Not much has happened. Had a few interested people in the truck but not sold yet. If it doesn't sell then I will either get a beater or do something with the PW. I wouldn't mind ditching the bed, shortening the wheelbase, and making a small tube bed for it. That would make it easier to get around and I would have less sheet metal to worry about. Similar to a k30 that was built by ORD a few years back. How much do you think I can get for the camper shell? It's the kind with the reinforced roof that you can walk on.
What to do?
- Thread starter gary.h
- Start date
Chris_Keziah
Joe Dirt @ Rev Limit Fab
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2010
- Location
- Winston-Salem
No that's like 3-4 rides worth of damage. I still vote to wheel the power wagon.
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2005
- Location
- Greensboro, NC
You will have more fun with a $1k beater. I guarantee it! Get a trailer. Store it at a local storage facility, etc. It can be done cheaply. Get a beater. Have fun. Trust me. I have done this. You are going to destroy your truck if you wheel it. Keep it. Keep it nice. Get a dedicated rig to beat on!
- Joined
- Mar 21, 2005
- Location
- Raleigh, NC
I have to agree with JC. Wheeling something that you dont care about is great. Get a cheap XJ and some 33's and go have fun. Youre going to get dents and its likely that you'll have a roll over why mess up a nice truck?
moldman05
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2006
- Location
- Rocky Mount NC
I admire you for trying to get your wife involved in something you enjoy. You may try letting her drive. There is a big difference between driver and passenger. If you have not been a passenger off road, try it. If your wife still has any interest let her help pick the vehicle. Relationships are far more important than internal combustion engines,rubber tires and metal connectors. Just my opinion
Bogleparsons
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Nov 19, 2011
- Location
- Lillington, NC
moldman05
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2006
- Location
- Rocky Mount NC
I do understand. The last time my wife went out she got caught chugging on my bottle of Scotch in the back seat of burb when we stopped to watch at the lower rock garden at Harlan.
87GMCJimmy
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2007
- Location
- Mint Hill, NC
Sorry I hadn't chimed in! I haven't had a chance to get on in a while!
That K30 that ORD built was a SICK rig!!!!! It was actually my motivation for my K5 that I built in '08, I used a LOT of their parts! Mine was an 87 (hence my username on here):
That ORD rig that was part of the inspiration for my build was ORD's Cousin Willard:
They also built a K2500 (also SICK!!!) here is a pic of it:
I think your Power Wagon with a shortened wheelbase and a tube bed would be absolutely AWESOME!!!!!!!!!! As for what your cap is worth, I honestly have no clue but, I'd wager a pretty good dollar amount to the right buyer, those caps are pricey!!! What brand is it? Any model info? It has sliding windows with screens, right? You can also sell your bed for some $$$ too since it appears to be in perfect shape! Somebody that either wrecked theres or has one that's rusted through (gotta love that northern road salt! (the reason I won't live up north ever again if I can help it) would snatch it up for a good price!
The damage on my truck is from several different wheeling trips! I eventually will likely got tube bed and shortened wheelbase on mine too, but not until my bed is completely destroyed, which hopefully won't be for SEVERAL years! (I think already if I wanted it repaired, the bedsides would be replaced rather than repaired since lots of body work nowadays is just hanging new metal rather than fixing existing) I am just going to leave it alone for now and let the trees slowly dovetail my truck, LOL! Like I said in my other post though, I am seriously considering building a bed cage for some extra rollover protection sometime soon!
Anyways, my vote is still mod the heck outta your Power Wagon!
Oh, if you want some more inspiration for full size crew cab wheeling rig, Google Jason Payne aka willyswanter. His truck was badass!!! The wheeling world definitely lost a straight up BRILLIANT guy when he passed away. Some pics of the evolution of his rig:
That K30 that ORD built was a SICK rig!!!!! It was actually my motivation for my K5 that I built in '08, I used a LOT of their parts! Mine was an 87 (hence my username on here):
That ORD rig that was part of the inspiration for my build was ORD's Cousin Willard:
They also built a K2500 (also SICK!!!) here is a pic of it:
I think your Power Wagon with a shortened wheelbase and a tube bed would be absolutely AWESOME!!!!!!!!!! As for what your cap is worth, I honestly have no clue but, I'd wager a pretty good dollar amount to the right buyer, those caps are pricey!!! What brand is it? Any model info? It has sliding windows with screens, right? You can also sell your bed for some $$$ too since it appears to be in perfect shape! Somebody that either wrecked theres or has one that's rusted through (gotta love that northern road salt! (the reason I won't live up north ever again if I can help it) would snatch it up for a good price!
