@@79tazman Indeed and if you haven't seen my video on those yet, here's the links... FallGuy: ua-cam.com/video/VTcQOJMJVss/v-deo.html Hardcastle & McCormick: ua-cam.com/video/jB7grt8IaVQ/v-deo.html
I always liked the look of that truck. Two doors, long bed, faded paint, lots of dings and scratches. It looked like the real thing. These days, four door limo trucks with tiny little beds have taken over. There are a lot of these where I live that are four wheel drive, and lifted high enough that you would need a ladder to get in them. The are spotless, bright shiny paint, have never been driven off road, or hauled or towed anything. Also most of them have those huge diameter ghetto wheels and what looks like off road tires, but with 2 inch sidewalls, which would make them completely impossible to go off road with.
that's pretty much how it is. I'd even be happy with an old fashioned "mini truck". single cab, crank up windows, stick shift, no options except AC and CC (because i go long distance to snag car parts). I guess Ford's Maverick comes close.
I had, somehow, forgotten about this. Simon and Simon was a good show and both vehicles were eye catching. Thank you - great coverage as always ~ Chuck
@@geraldscott4302 Indeed. That was the other vehicle I was referencing. The creators did a good job of matching the vehicles to the character's personality.
THANK YOU. My childhood heroes were the Simon brothers (including Tim "the third Simon brother" Reid). Showed this series to my wife recently and she kept turning to me everytime Rick was referenced doing something I now do as an adult. Former Marine? Check. Cuts his own hair? Check. Puts jalapenos in eggs? Check. On and on it went.😂
I remember the 1970s 1980s how soooo many Playboy 🐰 models, Penthouse centerfolds had small roles, extras in shows like Simon & Simon, Mike Hammer, Riptide, Magnum PI, Fall Guy, Miami Vice, A Team, Knight Rider.
Wow, that was awesome! That's my favorite of your series. I grew up watching Simon and Simon, and loved Ricks Macho Power Wagon. Thanks for doing an episode on it!
Loved that truck. And the fact that is was constantly dirty and not a car wash queen made it more realistic to me. Do you do requests? I’m a big fan of Burt Reynolds 1971 Ford Custom 500 in the movie “White Lightning “. I’m in the process of building a replica of it. I really enjoy your videos and am surprised how much I didn’t know about many of the cars and trucks you feature. Thanks again.
Indeed and glad you enjoyed it and yes the White Lightning 500 is on my list to look into and do if I can find enough info on it that is as the older Burt movies are kind of hard to find info on the cars😉
@@jarm7726 Glad to hear you're enjoying the videos and yea I'll add that one to my massive master list to look into. Surprisingly, you're actually the first to suggest that one. Thanks👍
Niiice! Yeah, Ricks Truck is an often overlooked TV / Moviecar, thanks for covering. I didn't knew such a thing as the Macho Pakage ever existed, that's exactly my kind of humor. Great video again, entertaining and Interesting!
Not a big problem with building a model of the truck. Not very long ago. Round 2 re released the long bed 78 version. I saw this kit for sale pretty reasonably at a model show vendor area just this weekend. There have been resin casters and 3D printers making 79-81 Conversion kit. I was a resin caster that did at one time and will be coming back with it with in the year. And last. Round 2 announced the return of the 1/25 scale 78 Warlock. For those that do not know what that is. It's the 4x4 version of the Little Red Express. Wheels Tires. Easy. So many casters and 3D printers are making those. And the decals. There are decal makers that will make them for you. I for one, LOVED the show and Loved Rick's truck. I hadn't thought about it. But you gave me the inspiration to build one, now. And HECK. I still have the Monogram Simon & Simon 82 Z/ 28 kit I could build to go with it. Great Video!
In 1985 I was working on rebuilding the Santa Monica Pier. They filmed an episode of Simon & Simon at the same time .Somewhere in my baseball hat collection I've got a for real cap that only the crew members could get.
Not surprising that we don't see a lot of real-life full-size replicas of this truck, although I remember really loving it over A.J's Camaro. The RL Dodge trucks from that era were not that well built to start with---I blame the 1970s auto industry---and the ones that did get to the street tended to get used and abused hard. Consequently you're just not gonna find many. The Rick truck was a real reflection of the character---dusty, kinda beat up, but tough as a tank and would keep going where other vehicles would've failed. I loved Gerald McCraney's portrayal too. He's resurfaced in the last 10-15 years after a long seeming absence from Hollywood---I remember him as the renegade General from the "A-Team" movie back in 2010.
@@CarStarz42 Thanks! I’m looking at an 1987 W150 with a 318. Which is fine, but with all the great 440 builders it would be fun to drop one in. A new manual transmission would be needed?. It’s a fun project.
@@Silverhands Yes it will but I don’t know about the bell housing to engine. I’m old and back in the seventies I had a 68 Satellite with a 383 and 4 speed, a 70 RT Charger 440 auto both hotrodded and a 71 340 4speed Demon. The B and RB (383 low deck and 440 raised deck) are awesome engines to build up.
MUCHO MACHO!!! What a cool video to come home to! I'm an 80s dude and this one really touched my heart. Thanks brother, long may you have content to cover! 👍
This truck was probably the coolest TV truck of that Era, in my opinion. the coolest movie pickup that would make a great video would have to be chuck Norris's stepside chevy in invasion usa.
The lever he’s “shifting” at 1:25 is for the fulltime 4 wheel drive transfer case. I had a ‘79 Club Cab 200 Power Wagon with the 360/727, and it had the same lever.
Wow! Watched Simon & Simon when I was young and haven't thought about that truck forever, lol. I think it got overshadowed by The Fall Guys truck. Thanks for the memories!
