Good morning! Today we’ve got a pair of old trucks with three-on-the-trees. Or is that threes-on-the-tree, like Attorneys General or Yukons Denali? I don’t know. Anyway, three forward gears shifted by a lever on the column. One is leisurely, the other… isn’t.
First, however, we should finish up with yesterday’s wagons. I knew the nostalgic pull would be there for both of them, but I also figured the Honda, by virtue of being less primitive, would take the win. And I was right, though it was closer than I expected.
As for me, and this may be the only time I would say this, I’ll take the Subaru. Honda Wagovans are neat, no doubt, but the early Subaru weirdness has too strong of an appeal for me. I’d rather have a Brat, or one of those little two-door hatchbacks they made, but this would be fine as well. I wonder if you can get reproduction US Ski Team graphics for it?
Today we’re stepping back further in time, to the days of inline sixes and three-speed manuals on the column. One of these trucks still has its trusty six, but the other has been treated to something a little spicier. Both run and drive, and both, for once, have white-letter tires. (Not enough cars have white-letter tires these days, in my opinion.) Let’s check them out.
1973 Dodge W100 Power Wagon – $4,250
Engine/drivetrain: 225 cubic inch overhead valve inline six, three-speed manual, part-time 4WD
Location: Gaston, OR
Odometer reading: unknown
Operational status: Daily-drivable, but may have a noisy transmission bearing
The “Power Wagon” name has a long history, starting out as a civilian version of Dodge’s big military trucks. Starting in 1957, Dodge used the name on light-duty 4WD trucks as well, all the way up until 1980. The most well-known light-duty Power Wagon was, of course, the late-1970s “Macho Edition,” famously driven by Gerald MacRaney in the TV series Simon & Simon. But the Power Wagon always was, first and foremost, a workhorse, not a toy.
You don’t need a big V8 and flashy graphics to get work done; a plain-Jane six-cylinder truck will do the job just fine. The “power” in this Power Wagon comes from Chrysler’s legendary Slant Six, driving all four wheels when needed through a simple three-speed manual. It’s a standard-cab short-bed, with what looks like maybe a bit of a lift. It’s a tall truck anyway, but those are big tires, and it wouldn’t surprise me if it had a couple inches of lift to it. The Slant Six runs “exceptionally well” according to the seller, and has a bunch of new parts, including the alternator, starter, fuel pump, water pump, and clutch.
The seller does note a possibly noisy bearing in the transmission or transfer case, but truck gears are noisy anyway, so it might not be a big deal. My own truck’s four-speed transmission groans and whines like crazy, and I once had a Nissan Pathfinder that moaned like an evil spirit in every gear except fourth (which wasn’t a gear at all, but rather direct-drive). If it doesn’t grind or jump out of gear, it’s probably all right for a while. Besides, the seller is including a four-speed NP435 gearbox you can install, which may alleviate the noise.
Cosmetically, it’s a picture-perfect old scruffy truck, with dull paint and a few spots of primer. There is some rust in the cab, but it sounds like a rust-free cab is also included. That’s a bit more ambitious project than the transmission swap, but if you have a big garage, you could make it a winter project and emerge in the spring with a solid, four-speed Power Wagon.
1965 Chevrolet G10 Panel Van – $4,500
Engine/drivetrain: 454 cubic inch overhead valve V8, three-speed manual, RWD
Location: Sacramento, CA
Odometer reading: unknown
Operational status: Runs and drives… if you dare
How many poor innocent straight sixes have been ripped out and cast aside in favor of a V8 over the decades? A staggering number, I would imagine. This little Chevy van originally left the factory with six cylinders under its doghouse, but the six is gone now, and a big-block 454 lives in its place. And the doghouse? Nowhere to be seen. I believe the word you’re looking for is “Zoinks.”
This monster of an engine is connected to what I fear is the original three-speed manual and light-duty rear axle. Launch it hard, and you’re liable to either pop a wheelie, or break something. Good thing the single racing seat has that four-point harness, right? I mean, safety first, and all that.
I rather like the patina on this one too, and the Cragar mags look like they were made for it. The body looks pretty solid, but there is some serious rust in the floor that will need tending to. And of course, some more of an interior, or at least a new doghouse over the engine, wouldn’t be a bad idea. The seller does say that it runs and drives as-is, however – if you’re brave enough.
The seller is also including an aftermarket “gasser” style straight axle and leaf springs, with Wilwood disc brakes on it. I presume that means the van still has its stock drum brakes, which makes the power upgrade even more frightening. From the looks of it, the seller intended to turn this into a drag racer, but only got this far. Because, of course, when you’re building something like that, you start with the engine, wheels, and tires, because they’re the coolest parts.
I realize these are both pretty serious projects. On the one hand, you’ll end up with a sturdy, if slow, work truck that could also be an off-road toy, and on the other, a scary but cool ’60s style drag van. And even better, either one could be driven home, for that “what the hell is that?” moment when you pull into the driveway. Which one are you taking?
(Image credits: Craigslist sellers)
I had a 68 chevy van that looked very similar. Seriously, did the makers just use the same body and switch headlights and badges? Anyway, mine had the straight 6, no seats (I eventually bolted a set of mustang seats in place of the literal bucket seat), rain roof (not a sunroof if it dumps a stream or water down your neck on right turns when it’s raining), no interior and was scary AF to drive. So the same thing with a V8, dodgy brakes, and a crumple zone that extends 3 feet behind the seat would be PoopCon 2 level Terrifying.
Gimme.
