Got myself a truck! '76 D100 400/4speed short bed!
#1922412
09/30/15 12:19 PM
09/30/15 12:19 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,894 Spahn Ranch
RMCHRGR
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OP
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Spahn Ranch
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I recently pulled the trigger and made a deal for a 1976 D100. It's an original 318 truck but now has a 400/4 speed (NP435) and 3.23 gears. Transporter is picking it up tomorrow (I hope), should be here by next week some time (I hope). Couldn't wait to post about it, I am stoked. It's a Plain Jane truck, no trim. Dark green, cop wheels, bench seat. It will be a driver and tow rig for the few times a year I take my Duster to the track. I will honest, I had to do a lot of convincing to win my wife over on another 'fun toy' vehicle but she relented. She's already asking me to haul stuff with it. Funny how that works. She always told me that one of the things that attracted her to me was that I had a purple '72 W100. None of my friends even had cars when I lived in NYC. It was my DD for a few years. She loved that truck but I sold it in '06. We were sad to see it go. I have been wanting another one since then so his one fills the void. It's not the greatest truck in the world but it's 'me' - simple and tough. There is a a little rust but no major cancer, it's actually pretty solid. It's supposedly reliable and runs good. Needs body work and paint though. Not a huge fan of the color but I can live with it for now. I have this image of a giant carrot going down the road - dark green truck with an orange car towed behind it. I have some ideas for the truck to modernize it and make it comfortable to take on longer trips. Overdrive, lower the rear a little, A/C, cruise control, serp belt, Denso alt upgrade, hydroboost maybe EFI at some point and ultimately paint. Looking to add some trim as well to give it a a little flair and break up the slab sides a little. Possibly bucket seats as well. Some of you guys might think I'm a little nuts buying an old beat up truck sight unseen from all the way out west and having it shipped back east. I concur with that but these things are hard to find around here for a reasonable price that aren't rusted to the belt line. Oh well. Here's a few pics that the P.O. sent me. Looking forward to posting more about it.
'71 Duster '72 Challenger '17 Ram 1500
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Re: Got myself a truck! '76 D100 400/4speed short bed!
[Re: RMCHRGR]
#1922497
09/30/15 02:48 PM
09/30/15 02:48 PM
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,920 Joplin, MO USA
Robbins
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master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,920
Joplin, MO USA
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Couldn't talk you some pictures of the clearance bewteen that booster and the valve cover and what motor mounts does it have?
Awesome find by the way.
Moparlee
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Re: Got myself a truck! '76 D100 400/4speed short bed!
[Re: RMCHRGR]
#1922521
09/30/15 03:26 PM
09/30/15 03:26 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,894 Spahn Ranch
RMCHRGR
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OP
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Thanks guys, it is a cool truck. Can't wait 'til it gets here.
Robbins, since the truck is not here yet, I can't give you an answer but it looks fairly close. Maybe PM next week and I can get you a pic.
At this point, my wife sort of 'accepts' me and my 'hobby'. Deep down, she loves old cars and trucks and has driven all sorts of beaters over the years. Plus, she used to love to tell her publishing co-workers her old man was a mechanic. But after kids she has become a lot more conservative. No effect on me however.
I was surprised to learn it has a .484 purple shaft in it. Redline on the tach is set to 5K. P.O. said it's fun to drive. My W100 wouldn't/couldn't rev much past 4K with a 360.
'71 Duster '72 Challenger '17 Ram 1500
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Re: Got myself a truck! '76 D100 400/4speed short bed!
[Re: RMCHRGR]
#1922566
09/30/15 04:40 PM
09/30/15 04:40 PM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,833 east side of Ohio
basketcase
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master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,833
east side of Ohio
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just finding a front bumper that style that hasn't been used to knock out fence posts is a major score. better watch it...those old trucks get to you you. nice score!
Dave
1981 Dodge D150 360 auto
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Re: Got myself a truck! '76 D100 400/4speed short bed!
[Re: Robbins]
#1922859
09/30/15 10:35 PM
09/30/15 10:35 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,158 Canada -- Posts: 4034 -Registe...
5thAve
Doesn't care what this says anyway
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Doesn't care what this says anyway
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,158
Canada -- Posts: 4034 -Registe...
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Couldn't talk you some pictures of the clearance bewteen that booster and the valve cover and what motor mounts does it have?
Awesome find by the way. I think we both have the same problem....
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Re: Got myself a truck! '76 D100 400/4speed short bed!
[Re: RMCHRGR]
#1923718
10/01/15 09:18 PM
10/01/15 09:18 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,894 Spahn Ranch
RMCHRGR
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OP
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Truck was picked up by the transporter today. Hope to have it some time next week.
Gotta go to my friend's house in NJ, having it dropped there saved a couple hundred bucks. So I get it to take it for a long ride right off the bat.
Will update when I get it home.
