Classic pickups have grown in popularity in recent years, and good ones can command some pretty impressive prices in today’s market. This 1978 Dodge D100 Pickup is a project build that runs and drives, and the owner has done a lot of work to this point. It needs a new owner willing to finish the job, and it could represent one of the most affordable pickup projects that we’ve seen here at Barn Finds recently. It is located in Portland, Oregon, and has been listed for sale here on Craigslist. The owner has set the price for this classic at $4,900. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder Matt H for referring this D100 to us.
As a starting point, this Medium Blue Metallic D100 appears to be structurally sound. A previous owner replaced the floors, and the seller says that there is now only some minor rust for the buyer to tackle. The paint is well past its “use-by” date, and a repaint would make an enormous difference to the vehicle’s appearance. The panels are generally pretty straight, although there is a sizeable dent in the top of the bed on the passenger side, courtesy of a falling tree limb. The owner says that he is unwilling to spend any more on the vehicle, so it will fall to the buyer to add the finishing touches. As you will see, it appears that the exterior will be where that person will be spending most of their time and money.
Lifting the hood reveals a 318ci V8 and 3-speed automatic transmission, while I believe that it also features power steering and power brakes. That V8 should be producing around 150hp and 230 ft/lbs of torque. Neither figure is dazzling, but they still stacked up well against the opposition in 1978. Extracting extra power from the 318 is not that difficult, and the buyer might decide to investigate that further. The news here is largely positive because the owner says that the D100 runs and drives well. He has recently fitted an HEI distributor and performed a partial rewire, including installing new headlights, taillights, and a battery. That should eliminate any electrical gremlins, although there are some tasks left for the buyer to tackle. One of the transmission lines is leaking, so that is one task to add to the “to do” list. The heater core leaks, so the buyer will need to source a replacement. Otherwise, this pickup appears to be in good mechanical health.
One aspect of the D100 that has come in for plenty of attention is the interior. The owner has installed new upholstery and carpet, along with an updated radio. The dash and pad are in good order, and any work that remains will be to tidy the rough edges. This includes attending to the wiring hanging from under the dash and fitting a lock to the glovebox lid. All of this will cost more time than money, and the interior should present nicely with those few things addressed. It appears that the Pickup might be equipped with air conditioning, but there’s no word on whether this functions.
The overall impression that the owner of this 1978 Dodge D100 Pickup conveys is that it should represent a straightforward project build. Nothing that he has identified will cost a lot of money to address, so a competent person might be able to attend to these issues with minimal outlay. If this is the case, it has the potential to be one of the most affordable pickup projects that you will find on the market today. With D100 values continuing to spiral upward, this might be worth a closer look.
A pretty sound pickup for the money with a good bit of work already done. The grill and the tailgate look good; tailgates tend to get pretty beat up but this one looks great. Don’t care for the “custom” tail lights, I’d want something a lot more visible from the rear. Give it a paint job and freshen up the timber in the bed and that should finish this Dodge off nicely. I think the ask will ensure this pickup sells pretty quickly.
I wonder if those tail lights would even pass an inspection in most places. The cops get pretty picky too. That would be the first thing I would change. This is an honest old truck that could either be a show piece or still haul stuff when it needs too.
What tail-light? I did not see any or the wiring for them. Good looking old truck and descent price. Put tail light on it. Get a good paint job on it . Fix the small things and drive it and use it.
Rarest part is the long bed stepside
It’s rare for a reason. This has to be the ugliest bed ever put on a pickup….I’m really starting to like gen 2 D100s….but this is FUGLY!!!!!
As an aside…my uncle had a 78 D100 Adventurer…..I’m not sure there is a more distinctive sound than a 1970s dodge starter…..the noise was it always failing.
The Forrest service green shortbed fleetside featured on this site a few days ago sold for $3,900. In comparison, this is overpriced. Dodge trucks from this era don’t bring much money, yet, a patient potential buyer can do better.
Steve R
I sure like those long step boxes I had forgotten about those I always liked the rolled bead work in the sides to strengthen the walls Wish I had one of those on our 78 or 79 6 cyl diesel ….Only the second one of them I have ever seen Folks didnt believe me when I told of the first one so I had to buy the second one to prove I knew what I was talking about .
But I would think $ 4,900 would have knocked that thing in the head brand new outta the box and brought home some change
I was mulling over the tail light comments and in the photos presented here and it occurred to me those were the side markers required 68 and later ,then visited the Craigslist posting and saw that it has neon type trips under the tail gate in addition to those odd little lights stuffed in the roll on the bed Pretty interesting they shown bright even in the daytime in the photos .
I would think as warmish as it has been of late in Portlandia that feller would be bragging it up if the air condition is in working order .
I would have to yield to the more CDPD prone but are those pin stripes on the dash panel original …another little interesting feature that sorta dresses it up