Author Topic: 1978 Dodge Powerwagon (Read 9131 times)

ridgefire · « **on:** February 26, 2019, 10:07:49 AM »

I have a 1978 Dodge Powerwagon W200 and I love the truck but hate how low geared it is and that it is full time four wheel drive. Has anyone ever swapped out the axles and made it so it had manual locking hubs and not so low geared? Im debating on keeping the truck and doing this if possible but not sure if you can do something like this. Right now I have 31s on it and know I can get bigger tires to keep the revs down but curious about the axles. Any suggestions?

boneaddict · « **Reply #1 on:** February 26, 2019, 10:24:18 AM »

IF it was Feb 1st, Id have told you to put a snowplow on the front of it and you probably could have made enough money to book a cruise and really cherry it out. LOL

Mudman · « **Reply #2 on:** February 26, 2019, 10:28:34 AM »

I think a transfer case swap is needed and wheel lock hubs?? 33" tires would help with gearing. Junk yard parts. If ya cant find em check around Mexico border, they sold those trucks in Mexico forever..

bearpaw · « **Reply #3 on:** February 26, 2019, 10:30:49 AM »

Can't you swap both axles to get a better gear ratio in the differentials, should be lots of old axles in wrecking yards or even back yards?

Mudman · « **Reply #4 on:** February 26, 2019, 10:33:46 AM »

But bigger tires are cooler!!! 36" would cruise 80mph on hiway too!

DRobnsn · « **Reply #5 on:** February 26, 2019, 10:48:27 AM »

Need to know what transfer case and axles it has. Should be fairly easy to figure out with that info.

bearpaw · « **Reply #6 on:** February 26, 2019, 10:48:48 AM »

Quote from: Mudman on February 26, 2019, 10:33:46 AM

But bigger tires are cooler!!! 36" would cruise 80mph on hiway too!

do both and really gitterdone

bearpaw · « **Reply #7 on:** February 26, 2019, 10:56:03 AM »

here's a handy chart for tire size and differential ratios

https://auto.howstuffworks.com/auto-parts/towing/vehicle-towing/maneuvers/gear-ratio-tire-size-chart.htm

Matth · « **Reply #8 on:** February 26, 2019, 04:31:25 PM »

Just swap R&P front and rear not the entire housing.

bearpaw · « **Reply #9 on:** February 26, 2019, 04:37:27 PM »

Quote from: Matth on February 26, 2019, 04:31:25 PM

Just swap R&P front and rear not the entire housing.

I know that can be done, would it be easier to swap axles or the gears if you have access to either? I'm not a mechanic so not sure?

My son and I were talking about swapping axles, his truck is higher geared than he wants, mine is lower geared than I want, both are 2500 dodge, similar vintage, so we figured we would swap whole axles?

ClemsonJosh · « **Reply #10 on:** February 26, 2019, 05:17:00 PM »

Lets see the truck

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

ridgefire · « **Reply #11 on:** February 26, 2019, 05:41:49 PM »

Here it is

bearpaw · « **Reply #12 on:** February 26, 2019, 05:48:38 PM »

awesome looking truck

Dan-o · « **Reply #13 on:** February 26, 2019, 05:55:34 PM »

That's a beast.

firepin · « **Reply #14 on:** February 26, 2019, 06:34:17 PM »

Nice truck.

PlateauNDN · « **Reply #15 on:** February 26, 2019, 07:01:13 PM »

Bullkllr · « **Reply #16 on:** February 26, 2019, 07:15:29 PM »

Oh baby...that there's a real truck!

Boss .300 winmag · « **Reply #17 on:** February 26, 2019, 07:34:31 PM »

Nice truck, I wouldn’t change anything with the running gear. Worth more stick isn’t it?

wadu1 · « **Reply #18 on:** February 26, 2019, 07:53:37 PM »

Nice truck, I wish I had my 78 it was my first new 4X4 318 4 speed, name power wagon was on the hood and 2500 was on the front fenders.

ridgefire · « **Reply #19 on:** February 26, 2019, 09:04:41 PM »

I am torn on keeping this truck and selling the crewcab powerstroke or vice versa. Any ideas on what this thing is worth? It has the 360 in it with headers and a Edelbrock carb. The truck is in fairly decent shape and runs good. I just wish it had a overdrive in it and was not full time four wheel drive.

Dan-o · « **Reply #20 on:** February 26, 2019, 09:33:57 PM »

Quote from: ridgefire on February 26, 2019, 09:04:41 PM

I am torn on keeping this truck and selling the crewcab powerstroke or vice versa. Any ideas on what this thing is worth? It has the 360 in it with headers and a Edelbrock carb. The truck is in fairly decent shape and runs good. I just wish it had a overdrive in it and was not full time four wheel drive.

Dump it while you still can.

I will give you $250, because I am a softy.

(I think you will regret getting rid of it if you do. I bet it's worth more to you than the cash.)

