Heavy-Duty Custom Flat Fender Dodge Power Wagon | Hand-Built Work Truck w/ 5.9 Cummins

This is a fully custom 1957 Dodge Power Wagon build—hand fabricated from the ground up into a real heavy-duty work truck. Powered by a 5.9 Cummins 12-valve diesel with Eaton Fuller transmission, Dana 60 front axle, Dana 80 rear axle, and a custom-built frame.

The only original parts left from the 1957 Dodge Power Wagon are the doors and cab, which are extremely modified. Everything else on this truck was custom fabricated by hand. This is my vision of a flat-fender Dodge Power Wagon—a real work truck that turned into a showpiece.

I purchased this 1957 Dodge Power Wagon in Colorado. I later discovered it was originally owned by the Department of Interior in Arizona. It read “Official Use Only” on the doors. It sat in storage for about five years before the build began gathering parts that were proven to hold up and perform well.

Because modern components are much larger, I split the cab down the center and widened it 12 inches, allowing room for the drivetrain and creating a more friendly, usable interior. The hood was extended 11 inches to accommodate the 5.9 Cummins diesel.

After five years of gathering parts—and even building a garage to build the truck—it took another five years to complete the build, working on it nights, after work, and whenever I could find the time.

🔩 Build Specs & Major Components
Body:
• 1957 Dodge Power Wagon
• Cab widened 12 inches
• Hood extended 11 inches
• Front fenders narrowed 6 inches per side

Engine:
• 5.9 Cummins BT6 12-Valve Diesel

Transmission:
• Eaton Fuller Road Ranger RTO-6610 Twin Countershaft Overdrive

Axles:
• Front: Ford Dana Super 60
• Rear: Dodge Dana 80 (3.55 gear ratio)

Frame & Suspension:
• Custom fabricated frame (3x7x3/16" rectangular tubing)
• Air ride suspension
• Custom crossmembers
• Air management system

Wheels & Tires:
• 19.5x12 custom wheels (fabricated centers)
• Yokohama TY303 tires
• 6,615 lbs per tire (over 24,000 lbs total capacity)
• No duals needed

Fabrication Highlights:
• Entirely custom aluminum bed
• Custom power running boards + fixed running boards
• Hand-built stainless exhaust (4" 304 stainless with heat shield)
• Fabricated bumpers with clevis brackets
• Custom aluminum grille (¼” x 1½” 6061 aluminum flat bar)
• Fifth-wheel hitch

Electronics & Lighting:
• Redline Lumtronix headlights with integrated turn signals
• Coach Controls COACH-1 Body Control Module wiring system

Aluminon Fuel Tank from Cleveland Tank:    / @clevelandtank  

🙌 Special Thanks
Shoutout to Ed Rodden from Coach Controls
👉 https://coachcontrols.com
Thanks for helping modernize a vintage truck the right way.

MEET BOB
Hi, I’m Bob—owner and operator of Shutler Machine and Fabrication in Moundsville, West Virginia (USA). I got my start at a young age in the garage and on the farm, spending time with my dad as he patiently showed me how things worked. He was having just as much fun as I was, and I rarely left his side.
By around age six, I was tearing apart lawn mower engines. Not long after, I was putting them back together and making them run again. I built my first tractor at age 10.
I turned a lifelong passion for building and problem-solving into my career. Today, I fabricate everything from heavy industrial equipment for power plants to one-of-a-kind custom trucks—built, not bought.
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LET’S CONNECT
📧 builtbybob15@gmail.com