6BT Cummis Turbo Diesel, 5-speed, Dana 60 axles, pro-built, fast, functional

There are only a handful of vehicles that were produced for decades virtually unchanged: the Jeep, the VW Beetle, the Model T Ford, and the Dodge Power Wagon. Perhaps it’s because the designs were so right that time couldn’t quite get a grip on them, or, as in the case of the Power Wagon, maybe it’s just that nobody was able to come up with anything better. Even today, I can’t think of a single vehicle this side of a backhoe that can go anywhere, move anything, and adapt itself to situations as well as the Power Wagon. The fact that it also looks brutally awesome certainly helps—has there ever been a manlier chunk of sheetmetal on four wheels? The Power Wagon’s only liability might just be that while it can go anywhere, you need a lot of time to do it, because speed was never their forte.

Well, this incredible 1946 Dodge Power Wagon neatly remedies that particular Achilles’ heel, thanks to a thumping 5.9 liter Cummins 6BT HO turbo diesel powerplant. Quite likely the only one in the world that combines the authentic Power Wagon experience with what is arguably the finest road-going diesel engine available, this spectacular truck is a no-compromises build that turns up the Power Wagon legend all the way to 11.

The goal was simple: take the Power Wagon and turn it into a vehicle that could actually be used as a real truck in today’s world. That’s easier said than done, however, and if you ask around at all the well-known Power Wagon shops, they’ll try to talk you into a 4BT 4-cylinder diesel or a gas-powered V8. No, getting this giant engine into the Power Wagon’s engine bay is no easy feat, and even the guys who built this one aren’t too interested in doing it again—that’s how challenging it was. Fortunately, it was professionally finished from top to bottom, and most of the credit for its exceptional finish and user-friendliness goes to Dan Mininger at Precision Power Wagons, a small shop in Pennsylvania that turns out some of the most amazing heavy-duty Dodges in the world. Look them up, it’s worth it, I promise.

At a glance, this heavy-duty pickup looks for all the world like a restored Power Wagon, which it is. The cab, doors, fenders, running boards, and all the little details are completely authentic, original Power Wagon parts. Painting it bright red was a smart move, because you won’t be sneaking around in this truck and at nearly seven feet tall, it’s impossible to keep a low profile (literally and figuratively). Finish quality is quite good, with doors that close without a violent slam and a butterfly hood that snaps open easily on well-oiled hinges. All the traditional styling cues remain, from the headlights and cowl lights to the heavy-duty bumper to the burly grille guard that seems designed to keep water buffalos out of your radiator. It’s massive in every way, but yes, the sheetmetal is original save for the bed, which was custom fabricated just for this truck and at 9/8 scale, so the proportions are exactly right. The bed is lined with weathered wooden planks, which is purely intentional, and the tailgate swings freely using stock-style chains and hooks to secure it. Black fenders and running boards give it a traditional look and there are twin taillights out back for safety. And, of course, there’s the famous Power Wagon winch up front, which remains fully functional. It’s driven by the engine, so you have about 500 pounds of torque at your disposal and a thick ½-inch stainless steel cable, so if you get this one stuck you have nobody to blame but yourself.

The interior is also true to the Power Wagon spirit. Sure you can get modified trucks with bucket seats, but they never look quite right and the fit of the distressed leather bench in this big red Dodge arguably works better. The steel dash is original and painted to match the bodywork, but it’s filled with beautiful gauges from Classic Instruments, as well as the controls for the PTO winch (the big red knob on the left) and the fully functional Arvin under-dash heater, which is strong enough to roast a Thanksgiving turkey. Obviously there was some pretty radical surgery required to get that big Cummins engine in there, so the radio was moved to the glove box, but the Kenwood AM/FM/CD stereo head unit includes a handy remote so you don’t need to reach over there to use it. A big 3-spoke steering wheel seems right for a rig of this size and while you may be tempted to complain about the rudimentary accelerator pedal, it’s like that on purpose—believe me, we’ve tried other configurations but this is the one that doesn’t give you shin splints when you drive it. The floors are covered in durable spray-on bedliner material, and there are lovely little hand-stitched boots on the shifter and emergency brake, complete with bright red stitching. Authentic Power Wagon operation and warning plates are still on the glove box lid, but you can safely ignore the 58 MPH top speed—more on that in a moment. You also get a beautifully finished and correct cardboard headliner, a crank-out windshield for ventilation, and a pair of electric wiper motors to replace the vacuum-powered originals. There’s absolutely nothing in this truck that’s merely adequate.

