The D/W Series of trucks were built by Dodge from 1961 to 1993 across three generations. The D-200 was a 2-wheel drive, ¾-ton pickup that would have been popular with campers, like the seller’s father. It’s a one-owner vehicle that’s been held captive in an enclosed barn for the past 26 years. It comes with a fully furnished camper as a package deal for $5.000. The matched set is in Culver, Oregon, and available here on craigslist. Once again, Rocco B. has a nose for finding terrific tips!
These trucks got a major redesign in 1972 that introduced a curved look rather than being a rolling square box. This included slightly recessed taillights to help prevent damage when backing up. Underneath, the trucks were treated to an independent suspension in the front for a smoother ride. Fans of vintage television shows will recall that a D-300 version of the truck was used in Emergency! over its six-year run. “Paramedics” Roy DeSoto and Johnny Gage drove it.
As the story goes, the seller’s dad bought this ’76 D-200 when it was new and added the camper the following year. It was parked in 1997 and left there (for whatever reason). If the indicated mileage of 71,700 is accurate, that’s not a lot of use over the 20+ years the truck/camper was in service. According to badging on the pickup, it came with the Adventurer package which essentially was a trim combination of various brightwork and doodads.
The 318 cubic inch V8 does not run and there’s no indication of what it would take to change that shy of a full servicing of the fuel-delivery system. It has a floor-shifted manual transmission which could be either a 3 or 4-speed. To help with road trips, the Dodge has dual fuel tanks, which means both of them will need to be cleaned out. There is evidence some woodland creatures set up shop under the hood, so be wary of wiring damage, too.
As part of the deal, the truck has a 1977 Western Wilderness cab-over camper attached to the bed. From the look of things, it’s as original as the truck but may be quite comfy once treated to a thorough cleaning and new bed linens. The truck itself has some rust but it seems more confined to the surface variety since the vehicle has been out of the elements for 26 years and has the dirt/dust to prove it. If it won’t be an uphill climb to get this Dodge going again, could this be a bargain find for someone wanting to do some budget camping?
If I had the money. I would grab that. In a heart beat. Reliving my youth.,with my parents.
That’s a great idea. If you were to buy it., It would really be a walk. Down memory lane.
My dad always had a cab over camper and there weren’t too many weekends we didn’t go camping at Lake Catherine not too far from Malvern AR. This would be a project and the right person would have memory maker for sure.
Newly offered from the Ted Kaczynski collection.
minus pipe bombs?
Had a ’77 with the “birdbath” hood and that thing ran and ran. Eventually sold the 318- and gave them the rusted rest for free.
Gotta wonder if a few of these rigs went up in flames when cooking on the stove and ignited the window curtains.
I would name this truck Atlas. It’s holding the weight of the world on It’s back, lol.
5 hours one way I’m betting I can get away with just a tow dolly to drag it back home I think I can flip it for a profit but do I want to take it on is the bigger question.