Mudman · « **Reply #21 on:** February 27, 2019, 08:29:22 AM »

Keep the Ford. No question. $2500-4000 would be my guess of value.?

woodswalker · « **Reply #22 on:** February 27, 2019, 09:07:40 AM »

Quote from: ridgefire on February 26, 2019, 09:04:41 PM

I am torn on keeping this truck and selling the crewcab powerstroke or vice versa. Any ideas on what this thing is worth? It has the 360 in it with headers and a Edelbrock carb. The truck is in fairly decent shape and runs good. I just wish it had a overdrive in it and was not full time four wheel drive.

Keep the Dodge, keep the Powerstroke. Drive the Dodge for the heavy lifting, the Powerstroke for everyday.

Dhoey07 · « **Reply #23 on:** February 27, 2019, 09:16:24 AM »

Quote from: ridgefire on February 26, 2019, 09:04:41 PM

I am torn on keeping this truck and selling the crewcab powerstroke or vice versa. Any ideas on what this thing is worth? It has the 360 in it with headers and a Edelbrock carb. The truck is in fairly decent shape and runs good. I just wish it had a overdrive in it and was not full time four wheel drive.

https://classiccars.com/listings/find/1978-1980/dodge/power-wagon

Sandberm · « **Reply #24 on:** February 27, 2019, 10:51:43 AM »

Truck looks sweet!

THANK YOU FOR NOT PUTTING BLACK WHEELS ON IT.

Boss .300 winmag · « **Reply #25 on:** February 27, 2019, 11:14:04 AM »

I think with the right guy you could possibly get $4500-$6000.

James · « **Reply #26 on:** February 27, 2019, 02:53:31 PM »

A few company sell part time kits for dodges, off the top if my head mile marker does but I am sure there are others. NP203 T case in it right?

You could look at a gear vender over drive unit, ranger overdrive unit, aux trans off a med duty truck, a clark 5 speed, or maybe a late model transmission.

DRobnsn · « **Reply #27 on:** February 27, 2019, 03:05:02 PM »

Here's the mile marker kit. You'd only want the transfer case kit though. Apparently the hub conversion doesn't work on 8lug Dodge dana 44s in those years. http://www.offroadexchange.com/milemarker.htm

To convert the front to hubs you'd need to swipe most if not all of the outers from a dana 44 that already has hubs. You'd want to do some research to make sure you get the correct parts but there are lots of Dana 44s out there.

The other option for the trans t case delema is to put in a newer OD auto trans with a part time t case attached to it. Like the 518A/618A auto trans. Then you'd need to deal with the driveshafts lengths, Trans and T case shifter differences and probably a few other things. That would help your high RPM highway issue though.

Mudman · « **Reply #28 on:** February 27, 2019, 03:43:12 PM »

Well sounds like ya should swap ring n pinion gears to lower ratios. Speed issue solved. Leave as full time. Never gonna get good gas mileage anyway.

ridgefire · « **Reply #29 on:** February 27, 2019, 05:26:02 PM »

Thanks for the replies. How do I get away from the front bearings on this particular axle? Already did a bearing and don't want to do that again. Sounds like it's a problem area with that year's dana 44.

DRobnsn · « **Reply #30 on:** February 28, 2019, 10:19:26 AM »

Quote from: ridgefire on February 27, 2019, 05:26:02 PM

Thanks for the replies. How do I get away from the front bearings on this particular axle? Already did a bearing and don't want to do that again. Sounds like it's a problem area with that year's dana 44.

To change to a unit bearing style vs the tapered roller you could put in a newer style axle, but I don't think you'd want to do that. Unit bearings are more expensive and are not serviceable. Not to mention the other differences you'll likely have to remedy to get the axle to work. It's possible some dana 44 unit bearing style outers will fit your older axle but you'd have to do some research to find out.

ridgefire · « **Reply #31 on:** March 03, 2019, 04:36:36 PM »

Here is the work that was done to the motor. Do you think this will add any value to the vehicle? I am also trying to figure out what tranny and transfer case is on it. Where do I find the numbers for them. I'm pretty sure the front axle is a dana 44. I found a tag on the front pumpkin that said 45-11and the warn site said it's for the dana 44.

ridgefire · « **Reply #32 on:** March 04, 2019, 01:38:19 AM »

It is a A727 tranny and a NP203 transfer case.

DRobnsn · « **Reply #33 on:** March 04, 2019, 11:29:37 AM »

The paperwork will definitely help with a potential buyer.

coachcw · « **Reply #34 on:** March 04, 2019, 09:15:32 PM »

:dunno

Honey I'd leave it alone ... What ever millage your gonna gain you will never get back in the cost. Changing the gear ratios will most likely be a power killer . Maybe a tire size or two ?

ridgefire · « **Reply #35 on:** March 05, 2019, 09:41:04 AM »

I put some 35s on it and it helped a little. Thinking I'm gonna keep it as it is. Gotta figure out now whether to keep it or not.

Boss .300 winmag · « **Reply #36 on:** March 05, 2019, 09:46:54 AM »

My stepdad had one similar to that he bought at auction, old tan government truck with same front bumper and winch setup.

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Author Topic: 1978 Dodge Powerwagon (Read 9131 times)

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