Trucks seem to be more popular than they’ve ever been. If you’re looking for a departure from the normal 2nd and 3rd generation GM C/K or 5th and 6th generation Ford F-Series, this 1977 Dodge Warlock may be worth a look. Thank you to Barn Finds reader Patrick S. for sending in this one. It can be found here on Craigslist in Apollo Beach, Florida with an asking price of $11,000.
In the late 1970s, Dodge introduced a few factory custom variants of their truck models. Among those was the Warlock, but also included the Ramcharger and Tradesman van. Dodge described these models as “Fun to drive. Fun to be seen in. Fun to own or lease.” I have a feeling that at least that second claim still applies today.
This Warlock is still wearing its original paint. It’s claimed to have sat in a barn for many years. I feel the pictures support that as even though the exterior looks weathered, it also looks fairly well preserved. The suspension lift and 33” tires enhance that “factory custom” look. If you’re concerned with returning it to a factory look, the seller is including the original wagon wheels that have recently been powder-coated in the original gold.
Aside from a few seam rips on the driver seat bottom, the black interior looks to be in decent shape. This appears to be a split bench that is made to look like buckets with a center console/jumpseat, but I can’t confirm that. Perhaps one of our Barn Finds sleuths can shed some light there. Gears are shifted through a column shifted automatic and power to all 4 wheels is engaged through a tunnel mounted shifter.
The original 318 was rebuilt within the last 500 miles. The seller notes some updates at the time of rebuild, including an “Edelbrock Performance Package (aluminum heads, cam, carb and intake),“ which is described as giving it “a nice lumpy idle.” The 727 transmission was “gone through” and the NP203 transfer case was resealed and painted. A B&M shift kit and deep sump oil pan have been added. All driveline work was completed by a “locally-renowned professional MOPAR technician & expert.” All of these updates and upgrades have resulted in a truck that “shifts firm and drives down the road nice.”
The seller claims this is one of only 500 Warlocks with a 4×4 drivetrain. I can’t find any information to support or deny that claim, but I can say I haven’t seen many on the market. Would you enter the popular classic truck market in a less popular model?
As a kid I built the 1/24 MPC version of this!
What’s not to like? Classic 1970’s coolness
The price
I had a ’77 Warlock 2 wheel drive with a 440 in it, the only bad part of the truck was the bed, the wooden floor was rotted away, trying to order the correct bed strips proved to be quite an undertaking. It ran great, fast, dependable. Guaranteed to wear out a set of rear tires in a weekend. The seat was like the one pictured, 2 seperate bucket types with a center jump seat console bin type thing. We used it to tow my buddies ’66 Hemi Belvedere to the drag strip, the car & trailer only hit the high spots on Rte. 80. Nice truck and surprisingly good on gas, towing or not. Most of my Gold Graphics had faded away, but the Black Metallic still had a nice shine.
The seats are bucket seats with a buddy seat in between. Center seat back folds down to provide a wide arm rest for driver and passenger. From 1977-’80, Dodge had the “Adult Toys” ad campaign. Pickups, suvs and vans were offered with factory optional stripe kits, 15×8″ wheels (white spoke or chrome mag style) and a host of other available options Macho Power Wagons and Ramchargers, Warlock trucks, and custom vans were all included in the Adult Toys campaign. Dodge was the only game in town for large engined 4x4s, offering the 440 in them through and including the 1978 model year. Ford and GM 4×4 trucks topped out with 400 cubic inch engines.