Description

Seller description

Totally stock and original (just as the General Services Administration ordered it), great running and driving, near rust-free (rear floor and bed floor only), rare and hard-to-find 1978 Dodge W200 Power Wagon Crew Cab 4X4 originally ordered for the United States Air Force. After the USAF it was painted yellow and put to work with the United States Forest Service before being transferred over to the Montana Department of State Lands for its final tour of duty before entering the private sector. It has a 2500 pound load capacity and is commonly referred to as a 5/4 ton or 1 1/4 ton truck. Based on the evidence (as seen in my additional pictures) it appears to have been used for airport runway duty. 
The running gear is in really good condition. It consists of a 318cid V8 (new battery, plugs, plug wires, cap, & rotor) hooked up to a 727 TorqueFlite (called LoadFlite in trucks) automatic transmission running to a New Process 203 transfer case (with t-case lock in both high and low range). The front differential is a Dana 44 with disc brakes and the rear is a Dana 60 (both with 4.10 gears). The only flaws are an exhaust manifold leak on the passenger side and a driveline clunk when shifting into reverse. I just drove it on an 88 mile trip at freeway speeds and everything performed properly. Many years of a rigorous government maintenance schedule have paid off here.
The exterior is in pretty good shape with no major dents and just typical bumps and bruises consistent with use. There is no rust-through anywhere on the outside body panels other than the bed floor which is an easy fix. I've coated it with a rust inhibitor to prevent spread. The original color was US Air Force Blue but it was repainted Safety Yellow when it went to the US Forest Service. There is some light bondo work on the left front fender. My extra pictures show each body panel in detail. And all exterior lights work except one.
The interior is in only fair condition but from use and not modification. All gauges and factory buttons, knobs, switches and levers work. The dash cover plastic is very brittle but doesn't affect any functionality. All doors open and close properly but the drivers door sometimes needs a good tug. All glass is good (one rock chip on windshield) and windows roll up and down except front passenger window (needs regulator lubed). Front floorboards have surface rust only and rear floorboards have rust-through. I've coated them with a rust inhibitor to prevent spread.
This is an awesome truck. It's a daily driver that can be put to use immediately. It starts, idles, shifts, accelerates, turns, brakes and stops very well. The mechanical bones are great and it primarily needs some cosmetic love. Or just enjoy it as the great driver it already is. Plus, it's all stock with only limited upgrades specified by the federal government. And the exterior body panels are all rust-free with any rust-through tightly confined to the bed floor and rear floorboard. Vintage crew cab 4X4 trucks that haven't been horribly buggered up over the years are getting harder and harder to come by. My hope is it ends up with someone who will preserve and enjoy it or take it to the next level.
My name is Chris and I am happy to answer your questions. Please call or text me at [hidden information]. I also have over a 100 pictures that show every nook and cranny in great detail (including the undercarriage). Send or text me your email address and I'll get them to you. This very cool and very rare 1978 Dodge W200 Power Wagon Crew Cab 4X4 is located in the dry, desert community of Santa Clara, Utah (about 125 miles north of Las Vegas). Thank you very much for your interest.