Legacy Classic Trucks’ Power Wagons

The idea of restomod vehicles is nothing new. It comes from hot rodders who take classic and vintage cars and equip them with modern drivetrains, chassis and suspensions to make them more practical, comfortable and improve their performance. In doing so they are prolonging the life of these classic vehicles and giving the owners something unique that they can enjoy on the road.

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A tempting range of engine options are available, including an 800Nm twin-turbo Cummins 4BT 3.9L diesel

The concept has become popular with 4x4 vehicles, namely classic Toyota LandCruisers, Ford Broncos and older Jeeps that are given a new lease on life with rejuvenated underpinnings. Companies like ICON 4x4, Red Line Land Cruisers and The FJ Company are some of the best known, with their classic 4x4s selling for more than US$250,000 to discerning buyers looking for something cool to sit beside the Ferrari in the garage.

One company doing something different to the relatively common restomodded LandCruisers and Broncos, is Wyoming’s Legacy Classic Trucks. Legacy restomods and restores all kinds of classic vehicles but specialises in trucks or, more specifically, pickups. There’s also a concept for a 4x4 ’32 Ford Roadster hot rod riding on beadlocked 40-inch tyres, but the company is probably best known for its Dodge Power Wagons.

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Once a workhorse, Legacy's Dodge four-wheel drive Power Wagon pickup is now a modern, jaw-dropping restomod with a price tag to match

“The classic Power Wagons are just amazing trucks,” says Legacy Classic Trucks founder, Winslow Bent. “They are absolute smile magnets when other drivers see them out on the open road.”

Bent knows a thing or two about classic trucks and spending time in 4x4s. His father had a manufacturing business back in Illinois and restored military vehicles in his spare time. Winslow learnt the trades of fabrication and engine building and, when he felt like going for a drive, he did the length of the Pan-American Highway, then came down south to complete a lap of Australia. So he doesn’t mind some time spent behind the wheel.

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Manual or auto transmissions are available, as are Atlas transfer cases and Dana 60 axles with ARB Air Locker differentials

Legacy concentrates on the first and second generations of the Dodge Power Wagon that were available from the mid-1940s through to the mid ’50s. The Power Wagon was a workhorse, one-ton truck with four-wheel drive and dual-range transfer case. It was based on the brands’ military trucks of earlier years, with the Power Wagon name applying to the civilian versions and, including the third-generation, continued production in to the 1970s. It was brought back thr the Ram brand in the 2000s.

As a simple truck, the Power Wagon was very versatile. Commonly used with a stake-side bed behind the cab, variants were also seen with service bodies for military radio vehicles, ambulances and even tow vehicles.

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This Power Wagon rides on massive 40-inch Toyo Open Country M/Ts. Just right, we reckon

If you’ve checked out the photos here, you will have already noticed these Power Wagons are not all regular cab models, and this is just part of the rebuild process available from Legacy. They build the truck to customers’ desires including regular (single-cab), custom-made extended and double-cab bodies.

Customers also have the choice of classic restorations or restomod conversions, which opens up a whole grab bag of options. Power choices can be in the form of the rebuilt original in-line six-cylinder side-valve engine, modern GM LS3 or supercharged LSA V8, Chrysler petrol V8 or Cummins diesel power from a twin-turbo Cummins 4BT eight-valve mill producing more than 800Nm of grunt.

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Adding cred to the Power Wagon's go-anywhere build is a 16,500lb Warn electric winch. Hydraulic winches are also optional, rated to 12,000lb or 20,000lb

Manual or automatic transmissions are available, as is modern 4WD hardware including Atlas transfer cases and Dana 60 axles with ARB Air Locker differentials. Overall gear reduction can run as low as 100:1 for ultimate off-road climbing and low-speed control.

Other modern off-road goodies include 37- or 40-inch Toyo tyres on a choice of bead-locked alloy wheels, and Warn electric or PTO winches. The suspension retains leaf springs, but they are aided by long-travel Bilstein shock absorbers.

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The restomod Power Wagon interiors can be equipped with modern comfort and convenience features including a contemporary HVAC system, bespoke leather seats, carpet floor mats, a retro-style wood steering wheel, vintage-style gauges, LED interior lighting, and a Bluetooth-enabled sound system and USB charging ports. Like the modern powertrains, the updated interior features make the Legacy Power Wagons more accommodating and liveable on the road.

“The best part about a Legacy Power Wagon build is that drivers get all the good looks of a classic restoration without any of the hassles,” says Winslow Bent. “Drivers won’t have any trouble driving this truck out on the street, highway or off road. It can do anything!”

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A Legacy Power Wagon might be able to do anything, but they are not for everyone. Prices start at US$200,000 and go up from there depending on the body style, powertrain and accessories. It wouldn’t be too hard to outlay half-a million Aussie dollars on one of these beauties, and for that money they might even build it in right-hand drive for you.

Legacy also performs more traditional restorations on classic trucks, be it keeping a basic vehicle on the track right up to stunning collectables like the Power Wagon conversions. Another product of the business is a restomod Jeep CJ8 Scrambler that can be built on any CJ platform.

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Seating includes leather bench or bucket seats

The Scrambler benefits from the same level of detail as seen on the Power Wagons but starts from a more affordable US$130,000. We’ll take one of each, and one of those roadsters while we’re at it!