440 V8 Powered: 1978 Dodge Macho Power Wagon
There are just a few terms that get a Dodge truck enthusiast excited when it comes to classic trucks and one of them is Power Wagon. The Dodge Power Wagon was first introduced in 1945 as a 4 wheel drive medium truck. From 1977 to 1981, Dodge produced the Macho Power Wagon as part of its Adult Toy Line based on the Dodge W150 truck. The Power Wagon name was revived again in 2016 for the four wheel drive Dodge Ram 2500. This 1978 Dodge Power Wagon is located in Grand Junction, Colorado and is said to have 94k miles on the odometer. The bidding on this truck has not skyrocketed yet and the seller has pulled the truck out of the barn and cleaned it up.
Under the hood is the trucks factory 440 cid V8 engine backed by a 3 speed automatic transmission. The engine looks stock except for an aftermarket air cleaner and was rated at a mere 180 horsepower in 1978. The seller states that the truck is clean with little rust and has a clean title. Besides being 4 wheel drive, the truck is equipped with air conditioning and is said to be accident free. This truck is said to run well and start right up. The 4 wheel drive engages and is said to work well. The truck was bought from the son whose father bought the truck in 1981.
The interior looks clean and is not sun faded. The seats are covered with an aftermarket (JC Whitney type) cover. The pics and description indicate there is rust in the lower part of the passenger door. The frame and floors are said to be solid. The Power Wagon has been detailed and a mechanic flushed and replaced all the fluids as well as cleaned the carburetor. The truck has new tires and battery.
Here is a picture of this truck all cleaned up. It is missing its stripes but those are reproduced by Phoenix Graphics and can be added by the new owner. The truck still retains its factory roll bar which was part of the Macho package. There are only 3 days remaining in the auction here on eBay. The truck is currently bid to $6,300 and is listed at no reserve.
Auctions Ending Soon
2002 Subaru Impreza WRXBid Now2 days$333
1975 Chevrolet Corvette ConvertibleBid Now2 days$4,000
1964 Ford F-100 Camper CustomBid Now2 days$2,000
2006 Jeep Wrangler SportBid Now4 days$10,500
1974 Datsun 260ZBid Now6 days$750
Comments
Wow that cleaned up nice. Man this would be fun to play around with! Of course you could get the ol 440 back up to respectable HP numbers with a big order from Summit. I think I’d fix the paint as best as I could, install that repo stripe kit on it and go fishing and not worry where I parked..glwta
I have collected ex-USAF vehicles for most of my life- don’t ask me why. For awhile, I had six PW crewcabs, plus two ambulances- I bought every one that I came across. A long time ago, I took my son and his friends to Best Buy to buy a computer. I missed the turn into a parking lane and got the right rear tire stuck in a muddy planter strip, spinning it, as there was no weight in the bed. Even with 19.5” wheels and Goodyear rock quarry tires, we were stuck. It was a little weird to have to get out, lock the front hubs and shift into four wheel drive, but we climbed right out. When I sold it years later, the buyer wanted a demonstration of the 4×4 system. I suggested that we head to Best Buy. After getting a quizzical look from him, I related the story. He bought it on the spot. Like a lot of other commenters say, I wish that I had kept that one. My Dodge sickness is currently in remission and I am down to one at 71 years old.
The owner went a little overboard with the tie downs. Must have been hauling something they really wanted to keep covered…
Is it just me or did Colorado finally get internet service? There have been a lot of older rigs like this hitting the market in Colorado and Montana lately, if the price doesn’t go stupid high someone will get a nice truck
Grand Junction is on the Western slope and service can be a bit spotty around there. If anyone makes the trip, that area and neighboring Palisade has some of the best peaches inde world..
you got that right on the peaches, probably ripe right now too. thx
My dad grew up in Grand Junction, during harvest time him and his sisters would pick fruits in the orchards outside of town to buy their back to school clothes and other supplies.
Steve R
It’s sad, but nowadays labour has to be imported from the Caribbean or Mexico to harvest crops. The local population is just not interested.
I have a 78 D100 Custom Utiline (stepside) with a 318 and a granny gear four speed (NP435) transmission. I have a 440 to put in it, but I have decided to stick with the 318. I am following a Car Craft article where they got 400 hp out of it without boost or nitrous. I may not get to the level they did, but even 350 hp would be a huge boost over the 155 HP it makes in stock trim. I am saving toward a Tremec transmission swap to make it more friendly on long highway trips.
If I had room for another truck in my life, I’d get this one in a heartbeat.
“Macho Power Wagon” – you have to love that name. Some folks today would cringe at a name like that, bemoaning the “toxic masculinity” of the Dodge marketing department. Simpler times back then.
Who knew that the primary ingredient in the “Macho Power Wagon” decal set was synthetic testosterone?
The same company also gave us the Swinger and the Demon. I don’t know of the times were simpler but at least we got cooler car names and bolder colors back then.
Sweet truck! The seller updated the description and revealed this truck actually has a 400/2 bbl, not the 440/4 as originally thought (J instead of a D in the VIN).
Are we sure we haven’t send this before ?
When I saw the 440 ci engine on the add then saw the year my first thought was another big ci dog with nothing, 180 HP confirmed it!
Looked at the ebay posting, appears to have more rust than the “none or little” rust as stated in the ad on ebay. They have used a rattle can extensively around the edge of the doors, door openings, and rocker panels in an attempt to hide it with a close color.
Sold with a high bid of $13,100.
Steve R