Cool truck and great show! There was even a cross-over episode where the boys showed up on a Magnum P.I. episode. Which was another show I never missed!👍🏼
The work you do is so cool. Too many people forgot the art of cheezy TV series and the great creativity that went into them. I loved Simon and Simon among others. Ever thought about doing a video on The Rockford Files? That one was one of my favorites and the first show my Dad let me stay up late to watch on Friday night primetime. I want so much to build a Rockford Firebird but they are tough to find thanks to Smokey and the Bandit. Thanks again!
Fun show but not sure "cheezy" fits compared to 80's Velveetafests like MacGyver and Knight Rider. For example every time Rick and AJ got into a shootout they were invariably shown speedloading after six. In five seasons of Miami Vice you NEVER saw Tubbs reload his 5 shot revolver a single time.
The manual transmission truck likely was a NP 435 transmission ( 3 speed with granny low) and np 203 transfer case. The chrome stick shifted in this video likely was the automatic trucks full time transfer case shifter. In the TV show I saw Rick shift the transmission in to reverse. It was definitely a 3 speed with granny low ( known as 4 speed also).
Why do people insist on referring to it as a "3 speed with granny low"? As a senior citizen, that is exactly what a "4 speed" is...1st ("granny low"); 2nd, which is what most people started out in, unless pulling a load or the transmission was in a heavy-duty truck; 3rd; and 4th.
@@willhorting5317 the Original GM shift knob is marked L - 1 - 2 - 3 ---R. It is normally driven as a 3 speed. I suppose if You need to make a Pointless argument, You would want to call it a 5 speed or possibly include the counter shaft also and call if a 6 speed.
@@dand3975 sir, (obviously you had no way to know this), but I am quite aware of those particular markings on GM shift knobs, as I grew up driving Chevy pickups and trucks of the 1950s-1960s. As such, I am also quite aware of the fact that most people drive them as if they are a 3speed. But I appreciate you educating me. As far as making a pointless argument, I was not intending an argument. I was just questioning why so many people use the "3sperd with granny low" terminology, instead of simply calling it what it actually is...a 4speed. And thanks SO MUCH for treating me like a complete idiot, by tossing in your BS about Reverse and the shaft in order to stupidly call it a 5speed or 6speed. However, enjoy your evening. This old senior citizen had no original intention of having an argument, just was asking a question. And I have no desire to argue now.
That was my favorite show in the 80's. Seeing the iconic image of that truck in the opening credits of the show is still one of my most poignant memories from that time.
Great video! I own Ricks 1979 authenticate truck that was used in the series. I purchased it in 1989. It's been tucked away I drive it several times per year and keep it tucked away for my own enjoyment. The truck you show at the end of the video as the privately owned truck was taken outside my shop!
Thanks much. Ah, very cool! You should take it out to some shows or something every so often, if you don't already 😉 Thanks for letting us know it is still around and being cared for. Much appreciated👍
@@ahhamartin the 57 was noted to belong to Alice Cooper and he loaned the car to the production. Once he saw the car was being used in "spirited" driving scenes, he took the car back.
I still have a 1979 W200 Crew Cab with Ramsey PTO winch and Meyers snow plow I bought in 2006. Originally used by Alberta Government it was auctioned to someone who used it to plow parking lots, then I bought it from them.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. A TOTALLY AWESOME VIDEO. A TOTALLY AWESOME DODGE POWER WAGON!!!! A TOTALLY AWSOME TV SHOW!!!! THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT. PLEASE CONTINUE TO SPEAK YOUR TRUTH.
@michaelbrown5838 unbelievable that's your built model dude i though it was youtuber who does tv/movie model bulits so thank you for the picks and have good day bye now.
About fact#9: There was a reissue of the '78 Dodge longbed pickup in 2019. Number ist MPC901. You can still find it online at favorable prices. It includes a Mini-Bike. Next year they going to bring back the Warlock version which will have the 4x4-suspension and big tires.
Thank you for doing this one! I have been working on a 1/18 die cast version of it for a while. I found someone who 3D prints 8 foot beds for the Ertl Midnight Express truck. I already made AJ's Z28, all I had to do was remove the T-Top bar and add the correct wheels.
Love watching that show. My neighbor had one. I called it the "Powerless wagon " because of the 318. It was also a rust bucket. Dodge didn't undercoat their vehicles very well. My father had a Dakota & a Neon. They both started to chip & rust out after about 8 years.
Though not the Macho package, my dad had a 1980 Dodge Power Wagon with the 318 4X4 that he bought new and tricked it out similar to Rick's with a steel roll bar, 4 round KC Daylighters, a Huge battering ram style front bumper and a rear bumper made from an old railroad track. He put a 6 inch lift, heavy duty shocks, and Mickey Thompson off road tires, a gun rack and a CB radio. Many fun times were had off roading and dear hunting in it.
Thanks for the video. Always liked that show and the power wagon macho package on those trucks. I also liked the sno Commander package on those trucks as well as the ramcharger.👍
The season 2-8 truck has '81 and up front fenders on it in some shots. I wonder if this was due to smashing it up and getting new OEM fenders vs junkyard '72-'80 fenders. The front bumper also picked up tow bar mounts. I bet they towed the truck around for interior driving shots. KITT had a tow bar mount on it in some shots of Knight Rider for the same purpose.
Thanks for doing this one love the show as a kid. Because it seemed like Dodge was third fiddle to Chevy ford. And then this beast shows up. You have to do lone Wolf McQuade Dodge ramcharger.
Great review! I have a Fall Guy replica and have built two. As cool as Rick’s truck was, it never did the awesome stunts the Fall Guy truck did so imo it’s the King of the TV trucks.
