I like my home state of Michigan, but I long for the peace of mind that comes from using a collector vehicle in a salt-free state. There is no reason, aside from fuel prices and a long commute, why this “99% rust free” 1971 Dodge D200 couldn’t be your only truck (should you choose to live that way). Why bother with a modern daily driver when you could instead be cruising in this “last of the Sweptlines?” If you live anywhere near Calhan, Colorado, that could indeed be your destiny; it’s for sale on eBay with a $7,500 Buy It Now price.
Aside from the perfectly weathered look and conspicuous absence of rot, the best thing about the Dodge is that it has the biggest engine on the truck books in 1971, a 383 two-barrel with 258 horsepower. This one is backed by a New Process four-speed, and the available rear gears with this combination in the D200 were 3.54:1, 4.10:1, and (I believe…the documents are a little fuzzy) 4.88:1. These gears indicate that the truck will have one of the big Dana axles out back, probably a Dana 60. The seller says that the engine is “strong” and the four-speed “works good.” The brakes work and the tires are also “good.”
Perhaps the best part of the truck is that it’s virtually rust free. Examine the pictures for yourself: the rocker panels, cab corners, floors, and frame are almost maddeningly solid. We just don’t see trucks like this in the Great Lakes region, unless they came from somewhere out west.
The blue interior looks like you’d expect the blue interior from an old farm truck to look; the dash pad is cracked, and I’d be worried about the rubber mat trapping moisture, but the seller lifts the mats for a few quick photos, and aside from some incidental corrosion, there’s nothing much to worry about.
Oops, except for that seat. Yes, your biggest expense is most likely to be a complete rebuild of the front bench from the springs up. Of course, there are any number of bench seats that could probably be substituted, but nothing will quite look the part like blue vinyl.
If you could live with the almost certain 10 mile-per-gallon thirst of this big Dodge, almost nothing could be cooler as a daily driver or a work truck. Just don’t subject it to any salt. Please.
And this is why I love it here in CO. A virtual rust-free haven. My 63.5 Galaxie was sold new here and has a sweet body…
A few of these out west. For some reason the 383 wasn’t as popular in the Dodge trucks as, say, a 390 was to a Ford, or a 400 (402) to a GM. They had a presence, just not a domineering one.
Probably a NP 435 transmission. They did a good job. We had (4) Ford trucks with them and a Dodge W300 with one. Personally, I think that the NP 435 stood up better in the shift tower region than a Warner T-98.
I doubt very much if this one would have a 4.88 gear ratio. The W-300 used the 4.88 exclusively but the only 2wd I saw with a stump-puller was powered by a 318. If I had to take a guess, it would be a 3.73 or a 4.10.
Nice truck overall. Needs a little cleanup and detailing, and a seat cover. But it should’ve have much trouble with a camper, or pulling a sizeable boat, or both. I’ve got a friend who would take this one without question, but he’s a Dodge truck fanatic…
NP 435 and the 205 t-case were always smooth and reliable in my Ford geo.
Never had much trouble with either one, Stan. Good dependable units…
My friend had one of these it was yellow bbc and had dude on the side. Truck was a beast! If it wasn’t so far away I’d definitely be looking at it. Peace!
Nice truck. I’ve always liked the 1970-71 Dodge D200 and D300 truck. I hope it goes to a good owner, someone who will restore it to like new condition.
My for first vehicle at 17 was a 1967 dodge D200, this one reminds me of that truck. I continue to look for that elusive 67. As you get older you tend to forget about the problems and become more nostalgic. I’m 67 now would be cool to find one this year.
fresh seat and some shine juice and you’re in
Nowadays vehicles without their AC compressor drive belt are almost as common as vehicles with an aftermarket air cleaner.