Picked up a 65 town wagon,same color.My wife and I have owned it for the last six months. Body is in great shape and it runs like a top. 225 c.i, slant six, three on the tree . Probably going to keep this engine and tranny. I’ve put in power brakes, new clutch parts . And away we go! Keep the oil fresh and fluids topped off. Just got done rebuilding the wiper motor switch because we couldn’t find a proper replacement. (Shout out to my son in law, Marcellino Leete for all his hard work and dedication to getting things done.)Right now putting in some reverse lights. Still need to get all gauges working properly. Have the original seats that need reupholstering, still haven’t decided whether or not I’m going to use them. Everywhere we go this truck draws attention. It is one of the coolest looking vehicles out there, hands down. If anyone has any clues,ideas,or help it would be greatly appreciated. P.S.- you can see pictures of this beauty at guysandtheirrides.com. It’s the yellow beauty sitting outside the house.😊
WC53 - They made 8500, at least that is what the books say but I have the body number that reads 9000 and change - I dropped a 4bt in my WC53 it has a untouched pump but compounds that make for a pretty clean burning engine. Best riding truck I have ever had a ride it ....that has leaf springs.
The '55-60 Town wagon and panels came 108" wheel base, the '61-66 TW and TP were 114" . The front wheel opening was moved 6" forward. The frame was widened in the '61 model year also.
What a beauty. Don't go all out. Give it a good modern-ish brake upgrade. Steering and suspension refresh with a lunchbox locker. Haul that 6 out and give it new bearings and rings and warm it over a bit with a little cam and new carb. Just my opinion but please, post it and let us see what you do. Cheers.
Cool rig. I imagine it would make for a great Overlanding/Camping family rig. On a different note, do a compression check to make sure you don’t have a weak cylinder. If all is good with your check, then clean up the carb, ignition and go through the running gear. Like you use to say when you started DED: getting it running (running correctly) is the most important part of a build.
I had a 1962 town wagon just like that one. It was even the same color. Paid 325 dollars for it, drove it for 5 years then sold it for 1000 dollars. Now I wish I had it back. Had a lot. Fun in it.
Beautiful beast!!! Retro over lander would be fun!!! Just get it running good, fix what needs to be fixed and make it reliable. The slant 6 is cool, maybe a Howell type efi on it and some I6 tech to show today’s kids what us old timers used to do. Good tires, maybe brakes and a rear axle swap with a posi or maybe an air locker. Nice old school Baja style light bar on top with two KC spots in the middle flanked by a couple round KC floods, a couple cheap feed store rubberized tractor work lights facing sideways and a couple more out back as work lights. Nothing expensive or fancy, just solid, reliable and cost effective traditional tech. Maybe hide a Badlands winch in the grill. Show that you don’t need expensive snazzy high tech stuff to go play and have fun exploring old logging roads in the mountains and forests. Rig a hammock rack and an awning with a tarp and just go relax in the hills next spring and summer. Build it over the winter and take your Lady and the doggos out. Maybe get Dave to bring something too and just have fun on a budget and not have to worry about electronics and modern nannyware.
Wow way cool! My grams had one on the farm when I was a kid. Man that’s bringing back memories of her dragging me and my 5 brothers to the store to buy shoes in Lukenbach Texas!
“Last thing I needed, but I really did want it” - The same exact reason a not really running great, but sorta rusty ‘59 D100 followed me home a couple weeks ago. 😎 The Punkin’s a very cool old truck, get her running, stopping a little better, & then figure out where it wants to go.
Great find! 4x4 conversion would be on my list, but it's yours to do what you want to with it. Looking forward to seeing more of it. Just a thought, but there are a ton of power makers for the slant six now. God bless and stay well.
That is awesome! Don't kill it, make it rad, and keep it that way. I would convert it to 4wd and a modern V8 and cruise around in it. An overland style that is not over the top would be cool too, just don't lose the vintage look of it.
