Dodge’s B-series vehicles covered both pickup trucks and vans in the 1970s. The latter would be popular for commercial use and were also often turned into “boogie vans” by youthful Baby Boomers. This 1977 edition of the B200 (the mid-level range) has the shorter 109-inch wheelbase and has been treated to a fair amount of recent work. It could serve as a nice work van or could be converted by an aging hippie looking to recapture his/her younger days. Located in Stanton, California, this workhorse is available here on Barn Finds Classifieds for $11,500.
The B-series was in production from 1971 to 2003 and were marketed with more interesting names than letters and numbers, like the Dodge Sportsman, Dodge Tradesman, Dodge Van, Ram Van, and Ram Wagon. They were packaged as both passenger and cargo vans in two lengths of wheelbase, with the 109-inch sometimes referred to as a “Shorty”. A variety of Chrysler powerplants were available, with the most common being the 318 cubic inch V8, such as the one in the seller’s van. While Ford was usually the leader in truck sales in those days, the same honor for vans often went to Dodge.
This ’77 edition of the B200 has lived in the climate-friendly State of California. That has helped preserve the van and careful driving has also kept it out of accidents. The van has recently been treated to new Bright Blue Metallic OEM paint, with some rust repairs made to the drip rails, a common problem area on these vans. The user added some Keystone Klassic wheels along with new Cooper tires, so they should be ready to go to work or cruise.
The small-block V8 has 72,800 miles and a 727 automatic transmission. The carburetor has been rebuilt so the van drives well. The interior is clean and the seats are nice, but the layout is quite basic except for a center console and a framed rear platform. This Dodge is ready to be customized with any color of shag carpet you desire!
This is what I THOUGHT I wanted back when they
were new.Looking back,I’d much rather have a car from
the late ’60’s/early ’70’s back then.
240 Z’s were selling for around $3500 back then (used,-
& in perfect condition).Or you could buy a low mileage,cherry
510 2 door for a lot less.
That said,looks like a nice van that could be used to
haul your stuff around in,or the perfect candidate to make a
Yamahauler out of.
We had one the same color but it was a maxi van. 3/4 ton suspension with 5 lug wheels. It was probably a good 4-6 feet longer than this one. We built it into a camper, as my grampa was a cabinet maker and we toured the county back in ’77 when my parents had a extended vacation from the company they worked for. Great van that we had for 13 years. The battery died when it was 9 1/2 years old.
B Series was never a pickup
Never say never, Dodge B series pick ups ran from 1948 – 53.
“Shaved trailering mirrors”
On a van without any side windows = blind spot…
Try that in traffic :-(
I like it and would put mirrors on it.
Nice blank slate if you wanted to go for that 70s custom vibe and the price isn’t outrageous, lots of space to heat up using just the front heater a nice RV heater with propane tank underneath wouldn’t be hard to install
Back in 85 I was given a 77 Dodge shorty van minus engine. I source a 318 and got it back on the road. It had been parked under trees in Miami, Florida for a few years so as the author said the drip rails were rusted through and leaked. It was two tone white over gold. I took it to a body shop to have the rust repaired but they wouldn’t do it due to extensive need for bondo.
God Bless America
I have one Harvest Gold 318 3 on the tree 96,000 miles awesome van min is all fixed up from previous owner I’m the 2nd owner always garage kept here in Ohio people always wanting to buy it
Amazing shape. We had the 300, 3/4 ton with a 318 with a whopping 120hp. Rusted out in 3 years and really was bad at 9 years old when traded in. This has the same seats we moved to the back, different seat covers and my Dad put in captains chairs. Got 11 mpg up or down hill with a 36 gal tank. Ours was white. $6300 brand new.
I remember when my Dad got a load of sheetrock in our 76. It rode like a Caddy. Empty, not. So much.
Had a ‘77 Maxi-Van same color in ‘85. Bought it from a carpet store.
They threw in a huge amount of shag carpet remnants that I attached to every surface from the front seats back.
Had a love seat from Goodwill, a couple of orange bean bag chairs, a few milk crates for tables, a blue tarp with two small c-clamps two pieces of conduit some nylon strings and tent stakes for an awning.
Had a 360 and 727 Torque Flight and aluminum turbine wheels.
It went to a lot of biker parties and it became known as “The Maxi Pad”.
On some Saturday nights I’d drive out to the lake and park sideways on a backwater boat ramp with two wheels in ten inches of water so I’d get that gentle wave sound….
I’d put on some Pink Floyd with the side door open to the lake and drift off…
Best land yacht I’ve ever owned.
Sucked gas ferociously though.
” Careful driving” … ?
I don’t know how they managed without mirrors, But I would defiantly put some nice chrome ones on.
Very Tempting, as I have owned 3 custom vans, one being a 1982 Doge shorty. And I agree, the gas might be a ( $ ) problem.
An ex brother in law owned a Dodge D30 Maxi-Van, he and my sister turned into a van/camper. But it was definitely a HD Van, with 8 lug wheels and full floating rear axles with 4:10 posi. Powered by a 360/4 brl dual exhaust with HD 727. They had insulated the walls and ceiling, plus the floor, then he sprayed the entire job with some new st the time sound deadening material before hanging paneling and built in bed, fridge, sink and awesome sound system. That van ran like a scalded cat! But was only able to squeeze 8-12 mpg. So he invested in an overdrive system that on the highway lowered the rpm’s at 65 mph from 2,100, down to 1,500, that helped return 16-18 mpg, depending upon the wind. Then I helped him add long tube ceramic coated headers, into big dual exhaust with crossover tube, all the way out the back to be sure to keep fumes at bay. Together with a dual snorkel air cleaner with big cold air seeking intake hoses, that were run up to the grill to get the most cool air. Along with a fresh set of wires, cap, rotor and plugs, helped finally return 20 mpg! At 55 mph. Plus run an tow like a champ!
Hahaha! This guy thinks his 40 hear old work van has appreciated in value!? It was less than mediocre back then…
Give it to some kid that can paint stars on the side with a paintbrush and be happy you don’t have to look at it anymore.
More photos have been uploaded. Thanks!