The Power Wagon used to be a great off-road truck, but now you'd have to go to a off-road shop to get a lot of the stuff needed to have a great off-road truck. Then again, you could always build something to fit those needs. It may be an expensive and time-consuming prospect, but you'll love the end result more because you put the hard work in to get it done the way you want it.
@@aria.vega5 I've always had a distaste for the later Smokey and the Bandit movies/cars as most do, so probably won't do those unless a lot of people ask for it, which hasn't happened yet.
My brother and I almost mirrored this show in real life truck wise. Started out with a 1980 Dodge Power Wagon with a 360 in it and then went to a new ‘92 with the Cummins. Good times.
That scene where a van is blocking the beach and the Power Wagon caves in the side and smacks it out of the way, without slowing, ouch. No Fast n Furious cgi there.
This truck is what got me into pick up trucks, when I was a kid I always wanted one just like it, sadly it never happened though I have owned several other 4x4 pickups
I used to watch this show religiously, it came on right after Magnum PI on Thursday night's "must see TV". There is one episode where Rick and AJ are driving slowly in the PW thru an alley and an explosion/fire happens on the right side of the truck. AJ then looks out the window at the door and tells Rick that side of the truck is now black. Rick blurts out the S-Word and it actually made it to air that way. I had taped the episode on VHS at the time and ran it back to confirm. I think it maybe slipped thru because Rick hits the horn at the same time. Later, when watching that episode on a rerun, the expletive had been removed.
I have a 79 long bed pickup. Not a Macho power wagon, 2 wheel drive. I did take the grill from a 77 and put it in, with the amber turn signals inbetween the headlights. 79 had them in the metal panel below the headlights. It's my 4th or 5th 70's era Dodge.
Early 80's I had a 77 model, short bed 318 auto. Fun truck for the time. Gutless no power boat anchor engine, but that's how it was in the smog days. Dodge had a horrible front axle design at the hubs - ate bearings if you were a mudder and spent nights stuck in holes as I did a couple times. Mine had 11.00X31's I'm pretty sure - biggest thing that wouldn't rub on 9 or 10" wagon wheels. 38's and 44's ruled the mudholes in those days. Those were good times. But my truck, damn thing rode nice, drove nice, no overheating issues, steering problems, driveshaft issues like the tall boys and their money pits. Oh, they were impressive, beautiful and apparently had the money to burn and good for them!
That was one of my favorite shows in that time error. Thanks for the insight. By the way, if you're not already, I'd like to see what you find on the Mini Coopers that were used in The Italian Job. The original and the remake.
I'm the builder of the 1/25 scale model in the video. I built it around 2004, and it's still sitting on my shelf today. I literally built it with parts from my Scrap Box. The front bumper and winch are not entirely accurate, and I've been meaning for years to redo them. The 10 year old photo that you see in the video is not the 1981 truck, but it is the original 1979 truck purchased from the studio by Kenny Keller in Iowa. As far as I know, he still owns it. According to messages I've exchanged with him now over 10 years ago, the only thing he changed were the tires. Also he stated the truck wasn't beat up like it appeared in the show. That was all Hollywood makeup. It was actually in very good shape when he bought it.
Again, excellent model man and also thanks for the extra details there. I assumed the pic of the fan owned one was the 80s one since it didn't have the roll bar lights. Thanks again for the info😉👍
The truck in the thumbnail is a fan created replica. The one sitting in front of the building (airplane hangar) with the white fence is the original 1979 truck from the show. Actually the other truck portrayed as Rick's Power Wagon was a 1981 cab with a pre-1981 bed on it. If you look at the fender wells you can see the difference between the front and the back. The pre- 1981 models had larger scallops, if you want to call them that. Also when filming with the 1981 cab, you can clearly see the later model dash. They actually used both trucks for filming throughout the entire run of the series. Incidentally after 20 years of sitting on a shelf, I finally began upgrading the bumper and winch on my model. I have an actual Warn 8274 kit, and i bought the resin bumper from the video to replace my inaccurate scratch built one.
My dad liked Simon & Simon... He said one thing he liked was that during one episode someone shot at Rick's truck and put bullet holes in the tailgate... And the bullet holes didn't magically disappear in the next scene. In fact the bullet holes stayed in the tailgate for several more episodes... Perhaps for the remainder of the series.
This is my favorite TV vehicle, way better than any other including the usuals of the 80's. My favorite episode for the truck anyways was when Bigfoot appeared and near the end the Power Wagon spun it's tires and then Bigfoot took off and...they soeeded up the film to make it look like it had speed. Lol
Loved your episode on Ricks Macho Power Wagon. Could you do an episode on the original Magnum PIs Ferrari 308 GTS, the show with Tom Selleck. I already have three interesting facts you could use. One is that at 6ft 4in Tom was too tall for the car, so to make it so he would fit they had to take the seat out. All those shots of him driving the Ferrari he's actually sitting on the floor of the car, and his head still protrudes a couple inches above the roof of the car. Another fact is in the opening of the episodes they show him pulling out of the estate, he stops, lifts up the roof and slides it back as if there is a spot the roof slides into, but there is no such spot on a Ferrari 308 GTS. For the shot they must have had two film crew just out of sight grab it as he slides it back then quickly back up to keep from getting in the camera shot. Third the Ferrari is seen making all sorts of high speed chases making it look really powerful, but the Ferrari 308 GTS only had 237 horse power, and an anemic 192 foot pound of torque, hardly powerful. Also could you do an episode on Cheech and Chongs '64 Chevy Impala (called the Love Machine) from the movie "Up In Smoke". The one with the off color driver door, primer spots, fuzzy interior, chrome chain steering wheel, tassels in the door, and license plates reading "MUF DVR", I thing your fans would really like seeing specials on both.
