There are times when using the right word matters, and one of those times is when marketing a product. Take, for example, this 1985 Dodge D100. The brochure calls the on-again, off-again D100 model the “Miser.” “Miser” is not a positive tone word; instead, it makes one think of Ebenezer Scrooge and cold winter nights by a dying fire; it certainly doesn’t inspire someone to buy one’s product. Regardless of Mopar’s naming missteps of the 1980s, a short-wheelbase D100 is a pretty good score today. Rocco B. found this D100 on craigslist in Scottsboro, Alabama. Although it only runs on a shot of gas, it’s nearly rust-free and could be a cheap project; the asking price is only $2,450.
The D100 earns its nickname by offering you the sturdy old 225-cubic-inch slant six. It may or may not come as a surprise that the slant hung around through the 1987 model year, producing right around 95 horsepower. Someone did their best to pep up the old six; it has a long-tube header and an Autolite/Motorcraft two-barrel carburetor. It’s not a running truck as it sits (it’s been sitting since 2004), although it will start “when you spray gas in the carb.” The seller says that it will need a new carburetor, but I rebuilt my first Autolite 2100 when I was in high school, so it may simply need a good cleaning; there’s really not much to it. It might not be a bad idea to budget for a new fuel tank or a backyard cleaning.
Behind the 225 is Chrysler’s overdrive four-speed manual, which is really a three speed with an overdrive fourth. According to the ad, the truck originally had air conditioning, but the compressor and “AC box” are missing.
The interior is clean, and aside from a new carpet and a deep cleaning, there’s not much to do inside here; plus, you get a gun rack for free. The dash pad and seat have no cracks or tears, and the missing carpet offers us the opportunity to inspect the floors. Anyone from the Great White North who wants an ’80s Ram is forgiven for counting their vacation days and plotting how many hours it takes to get to Alabama; we don’t see rust-free steel up here.
Let Dodge call us misers for wanting to save some money. For maybe $3,000 all-in, you could have a nice daily work truck with this D100, or there’s plenty of room for an engine swap if you’re so inclined, and you won’t have to worry about rust. We’re frugal, not cheap, after all.
Change that old ford 2 bbl. carb for a 4 bbl. intake and 4 bbl. carb. and have some fun.
I was really hoping this would get written up when I saw it on Fast Finds. I had a Miser. Couple years older than this one. Judging from the size of the steering wheel it has manual steering like mine did. I also had manual brakes too. I had the 4 speed O/D like this one as well. It had a very tall rear in it for gas mileage. Unfortunately for working purposes it wasn’t the greatest. The Lean Burn system was my only complaint with the Slant 6. But thats something that can be dealt with. The body doesn’t look bad other than some bumps and bruises. But this can be fixed up very nicely. Thanks for writing this up Aaron.
How do you access Fast Finds? I haven’t seen it in a long while.
If you are a member you need to open a seperate tab on your browser and search Barn Finds Fast Finds, it will pop up. You’ll have to log in and its there. Essentially I keep 2 tabs open for both. Hope this helps.
Around this time, the “miser” was a trim level for a stripped-out Omni/Horizon as well.
Hey, it’s way better than Studebaker calling it’s cheapest trim “Scotsman”!
Nice foundation at a low entry price for late model drivetrain, desirable body configuration, that for some reason hasn’t been embraced by Mopar enthusiasts like the Ford and Chevy short bed fleet side standard cabs of the same era.
Everyone that whines about the lack of affordable project, should take a good look at this. You find the deals where they are and what they are, it’s always been that way. Too many people have forgotten that or never learned it in the first place.
Steve R
I have always been a sucker for projects like this. The issue is, unless you live somewhat nearby in/close to Alabama, you may wind up paying as much or more than the purchase price to have it shipped. I have spent a ton of money over the years on shipping, as the vehicles that I buy are often difficult to find, so I have purchased them in various geographic locations. I can justify the additional cost for the right vehicle. The last shipping bill (a year ago) was around $1,500.00 for a small vehicle from the West Coast to New Mexico (using a reputable carrier). I bought a Dodge short bed pickup similar to this in Texas (about 2 years ago) and it was about $800.00 to ship it, and it ran. Shippers also charge a premium for “non-runners”. You could fly in (more $) and try to get it “roadworthy” where it sits, and drive it home. I did that several times when younger, with varying results (and, frankly, a lot of memorable/scary times), but I am too old now. It can be really easy to turn a cheap purchase into a not-so-cheap one even before you receive it, especially if you live in a small, out of the way town, far from the interstate highways.
It’s also tough to get anyone to pick up a delivery to Michigan; it’s basically a road to nowhere, so you end up out of the way wherever your next shipment is going. The last time I had a car shipped, I hired a retired trucker with an enclosed trailer. He was great, well worth the extra cost over an open trailer through a broker. As you said, it would not have been cost-effective for a $2,495 vehicle, but we don’t always make a lot of sense in the car world. The way I see it is that you’re saving on rust repair. :)
I’ve heard it said that Michigan is the only state in the 48 that you can’t drive through. Even Florida has the panhandle. Actually transport into and around the SE corner isn’t a big deal with all the manufacturers having HQs there. Anywhere else may as well be Montana.
I’m fairly close and I’m interested. I don’t think I’m interested enough for a 2 hour drive for a non running vehicle though. I’d be tempted if it was driveable, but there’s probably a reason it was taken off the road 20 years ago. It might be a small issue, or it might be a cracked block or something goofy like that. If it was running and I could test drive it for 15 minutes, I might be making plans for the weekend.
The almost identical truck was on C/L in Tucson AZ. It might have been a little nicer, less miles, whit and nicer interior. The asking price was 12 K but it was reduced to $9,500. I really wanted it but it sold before I could get my ducks in a row. I would have left it almost alone. I had a Dart with a slant 6 and 3-speed. It was destructible!
Great little chore truck. Six with overdrive is a nice combo.
I bought 1 of these brand new off the lot in 1980 for 4995.00. Great dependable truck.
I had the D150 with that transmission. 318 ran for 377,000 miles with just tune ups and oil changes.
That 3spd O/D was a piece of junk. Had it rebuilt 4 times in that 377,000 miles.
price hike ??
Looks like a price drop! It’s at $2,150 now.
Normally when I see a vehicle on this site that’s a project I can’t run away from it fast enough. This one is almost the exception for me. It would be worth buying if it had its A/C intact and was closer to me. By the time I had it transported and get everything done to it (since I’m not a mechanic) to make it what I’d need it to be I’d be up to $10k. I can get a complete vehicle in my area for that or less with fewer problems. But this is a good deal for the right person.
I do not know why you think Michigan is such a dead-end location. Reliable carriers out of Canton, Michigan is Located just outside of Detroit, Mi. Reliable was the :PREMIER CARRIER for transporting Dodge Vipers and Plymouth Prowlers back in the DAY!!!.
I do not know why you think Michigan is such a dead-end location. Reliable carriers out of Canton, Michigan is Located just outside of Detroit, Mi. Reliable was the :PREMIER CARRIER for transporting Dodge Vipers and Plymouth Prowlers back in the DAY!!!.
I’m kinda surprised it’s still available at that price if it was closer than the 2200 miles I would probably already be en route to get it this truck would be easy to get going and the parts are interchangeable up to 93
From here, just outside of Green Bay, WI, the up and over drive to Michigan is beautiful. Especially when compared to the under around Chicago. Yikes! So you can drive through Michigan but you just end up in more Michigan.
Probably won’t need a new gas tank, as they are plastic.
SHOULD be able to drop it, clean and put it back.