Seeing a custom-built truck that sits up high and looks like its been restored doesn’t bring to mind a $400K price tag, but that’s how much this custom Dodge Power Wagon costs.

When you think about a vehicle that costs $400,000, names like Ferrari, Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce, and Bentley come to mind. Although the surprising vehicle that you’ll see from a distance plays in that price range, it doesn’t wear badging or style that would put it under the purview of any of those European names. Instead, this vehicle is purely American and is about as iconic as it gets on American roads and trails.

All-American Build

If you can see the vehicle from a distance, even as much as a mile away, it’s got to be big. That’s certainly the case, and the all-American build brings the benefits of a steel Tisdale Coachworks crew cab to the mix, which should give anyone familiar with the frames an idea of the size and quality provided in this immense vehicle.

Functional Art

Finished in Porsche Irish Green paint, this massive truck is truly a statement on wheels. It’s much more than a classic truck that’s been restored, it’s more than a modernized truck with new technology added; it’s a completely built and crafted vehicle. This particular Dessert Power Wagon took the team more than 2,000 hours of craftsmanship. In an era in which hand-crafted builds and designs are a thing of the past, the team at Signature Autosports, the parent company of Desert Power Wagons, believes in building functional art.

Classic Style Grabs Your Attention

When you’re driving down the road and see a vehicle from the past, do you turn and admire it? Many drivers do, and they often wonder what the owner has done to customize or rebuild the classic vehicle. Older cars and trucks have a timeless style that many can admire and enjoy.

The Desert Power Wagon has the classic look of a 1948 Dodge Power Wagon but is lifted up high for all to see. When I said you can see this vehicle from a mile away, it’s because the truck rides on some massive wheels and tires. It rolls on 20-inch KMC Grenade Desert beadlock wheels wrapped in 37-inch Nitto Trail Grappler M/T tires. Thanks to the massive wheel and tire station, it’s possible for this truck to sit high off the road and trails.

Timeless Design Meets Modern Engineering

The sheer size and space of the Power Wagon frame provide ample room to create a truck that has everything and looks the part. The massive steel body is infused with modern luxury, giving the owner a truck that looks like it comes from the late 1940s while providing them with as much tech as desired.

Modern Tech Features

• Dakota Digital gauges
• Pioneer infotainment system
• Rockford Fosgate & Kenwood audio system
• Vintage Air climate control system
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Apple CarPlay connection
• Power windows

Of course, these are only a few of the modern tech items found in the cabin. Most builds also include a panoramic-view camera system, but this particular model did not due to the owner’s request.

Big Truck Equals Big Power

What would you expect to find under the hood of a Desert Power Wagon? The modern answer is the right one, which means this massive monster has an incredible 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel inline-six engine driving the wheels with 360 horsepower and 800 lb-ft of torque. . This big brute of an engine mates to a 48RE 4-speed automatic transmission and Firepunk Anteater programmable control module to assist in crawling on rocks in the mountains or driving down remote beaches along the coast.

There’s more than enough power to pull a massive trailer or travel trailer behind the Power Wagon, making it easy for an adventurous soul to get away from the world for a while and enjoy the wilderness.

An Amazingly Fun Ride

Despite its high cost and originality, Aaron Richardet, the owner and founder of Signature Autosports, allowed me to take this green Desert Power Wagon for a drive. At first, the truck seemed imposing, but that’s probably only my impression because it’s custom-built and extremely expensive.

Once I got behind the wheel and found all the controls, off I went, riding around on local roads and on the highway. You might expect a truck that looks like it came out of the 1940s to drive harshly, but the ride was super smooth and comfortable. From the height of the cab, I could see everything around me differently than when I drove my own vehicles.

Going on the highway proved to be a great choice. Despite its size and weight, this monstrous truck made use of the Cummins diesel engine and quickly got up to highway speeds. I could feel other drives looking at me in this big pickup, whether it was for the size, the look, or the glorious diesel sound, I don’t know, but it was pretty cool and a lot of fun.

The Desert Power Wagon drove extremely well, turning predictably and providing more than enough power for highway speeds. It almost seemed a shame not to have a big trailer to pull behind it or a hardcore off-road trail to tackle, but since the customer hasn’t taken delivery of the truck which wasn’t going to be part of the experience. Still, it’s easy to feel confident in such a great truck that’s been hand-built from the ground up.