Lucas Bell 
As soon as the first Hellcat-powered muscle cars arrived in 2015, the supercharged 6.2L V8 engine at their center became a modern automotive icon. Once Dodge started selling Hellcat crate engines in 2017, builders from all over the United States started shoving the 700+ horsepower motor into anything with an engine bay big enough to swallow it. While this has undeniably led to some drool-worthy builds over the years, we have a particularly awesome resto-mod to share with you today. This 1968 Dodge Power Wagon may look like your neighbor’s old farm truck on the outside, but under its half-century old skin sits something very special indeed. That’s because it was built by the team at Roadster Shop, and features a Hellcat V8 alongside a fully custom chassis system. Here’s what you need to know about this retro take on the TRX.
Roadster Shop is based in Mundelein, Illinois, and is known for crafting custom chassis for everything from lead-sleds to off-roaders. This particular Dodge Power Wagon build is based around the company’s RS4 Platform, which was designed for use with the first-gen Ford Bronco. Sacrilege aside, this platform packs a ton of modern hardware, including: Fox 2.5 Remote Reservoir Shocks, Currie Dana 44 front and Dana 60 rear differentials, Currie 60 VXR axles with 1-ton knuckles, and extra beefy frame rails. Connecting the Hellcat V8 to the chassis itself is a 4L80 transmission and an Atlas transfer case. Power goes through the axles to a set of 37-inch BFG Mud Terrains wrapped around 18-inch Forgeline wheels. In order to reign in 700+ horsepower, a set of massive Baer brakes sit at all four corners. Other modifications include an on-board ARB Compressor, and a Warn winch up front.
Inside this Dodge Power Wagon you’ll find an interior that looks straight out of the 1960s, albeit with some modern refinement. A set of Autometer gauges is surrounded by some nice woodgrain and stainless steel, while the bench seat is finished in genuine cowhide. Hidden from sight is a Kicker sound system, which surely is an upgrade over what Dodge came up with back in 1968. Of course with a beautiful patina exterior, Roadster Shop likely didn’t feel the need to go overboard inside. If we’re being honest, we’re apt to agree with them on this.
Unfortunately for all of this, this Roadster Shop Dodge Power Wagon build is not for sale. Of course we’re sure that the shop would gladly build another one, should you have six-figures worth of cash burning a hole in your pocket. And while that may seem like a bit of an overstatement, it is worth noting that the RS4 Platform starts at $36,495. Add in the cost of a Power Wagon and a Hellcat crate motor, and it’s easy to see how quickly these sort of builds become expensive. That said, this thing is certainly more badass than a new TRX. And that has to be worth something.