Magnum P.I. and Simon and Simon were my Thursday night entertainment for most of the 80s. Thanks for the video!
Yep, that one is already on my to do list as well and glad you enjoyed the video 😉👍
Can't forget Fall Guy and Hardcastle and McCormick those were other awesome 80's shows
@@79tazman Indeed and if you haven't seen my video on those yet, here's the links... FallGuy: ua-cam.com/video/VTcQOJMJVss/v-deo.html
Hardcastle & McCormick: ua-cam.com/video/jB7grt8IaVQ/v-deo.html
@@79tazman Rocky's GNC. Short bed. From. Rockford files too
@@gerry-p9x Don't forget Hardcastles truck. ;)
Thanks for featuring the Power Wagon. My favorite show from the 80's and my favorite vehicle.
You're most welcome 😉👍
I was more of a fan of Simon and Simon than The A Team or Fall Guy.
@@CarStarz42it's been mentioned before but I second the request for Chuck Norris' Invasion U.S.A. truck.
@@ahhamartin Dually noted 😉👍
@@CarStarz42 How about the Ford 4WD van he drove in the movie "Breaker Breaker" ???
Absolutely loved Simon & Simon and Rick's truck always caught my attention, I was never a real Dodge fan but I really did like that style of truck!
Indeed a cool one for sure 😉👍
Really love the theme to Simon & Simon as well. Was born in 81. Remember watching some of the later seasons with my Dad as a kid.
😉👍
I always liked the look of that truck. Two doors, long bed, faded paint, lots of dings and scratches. It looked like the real thing. These days, four door limo trucks with tiny little beds have taken over. There are a lot of these where I live that are four wheel drive, and lifted high enough that you would need a ladder to get in them. The are spotless, bright shiny paint, have never been driven off road, or hauled or towed anything. Also most of them have those huge diameter ghetto wheels and what looks like off road tires, but with 2 inch sidewalls, which would make them completely impossible to go off road with.
Yeah, times have sure changed, that's for sure!
that's pretty much how it is. I'd even be happy with an old fashioned "mini truck". single cab, crank up windows, stick shift, no options except AC and CC (because i go long distance to snag car parts). I guess Ford's Maverick comes close.
I agree. Im so sick of seeing Escalades with farm tags
Do eps on fall guy Rocky's. Trucks. Emergency rig
I call those drivers wannabes
I had, somehow, forgotten about this. Simon and Simon was a good show and both vehicles were eye catching. Thank you - great coverage as always ~ Chuck
There were actually three vehicles. I loved that beautiful '57 Chevy convertible.
Yeah, I had a surprising amount of folks request this truck that I had forgotten about as well, lol. Thanks and glad you enjoyed it 👍
@@geraldscott4302 Indeed. That was the other vehicle I was referencing. The creators did a good job of matching the vehicles to the character's personality.
@@charlesdalton985and a special made 83 Camaro that has it and passenger roof top cut off making it a FAKEM T TOP ALSO A 57 Chevy. Convert too😅
THANK YOU. My childhood heroes were the Simon brothers (including Tim "the third Simon brother" Reid). Showed this series to my wife recently and she kept turning to me everytime Rick was referenced doing something I now do as an adult. Former Marine? Check. Cuts his own hair? Check. Puts jalapenos in eggs? Check. On and on it went.😂
You're most welcome and glad you enjoyed it 😉👍
@@CarStarz42 tv truck sat in UNIVERSAL LOT TIL MID 90S TIL IT WAS SCRAPPED
i remember watching simon and simon when i was a kid. would like to watch it again.
I remember the 1970s 1980s how soooo many Playboy 🐰 models, Penthouse centerfolds had small roles, extras in shows like Simon & Simon, Mike Hammer, Riptide, Magnum PI, Fall Guy, Miami Vice, A Team, Knight Rider.
Do it. It's aged well compared to it's contemparies.
@@DavidLLambertmobileMike Hammer "nice dress you're almost wearing".
😉👍
Best intro song of all
Pretty good indeed 😉👍
Magnum P.I and Airwolf were pretty close too.
Wow, that was awesome! That's my favorite of your series. I grew up watching Simon and Simon, and loved Ricks Macho Power Wagon. Thanks for doing an episode on it!
You're very welcome and glad you enjoyed it!
Awesome feature! I remember watching this show when I was very young! I always liked Simon and Simon and I always enjoyed that Dodge truck! 👍
Thanks and glad you enjoyed it. Yep, cool truck indeed 😉👍
Loved that truck. And the fact that is was constantly dirty and not a car wash queen made it more realistic to me.
Do you do requests? I’m a big fan of Burt Reynolds 1971 Ford Custom 500 in the movie “White Lightning “. I’m in the process of building a replica of it.
I really enjoy your videos and am surprised how much I didn’t know about many of the cars and trucks you feature. Thanks again.
Indeed and glad you enjoyed it and yes the White Lightning 500 is on my list to look into and do if I can find enough info on it that is as the older Burt movies are kind of hard to find info on the cars😉
Hey man love the vids I read in the comments that you take request/suggestions mind would be Ralph Malphs hotrod from happy days
@@jarm7726 Glad to hear you're enjoying the videos and yea I'll add that one to my massive master list to look into. Surprisingly, you're actually the first to suggest that one. Thanks👍
Excellent suggestion!!!
Rick’s character addressed post Vietnam service challenges. Hard to get a Power Wagon cheap after episode 1.
Indeed.
Awesome to see! Like many others, I grew up on this show and loved the power wagon. Thanks for doing it justice!
You're welcome and glad you enjoyed it 👍
Niiice! Yeah, Ricks Truck is an often overlooked TV / Moviecar, thanks for covering. I didn't knew such a thing as the Macho Pakage ever existed, that's exactly my kind of humor. Great video again, entertaining and Interesting!
