. So if you were in my situation you would buy it? I was thinking 1200 would be a good price. Do you know of a good way i could paint it desert tan for cheap?

dodge dude94 · Oct 3, 2013

Unless it runs DAMN good, it's only worth about $800-1000.

Chewy · Oct 3, 2013

Yeah, I wouldn't give more than a grand for that truck. It's 36 years old and in what looks like ROUGH shape.

Some sandpaper and some flat tan and a roller is the cheapest easiest way to paint THAT truck. Plus, the roller will leave some texture behind to hide the mass amount of metal and paint damage.

Chris

spartan22 · Oct 3, 2013

Alright it isnt running right now but his mechanic said it the module and he is about to replace it and im not gonna buy it if it doesnt run. Thanks for the info ill try to get him lower on price but he keeps telling me its 1977 power wagon you never see these anymore and the tires are worth a thousand so i neeed 1500 and i keep telling him you almost never get your money back or cars and trucks. but whatever. if you guys see any old trucks that could be a beginner project shoot me an email. Thanks

WhiteExpress · Oct 3, 2013

****** old rust bucket $1000. Done. lol

dodge dude94 · Oct 3, 2013

To put it into perspective, this is what $1500 got me:

And this is what it looks like now:

That truck really isn't worth it IMO.

Chewy · Oct 3, 2013

Tell us where you're at geographically...

spartan22 · Oct 3, 2013

Im from Fargo North Dakota if you dont mind ill keep you guys updated as this moves along

WhiteExpress · Oct 3, 2013

That's what the internets is for! Keep the posts coming!

spartan22 · Oct 4, 2013

I found another dodge truck project but its over 3 hours away from where i live it looks nice but it doesnt run and he says it needs the heater line and some other lines connected it also come with a extra tranny and another 360v8 has mud tires. you know what ill just post the link to the ad. 84 Dodge W350

dodge dude94 · Oct 4, 2013

I'd try to go look at it. Looks good. If you can fix it in the guys driveway and drive it home, even better.

spartan22 · Oct 4, 2013

he said the reason that it isn't running is that the tubes are not connected and that he and his son started it as a project and his son lost interest. they were re doing the cylinder heads and finished but never put them back in. is that something i could do there and then drive it home or is that a unrealistic goal?

dodge dude94 · Oct 4, 2013

Depends on what all needs to be done. Looks like the heads are on it in the pictures, but there is no telling what's underneath them or if they even have gaskets.

spartan22 · Oct 5, 2013

Besides Craigslist where else can I find old trucks for sale that are pretty cheap.

Brakelate · Oct 7, 2013

Aww, the Ad has been pulled down by the poster. One of you jokers get it??

I spotted a neat "project" in a storage lot nearby. An old '40s Power Wagon. Not much left of it from the cab back, but the cab and front are there... but in bad shape. Sweet Power Wagon emblems are still there though!

Not sure what the guy wants for it. Probably a fortune. Way outside my capabilities and budget for a restoration, but if the guy would be VERY reasonable, I would tow it home for "Yard Art" to park next to the new PW if nothing else. Not sure what is left of the drivetrain or interior as it is behind a closed fence. But, it has some neat options, like old driving light housings on the side of the cab, etc.

I will have to go get pics, snoop around and make an offer. Then I will start my own thread on it.

spartan22 · Apr 18, 2014

Well after working over the winter i saved up some money and im gonna go back to this guy and try to get this truck as long as it is running of course. Im thinking im going to offer $800 cash on it but would think about going to like 1300 if i have to

spartan22 · Apr 22, 2014

I was wrong it isnt full time 4wd its a manual Tcase. So my question is, is it true 4wd or do only a few wheels spin like on new truck? I thought all 4 would spin but my friend said that only one wheel in the back spins and one in the front is that true?

WhiteExpress · Apr 22, 2014

spartan22 said:
I was wrong it isnt full time 4wd its a manual Tcase. So my question is, is it true 4wd or do only a few wheels spin like on new truck? I thought all 4 would spin but my friend said that only one wheel in the back spins and one in the front is that true?

Unless it has lockers (rare) in "4WD" you are powering both differentials.
But both diffs are very likely 'open' meaning they send power to the wheel with the LEAST traction (aka 2 wheel drive).

1977 dodge power wagon

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