Dodge B-Series vans have been around for over five decades, that’s longer than a lot of you have been on the planet, and less than some of you (us) have been on the planet. This is a 1977 Dodge B100 Tradesman and the seller has it listed here on eBay in beautiful and historic El Paso, Texas. They’re asking $7,995, or you can make an offer. Thanks to Larry D. for the tip!
Dodge B-Series vans came in a wide range of sizes and configurations, including “shorty vans” like this one. Tradesman vans were offered in two wheelbases, a 127-inch size, and a 108-inch wheelbase as with this van. They also offered a Maxivan, which was the longer 127-inch wheelbase but it had an additional 18-inches of cargo area grafted onto the rear of the van. B100 vans were 1/2-ton, B200 vans were 3/4-ton, and they even made a B300 one-ton van. I had both short Dodge vans and a Maxivan, which was really a big van, perfect for hauling commercial cleaning equipment. The seller has provided a lot of good photos, including underside photos showing what appears to be a very solid van.
This cool full-width single rear door was optional and it’s pretty unique. I’ve seen custom vans with this big rear door that is top-hinged so it would open up and it could be used as a canopy for tailgating or camping. This van is a blank slate Tradesman (Tradesman = cargo van, typically without rear side windows) van. The seller says that they searched for this one for 15 years… but now they’re selling it. I don’t quite understand that, but that’s what they say in the description. It appears that the passenger side has taken a few hits compared to the driver’s side, but it looks good overall.
A padded dash top is positively decadent for me, my vans had forehead-bashing steel dashboards. You can see a few cracks on this one, and the stereo area has been dredged out for some Pep Boy-like gauges. I miss my full-size Dodge vans, the driving position was great, the winter traction, not so much. But, for hauling things, a nice van can’t be beat. The rear cargo area is basically ready for hauling or customizing or anything. Hey, this is a family show. I used my original short Dodge van to haul band equipment, it was great for that
The seller went the extra mile in taking off the doghouse to really show us the engine, well done! The engine looks super clean and it’s a 318-cu.in. V8 which would have had 145 horsepower. It has a new carb, fuel pump, fuel-sending unit, radiator, and more. Have any of you owned a Dodge van from this era? If so, was it for work or fun?
Future Yamahauler?
Headlight dimmer switch doubles as floor mat safety catch.
Has an early 70’s grill and steering wheel
I’ve always thought these shorter wheelbase versions were far better looking then the longer ones. Amazing what these are going for.
I’ve got a 2001 Astro which gets little use but I continue to hold on to it……might sound crazy to some but I believe over time the Astro/Safari’s are
going to follow in the footsteps of the 70’s vans…..
Oh boy. That much for a factory smogger 145hp 318 B100 D van in “runner” shape?? U crazy. I!..got a late-72′ orange & white Maxi Van glas HiTop w slider windows. Even with rust out on floor behind driver seat & original multi-adjust captains seat )upholstery thrashed!) & right rear door w bullet?holes & some rust..at least the 318 has better hp that yr..slightly! Oh yeah. I put Sure Grip Eaton kit at rear. Needs new pan & air filter housing & new rod brgs after severe oil starvation saga.(Was my fault!) With all that..I bet mine worth every bit the 77.
Hmm, looks pretty nice for 19 million miles,,but what’s even more amazing, is that this van escaped all those hippie shenanigans, as a non-window van was top choice,,for obvious reasons( again, “family show”) No question, Dodge was the van of choice, I think mostly, because they were simply the most popular among utility companies, and could be had cheap. Scotty always, except today, mentions the “backwards” shifting on manual trans ones. A guy I knew had a van like this, a 3 speed, and putting the shift on the floor, he had to do the same thing. It was a space limitation thing, and the shifter had to be mounted backward, possibly foiling any theft, we don’t know. Cool find, and if you are still stuck in the 70s, and with the folks, that surely disapproved of those shenanigans, long gone, and you can finally have that custom van you always had a hankerin’ for. Custom vans , it seems, was the last way of expressing yourself, and with that, the sky was the limit, and I’m glad to say, I was there. Far out, man,, and no bids,,,interest is limited, Captain.
I’m thinking it’s a 76 as the grill is incorrect for a 77
Had one just like it but the color green.Slotted mags, notty pine wood inside good for road weight in the snow. 318 standard, put a Hurst Shift on the floor.
” If this van is rocking Don’t! come
knocking “
Mark, I had an Astrovan that I loved until a rod did a number on the motor. I had a rebuilt put in and the same thing happened. I was told there was a weak spot on the casting that caused the issue. Not a gearhead so I don’t know. It had so much room and loved the elevated driving position.
Dodge quit making van in2003
I had a 1975 “shorty” with slant 6 and automatic. I had headers and side pipes put on. Many friends said that it sounded like a VW bus.
We had a 109 inch Dodge painted pearl blue, ansen sprint fatties and Thor mystic warrior painted on the side. Inside had the rear bed and a small bar. Of course a pioneer stereo and surf board racks. We would go from Huntington Beach to San Diego and surf crashing in the van. When ever we would stop smoke would pour out of the doors like Cheech n Chong.
Then when the band played in LA, we would haul gear. It was a blast and we never had to fix an engine problem, the van was a 74 318.
Oh the memories. I had this very same van in 77, bought it new. I was in USMC at the time stationed at Cherry Point NC. Used it for trips from Fla to New York City. Good times till a telephone pole moved to the middle of the road.
We had a 76 Tradesman 300. The 318 wasn’t enough to move it andcthec11mpg was tough. The Northeastern weather had it rusted out in 6 years.
Van Life + + + + +
I had 2 1974’s in the late 70’s, one SWB and one LWB. Both were black with customized interiors and beds in the rear. Great memories! This one might be a 1977 but the grille has been replaced with one from 1970-73.
I had a green 77 Shorty panel with the 360, mag wheels and a 3.90 suregrip. I used her for work and play. I owned my own garage at the time so she was my parts runner that hauled several motors and transmissions. On the weekends she got cleaned up and did a little street racing. If I can swing it I’m going try to get this one.
I had a green 77 Shorty panel with the 360, mag wheels and 3.90 rear gear with a locker. She was worked and played hard. I miss that van and this could be her replacement
How can I post of pic of the one I customized?
Ken, you should be able to click on the “Choose File” button just above the comment box and upload an image.
Had a LWB 1972 B200 with a built 360 and the very rare Doug’s Tri-Y Headers. It was a great van until someone ran into it one night. I salvaged the drivetrain and it will live again in another project.
Auction update: the seller has accepted an (unknown) offer and this van is gone!
I bought a 72 just like this back in the late 80s for 100 bucks. It was a slant six ex Bell Telephone van , it was originally that phone company olive-ish color, but someone had painted it blue , and I mean painted ! the grille, bumpers marker lights everything. We used it to tow my hobby stock, and it was a nutless wonder. The next year I put brakes on it so I could sell it , and found out someone at one time put a V8 rear in it ! No wonder it was such a dog
I thought that in ’72,all Bell trucks were that
light green color,with different color stripes.
This is one of about 5 custom vehicles I built as a kid.