Thanks and glad you enjoyed it 😉👍
Not a big problem with building a model of the truck. Not very long ago. Round 2 re released the long bed 78 version. I saw this kit for sale pretty reasonably at a model show vendor area just this weekend. There have been resin casters and 3D printers making 79-81 Conversion kit. I was a resin caster that did at one time and will be coming back with it with in the year. And last. Round 2 announced the return of the 1/25 scale 78 Warlock. For those that do not know what that is. It's the 4x4 version of the Little Red Express. Wheels Tires. Easy. So many casters and 3D printers are making those. And the decals. There are decal makers that will make them for you.
I for one, LOVED the show and Loved Rick's truck. I hadn't thought about it. But you gave me the inspiration to build one, now. And HECK. I still have the Monogram Simon & Simon 82 Z/ 28 kit I could build to go with it.
Great Video!
Awesome and thanks😉👍
In 1985 I was working on rebuilding the Santa Monica Pier. They filmed an episode of Simon & Simon at the same time .Somewhere in my baseball hat collection I've got a for real cap that only the crew members could get.
Cool😉👍
Rick’s Dodge, and the Fall Guy’s GMC… 2 fav Shows and Trucks
Cool trucks indeed😉👍
Not surprising that we don't see a lot of real-life full-size replicas of this truck, although I remember really loving it over A.J's Camaro. The RL Dodge trucks from that era were not that well built to start with---I blame the 1970s auto industry---and the ones that did get to the street tended to get used and abused hard. Consequently you're just not gonna find many. The Rick truck was a real reflection of the character---dusty, kinda beat up, but tough as a tank and would keep going where other vehicles would've failed. I loved Gerald McCraney's portrayal too. He's resurfaced in the last 10-15 years after a long seeming absence from Hollywood---I remember him as the renegade General from the "A-Team" movie back in 2010.
Indeed and cool 😉👍
He is excellent in “Deadwood” as well.
I am waiting on a reboot to come out. This was one of my favorite shows when I was a kid
Could be cool, if they did it correctly that is 😉
Power Wagon approves of this video!
I have a 1980 PW 150, 318, 4 speed short box in a dark green that I’m fixing up.
Thanks and cool😉👍
Will a 440 fit in it?
@@Silverhands You bet!
@@CarStarz42 Thanks! I’m looking at an 1987 W150 with a 318. Which is fine, but with all the great 440 builders it would be fun to drop one in. A new manual transmission would be needed?. It’s a fun project.
@@Silverhands Yes it will but I don’t know about the bell housing to engine. I’m old and back in the seventies I had a 68 Satellite with a 383 and 4 speed, a 70 RT Charger 440 auto both hotrodded and a 71 340 4speed Demon. The B and RB (383 low deck and 440 raised deck) are awesome engines to build up.
I wish they still aired the reruns of Simon and Simon. I always liked that show.
Yeah👍
Check the Roku TV, because they have old TV shows on the action network. I watch "Rockford files" "Miami vice" "magnum p.i." and quite a few others.
YES!!!! LOVE this show and love this truck! Thank you
You're very welcome and glad you enjoyed it 😉👍
MUCHO MACHO!!! What a cool video to come home to! I'm an 80s dude and this one really touched my heart. Thanks brother, long may you have content to cover! 👍
Glad to hear that and also glad you enjoyed it 😉👍
My uncle had one back in the day. I fell in love immediately, and still have one today.
😉👍
This truck was probably the coolest TV truck of that Era, in my opinion. the coolest movie pickup that would make a great video would have to be chuck Norris's stepside chevy in invasion usa.
Indeed and yep, that Norris movie truck is already on my list to look into as well 😉👍
Fall guys truck nice tóo, along with Rocky's Rockford truck.
The lever he’s “shifting” at 1:25 is for the fulltime 4 wheel drive transfer case. I had a ‘79 Club Cab 200 Power Wagon with the 360/727, and it had the same lever.
Yes, but there are two floor shifters there 😉
Wow! Watched Simon & Simon when I was young and haven't thought about that truck forever, lol. I think it got overshadowed by The Fall Guys truck. Thanks for the memories!
Indeed it did and you're welcome, glad you enjoyed it👍
Cool truck and great show! There was even a cross-over episode where the boys showed up on a Magnum P.I. episode. Which was another show I never missed!👍🏼
😉👍
The work you do is so cool. Too many people forgot the art of cheezy TV series and the great creativity that went into them. I loved Simon and Simon among others. Ever thought about doing a video on The Rockford Files? That one was one of my favorites and the first show my Dad let me stay up late to watch on Friday night primetime. I want so much to build a Rockford Firebird but they are tough to find thanks to Smokey and the Bandit.
Thanks again!
Fun show but not sure "cheezy" fits compared to 80's Velveetafests like MacGyver and Knight Rider. For example every time Rick and AJ got into a shootout they were invariably shown speedloading after six. In five seasons of Miami Vice you NEVER saw Tubbs reload his 5 shot revolver a single time.
Thanks and glad you are enjoying the channel. Yep, Rockford Files is indeed already on my to do list 😉👍
The manual transmission truck likely was a NP 435 transmission ( 3 speed with granny low) and np 203 transfer case. The chrome stick shifted in this video likely was the automatic trucks full time transfer case shifter. In the TV show I saw Rick shift the transmission in to reverse. It was definitely a 3 speed with granny low ( known as 4 speed also).
Indeed 😉👍
Why do people insist on referring to it as a "3 speed with granny low"?
As a senior citizen, that is exactly what a "4 speed" is...1st ("granny low"); 2nd, which is what most people started out in, unless pulling a load or the transmission was in a heavy-duty truck; 3rd; and 4th.