I’ve always wanted a power wagon,so I am going for that. The van would also be cool,but I think it just has to much work left of what looks like a low quality engine swap.
I vote for myself to buy the Power Wagon. I vote for Vice Grip Garage, Junkyard Digs, or Pole Barn Garage to buy the Chevy van.
Literally any of these three would make a hell of a video out of that van.
I’d do a low pressure small turbo on the power wagon and negate the need to ever have a v8 in it
I picked the pickup, but I feel like the van would be an excellent YouTube video for somebody else much less concerned with the idea of fiery death to put together so I can watch.
I had a 91 Power Wagon, or Ram or whatever, and I am amazed how much the 91 looks like the 73. Chrysler really got their moneys worth out of that design.
I suspect that van is worth more as parts, but in any case the first time it backfires you will appreciate the ease of wiping down the seats. Tip into the throttle a little too hard off idle at night and get rewarded with a one foot in diameter very loud fireball illuminating the otherwise dark interior.
Like the flat windscreen though.
My heart screams Van.
My Brain points to the Dodge…and by thunder, I do want a manual 4WD classic…
I guess I am not carefree, young or adventurous anymore, give me the Dodge with the straight six. I don’t think I need a 454 air intake behind my right shoulder threatening to suck me up like a social media influencer who gets to close to a lear jet turbine.
I wouldn’t drive that for THREE scooby snacks.
My vote goes to the scary-van. I like these old cab-over vans from the 1960s
Damn, first time I would take a pickup over a van.
At first glance I was, like, Hell Yeah! Hell Yeah! But then I was reminded of manual steering, and saw the interior of the van. Now I am, like, No thanks, and Hells NO!
I like to live and I hate going to California. I’ll take the Dodge with the leaning tower of power from Pacific Northwest Hillbilly’s neighborhood over the Chevy death machine from the wretched hive of scum and villainy. I’d rather be soothed by straight 6 hum than deafened by big block at my elbow, while being the crumple zone
Thing is the Van body itself is pretty unique and desirable, the disc brakes front end is a nice bonus and the Big block is nearly worth the cost of the vehicle in parts alone these days. but you can still fairly easily obtain a 2wd 4.8 LS motor and 4LslipppyE trans and make a cool Mystery Machine clone from that Chevy. but the Dodge is still the better deal as it is good as is and can be made a bit better with a little linkage nd maybe a shortened driveshaft.
The van reminds me of a particularly annoying co-worker while the Power Wagon is associated with an amusing one.
Rick was the better brother, by far. Screw Andrew.
I’m going with the Power Wagon.
I’ve written about my ’72 W100 Power Wagon several times: 225 slant, Warn locking hubs, 3-speed auto, manual steering (a real bitch at times), manual brakes. All in all a really nice truck.
What I almost never talk about is the time I was working on my ’71 Chevy Van (no cowl over fan) and reached across just behind the radiator to fiddle with something unremembered. The fan blade made a loud “TINK” against the gold initial ring on my right hand (graduation prezzy) and bounced my hand/forearm into the air. The finger was unscathed, but the ring had/has a pretty good crease.
And I almost learned my lesson: a few years later I discovered a new way to clean the chain on my Kaw GPz 550: after oiling, put the bike on centerstand, start, engage first gear allowing the wheel to turn at idle. Grab chain with a rag in right hand. When the rag is pulled into rear sprocket along with right thumb cease activity.
When top of right thumb is found hanging by a paper-thin flap of skin, ask your younger sister (setting great example here) to drive you to emergency room where, after being stitched, you are told to wait a week to see if the thumb will “take.” If not, chop chop.
I was not smart but I was lucky. I still have two thumbs.
I saw a forum post a few years ago where a guy got the last inch+ of all the fingers on his hand run through a sprocket by doing same thing. Nothing but bone sticking out. It was gruesome. What puzzled me though was rather than curl into a ball and cry like a toddler while waiting for an ambulance (as I would have done), he took the time to take a picture to post on the internet.
The ring story scared me, I thought it was going to end in you being degloved. Don’t wear rings while working on cars, folks.
I generally love ridiculous vehicles, but that van legitimately scares me.
the waft of skunkweed coming out of that van is almost as overwhelming as the project it portends. Gimme the sturdy little pickup with the slant six that will outlive us all. Lots of truck stuff could be done.
When I started high school, there was a guy down the street from us swapping in a V8 for a six in his van. He was still working on it when I started college. I think he eventually succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning.
My lust for the Dodge is strong.
Neither for me. The truck is better obviously and could be used for truck stuff. The van? Is Dr. Kevorkian still in business?
She’s gonna love me in my Chevy Van, and that’s alright with me.
I’m sure if I went to my high school reunion (HWHS ‘74) there would be more than one person there in a wheel chair because they stuffed either a 454 or a 440 six pack in a van like that and then tried to race it on Gratiot.
Lower legs make great crumple zones.
NP 435 has a 6.6 to 1 or so Granny Gear, that would actually make that truck quite nice to live with considering it’s lack of power overall. It looks more honest to boot. But man both are interesting in their own right. I might by both for those prices.
This is The Way. That Dodge is just a whole heap of honest goodness, and that van is just offensively stupid. I love them both very much.
Power Wagon as tow rig for stripped-out overpowered drag van!
Anybody else get the theme song from Simon & Simon stuck in their head at the mere mention of Gerald MacRaney’s Power Wagon?
No? Just me?
Fine. Whatever.
I’ll take the Power Wagon.