The damage on my truck is from several different wheeling trips! I eventually will likely got tube bed and shortened wheelbase on mine too, but not until my bed is completely destroyed, which hopefully won't be for SEVERAL years! (I think already if I wanted it repaired, the bedsides would be replaced rather than repaired since lots of body work nowadays is just hanging new metal rather than fixing existing) I am just going to leave it alone for now and let the trees slowly dovetail my truck, LOL! Like I said in my other post though, I am seriously considering building a bed cage for some extra rollover protection sometime soon!
Anyways, my vote is still mod the heck outta your Power Wagon!
Oh, if you want some more inspiration for full size crew cab wheeling rig, Google Jason Payne aka willyswanter. His truck was badass!!! The wheeling world definitely lost a straight up BRILLIANT guy when he passed away. Some pics of the evolution of his rig:
Last edited:
CLRracer
Mopar Nut
- Joined
- Mar 20, 2005
- Location
- Archer Lodge
I am looking for another Dodge crew cab to turn into a crawler. Both Jason's and the ORD crew cabs are bad ass, as are a few others I have seen.
Duane
Duane
Thanks for the awesome pics Morgan. That long bed crew can is sweet. Unfortunately I am really trying to sell the PW. I'd like to take that money and get something else instead. I will probably get a k5 if I can find one not rusted to death or a 2 door Tahoe/Yukon and do an ORD sas on it. I won't be wheeling the PW anymore but I would like to hitch a ride with on the next ride if you don't mind.
- Joined
- Mar 13, 2005
- Location
- Raleigh, NC
If you buy a $1k beater and sell the power wagon.... do you have something to tow the beater to the trails? Seems to me like you'd be better off keeping the p/u for tow rig duties.
GotWood
Sayer of Fact
- Joined
- Jan 12, 2007
- Location
- Maiden, NC
I'll chime in on the keep it side too. My wife wouldn't wheel either till i bought her a $500 beater. That lasted one ride till she found a better rig. Now she has a xj and less than $1500 in it. It is awsome to show up a $50k rig with this pos. And at the end of the day you can show off and intentionally break just because ot can be fixed for less than $50
"thats just my 2 cents".
"thats just my 2 cents".
CLRracer
Mopar Nut
- Joined
- Mar 20, 2005
- Location
- Archer Lodge
The look on peoples faces and the comments "you when up/over/through there with that?!?" are priceless aren't they?
Duane
GotWood
Sayer of Fact
- Joined
- Jan 12, 2007
- Location
- Maiden, NC
I'd put a value of $48500 on that look!
87GMCJimmy
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2007
- Location
- Mint Hill, NC
I guess since you are selling your truck, the new rig would be your DD and wheeling rig. So, a $1000 beater might not be the most dependable/daily commute friendly choice, LOL! So, assuming the budget will be opened up by a good amount-
Since it would be your DD/wheeling rig, what about a four door Tahoe/Yukon? That would make it easier for your kids' safety seats and all. The four door measures in at 117.5" wheelbase and 199.6" overall length (the same as a regular cab shorted pickup of the same vintage) vs the two door at 111.5" wheelbase and 188" overall length. The only downside is limited year selection: 1995-2000 and the fact that they are automatic only and likely push button 4wd only. (easy enough to swap out to a lever activated t-case though) Here's an example of a sweet SAS'ed one:
OR…. I have to ask….. why not a four door JK? The only downside to it that I can think of is that it has a V-6 and less towing capacity. I'd look for a good used non-Rubi, put a ARB in the rear axle and a Dynatrac/Tera Flex/Currie (whatever your favorite flavor) 44 with an ARB up front (both with say 4.56 gears), a bit of a lift with a sway bar disco kit, some 35s, bumpers, and a winch and call it done! Why would I not suggest a Rubicon? Popularity- they hold resale ridiculously well even compared to other JKs, with some careful shopping you could buy a used Sport and nicely kit it out for less than you'd likely spend on a used Rubicon.
I guess this would beg the question though, what kind of price range are you looking to stay in with the new rig??? Because although an IFS Tahoe/Yukon will be cheap initially, by the time you build it into a solid axle wheeling rig, you're likely going to have a pretty significant investment. Figure on needing a solid axle swap kit, a front Dana 44 or (preferably) Dana 60, likely a transfer case swap, springs, likely a custom engine crossmember made for the frame to clear the front axle, something in the way of re-enforcing the front frame horns (since they were never intended to support any portion of the weight of the vehicle, I have read a few solid axle swap threads where people ran into trouble n this because they didn't think to reinforce the frame horns), etc. If you can do all the work yourself, it likely won't be too bad $$$ (depending on how bling you want to go) but, if you have to pay somebody, you'll be racking up $$$ quick! Also, the IFS Tahoe/Yukon isn't very capable for wheeling stock so, figure on not having a wheeling rig for a while whilst all these mods are going on.