@@willhorting5317 the Original GM shift knob is marked L - 1 - 2 - 3 ---R. It is normally driven as a 3 speed. I suppose if You need to make a Pointless argument, You would want to call it a 5 speed or possibly include the counter shaft also and call if a 6 speed.
@@dand3975 sir, (obviously you had no way to know this), but I am quite aware of those particular markings on GM shift knobs, as I grew up driving Chevy pickups and trucks of the 1950s-1960s.
As such, I am also quite aware of the fact that most people drive them as if they are a 3speed.
But I appreciate you educating me.
As far as making a pointless argument, I was not intending an argument.
I was just questioning why so many people use the "3sperd with granny low" terminology, instead of simply calling it what it actually is...a 4speed.
And thanks SO MUCH for treating me like a complete idiot, by tossing in your BS about Reverse and the shaft in order to stupidly call it a 5speed or 6speed.
However, enjoy your evening.
This old senior citizen had no original intention of having an argument, just was asking a question.
And I have no desire to argue now.
Ohh yeah I used to watch the show and loved the power wagon
😉👍
That was my favorite show in the 80's. Seeing the iconic image of that truck in the opening credits of the show is still one of my most poignant memories from that time.
😉👍
Thank you that was a great video! Absolutely my favorite tv vehicle.
Thanks. You're very welcome and glad you enjoyed it 😉👍
Great video! I own Ricks 1979 authenticate truck that was used in the series. I purchased it in 1989. It's been tucked away I drive it several times per year and keep it tucked away for my own enjoyment. The truck you show at the end of the video as the privately owned truck was taken outside my shop!
Thanks much. Ah, very cool! You should take it out to some shows or something every so often, if you don't already 😉
Thanks for letting us know it is still around and being cared for. Much appreciated👍
There needs to be a video of AJ’s Camaro Z28
...and the '57. Noticed it gains and loses it's "chevrolet" acrossthe trunk between scenes.
Yeah, will most likely cover AJ's cars sometime down the road as well 😉👍
@@ahhamartin the 57 was noted to belong to Alice Cooper and he loaned the car to the production. Once he saw the car was being used in "spirited" driving scenes, he took the car back.
I still have a 1979 W200 Crew Cab with Ramsey PTO winch and Meyers snow plow I bought in 2006. Originally used by Alberta Government it was auctioned to someone who used it to plow parking lots, then I bought it from them.
Cool, yep those trucks are great for that for sure! 😉👍
THANK YOU SO MUCH. A TOTALLY AWESOME VIDEO. A TOTALLY AWESOME DODGE POWER WAGON!!!! A TOTALLY AWSOME TV SHOW!!!! THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK DEDICATION AND COMMITMENT. PLEASE CONTINUE TO SPEAK YOUR TRUTH.
You're very welcome and glad to hear you are enjoying the channel😉👍
Always loved the old Dodge Power Wagon! And I liked Gerald still do! These vids are really cool man!
Cool truck and guy indeed and glad to hear you're enjoying the channel 😉👍
that fan-built model is awesome! i enjoyed the show when it aired but having been a long time mopar fan i loved that truck.
Indeed it is 😉👍
That's my model. I built it, back in the early 2000s, and I still have it.
@@michaelbrown5838 Cool, awesome work friend as it's sure impressive! 😉👍
@michaelbrown5838 unbelievable that's your built model dude i though it was youtuber who does tv/movie model bulits so thank you for the picks and have good day bye now.
Another great video. Love it.
Thanks and glad you are still enjoying them 😉👍
About fact#9: There was a reissue of the '78 Dodge longbed pickup in 2019. Number ist MPC901. You can still find it online at favorable prices. It includes a Mini-Bike. Next year they going to bring back the Warlock version which will have the 4x4-suspension and big tires.
Nice 😉👍
Thank you for doing this one! I have been working on a 1/18 die cast version of it for a while. I found someone who 3D prints 8 foot beds for the Ertl Midnight Express truck. I already made AJ's Z28, all I had to do was remove the T-Top bar and add the correct wheels.
You're welcome and that sounds awesome 😉👍
Yep, I picked up on that too, had a '78 power wagon myself.
I can do the front bumper for you. I make the 3d printed bumper shown in this video
@@toomanyprojects6824 Cool! How would I go about contacting you?
Love watching that show. My neighbor had one. I called it the "Powerless wagon " because of the 318. It was also a rust bucket. Dodge didn't undercoat their vehicles very well. My father had a Dakota & a Neon. They both started to chip & rust out after about 8 years.
Lol, indeed 😉
What an awesome show that was when you think about it. We had such wonderful times. That should still be today. What happened to those times
Indeed and time happened, lol.
Though not the Macho package, my dad had a 1980 Dodge Power Wagon with the 318 4X4 that he bought new and tricked it out similar to Rick's with a steel roll bar, 4 round KC Daylighters, a Huge battering ram style front bumper and a rear bumper made from an old railroad track. He put a 6 inch lift, heavy duty shocks, and Mickey Thompson off road tires, a gun rack and a CB radio. Many fun times were had off roading and dear hunting in it.
Cool😉👍
Loved this show as a kid and I loved that truck
😉👍
Thanks for the video. Always liked that show and the power wagon macho package on those trucks. I also liked the sno Commander package on those trucks as well as the ramcharger.👍
You're welcome, glad you enjoyed it😉👍
Loved the show. And the truck.
A pretty awesome one indeed 😉👍
The season 2-8 truck has '81 and up front fenders on it in some shots. I wonder if this was due to smashing it up and getting new OEM fenders vs junkyard '72-'80 fenders. The front bumper also picked up tow bar mounts. I bet they towed the truck around for interior driving shots. KITT had a tow bar mount on it in some shots of Knight Rider for the same purpose.
