Dodge’s “D-Series” of trucks was in production from 1960 to 1980, then rebranded as RAM after Lee Iaoccoa arrived at Chrysler. A second redesign came along in 1972 and provided the trucks with a more modern look. The seller’s 1978 edition is likely the D150, the entry-level half-ton pickup with 2-wheel-drive and no frills. Though idle in a carport for two years, we’re told it does run but isn’t pretty. Located in Jesup, Georgia, this 57,000-mile workhorse awaits a second life. It’s available here on craigslist for $2,500. Thanks for the tip, Ricco B.!
The Dodge division of Chrysler was typically in third place in pickup truck sales in the U.S, behind Ford and Chevrolet. Some of the styling cues for the 1972 rework were borrowed from the “fuselage” look of the all-new 1971 mid-size Plymouths and Dodges. The D-Series gained popularity thanks to its use in the 1972-79 television series, Emergency!, where a D300 was driven by the show’s paramedics. In 1977, the towing capacity of the truck was upgraded, so the name of the basic model designation was changed from D100 to D150.
This truck has the standard 225 cubic inch Slant-Six paired with a “3-on-the-tree” manual transmission. Under a full load, it isn’t going to be any speed demon, but the trucks were built to be rugged, and the Slant-Six was a bulletproof design. Considering the pickup is 48 years old, the mileage is fairly low. Though inactive since 2024, it starts up with no smoke and will move around under its own power.
Cosmetically, this truck isn’t going to garner a lot of second looks. The white paint may clean up well enough, and there could be some surface rust here and there, particularly with the bed. The interior is stark with a throw cover over the bench sea,t and at least one door panel is missing. If you want to use the truck strictly for work purposes, you could let a lot of this slide. Get it running right again and see what she can do!
Cheap Saturday morning dump/Home Depot run truck.
This might be a fun project for the right person. It has some rust but doesn’t look like a rusty mess. Give it a good cleaning, get it mechanically sound, find a door panel, maybe some wheels and tires to perk up the appearance. Overall, this plan (including the purchase price) wouldn’t be a ton of money. Then enjoy running errands around town, recalling days when single-cab short-wheelbase six-cylinder three-on-the-tree trucks were just fine.
Oh oh, a D series pickup and not Scotty G? Has the world gone topsy turvy? Yes, yes it has compared to when this truck was sold new. It’s tough to fathom, what some drive today is a direct off shoot of this truck. This was as basic as one could get. It more than likely was a parts chaser or paint delivery, and did the job dutifully, year after year. Since it has a 5 digit odometer, I’d say 957, 000 on a conservative estimate. Typically, these are the trucks that did those jobs, I drove a Ford, but equipped the same,,,nothing. I think even with my manual transmission views. there are still plenty of us that could really use a truck like this, provided your left leg still works, and won’t help your right rotator cuff any. They will never be offered like this again, as much as we wish they would, just no market in the future. Better grab it now.
Jim said it!!! This is a great little truck!!! A cheap starter which with some TLC will make someone a great weekend workhorse, and an entry into the antique truck hobby. Possibly that paint will clean up enough so you can drive it to coffee and cars or a cruise in.
cheap enough.
Inexpensive, good for someone that only needs a truck occasionally.
I keep forgetting every 5 digit speedometer reflect a vehicles original mileage, even when its overall condition says otherwise.
Steve R
Never been a big Dodge fan but I’ll never kick something like this off my driveway. Looks good although I’m not a big fan of that rust along the side of the windshield. Since the body is, otherwise, fairly straight it shouldn’t be too much of a problem to fix.
Obviously seen a lot more salt that we get out here in the Chinook Belt. Considering that I might be tempted to perform a complete detailing which may well require the body to be lifted off the frame and everything brought up to date there.
Well, when I get at projects like this I tend to go all in. Anyways, it’s a great truck to keep around. Sure won’t have to deal with all the computer stuff…
If I had nothing else going on, I would love to have this for a keep me busy project. These trucks are mostly overlooked, but a 2WD short box with a bullet proof slant six would be a great platform for a cool truck with a bargain price tag!
No frills work truck the good old days. New ones is a problematic computer on wheels.
I had a 77 with the 318, loved that truck. Especially a fan of the “birdbath” hood and the glove box that was practically the entire passenger side dash.
Yes I remember the bird bath hood also . Every time it would rain , ya had 2 of them middle of the hood. Water holders. Finding a good door panel may be tough. They were a big chunk of thin plastic , much like the Dodge Challenger panels , that warped and UV rays destroyed / faded them out.
This thing is begging for a HEMI.
If it were a longbed, I’d give it serious consideration.
If it were a long bed I wouldn’t even consider it!
Differences of opinion is what makes a horse trader!
Powertrain perfect for this stripper half ton 2wd.
You can really wake up the 6 cylinder ” leaning tower of power” with very little work. There are great YouTube videos that address simple things like changing the distributor advance curve. I think this is a potential bargain
As a tradesman of 40 years, I just could never figure out why you’d want a short bed.
I’ve known many tradespeople over the years and I don’t recall any of them having a short box. These trucks were for, like I said, small city deliveries, a salespersons company truck that MIGHT have to have a box, but generally, I agree, a contractor would want the biggest box they could get.
If I didn’t live 3,000 miles away I’d be tempted to check this one out. I doubt it will last long, someone will scoop this up no doubt.
Like it make a street rod out of it I’d have a 440 bbm to put in it and it’s a fair price
LS engine