Wouldn’t be surprised if it was an old Oregon forest service vehicle. If my memory serves me right, forest service vehicles back then were orange in that vintage, before they went to green later on (in the 70’s-80’s)
I'd love to see more videos on this truck. We've got my dads unfinished 62 town wagon in the back yard sitting on an 02 ram 2500 4x chassis. Ready or the 5.9 cummins and plum stuffed with new parts. Exact same yellow. Wish I could afford to finish it.
Id say keep it true to the Oregon theme old skool 4x4 Overlander, think STA superlugs or Q78s, steel period correct winch bumper, then do a simple SBM w a sniper on it. Detroit in the rear E locker in the front. Spare tire carrier w jerry can holder.
I bet it would be a blast with a TBI unit on it, 4.5 bolt circle was stock for Mopar cars and trucks, that should be sitting on the short wheelbase 1/2 ton truck frame
It would be cool to see a dana 60 or 70 in the rear with a locker or throw a locker in stock, but leave it 2wd and do some mods to the stock slant 6. Maybe a winch just in case if you can do it without cutting much up
ha.... I was actually about 24hs late on buying the Rover your buddy picked up! If he decides he doesn't want it.....I've got a trailer and it's only a few hrs to Bend from here!
You should drive to see the Spiral Jetty at the very north end of the Great Salt Lake. It's about the same age as this truck. About 20 miles of gravel roads to get to it.
There's a local guy who has one of these old Dodges fixed up very nice.I saw it at my local Home Depot and thought it was pretty cool so I waited for him to come out and asked him about it....seems he transferred everything to an old square body Chevy Blazer chassis,4wd of course,he said it wasn't too hard to do......just a thought.
Id love to see it with 1 tons with leafs all 4 corners, on some 35s or 37s minimal lift for some cool overlanding, driveline maybe a late model junkyard hemi, just not over done but definitely cool
Yeah, I would have brought that home too. A minimalist and mellow 4WD conversion would be really cool, say with 33" maximum diameter pizza cutter tires. Keep the slant six, but maybe improve it a bit.
Skinny 16's on this ... and Air Conditioning. Detail the frame and engine bay. Paint the Headlight Bezels in an Argent Silver... the color an old gauge cluster might be.
Idk I’d enjoy it the way it is! Maybe put an overdrive in it an do a road trip or like you said an overland setup/old school camping rig! Old style pizza cutter mud tires an a nice m8274 warn winch just in case🤘🏻 hell you can fit the old Coleman mini bikes in the back an go camping too!🏕
That poor Slant would have to be singing it nut off at silly high revs to push Pumpkin along. As much as I love my Slants (cough, HyperPak Valiant driver), you gotta step that one up. Dodge truck V-10 with manual trans an overdrive, all hidden away, then call it the Smashin' Punkin'.
I am wondering if it was a railroad or road crew truck. I would clear coat patina, modernize the engine, axles, brakes, an tires, in an overlander/ little rocker capable.
4bt, 4 wheel drive converted using 2000s Dodge 1/2 ton coil spring suspension. Make it an overland camping rig witgh modern comfy interior. Then sell it to me when you're done! Great looking rig there!
I would convert it to four-wheel drive and build something for a camping and overland and nothing to smash on the rocks things to nice to be smashed up
![ลักพาตัว เอาลูกเอิร์นกลับมา...!! [เอิร์นไดเม่]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/f4NVKlZ5qkk/mqdefault.jpg)
Don’t smash it up on the rocks. Let Steve Dulcich at that slant 6 he’s a wizard with those engines!
I agree! Bring the Dulcich in for an episode to play doc and make it a 2wd sand machine!