Yeah, most likely 😉
1978 Dodge power wagon club cab,8ft bed,manual with the 318, absolutely the best work truck I ever had.
4wd:
2l
2ll
N
4l
4h
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I always think of this Powerwagon and that 1957 Bel-air Convertiblefrom Simon and Simon
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Thanks for doing this one love the show as a kid. Because it seemed like Dodge was third fiddle to Chevy ford. And then this beast shows up. You have to do lone Wolf McQuade Dodge ramcharger.
You're welcome and yep, that one is indeed already on my list too. Thanks 😉👍
Great review! I have a Fall Guy replica and have built two. As cool as Rick’s truck was, it never did the awesome stunts the Fall Guy truck did so imo it’s the King of the TV trucks.
Fall Guy trucks are awesome . I don’t mean to kiss n tell, but I’ve been seen with Farrah
Thanks and cool; yeah I'm definitely more of a Fall Guy fan as well 😉👍
Loved Simon and Simon back in the day I liked that custom Blazer they had later in the series.
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The Power Wagon used to be a great off-road truck, but now you'd have to go to a off-road shop to get a lot of the stuff needed to have a great off-road truck. Then again, you could always build something to fit those needs. It may be an expensive and time-consuming prospect, but you'll love the end result more because you put the hard work in to get it done the way you want it.
True indeed 😉
My dad had a 2013 Power Wagon. It had a lot of good options from the factory.
Warm winch, full lockable differentials, electrical sway bar disconnect.
@@williamrussell2353 Warn, not Warm.
@@ColtonRMagby Curse you auto correct!!.....
@@williamrussell2353 Good thing I went into my settings and turned autocorrect off.
I always loved Rick's truck on Simon & Simon
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Always liked the look of the 79s with the 4 headlights , had one when I was young
It's a cool look indeed 😉👍
Love the video and information sir! Well done!
Glad you enjoyed it 😉👍
Best line ever 'guns beat knives' simon and simon.the 80s.
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I've been waiting for this one.
Glad you enjoyed it😉👍
@@CarStarz42 smoky and bandit 3. Trans am..
@@aria.vega5 I've always had a distaste for the later Smokey and the Bandit movies/cars as most do, so probably won't do those unless a lot of people ask for it, which hasn't happened yet.
@@CarStarz42 I'm out of ideas you've done every car movie I like
Cool video! Thank you for showing my 3d printed resin model of the Tow truck bumper
The thanks goes to you friend; I saw those for sale on eBay too, very nice work😉👍
Thing was a tank! The military history explains it. Thanks!
Indeed! and you're most welcome 😉👍
My brother and I almost mirrored this show in real life truck wise. Started out with a 1980 Dodge Power Wagon with a 360 in it and then went to a new ‘92 with the Cummins. Good times.
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Rick Simon was wise - the Power Wagon is the best vehicle for driving around Southern California ( before Newsom’s giant gasoline tax )
That scene where a van is blocking the beach and the Power Wagon caves in the side and smacks it out of the way, without slowing, ouch. No Fast n Furious cgi there.
Lol, indeed 😉👍
Loved Rick’s truck. Drove my parents ‘78 Dodge 3/4 ton Adventurer 2wd as a teenager, what a pig!
Indeed and cool 😉👍
Another great vid.
Thanks and glad you enjoyed it 😉👍
This truck is what got me into pick up trucks, when I was a kid I always wanted one just like it, sadly it never happened though I have owned several other 4x4 pickups
It's a cool and tough looking truck indeed😉👍
never watched that show but very interesting video nonetheless. thank you for the effort you put into these vids.
You're very welcome and glad you enjoyed it 😉👍
Rick and A. J. Simon!!😁😁 Cool show!😁👍
Indeed😉👍
I used to watch this show religiously, it came on right after Magnum PI on Thursday night's "must see TV". There is one episode where Rick and AJ are driving slowly in the PW thru an alley and an explosion/fire happens on the right side of the truck. AJ then looks out the window at the door and tells Rick that side of the truck is now black. Rick blurts out the S-Word and it actually made it to air that way. I had taped the episode on VHS at the time and ran it back to confirm. I think it maybe slipped thru because Rick hits the horn at the same time. Later, when watching that episode on a rerun, the expletive had been removed.
Lol😉👍
I have a 79 PW. Yellow. Love that truck
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I have a 79 long bed pickup. Not a Macho power wagon, 2 wheel drive. I did take the grill from a 77 and put it in, with the amber turn signals inbetween the headlights. 79 had them in the metal panel below the headlights. It's my 4th or 5th 70's era Dodge.
Cool 😉👍
That was one tough looking truck Rick Simon had.
😉👍
Thank you for this information 😎
You're welcome and glad you enjoyed it 😉👍
I always remembered this and the pink helicopter, Screaming Mimi.
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I live in germany- back then in the 80s no boys would be out on the streets when those shows were running...
Cool, I didn't realize until just recently that this show was an international hit 😉👍
I owed a 79 short bed 360, with the same colors. I got it in 81 after my senior year in high school.
Cool😉👍
Early 80's I had a 77 model, short bed 318 auto. Fun truck for the time. Gutless no power boat anchor engine, but that's how it was in the smog days. Dodge had a horrible front axle design at the hubs - ate bearings if you were a mudder and spent nights stuck in holes as I did a couple times. Mine had 11.00X31's I'm pretty sure - biggest thing that wouldn't rub on 9 or 10" wagon wheels. 38's and 44's ruled the mudholes in those days. Those were good times. But my truck, damn thing rode nice, drove nice, no overheating issues, steering problems, driveshaft issues like the tall boys and their money pits. Oh, they were impressive, beautiful and apparently had the money to burn and good for them!
