Dodge’s “Sweptline era” (model years 1961 through 1971) was known for having beautifully designed beds, but some of us prefer stepside beds, known as Utiline in this era of Dodge pickup. This 1966 Dodge D200 Utiline is said to be a former Wyoming Sheriff’s Department truck and it can be found here on craigslist in Buffalo, Minnesota. The seller is asking $5,500, and here is the original listing.
This D200 is more truck than I would ever need as I can’t imagine ever needing a 3/4-ton pickup. A 1/2-ton D100 would be more than enough truck for me. That being said, almost everything else here is about as desirable as it gets, at least for me. Not that it matters what I like or don’t like. Dodge made the second-generation D-series 2WD trucks (the W-series had 4WD) from 1965 to 1971 and they went with two headlights rather than four headlights. However, in 1965 some trucks were made with both configurations.
The Sweptline bed or box was Dodge’s full-width, bed and this truck is their version of what most of us refer to as a stepside. Dodge referred to it as a Utiline, although they were still known as being from Dodge’s Sweptline era no matter what bed/box they had. You can see that this step… I mean, Utiline needs some work. Redoing the wood bed shouldn’t be that hard for most Barn Finds readers. This is the mama bear-sized box at 8 feet. They also made a 6.5-foot and 9-foot box.
The seller thinks that this was a Wyoming Sheriff’s Department truck and by looking at the worn decals on the doors, I don’t know if there’s any doubt about that. I wonder what the rules are for redoing those graphics? The interior looks fairly rough, it’ll need to be stripped, blasted, sealed, and painted at the very least. This one has an optional four-speed manual according to the seller, but it may need a new clutch or throw-out bearing. A three-speed would have been standard.
The engine is the base 225-cu.in. slant-six, which would have had 140 horsepower. Another choice would have been a 318 V8, but the seller throws out an interesting thought: they have a 413 V8 and 727 automatic that they’ll throw in, although we don’t know how much extra it would be. This truck runs and stops but should be hauled to the next owner’s garage rather than driving it as it needs to be checked out before driving it on public roads. I really like this one and Hagerty is at $6,500 for a #4 fair-condition truck. Any thoughts on this Utiline?
I am old enough to remember when you could hardly give these old Dodges away (I know, I sound like Howard A. 😉). The most that I ever paid for this era Dodge truck was $2,700.00, and that was for a W-200 crewcab, 4×4, fully operational. And this price is “reasonable” compared to some of the crazy prices I see for these. They mention “some rust”. Better check the steps, rockers, drip rails, cowl, floors and front cab mounts- all notorious for being rusted in these cabs. I sold an ex-CALTRANS truck very similar to this one several years ago for around $3K.
Thanks, John,,,I think,, :)
This is the same brown that reminds me of the colors a famous Sherriff from the south once ran with.
“There is No way—NO WAY, you came from my loins. When we get home I’m a gonna punch yo mamma right in the mouth!”
“Buford T. Justice”
Neat truck. Will need some work, but if mechanically sound, could be worth messing with. First job would be trying to find a front bumper. That could be getting tough these days. At least it’s a stick, so it’ll be more fun to drive, if the tranny has any life left.
Is that box in the bed a makeshift gas tank?
Well, it certainly was not used for pursuit of any kind, except the pursuit of coffee and donuts. The symbol is a felony to reproduce, so this was clearly the county sheriffs garage go for truck. It was obviously used in all weather, and probably hauled salt and motors to be rebuilt, it was most assuredly well maintained. Most of these belonged to the shop foreman, and when they retired, the truck was given to them, as I suspect here.
And John^ is right, Dodge was always a municipal deal. Dodge rarely made it, except for farmers that couldn’t get IHs anymore, went with Dodge. Great find, the manual will be a total hassle today, and little steep for a “yard truck”, but they were great trucks.
Oh, btw, the “sheriff” Scotty is referring to, was Dodges Sheriff Joe Higgins, who was actually a real sheriff. His “my way or no way” was deemed perfect for the “Dodge Rebellion” going on. His famous catch phrase was, “you inna heap o’ trouble, boy”. My old man hated those ads, or any “rebellion” of any kind.
Wait, he didn’t actually refer to Joe Higgins, but he knows what I meant. Sorry about the multiple posts, but now with no edit feature( but I don’t have to log back in all the time now), this is the only way.
Very cool old truck. Bumper wouldn’t be all that difficult to find if the existing one couldn’t be straightened. Running gear on these are pretty bullet-proof and can be totally rebuilt relatively cheap. Would be all over this if I didn’t already have one or had the room.
now this is my kinda ride!!!
and yes please i’ll take the 413! (they make huge low rpm torque)
source in a 5speed and the right gears and she will pull over the house and cruise at highway speed.
the worst part of these is the utter lack of aftermarket sheet metal. so the 2 worst rust problems… the cowl and the bottom of the a-pillar are always free hand repairs.
had a ’68 d100 short bed slanty and 3 on the tree to date my favorite truck.
i can see doing this up for the trailer hauler/work truck. my mopar guy even has the correct a’c setup for this old girl. hardest thing i will hafta hunt up is the split rear window.. aftermarkets are thin on the ground for these.
My uncle had a 68 stepside 1/2 ton shortbed back in the mid seventies. He found a 69 1/2 440/6 Roadrunner that got wrapped around a pole and wapped the Dana,4 speed and 440/6 into it. It was a rocket once you got traction and he could drive it. That truck and my grampaws 66 1/2 ton longbed started my life long love of the Sweptlines.
These trucks are the EV owners enemy. May never need 3/4 ton capacity but if you do……..