Picked up a 65 town wagon,same color.My wife and I have owned it for the last six months. Body is in great shape and it runs like a top. 225 c.i, slant six, three on the tree . Probably going to keep this engine and tranny. I’ve put in power brakes, new clutch parts . And away we go! Keep the oil fresh and fluids topped off. Just got done rebuilding the wiper motor switch because we couldn’t find a proper replacement. (Shout out to my son in law, Marcellino Leete for all his hard work and dedication to getting things done.)Right now putting in some reverse lights. Still need to get all gauges working properly. Have the original seats that need reupholstering, still haven’t decided whether or not I’m going to use them. Everywhere we go this truck draws attention. It is one of the coolest looking vehicles out there, hands down. If anyone has any clues,ideas,or help it would be greatly appreciated. P.S.- you can see pictures of this beauty at guysandtheirrides.com. It’s the yellow beauty sitting outside the house.😊
WC53 - They made 8500, at least that is what the books say but I have the body number that reads 9000 and change - I dropped a 4bt in my WC53 it has a untouched pump but compounds that make for a pretty clean burning engine. Best riding truck I have ever had a ride it ....that has leaf springs.
The '55-60 Town wagon and panels came 108" wheel base, the '61-66 TW and TP were 114" . The front wheel opening was moved 6" forward. The frame was widened in the '61 model year also.
I've wanted one of those for years. Take care of it
What a beauty. Don't go all out. Give it a good modern-ish brake upgrade. Steering and suspension refresh with a lunchbox locker. Haul that 6 out and give it new bearings and rings and warm it over a bit with a little cam and new carb. Just my opinion but please, post it and let us see what you do. Cheers.
Love the truck! If it's going to be a DED truck then it has to at least be 4WD. I mild overlander is my vote.
I'd love to see it like an overlanding rig and see it up in the mountains ⛰
That would be a great support/tow truck for your lighter off-road trips, Motorcycles, three wheelers, minibikes, and maybe side by sides. Cool truck.
That would be a cool retro camping truck. Or maybe a retro Caltrans tribute. LOL!
Simple camping rig.
Tuned up. Leave it 2wd. Good tires. A locker.
Would be a great back roads cruiser.
Would love to see it as a weekend camping rig. Throw an old wooden canoe on top and head to the lake for the weekend.
I've heard of retro camping clubs where you get together with vintage vehicles and use vintage camping gear. The Pumpkin would be perfect for that.
Leave er stock and she will be worth more. These things are fixing to shoot over the moon in value, Fred!
Cool rig. I imagine it would make for a great Overlanding/Camping family rig.
On a different note, do a compression check to make sure you don’t have a weak cylinder. If all is good with your check, then clean up the carb, ignition and go through the running gear. Like you use to say when you started DED: getting it running (running correctly) is the most important part of a build.
I had a 1962 town wagon just like that one. It was even the same color. Paid 325 dollars for it, drove it for 5 years then sold it for 1000 dollars. Now I wish I had it back. Had a lot. Fun in it.
Beautiful beast!!! Retro over lander would be fun!!! Just get it running good, fix what needs to be fixed and make it reliable. The slant 6 is cool, maybe a Howell type efi on it and some I6 tech to show today’s kids what us old timers used to do. Good tires, maybe brakes and a rear axle swap with a posi or maybe an air locker. Nice old school Baja style light bar on top with two KC spots in the middle flanked by a couple round KC floods, a couple cheap feed store rubberized tractor work lights facing sideways and a couple more out back as work lights. Nothing expensive or fancy, just solid, reliable and cost effective traditional tech. Maybe hide a Badlands winch in the grill. Show that you don’t need expensive snazzy high tech stuff to go play and have fun exploring old logging roads in the mountains and forests.
Rig a hammock rack and an awning with a tarp and just go relax in the hills next spring and summer. Build it over the winter and take your Lady and the doggos out. Maybe get Dave to bring something too and just have fun on a budget and not have to worry about electronics and modern nannyware.
Wow way cool! My grams had one on the farm when I was a kid. Man that’s bringing back memories of her dragging me and my 5 brothers to the store to buy shoes in Lukenbach Texas!
That's what I learned to drive a manual in back in 1981 when I was 11! It was a faded blue 1965 4×4.
I own a 61 4x4 town. Nice rig 👍
I first saw a wc53 in highschool some 30 years ago and fell in love lol I will find one some day. great find that's a cool Dodge
Bring it to the upper Peninsula of Michigan, tons of 2 tracks perfect for a 2wd.
