Blame the Eagles, but I see the makings of a country rock song any time I see a flatbed truck from the 1970s, and the image of this 1974 Dodge W200 (it’s advertised as a D200) in the face of a rising (or setting) sun is certainly romantic enough to be the subject of its own tune. It’s a cheap muse, too, with an asking price of $5,400. Barn Finder Rocco B. found it on craigslist in Phelan, California, where smog testing doesn’t apply to 1974 models, so you can “Take It Easy” and not worry about that.
If a Dodge four-by-four weren’t already useful enough, this one has a tilting flatbed. While any hauling I’d do wouldn’t require the tilt mechanism, maybe potential buyers in the comment section could discuss material that needs a little extra push. The seller says that the “tilting flatbed works perfect[ly],” and that the truck “would make a great bug out vehicle with a camper, or hauling firewood, or hay or whatever.”
Unfortunately, the advertisement doesn’t include any interior pictures, so we’ll have to use our imagination (or give the truck an in-person inspection, if possible).
The engine is a 360 small-block, which produced roughly 180 horsepower in 1974 pickup tune. This one has a four-speed with a “granny low,” and according to sales materials, that could be an NP435 or an NP445, and the front and rear axles should have a 4.10:1 ratio. This Dodge also has power brakes and (thankfully) power steering. The seller says that the truck runs good, and any number of Chrysler engines will fit in this engine compartment should one feel the need to upgrade (5.9 Magnums, 440s, Gen-3 Hemis…who knows?). Of course, the 360 will do just fine in most situations.
It even has a hitch to tow whatever doesn’t fit in the bed.
Perhaps the best part of this truck is the knowledge that anyone driving it is going to be taken seriously as a person who knows how to do things. This is not a poser; it’s a ’70s flatbed with a carburetor and a manual transmission. It’s a solid-looking California truck with a reasonable price tag, so if you’re feeling like you need a few more country-rock-protagonist vibes in your life, act before someone else beats you to it.
Well Aaron, partial credit, it was a “girl my Lord in a flatbed FORD”, but I liked the Eagles so much, any reference is a good reference. In case some may not know the usefulness of a dump bed, city slickers, mostly, it saves a lot of work. The truck itself is nothing special, except for the fact, these don’t exist north of I-70, most, if not all led a rough life. When a Dodge truck was a Dodge truck, and not a car with a box.
Simple reliable engine and transmission plus the dump bed and seems to be in decent condition and price is good. The rust bug that affects so many 70’s cars looks minimal. What’s not to like!
I want it just to have “in case” I need it. I’m still young, but it would have come in handy last summer unloading gravel by shovel from my pick up, lol. Ok that’s my lazy bones talking, but still cool.
OK, I have always though the lyric was “a Flat bed Ford”; however, I think it may be a “Flathead Ford”. If it was a girl, I would think it would be more likely that she’d be in a sedan with a Flathead V8 than a flat bed truck. Plus, the song was co-written by Glen Fry, a son of Detroit, who I’m sure was very familiar with the Flathead V8…
Google is your friend.
https://youtu.be/T2jk4DarPYU?si=6CiQ2QA5uKva1YOI
Always thought it was flatbed Ford.
We bought a 72 f350 w/12′ bed and hoist because my Wife had a hard time with the 1949 Mack EHT with 5 yard dump.
Ford has dumped logs, fire wood, stone. Gravel, saved a bunch hauling shingles when grandson did the roof on the house. It has solid removable sides. Tarp over the back and blower chopper run by flat belt on Case dc4 filled it with chopped straw.
Just to clarify, I know that the flatbed in the song is a Ford. Any time I see any flatbed, the song pops into my head for a minute. :)
“Cept for needing a heater core, looks good!
Drop the price $600, put a plow on it, and ship it to New England. It’d run for 10 yrs easy and be a bargain.
A great daily driver / weekend workhorse for anyone. And YES, that hoist under the bed will come in handy for anyone having to do landscape work or being a hobby farmer. Too bad it is on the wrong coast to be helpful to me.
Gorgeous setup !! 3000 miles to far off ~~!
Gas has come down enough that this might be a fly and drive!
I have a,1985 Ford F150 that I installed an upgraded rear suspension AND a dump bed. It is real handy when taking items to the transfer station/dump. Drop the tail gate, hit the button and drive away. No physical unloading required. I built it for moving dirt. Since I knew that I would be building a new home. It proved invaluable moving countless loads of dirt. The wife got quite proficient at driving and dumping while I ran the tractor to load it over and over. But loaded to the hilt, driving to the dump and EASY unload is very satisfying when the other trucks there are having to be unload by hand in the Nevada sun!
Almost daily we find more in common.
You want a flatbed Ford? I can get you a flatbed Ford, believe me. There are ways, Dude. You don’t wanna know about it, believe me.
This rig could pay for itself before the ink is dry on the new title.
Walter, is that you? :)
Decent Truck , easy price . If it was on the east coast I would be interested.
IIRC there is a flatbed Ford sitting in downtown Windslow AZ
Lyrics to “Take It Easy”
Well I’m a-standin’ on the corner in winslow, arizona
With such a fine sight to see
It’s a girl, my lord, in a flatbed ford
Slowin’ down to take a look at me039; down to take a look at me
“flatbed Dodge” was probably workshopped for about 12 seconds . . . .
It’s a girl, my lord, in a soft top Porsche, slowing down to take a look at me
Fun story, many years ago as a young guy I was crossing the street on a touristy street in my city. As I waited for a break in the cars a dark blue/purple Porsche 911 slowed to let me cross. I waved thank you and then caught sight of the driver, a gorgeous blonde that smiled at me slyly as she saw the awe struck look on my face. As I reached the other side, I gave her the thumbs up as that beautiful 911 rolled past me with Alicia Silverstone behind the wheel.
Hold me back !!!!
I think it was; the girl from the lodge in a flatbed Dodge….
I’d only need this truck about 3 times per year, but that would make it worthwhile.