'71 Duster '72 Challenger '17 Ram 1500
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Re: Got myself a truck! '76 D100 400/4speed short bed!
[Re: RMCHRGR]
#1924717
10/03/15 03:05 AM
10/03/15 03:05 AM
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Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,134 Lost in Time
Iowan
super stock
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super stock
Joined: May 2015
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Lost in Time
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I've got a fresh 440 on a stand in my shop that would make that old truck soooo much fun!
Nice find!
Have a great day Iowan
"obsolete is neat"
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Re: Got myself a truck! '76 D100 400/4speed short bed!
[Re: RMCHRGR]
#1924806
10/03/15 11:27 AM
10/03/15 11:27 AM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,894 Spahn Ranch
RMCHRGR
OP
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OP
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Yeah, I need a 440 like another hole in my head.
The dude that sold the truck said he built it like a street machine so I'm sure it will be fun to drive.
I'm actually a small block guy but the one big block piece I've managed to save over the years is a good 400 block.
Thanks for all the compliments so far.
'71 Duster '72 Challenger '17 Ram 1500
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Re: Got myself a truck! '76 D100 400/4speed short bed!
[Re: RMCHRGR]
#1926055
10/05/15 08:43 AM
10/05/15 08:43 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,681 Buford, GA
I_bleed_MOPAR
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Buford, GA
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Nice!! My first new car was a '74 PW. Old and new I've had 6 '74-'80 PWs over the years and would love to find another PW or D series like you did. Tim
'71 Charger 383/727 '17 Challenger SXT (Wifeys car )
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Re: Got myself a truck! '76 D100 400/4speed short bed!
[Re: RMCHRGR]
#1927365
10/06/15 10:42 PM
10/06/15 10:42 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,894 Spahn Ranch
RMCHRGR
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OP
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Truck arrived today, earlier than expected. 4 1/2 days across the country, not bad.
Anyway, couple minor disappointments but overall I'm pretty happy with it. It needs a little more body work than I thought but that's OK, I don't have to worry about it too much. It'll give me the opportunity to learn how to smooth panels!
The main bummer is that I was unable register it because the P.O. failed to sign the title correctly and the DMV would not accept it. Short of forging his signature, I have to send it back to him to sign correctly and go back to the DMV. Grrrrr.....
So despite having no plates/registration I still had to go to NJ to go pay the transporter. So I go out there and everything is cool, seems to run OK, sounds decent, a nice mellow rumble. There's still current plates on it so I figure I'll drive it carefully home.
I start it up, pop the hood and start checking everything over to make sure nothing looks totally out of whack. Wouldn't you know it, there's a pinhole leak in the top radiator tank and coolant is peeing out in a nice gentle arc onto the inner fender. I notice that the coolant recovery bottle is full so I'm wondering what was up. Maybe it was just a coincidence but my skeptical side thought otherwise. Was the tank full to make me think it was OK? I dunno, radiators spring leaks all the time, especially old ones. Not too upset about it except for the wasted time.
Either way, I couldn't drive it 80 miles home like that. I happen to have a 26" radiator here at home but obviously it did me no good right then so I had to call the hook. I have Triple AAA + so it was pretty cheap. Took a long time through NYC rush hour traffic but I still came out money ahead.
Unfortunately, I didn't get to drive it except into the driveway so I have no idea what it's like yet. Brakes might need adjusted and I think the timing could use a little advance but again, seems like it runs OK. Just a worn old truck to haul stuff with and eventually fix up.
Updates soon.
'71 Duster '72 Challenger '17 Ram 1500
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Re: Got myself a truck! '76 D100 400/4speed short bed!
[Re: RMCHRGR]
#1927517
10/07/15 03:22 AM
10/07/15 03:22 AM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,833 east side of Ohio
basketcase
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master
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east side of Ohio
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still cheaper than that big monthly payment for a new one, and not near as much fun.
Dave
1981 Dodge D150 360 auto
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Re: Got myself a truck! '76 D100 400/4speed short bed!
[Re: basketcase]
#1927614
10/07/15 11:24 AM
10/07/15 11:24 AM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,894 Spahn Ranch
RMCHRGR
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OP
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still cheaper than that big monthly payment for a new one, and not near as much fun. That's the way I see it! Issues aside, I'm pretty happy with it. There are some good parts on it.
'71 Duster '72 Challenger '17 Ram 1500
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Re: Got myself a truck! '76 D100 400/4speed short bed!
[Re: RMCHRGR]
#1928496
10/08/15 06:00 PM
10/08/15 06:00 PM
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,356 Kentucky
dfsmopars
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Kentucky
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I get it. Anything that is running and drivable with three pedals is worth going after. I'm a am envious. Enjoy.
‘72 Charger, 5.9 Magnum, Tremec 5 spd., Pro-Touring ‘14 Big Horn, Quad Cab, 4x4, 1500
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