Old school mud truck on 44 TSL, 2.5 Rockwell and a Mopar big block with a drop-case
Grandma and Grandpa had one back in the sixties, had push button transmission, great for fishing back in the day , nice purchase.
The Great Pumpkin , newer 1 ton 4x4 drive train !
Nice truck. Always wanted an older suburban ish type vehicle like that. Complete and straight
Swamp it out in Canada. Some great guys out there.
“Last thing I needed, but I really did want it” - The same exact reason a not really running great, but sorta rusty ‘59 D100 followed me home a couple weeks ago. 😎
The Punkin’s a very cool old truck, get her running, stopping a little better, & then figure out where it wants to go.
Great find! 4x4 conversion would be on my list, but it's yours to do what you want to with it. Looking forward to seeing more of it. Just a thought, but there are a ton of power makers for the slant six now. God bless and stay well.
That is awesome! Don't kill it, make it rad, and keep it that way. I would convert it to 4wd and a modern V8 and cruise around in it. An overland style that is not over the top would be cool too, just don't lose the vintage look of it.
Wouldn’t be surprised if it was an old Oregon forest service vehicle. If my memory serves me right, forest service vehicles back then were orange in that vintage, before they went to green later on (in the 70’s-80’s)
Great find, I'd love to get one.
I'd love to see more videos on this truck.
We've got my dads unfinished 62 town wagon in the back yard sitting on an 02 ram 2500 4x chassis. Ready or the 5.9 cummins and plum stuffed with new parts. Exact same yellow. Wish I could afford to finish it.
Lovin the Pumpkin!
I need more property so I can be like you guys.
60-70’s style camping rig. 4wd, Half ton axles, small diesel, max of like 33” maybe 35” tires if the factory wheel opening really are asking for it.
Make it a tribute to the 90s and call it the SMASHING pumpkin! 🎃🤙
Awesome find 👍
Resto-mod. Cummins 12 valve. Could go either way on 2wheel or 4, then use it as your tow rig.
RAD RAD RAD, love it.
Cool truck Fred.
Hi Fred.. 👋.. I seriously regret selling my 1965 W200.. 😞. 4x4 short bed old forestry truck... Gotta find another like it.
I love it. It's awesome.
Id say keep it true to the Oregon theme old skool 4x4 Overlander, think STA superlugs or Q78s, steel period correct winch bumper, then do a simple SBM w a sniper on it. Detroit in the rear E locker in the front. Spare tire carrier w jerry can holder.
Very nice!!
"Idea where to take it?" YES! My place! I want that thing pretty bad! LOL
Cannot wait to see this on DED
Late model hemi swap and beef the rear end up and keep it as a super rad cruiser!
Either a rustoration with locker for extra traction overland camper or Cummins swap rustoration tow vehicle
Cummins swap tow rig!
12 valves are the ultimate(IMHO), but he’s got a good tow rig. How ‘bout a mild overlander w/R2.8
I bet it would be a blast with a TBI unit on it, 4.5 bolt circle was stock for Mopar cars and trucks, that should be sitting on the short wheelbase 1/2 ton truck frame
Love it!
The pumpkin is awesome!
It would be cool to see a dana 60 or 70 in the rear with a locker or throw a locker in stock, but leave it 2wd and do some mods to the stock slant 6. Maybe a winch just in case if you can do it without cutting much up
I think it would be a overland vehicle but it will need V8 (slant six isn't bad) and 4WD. I love it.
Blumpkin the pumpkin 😂😂😂
awesome I love it , yeah 4wd diesel conversion but don't jack it up too high
Love the pumpkin. 4x4 conversion overlander tow pig would be the way I'd take.
33" 10.5" 4WD with a super simple camper build out.
ha.... I was actually about 24hs late on buying the Rover your buddy picked up! If he decides he doesn't want it.....I've got a trailer and it's only a few hrs to Bend from here!
Oooo... I like it a bunch
Fred, everybody agrees, it's a daily driver, overlander!!