Lol😉👍
i forgot about ricks truck.........thanks!!!!!! team chevy!!!!!!!!!...... soeey rick
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That was one of my favorite shows in that time error.
Thanks for the insight. By the way, if you're not already, I'd like to see what you find on the Mini Coopers that were used in The Italian Job. The original and the remake.
Glad you enjoyed the video and those are indeed already on my very long list to look into. Thanks😉👍
i was excited to see a video about ricks truck,...more shocked to see my truck as the second publicly seen example,... !!! thanx for sharing.
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That was great, I love my 73 power wagon. I rarely see them anywhere anymore. Mine runs and drives but definitely not restored.😂
Glad you enjoyed it and that's cool 😉👍
I kid you not - I was thinking about that truck at breakfast this morning.
You obviously are a person with a great mind !!!! 👍👍👍👍
Lol, cool😉👍
I'm the builder of the 1/25 scale model in the video. I built it around 2004, and it's still sitting on my shelf today. I literally built it with parts from my Scrap Box. The front bumper and winch are not entirely accurate, and I've been meaning for years to redo them. The 10 year old photo that you see in the video is not the 1981 truck, but it is the original 1979 truck purchased from the studio by Kenny Keller in Iowa. As far as I know, he still owns it. According to messages I've exchanged with him now over 10 years ago, the only thing he changed were the tires. Also he stated the truck wasn't beat up like it appeared in the show. That was all Hollywood makeup. It was actually in very good shape when he bought it.
Again, excellent model man and also thanks for the extra details there. I assumed the pic of the fan owned one was the 80s one since it didn't have the roll bar lights. Thanks again for the info😉👍
The truck in the thumbnail is a fan created replica. The one sitting in front of the building (airplane hangar) with the white fence is the original 1979 truck from the show.
Actually the other truck portrayed as Rick's Power Wagon was a 1981 cab with a pre-1981 bed on it. If you look at the fender wells you can see the difference between the front and the back. The pre- 1981 models had larger scallops, if you want to call them that. Also when filming with the 1981 cab, you can clearly see the later model dash. They actually used both trucks for filming throughout the entire run of the series.
Incidentally after 20 years of sitting on a shelf, I finally began upgrading the bumper and winch on my model. I have an actual Warn 8274 kit, and i bought the resin bumper from the video to replace my inaccurate scratch built one.
Sweet truck!
Indeed 😉👍
That Theme song was pretty good as Theme Songs go
Indeed 😉👍
I like 👍 all of them you guys have a neat videos you’ll have a great day
Thanks and glad you're enjoying the videos 😉👍
My dad liked Simon & Simon...
He said one thing he liked was that during one episode someone shot at Rick's truck and put bullet holes in the tailgate...
And the bullet holes didn't magically disappear in the next scene. In fact the bullet holes stayed in the tailgate for several more episodes... Perhaps for the remainder of the series.
Interesting 😉👍
my favorite T.V. pick-up
Indeed a great one 😉👍
This is my favorite TV vehicle, way better than any other including the usuals of the 80's. My favorite episode for the truck anyways was when Bigfoot appeared and near the end the Power Wagon spun it's tires and then Bigfoot took off and...they soeeded up the film to make it look like it had speed. Lol
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I totally forgot about this series and that truck.
Yeah, it kinda of got overshadowed by other shows of the time for sure.
Hell yes! Thank you!
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Currently that die cast truck is over $75 bucks now. Going up fast.
Indeed, just like the prices of seemingly everything these days.
My favorite Power Wagon was the tow truck from Its a mad, mad, mad, mad world
Hmm, I've actually never seen that one, but I'll add it to my list to look into. Thanks 😉👍
Loved your episode on Ricks Macho Power Wagon. Could you do an episode on the original Magnum PIs Ferrari 308 GTS, the show with Tom Selleck. I already have three interesting facts you could use. One is that at 6ft 4in Tom was too tall for the car, so to make it so he would fit they had to take the seat out. All those shots of him driving the Ferrari he's actually sitting on the floor of the car, and his head still protrudes a couple inches above the roof of the car. Another fact is in the opening of the episodes they show him pulling out of the estate, he stops, lifts up the roof and slides it back as if there is a spot the roof slides into, but there is no such spot on a Ferrari 308 GTS. For the shot they must have had two film crew just out of sight grab it as he slides it back then quickly back up to keep from getting in the camera shot. Third the Ferrari is seen making all sorts of high speed chases making it look really powerful, but the Ferrari 308 GTS only had 237 horse power, and an anemic 192 foot pound of torque, hardly powerful. Also could you do an episode on Cheech and Chongs '64 Chevy Impala (called the Love Machine) from the movie "Up In Smoke". The one with the off color driver door, primer spots, fuzzy interior, chrome chain steering wheel, tassels in the door, and license plates reading "MUF DVR", I thing your fans would really like seeing specials on both.
Glad you enjoyed the video and thanks much for the details. Yep, those are both already on my mighty mast list to look into. Thanks again👍
Dang, they couldn't spring for a few KC lights? Oh well, ain't like I've never been tight on cash flow.
Keep em comin' bro!
Lol, yeah seems like they could have sprung for those on the other truck too, lol😉
That was a great show,
One bro’ with a classic 57 Chevy cruiser,
the other with a bad ass stump puller.
Indeed, funny how a lot of brothers are direct opposites in real life too, lol 😉
I had a 77 power wagon short box with a 440. Sold this summer. Bought it back in 2001.
Nice 😉👍
Thank you for all you do… 😎🇺🇸
You're very welcome. Glad you enjoy the channel 😉👍