OK, the good stuff is all under the skin. That’s a 5.9 liter DOHC Cummins 6BT turbo diesel powerplant under the hood, and it’s the most ideal powerplant for a rig like this we can imagine. It was pulled from a 2003 Dodge Ram 3500 with just 13,000 miles on the clock, and if you’re a fan of the big Dodge Ram pickups, you know that the early 24V HO 6BT motors are the ones everybody wants. A huge amount of custom fabrication was required to get this gigantic engine under the hood, but the end result is a machine that looks and acts like the factory built it this way. The factory engine controls and fuel injection system are completely intact, so it starts instantly and idles perfectly, and yes, all that torque totally transforms the vintage Power Wagon. There’s a massive aluminum radiator with an equally large electric fan up front, a custom intercooler ahead of that (dig how the drive shaft for the winch passes right through the intercooler’s side tank), and service access is still quite good. If you want to have some fun, take it to your local Dodge dealer for service (the factory ALDL is neatly tucked under the glove box)—we tried that emptied the service department for about an hour. The engine is unmodified, but you’ll probably be surprised to learn that the Power Wagon is nearly 800 pounds lighter than the 3500 from which the engine was plucked, so performance is more than entertaining. It’s got a big-rig sound and feel, but it’s still far more civilized than the four-cylinder diesels everyone else is using and the torque… well, we can’t promise you won’t get addicted to the way this tucker pulls.

The other half of the equation is the driveline, which has also been completely updated. The 5-speed manual gearbox is a NV4500HD unit, but with 550 pounds of torque on tap, you’ll probably only need the top three gears. There are Dana 60 axles with 3.55 gears at each end, and the transfer case is a beefy NP205 2-speed unit, so this truck is ideally suited for crawling around in the dirt, yet happily cruises at modern highway speeds thanks to a towering overdrive gear. The chassis is original, but it’s been reinforced as needed and fitted with heavy-duty springs that are just as strong as the originals, yet ride far better. In back, there’s a Class IV trailer hitch and trailer brake controller under the dash, so this Power Wagon doesn’t mind doing a little hauling and just imagine your cool Mopar on a trailer behind this rig at the next big show. Too cool! Of course, you also get power steering and massive power disc brakes, as well as custom-made drive shafts, oversized U-joints, and a beautifully built 4-inch exhaust system that sounds like it was borrowed directly from a Kenworth. Those trick wheels are 16-inch Hutchinson Border Patrol Hum-Vee aluminum wheels with bead locks and they carry 11R16 Michelin mil-spec radials which are virtually impossible to find and outrageously expensive, but nothing else would have looked right.

Now the big question is how does it drive? It’s spectacular in just about every way. If you like the way an original Power Wagon feels, this one still feels authentic. However, there’s effortless power on tap in any gear at any speed and you are no longer a rolling road block. Roll onto the accelerator in third gear, and there aren’t many cars on the road capable of passing this big red Dodge. Just make sure it’s pointed where you want to go, because once the boost comes up, it rockets forward with a ferocity that’s totally unexpected in something this big. The ride is surprisingly civilized, the steering isn’t twitchy, and the brakes are powerful thanks to hydro-boost power assist. It’s not a sports car, of course, but it’s not an antique truck, either. The highest praise I can give such a machine is that it simply works the way you would expect with enough excess power to put a smile on your face every time you drive it. Do you need a truck like this? No. Do you want a truck like this? Absolutely!

Look around at Power Wagon values and you’ll see the asking price isn’t out of line. In fact, compared to a few years ago, it might even be a bargain. A certain builder in Colorado will talk to you if you’re willing to spend $180,000 to get in the door, but they can’t offer you a 6BT engine. Dan Mininger will build you something equally spectacular, but he’s so good at what he does that people are willing to wait three or four years to get one of his creations. And if you watch the auctions, you’ve undoubtedly seen more than one Power Wagon cross the block and pull a six-figure price. None of those trucks—none—offered the combination of power, utility, comfort, and looks that this one does. This truck remains unique and lives at the very top of the Power Wagon food chain.

We know the guys who built this truck and their reputation for quality—it shows throughout. There’s more than $150,000 wrapped up in the build and the custom fabrication involved is extremely impressive. There are other outfits that will build powerful Power Wagons, but none will offer the earth-moving torque of the 6BT Cummins and the big-rig feel of this red Dodge. And honestly, who wants a Power Wagon that’s had all its character erased? This one delivers it all, from the PTO winch to the old-school driving position, but all the handicaps of the original have been removed. This is, and probably always will be, the most amazing Power Wagon ever built.