The Orange color tells me it used to belong to the dept of highways as a personnel carrier
Omg you must build this on Dirt Everyday
Love it learnt to drive in a dodge 3 ton truck around a 55 model i think i know brakes were wifi
Tune-up, brakes, posi or locker in rear & ENJOY !! If you do go 4x4 with it, maybe Dana 44's front & rear, stock tire size. A light overlander.
I'd buy that tomorrow if you still have it!!
You should drive to see the Spiral Jetty at the very north end of the Great Salt Lake. It's about the same age as this truck. About 20 miles of gravel roads to get to it.
just got one!
I don't know why but the dodge and similar Internationals are an ugly that is cool at the same time. I like it 👌
road trip to yellowstone!!!
Bend is just a little detour from Moab. I grew up in Bend and made the drive to Moab a few times.
Would love to see a DED on the Crew Cab FC!
There's a local guy who has one of these old Dodges fixed up very nice.I saw it at my local Home Depot and thought it was pretty cool so I waited for him to come out and asked him about it....seems he transferred everything to an old square body Chevy Blazer chassis,4wd of course,he said it wasn't too hard to do......just a thought.
That’s a really kewL find!! Don’t see the wagons around much ! Keep it original lol
Id love to see it with 1 tons with leafs all 4 corners, on some 35s or 37s minimal lift for some cool overlanding, driveline maybe a late model junkyard hemi, just not over done but definitely cool
Yeah, I would have brought that home too. A minimalist and mellow 4WD conversion would be really cool, say with 33" maximum diameter pizza cutter tires. Keep the slant six, but maybe improve it a bit.
super cool
pretty cool, make it 4x4 for sure please.
Skinny 16's on this ... and Air Conditioning. Detail the frame and engine bay. Paint the Headlight Bezels in an Argent Silver... the color an old gauge cluster might be.
If you do decide to do a 4x4 convention you should try to find some old school napco original 4x4 kits
2500/3500 ram chassis nv4500 maybe nvg5600 and whichever engine you like, Cummins/ hemi . Would be a sweet overlander.
Idk I’d enjoy it the way it is! Maybe put an overdrive in it an do a road trip or like you said an overland setup/old school camping rig! Old style pizza cutter mud tires an a nice m8274 warn winch just in case🤘🏻 hell you can fit the old Coleman mini bikes in the back an go camping too!🏕
That poor Slant would have to be singing it nut off at silly high revs to push Pumpkin along. As much as I love my Slants (cough, HyperPak Valiant driver), you gotta step that one up. Dodge truck V-10 with manual trans an overdrive, all hidden away, then call it the Smashin' Punkin'.
My vote 5.7 w/FI , 4 whl disc brakes , Dana 60 or 70 w/locker , slightly bigger tires, DAILY-DRIVER !!!
A coilover/IFS pre-runner build would be so unexpected
I am wondering if it was a railroad or road crew truck. I would clear coat patina, modernize the engine, axles, brakes, an tires, in an overlander/ little rocker capable.
Let Steve dulcich at the leaning tower of power, upgrade the rear diff, maybe 35’s, stay 2wd for dessert camping/mild prerunner setup
Ultimate Adventure build! PLEASE!
put a 4BT in it! Built it for overlanding down into central america.
Neat.
4bt, 4 wheel drive converted using 2000s Dodge 1/2 ton coil spring suspension. Make it an overland camping rig witgh modern comfy interior. Then sell it to me when you're done! Great looking rig there!
Normally I hate the 4BT, but for this it does seem appropriate.
I would convert it to four-wheel drive and build something for a camping and overland and nothing to smash on the rocks things to nice to be smashed up
I say leave it as is, just get it running better and make it a camping, overland set up. It is cool 😎!
Add power to the 225 and do an old school 4x4 convert. It needs a gun rack though…
Looks a lot like the older international travel alls
Transplant a poly 318 and into it and then converted into four-wheel drive
take it to cool coffee shops
You could do a ultimate adventure rig out of it would be perfect for it
R2.8 Cummins and tremec would be interesting. Not that you can actually buy an r2.8 right now haha
Hey Fred its a how much fun can you have on 33’s maybe a shoot out with dulberger with the willys wagon or something.