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.

I agree you are a little nuts and I am willing to help you save your marriage just send it north to WA state. Good score. I fully understand the reasons for going west to find less rust having lived in upstate NY. Now she's asking to haul stuff next she'll de-horse you out of it, silly boys,trucks are for girls in the back window. Good start on an great truck.

I think it's nice and I would have done the same thing but I would not put any trim on as it will create a rust area,instead I would use a decal or pinstripe of some nature.

Tuff wheel and 8 track player is reason enough right?

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.

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.

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!

I think we both have the same problem....

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.

Clean looking truck, definitely a nice find with the big block and a stick already in place.

Nice truck, that will be a fun one!

I've got a fresh 440 on a stand in my shop that would make that old truck soooo much fun!

Nice find!

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.

Nice Truck !!

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

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.

Shortie with a big block, that's cool.

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.

I get it. Anything that is running and drivable with three pedals is worth going after. I'm a am envious. Enjoy.