Anyways, not to be a buzz kill but- I'd look at the purchase price of the replacement vehicle and a realistic pricing of all the mods before you jump on anything. I have learned this the hard way- I bought my 87 K-5 for $4,400 and before I knew it, I had sunk $30k or so (IDK exactly how much, don't want to figure out) into it, got burned out and sold it for $5k! Plan BEFORE you buy!!!
Since it would be your DD/wheeling rig, what about a four door Tahoe/Yukon? That would make it easier for your kids' safety seats and all. The four door measures in at 117.5" wheelbase and 199.6" overall length (the same as a regular cab shorted pickup of the same vintage) vs the two door at 111.5" wheelbase and 188" overall length. The only downside is limited year selection: 1995-2000 and the fact that they are automatic only and likely push button 4wd only. (easy enough to swap out to a lever activated t-case though) Here's an example of a sweet SAS'ed one:
OR…. I have to ask….. why not a four door JK? The only downside to it that I can think of is that it has a V-6 and less towing capacity. I'd look for a good used non-Rubi, put a ARB in the rear axle and a Dynatrac/Tera Flex/Currie (whatever your favorite flavor) 44 with an ARB up front (both with say 4.56 gears), a bit of a lift with a sway bar disco kit, some 35s, bumpers, and a winch and call it done! Why would I not suggest a Rubicon? Popularity- they hold resale ridiculously well even compared to other JKs, with some careful shopping you could buy a used Sport and nicely kit it out for less than you'd likely spend on a used Rubicon.
I guess this would beg the question though, what kind of price range are you looking to stay in with the new rig??? Because although an IFS Tahoe/Yukon will be cheap initially, by the time you build it into a solid axle wheeling rig, you're likely going to have a pretty significant investment. Figure on needing a solid axle swap kit, a front Dana 44 or (preferably) Dana 60, likely a transfer case swap, springs, likely a custom engine crossmember made for the frame to clear the front axle, something in the way of re-enforcing the front frame horns (since they were never intended to support any portion of the weight of the vehicle, I have read a few solid axle swap threads where people ran into trouble n this because they didn't think to reinforce the frame horns), etc. If you can do all the work yourself, it likely won't be too bad $$$ (depending on how bling you want to go) but, if you have to pay somebody, you'll be racking up $$$ quick! Also, the IFS Tahoe/Yukon isn't very capable for wheeling stock so, figure on not having a wheeling rig for a while whilst all these mods are going on.
Anyways, not to be a buzz kill but- I'd look at the purchase price of the replacement vehicle and a realistic pricing of all the mods before you jump on anything. I have learned this the hard way- I bought my 87 K-5 for $4,400 and before I knew it, I had sunk $30k or so (IDK exactly how much, don't want to figure out) into it, got burned out and sold it for $5k! Plan BEFORE you buy!!!
Last edited:
87GMCJimmy
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Apr 24, 2007
- Location
- Mint Hill, NC
Yeah man! I'm definitely down for talking about some potential builds!!!
Chris_Keziah
Joe Dirt @ Rev Limit Fab
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2010
- Location
- Winston-Salem
Double cab Tacoma (01-04) with full OME kit, sliders, skids, bumper and winch. Only downside is it's auto but for what you get out of the PW you could easily buy and build one in a couple weekends.
Chris_Keziah
Joe Dirt @ Rev Limit Fab
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2010
- Location
- Winston-Salem
Just remember to keep it practical and simple, Morgan can have some very elaborate ideas that are the exact opposite of that
I have decided to get away from a Toyota. People want just too much money for them.
Simple and reliable is definitely the plan. That is why I am looking for something older.
I hope Morgan keeps thinking big, that is how the greatest inventions in history came about.
Simple and reliable is definitely the plan. That is why I am looking for something older.
I hope Morgan keeps thinking big, that is how the greatest inventions in history came about.
I would vote xj or zj in good shape with the 4.0.
There are still good ones out there that have not been abused and basically any 4.0 with under 200k miles will still last a good while. Keep the tire size to around a 33 and have a good dd/ww.
There are still good ones out there that have not been abused and basically any 4.0 with under 200k miles will still last a good while. Keep the tire size to around a 33 and have a good dd/ww.
Chris_Keziah
Joe Dirt @ Rev Limit Fab
- Joined
- Dec 1, 2010
- Location
- Winston-Salem
They hold there value pretty well if in good shape, but then again Jeeps do as well. I'd look around there are deals to be had on them.