I want to build a new work truck

[daepp]

Rainbow Sheikh's 'Power Wagon'

by ArabianBusiness.com staff writer on Wednesday, 25 June 2008



POWER TRIP: Giant replica truck dwarves the Datsun under the front axle. The attention to detail can be seen when comparing it to the real Power Wagon in front.

Think it looks like a 1950s Dodge? Well, look again.

Desert and oil. These two things sum up the emirate of Abu Dhabi perhaps better than any other feature about it.

Back in 1994, His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Hamdan Al-Nahyan, also known as the 'Rainbow Sheikh', due to the fact that he once bought a fleet of Mercedes every colour of the rainbow as a wedding present, decided that he would like to celebrate the desert, by building a very special Bedouin caravan.
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He had already constructed several others, including a bizarre spherical creation which is said to be a 1:1,000,000 replica of the world, only with wheels.

However, on this occasion the Rainbow Sheikh chose to honour the pioneers of the oil boom - and show his passion for classic dune-bashing four wheel drives - by building the most incredible replica of a 1950s Dodge Power Wagon, only eight times the size of the real thing.

Built over a period of months, the scale of the construction was limited only by the size of the wheels that the Sheikh could get, which apparently were used on a machine for transporting oil rigs.

The truck is built around a metal frame more reminiscent of static plant, rather than anything mobile. This is emphasised by a flight of stairs leading up to the 'front door' somewhere below the cab, which on our visit was locked, sadly.

However, we have it on good authority that the machine houses just about everything needed for comfortable living, including four large, air conditioned bedrooms (The air-con units are visable behind the false radiator grille) as well as a living room, bathrooms and even a patio in the pick-up bed.

The first thing you notice about the monster is how accurate it is. Every last detail follow that exactly of an early model Dodge. The steering links are in place and there are brakes.

Even more surprisingly (given that this is a caravan) there is an engine, which can apparently be used to propel the truck short distances.

Best of all, you can this see truck alongside the Sheikh's various other creations, several real Power Wagons, a Kenworth 851 and 100-odd cars, including the rainbow Mercedes for free, as His Highness has generously opened his collection to the public.

[Speedo959]

I like these.

[RWebb]

if you're going that direction, then why not get the medium duty truck with the transparent footwells?

[speedracing944]

G Wagon.

Mercedes-Benz : G-Class: eBay Motors (item 120606915389 end time Aug-16-10 10:28:02 PDT)

[LWJ]

This is a cool truck fantasy. Except it might be real. Nice.
Seeing the specs for the first truck I easily would budget for this is north of 50K.

It seems to me that what is needed is a medium truck with a snazzy body. This will give the beefy frame / tow capacity with the verve of the power wagon. I think the best and cheapest way is to fnd a cummins (or other acceptable diesel) powered truck with the GVW to do what you want and then put the body of your choice on it's frame. This won't be easy but might be the easiest way. It could also leave you with running gear from the last 15 years or so as opposed to running gear from 50 years ago. This will make a difference on maintaining such a pretty beast.

Also, John Walker has a KILLER truck hotrod. It is a pretty uncommon make and I don't recall it. Search Pelican and you will find it. It is gorgeous.

If I can put in my suggestions? While I love the power wagon, Old Internationals are very cool as well.

Larry

[turbo6bar]

Gosh, there's so much to take in here. That's why I've been so indecisive the past year or so. I already have an 01 2500 dodge. It's been a great truck, but two things bother me: not four wheel drive and can't run vegetable oil fuel. I'm growing tired of making biodiesel, so I'd like a diesel that can run on heated waste vegetable oil or anything else I can capture (waste motor oil, transmission fluid, kerosene, etc).

The Power Wagon is a great blend of simplicity, strength, and ability. The only accessory I would want in a work truck is air conditioning. On the other hand, I doubt the Power Wagon could handle towing a trailer and 9000 lb excavator, which is the largest toy I have now. In essence, I'm trading one compromise for another. I think I am spoiled by the ability of my current 3/4 ton truck, and may be asking too much of the Power Wagon.

Deuce and a half is wicked cool, but seems biased to off-road duty. I'd prefer a slant towards a mostly on-road rig with the ability to go off-road. I have no plans to take it truly off-road. This is still a work truck.

A duece with axle delete and reduced weight:



The other trucks mentioned are mostly off-road. I'd throw the Unimog and other military trucks into this batch. The g-wagon is very cool, but too small, I think. It's smaller than most 3/4 ton trucks these days, right?

Ford cab-over. Very cool. I saw one on eBay the other day. I need to look them up.

Larry, I like your idea best. Put the Power Wagon body in a newer chassis. In fact, I would prefer a truck with a multi-use bed. Ideally, I'd like a flat bed with dump capacity, and removable sideboards. Add tanks for dual fuels and we've got a winner.

rwebb, transparent footwells?

look171, I am not technically a builder or remodeler. I grab up real estate deals (foreclosures and distressed RE), and then go in the direction necessary to turn the properties around. If it requires rebuilding a house, so be it. If the property needs cosmetic details before listing it for rent, I'm game. Sure, there are a few newer 3/4 ton trucks that would do what I need, but I'm a sucker for doing things the hard way.

[look 171]

How are the foreclosers doing out there for you. Out here its been really hard to find anything. There is a huge bidding war going on. I just finish up one and had been sold. As a matter of fact, I am closing escrow Monday. Still, remodeling is about 50 % of our business. Dump capacity? There are plenty that will do that for a few bucks around here.

I still want a power wagon for just driving around only because they are cool. Not so much in the summer. I think I can live with a Uni-mog. Rode in one in the jungles of Mexico. I wanted one since. Good luck. Let us know if you do get one.

[RWebb]

you want just the cab off the HEMTT - seems like the observation port near the footwells (for cresting steep hills) has been armored over on most now

[gtc]

I drove a '54 Power Wagon last year. It's been in use at a ski lodge here since 1966. Those things are more tractor than truck. They make driving a '50s Willys or a Series I Land Rover feel like a Ford Taurus.

[turbo6bar]

Hear ya on the crude nature of the Power Wagon. I think air ride suspension and installing better/any sound dampening aides would be necessary. The price tag of this truck is starting to go north quickly.

Did some looking at deuce and a half trucks. The bobbed trucks are dirt cheap. You can get a truck with one axle deleted, bigger tires, and ready to go for $7500. I'm not sold, because they're so darn big, and I'd probably run through 13 gears to get to 40 mph.

Ignoring the modern pickups out there, the modded Power Wagon is still at the top of the list.

look171, foreclosures are hit and miss. They are definitely being snatched by cash buyers. I'm worried that things, mainly prices, will take another hit over the next year. I hope the economy doesn't take another hit. I should do fine, because I paid off a lot of debt over the past few years.

rwebb, I'm looking for a work truck as opposed to an ICBM delivery solution.

[GH85Carrera]

I parked next to a Ford F-450 pickup the other day. That is one tough looking truck. I can't imagine wanting to drive anything bigger.

[look 171]

commerical truck = commerical insurance. I wanted a Isuzu flat bed at one time, but the commerical insurance wasn't worth it. I still love to have one of those.

Banks are not letting go of their beat up homes that quickly. I close escrow tomorrow so not the hunt begins again. lower middle class areas around LA has gone up 100k between now and last year. Crazy. Clean housea are going through muti offers and bidding wars.

[herr_oberst]

Driving thru Ideehow this weekend I saw this off the freeway, thought it might be of interest:

http://www.idahomotorpool.com/