Vintage iron and diesel torque make a compelling combination, and that is exactly what drives this 1947 Dodge Power Wagon owned by Joe DiMaulo of Congers, New York. Joe has long admired the rugged design and history behind Dodge’s legendary workhorse. After five years of searching for the right truck, he finally located a suitable example and set the stage for a build that would combine classic four-wheel-drive heritage with the grunt of a turbodiesel.
Out With The Gasser, In With The Turbodiesel
When Joe purchased the truck, it was equipped with a swapped 318-cubic-inch V8 that was no longer operational. Rather than rebuild the gas engine, he spent about a year tracking down the diesel he really wanted. The search ended when he located a Cummins 4BT that had previously powered a bread delivery truck. Once the engine was secured, the V8 came out and the four-cylinder turbodiesel went in.
Supporting the Cummins is a cooling system sourced from Wizard Cooling that includes a radiator, intercooler, and a variable speed 18-inch fan. Exhaust exits vertically through a single 5-inch-diameter stack, giving the vintage truck a visual cue that something very different now powers it.
Joe explains that selecting the right transmission was the next step. He ultimately chose an NV4500 five-speed manual sourced from an early 2000s Dodge 3500 two-wheel-drive pickup. The gearbox mounts to a custom crossmember that Joe fabricated himself. Power is then sent to the factory divorced NP200 transfer case with PTO drive. Because of the additional length created by the diesel and transmission swap, Joe relocated the transfer case 12 inches rearward.
High-Steer, A 4-Inch Suspension Lift, And Remote-Reservoir Shocks
Although the truck now carries modern diesel muscle, Joe kept the original axles under the Power Wagon. They did receive a few well chosen upgrades. The front axle now uses manual locking hubs and both axles have been converted to disc brakes. Joe also engineered and fabricated a custom high-steer setup to improve steering geometry. Both axles retain the stock 5.83:1 gear ratio and now use limited-slip differentials.
Ride height comes from a set of 4-inch-lift leaf springs supplied by Alcan Spring. To help control the suspension and improve ride quality, Joe installed Fox 2.0 remote-reservoir shocks. The rear shocks mount to the factory locations, while the front shocks required custom upper and lower mounts that Joe fabricated during the build.
The split-rim wheels that originally came on the truck had already been replaced by a previous owner with one-piece wheels. Today they carry a set of 37×12.50R16.5 Goodyear Wrangler MT tires that give the vintage truck a more aggressive stance and improved off road capability.
Factory PTO-Driven Braden Winch
One of the most eye catching features on the front of the truck is the PTO-driven Braden MU2 winch. This 7,500-pound-capacity unit is original to the Power Wagon and was an available option for that model year. Joe mounted it to a custom front bumper he fabricated from 3/8- inch-thick Grade 50 steel. The design mirrors the look of the original Power Wagon bumper while providing the strength needed to support the winch.
Joe also retained the classic side mount spare tire arrangement, which still carries a vintage Goodyear tire. Details like this help preserve the truck’s historic character while the mechanical upgrades deliver far more capability than the truck originally had.
The Interior Is A Mix Of Old And New
Inside the cab, the Power Wagon blends vintage styling with a few carefully chosen upgrades. The factory gauges have been replaced with Auto Meter units, providing more precise engine information for the diesel powerplant. The steering wheel is now a Forever Sharp piece, adding a custom touch while maintaining the truck’s utilitarian feel. The seats were upgraded by a previous owner and provide improved comfort compared to the originals.
The Most Challenging Part
For Joe, the build was as enjoyable as the finished result. When asked which part proved most difficult, he points to the finer details that often go unnoticed.
“The most difficult part was running the fuel lines and brake lines so they would be cosmetically appealing in the truck,” he explains.
The project took roughly three years to complete. Joe is quick to credit his nephew Chris for playing a major role in the process, helping track down parts and lending a hand during assembly. Together they transformed a classic 1947 Power Wagon into a unique blend of vintage style and Cummins-powered diesel performance.
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