I was born with Ford running through my veins; my whole family were Ford people. Friends had Chevys of course. The thought of a Dodge never entered my mind until – when I was about 19 years old – the apartment manager at the building where I rented said to me one day, “I’m a Dodge man, myself.” What the heck. I never knew anyone who owned a Dodge; I didn’t even know what they looked like. But it could have looked just like this 1971 D100, advertised here on craigslist for $7500. This unassuming pickup was purchased by the seller’s dad for use on a hobby farm. By all accounts, it was babied by both father and son, accumulating fewer than 46,000 miles. The seller’s wife has health issues, so sadly, this long-time member of the family needs a new owner. The truck can be driven home from Fort Collins, Colorado. T.J., we appreciate the tip.
The D/W “Sweptline” series was launched in 1960; production ran through 1993. “D” means we’re looking at a two-wheel drive rig; the “W” was reserved for four-wheel drive. Styling shifted to the long, low, wide appearance that first gained popularity in the mid-50s; an update eliminating quad headlights in favor of singles came in 1965. But Chevy and Ford were progressing at breakneck speed, improving suspensions, interior comfort and sheet metal throughout their lines. Dodge fell behind gradually – and then all at once. Slack sales back then influence the collector market today, where these plain-Jane pickups sell at a considerable discount to their competition. This truck is equipped with the same LA 318 cu. in. V8 used since 1964, but it’s a robust, malleable unit with plenty of aftermarket performance options in case its factory 230 hp isn’t enough. The engine is paired with a four-speed “granny gear” manual. The seller notes maintenance work completed, including a new gas tank, rebuilt carb, tune-up, repacked wheel bearings, and new brake parts.
The front bench seat has always worn a cover, so the upholstery is perfect beneath it. There’s modest pedal wear, the dash is mildly faded but restorable, the glass and seals look fine. Two auxiliary gauges are installed below the instrument panel. Manuals include the owner’s handbook, a service booklet, and a shop reference.
This truck never came with a rear bumper, so the seller’s dad installed an aftermarket version. Like the seats have been protected by a cover, so too has the bed: the seller notes that plywood was fitted from new. Surface rust is scattered throughout, but no serious rot is present. Finding an original D100 is tough these days – most have been customized with modern drivelines, and those sell for tens of thousands of dollars. This honest truck should find a buyer in time very near the seller’s asking price.
The “Dude”. Apparently Andy Griffith predates the author, but long time fans of the show were horrified to see Barney Fife pitching Dodge pickups, and a corny western motif at that. I read, his career was a bit askew after AG, and whatever pays the bills, I suppose. As usual, the stick will limit sales, but there are enough of us “shifty” characters around that could use this. Newsflash, the old farts that can shift, don’t have $7500 bucks to spend on something like this, and the ones that do have the money can’t or don’t want to drive a stick. Dodge was always a “rural” brand, as most farmers that couldn’t get IHs bought Dodges. The diesel changed all that, and RAM, has made Dodge #1 year after year. People finally found out what Farmer Brown knew all along, they were great trucks.
Actually, Dodge’s truck fortunes started changing with the heavily redone ’72s. Though they still lagged Ford and Chevy in sales (they too redid their pickups in ’73) over the next several years, they were still nice trucks. When Dodge started offering the Hemi along with the Cummins is when their sales really took off, and today under the Ram name they are also the best-looking. And you’re right about us oldsters not wanting to shift (unless we have to). I haven’t owned a “shifter” since the 90s.
Yes, I think the Ram name coincided with Iacocca in 1982-ish. My neighbor runs a tree business, cutting timber and cleaning up after storms – his truck of choice is a Ram. But when I go down to the neighborhood pub, it’s a veritable sea of f150s and f250s with the occasional f350 thrown in.
Ah, this truck is exactly what I want…if it weren’t on the opposite side of the country. You don’t see these or the IH light duty trucks around anymore and they just remind me of a corn field for some reason, hence I want one.
Howard, I think the redesign in 1994 (along with the Cummins) really helped Dodge out in the sales department. I have no idea of the sales numbers, but I never saw that many Dodges out in the wild (relative to Ferd and Chebby) until the 1994 redesign. 1994 and beyond, you started to see Dodge trucks in the mall parking lots rather than just in the farm fields. I owned a 1998 1/2 ton from new. That same design carried on until 2001ish and by that time the design was again outdated (albeit pretty robust) with a solid front axle in the 4wd’s and V8 motors that were less fuel friendly (but with the “old school” torque at low rpm) than the competition’s 5.4’s, 5.3’s, etc.
This should be the Wiki icon for “Truck” as defined by American standards-like the Indian blanket seat covers, just simple yet perfectly functional. No P/S or steering, third pedal on the left, 4-60 A/C, torquey little V-8, it’s easy to trace the family bloodline dating back to the WC-300 and M-37.
Suggestion to new owner, leave it as it is. If you do this like its predecessors should be around for many generations to come as it’s easy to work on, no computers needed.
As a nod to modern standards though you could ask to have the portable cupholder to be included..
Nice looking Dodge. It must be kept in a shelter. I have one and WISHED it was in the nice shape as this one. The metal was bad in these years–includeing other makes. I,d much rather own this truck and any new one coming off the assembly line. You can work on the and you have plenty of room under the hood. This is a well made truck and if I had the money. I,d buy it.
If I remember correctly, the 1994 model year was the first for the front end restyle that is still in use today. That stocked a new interest in Mopar pickup trucks. Today although Ford and Chevy still are ubiquitous; you see a lot more Ram pickups than back when this Dodge was built. This particular example would be right up my alley if I was looking to replace my ‘99. Manual transmission is fine by me. GLWTS.
This is a very solid looking Dodge. Like Howard mentioned before I immediately thought of Don Knots and the Dodge truck ads. The 318 and 4 speed is a solid combination. I love the cap too. That may have helped preserve the bed. Really great write up Michelle.
The D/W Series may have lasted through 1993, but 1971 was the final year for the generation that dated back to 1961.
Anvil tough is the way I would describe these. My Uncle Johnny owned Dodge trucks, one of the aforementioned quad headlamp models and later a’ 77 D100. My buddy Brian always had a Dodge. I often wondered what these guys knew as we were a Chevy family per my dad. When I left GM truck to pedal Chryslers I gained a better understanding of how tough these old ones are. So many just ran forever and that’s before the Cummins motor. A fellow bought a new D150 from me in ’92 and every now and then I still see it around town.
This is a so much better looking grille and headlamp treatment than a few years earlier when they had the huge light bezels. Right motor and transmission for any job in front of it. I could drive this all day.
The LA 318 was first used in late 1967 , which this truck has . The Poly 318 was the earlier v8
My father bought one of these brand new in 71. It had the 318 with the 4spd. I loved driving that truck. This one takes me back to simpler days when there wasn’t so much computerized gadgets and they were simple to work on.