The team at Desert Power Wagons in Wilmington, North Carolina, has once again raised the bar for custom restomods. Known nationwide as the leader in vintage restomod trucks, the company has revealed its newest creation—a 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel-powered four-door 1952 Dodge Power Wagon SUV. This handbuilt masterpiece blends the classic, commanding style of the original Power Wagon with the power, comfort, and drivability of a modern luxury SUV.

What makes this new Power Wagon so compelling is that it’s not a museum piece; it’s built to be driven. Desert Power Wagons’ craftsmen spent over 3,500 hours transforming this once-spartan workhorse into a modern family-hauling powerhouse with true vintage soul.

A 1952 Dodge Power Wagon SUV With Modern Power

A 6.7-liter 24-valve High-Output Cummins turbodiesel engine—pushing out 370 horsepower and an astounding 850 lb-ft of torque—replaces the anemic flathead inline-six that probably originally propelled the SUV. Paired with a smooth-shifting 48RFE four-speed automatic transmission and a heavy-duty NP271 manual transfer case, this Cummins Power Wagon SUV is engineered for effortless towing, hill climbs, and highway cruising alike. Built on a Ram 2500 SLT 4×4 chassis, it offers modern refinement wrapped in an unmistakably rugged package that pays homage to its 1950s roots.

Built To Go Anywhere—For Those Brave Enough

Rather than restoring the past, Desert Power Wagons improved it. The custom four-link suspension setup with Eibach coilover springs and King internal bypass performance shocks deliver a smooth ride. The 1952 Dodge Power Wagon SUV rolls on brushed black 20-inch 4Play 4P70 wheels wrapped in 37-inch Maxxis Razr MT mud-terrain tires. Stopping power comes courtesy of Wilwood Tactical Extreme TX6R Big Brakes with six-piston calipers and massive 16-inch rotors, ensuring total control no matter the terrain. It’s built to go anywhere, but here’s the real question: would you really want to risk it?

Classic Design, Modern Comfort

Every body panel is new, each hand-finished by Desert Power Wagons’ in-house craftsmen. The classic vertical grille, teardrop headlights, and wide running boards capture that timeless Power Wagon silhouette, now enhanced with crisp LED lighting. Inside, luxury takes center stage: distressed “Pinecone” leather, a charcoal Alcantara headliner, heated power seats, and a GT Performance wooden steering wheel merge with modern tech like Dakota Digital gauges, a Vintage Air climate system, and a 7.0-inch Atoto infotainment display with 360-degree cameras and wireless Apple CarPlay.

Worth Every Penny?

On one hand, at $499,000, this diesel-powered 1952 Dodge Power Wagon SUV is more heirloom-on-wheels than transportation. On the other hand, it’s perfectly capable of daily duties and weekend fun. Desert Power Wagons has created something rare: a fully modernized, turnkey vintage SUV that’s as capable as it is collectible. Built one at a time by master craftsmen, each Desert Power Wagon represents the perfect balance of heritage, horsepower, and hand-built artistry.