Starting all the way back in 1934, Dodge built a truck for the US Army that featured the first ever drive train that could be easily shifted from two wheel drive to four wheel, and back again, from within the cab of the truck. At the end of World War II the company saw the opportunity to take a civilian version of their popular military trucks to market.
The Power Wagon was one of the first two production four wheel drive vehicles available to the general public when it hit showrooms in 1946. While Willy's Jeep offered the other option this famous Dodge is considered the first true four wheel drive truck on the market. Up until this point the only production 4x4's were in the mid and heavy weight segments and used for commercial or military purposes. In the 1930's there was an option for private citizens to have their two wheel drive trucks converted to four wheel through various kits and companies however this was not a widespread practice.
The initial Power Wagon model offered to market by the boys at Dodge sported a 230ci flat head six putting out 94 horses, a two speed transfer case (instead of the one speed military version) and a four speed tranny. This first model was rated as a one ton and had a PTO for running add-on equipment and attachments from the front or rear of the vehicle. The model number on this truck was WDX and used a interior trim package and cab that were almost untouched from 1939.
With all the soldiers returning from World War II, it was a popular and profitable model introduction for the car maker. Rather than go through the expensive process of designing a whole new vehicle the company took what they already had and just tweaked it a bit for civilian use. The name for the new vehicle is actually an old one. As new forms of locomotion besides the horse were introduced a wagon that was powered by a motor was called a "power wagon."
The Power Wagon was advertised and marketed as a working truck above all else. This was a truck made to pull and carry loads and to provide power to out of the way places accessed with it's 4x4 drive system. With its rugged construction, PTO and 4x4 capabilities this machine could be used in place of a tractor on the farm and was advertised as such by Dodge in their marketing material. With the introduction in 1949 of a hydraulic kit that was operable from within the cab there was a flood of attachments and add-ons that hit the market. The options were many including several different types of plows, saws, loader scoops, diggers, augers, graders and even a street sweeper.
While the Jeep brand seems to have cornered the American market on all things four wheel drive it was Dodge who invented a practical four wheel drive system all the way back in the 1930's. The Power Wagon was produced in it's initial form from 1946 through 1968 when new safety requirements finally put this famous truck out of production.
Will gets a kick out of old Dodge models of all kinds. Be sure to check out DodgeRestoration.com to see photos and find more information. Thanks!
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