Vintage Dodge Truck Purchase (Opinion)
#2437894
01/20/18 12:52 PM
01/20/18 12:52 PM
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,819 Middle of A Field
OrangeProwler
OP
top fuel
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OP
top fuel
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,819
Middle of A Field
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It has been a while but, doing my usual thinking I've developed a hankering regarding vintage trucks. The first vintage truck I had and now regret selling to this day is my '79 Lil Red Express. However, I'm also a fan of the older Sweptlines and Pilot House trucks as well. On other hand, I do like some of the other trucks 72-80 but, has it to be the right combination.
So, being a glutton for punishment I've been looking at some older Dodge trucks and just wondering if you had to buy one what would you choose? The only restrictions would be '80-prior, power steering, run/drives, and under 10k budget? Just looking for some feedback to throw into my random thinking.
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Re: Vintage Dodge Truck Purchase (Opinion)
[Re: OrangeProwler]
#2437953
01/20/18 02:27 PM
01/20/18 02:27 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,900 Central Florida
larrymopar360
Stud Muffin
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Stud Muffin
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,900
Central Florida
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I love those old Pilot House trucks too. Quite a challenge in all ways though. e.g. finding one, fixing and repairing, maintaining, but I'm sure you know all this. Probably going to have to go west to find one not completely rotted out to stay within $10k.
I love the 72-80 trucks too. I had a 79 Adventurer 150 and missed it since the day I sold it. Recently FINALLY fulfilled my desire again and bought a 1979 Power Wagon 150 short bed, standard cab, 360-4, 727. In my opinion these are the perfect years. Vintage yet don't have the straight axle front suspension (in the 2wd) and can find with front disc brakes and dual master cylinder, 12 volt system, V8, and many other things that you may not have in the old Pilot House trucks. But again, I do love them, so if you can do it (and you did say you're a glutton for punishment) go for it!
Last edited by larrymopar360; 01/20/18 02:36 PM.
Facts are stubborn things.
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Re: Vintage Dodge Truck Purchase (Opinion)
[Re: larrymopar360]
#2437972
01/20/18 03:20 PM
01/20/18 03:20 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,976 Chilliwack B.C. Canada
RUNCHARGER
I Live Here
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I Live Here
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,976
Chilliwack B.C. Canada
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I love the 57's and 66-71 Sweptlines. However for something you drive in traffic etc. it is just so much easier to buy a 72-80 with their P.S. and disc brakes. I find the 72-80's look nice too with their 71 Road Runner style fender openings and bird bath hood.
Sheldon
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Re: Vintage Dodge Truck Purchase (Opinion)
[Re: OrangeProwler]
#2438048
01/20/18 06:25 PM
01/20/18 06:25 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,900 Central Florida
larrymopar360
Stud Muffin
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Stud Muffin
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 15,900
Central Florida
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I also had a '67 D100. That was my first vehicle, 16 years old. It was poly 318, three on the tree. Drum brakes all the way around, single system brakes, solid front axle. Talk about rough riding! It was a short bed, utiline. Love the looks, and the uniqueness of the three on the tree, but it started giving me trouble (getting stuck in third) and I had to convert it to floor. Double footed braking was necessary at times, and the floors were gone, and I think it must have had 4.10 gears. I could have made it more livable by converting front end and upgrading the brake system, but those two alone would cost thousands of dollars. Again, this is why the '72 thru '80 are the perfect trucks to me. Still get the cool square body, metal grilles and other parts that should be metal. Just have to find them without rust along drip rail and wheel wells, along with the other places you find in all old cars and trucks. Go West my friend, go West, haha.
Facts are stubborn things.
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Re: Vintage Dodge Truck Purchase (Opinion)
[Re: OrangeProwler]
#2438553
01/21/18 07:32 PM
01/21/18 07:32 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43,581 Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
Rhinodart
Rhinotruck
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Rhinotruck
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 43,581
Round Lake Beach, Illinoisy
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I drove a 79 LRE daily in the 80's, had a few other LRE's and Warlocks since then but sold them all. I have been into the Sweptlines for a couple decades now, but just sold my baby after 22 years but at least it went to a Moparts member. Mine had power steering and brakes, they worked great! I will have another one day...
Last edited by Rhinodart; 01/22/18 10:49 AM.
The funny thing about science is that if you change one miniscule parameter you change the entire outcome to the way you want it.
JB Rhinehart, Realist
A-Body's RULE!
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Re: Vintage Dodge Truck Purchase (Opinion)
[Re: OrangeProwler]
#2438803
01/22/18 12:58 AM
01/22/18 12:58 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,588 Freeport IL USA
poorboy
I Live Here
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I Live Here
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Posts: 10,588
Freeport IL USA
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If power steering is a must, you need to stay with the 72-93 truck. 72 has some one of things going on,and you wanted to stay under 1980, so a 73-79 would be the choice.
Personally, I prefer the 49-59 trucks, but someone would have done a lot of work to have power steering on those years. In my case, that someone would have been me. I could do a really nice driver truck for under $10,000, but there is a difference between a really nice driver, and a really nice truck. Really nice show trucks are not much fun to drive. Gene
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Re: Vintage Dodge Truck Purchase (Opinion)
[Re: OrangeProwler]
#2439936
01/24/18 11:36 AM
01/24/18 11:36 AM
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Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 20 Canada
Chris Johnson
member
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member
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 20
Canada
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Yeah, I used to have two trucks. The other truck I had was a black 1990 Dodge Dakota Convertible 2wd from California that was really clean/rust free. I sold that ten years ago to help pay for my wedding.
That was another regret and I did try to buy it back but, it wasn't in the cards. Anyways, I'll keep thinking, dreaming and looking for right now about the truck thing. Thank you again. I got a few more than a couple unfortunately... I have an addiction of building old trucks. If you want a Dakota I got one of those too I would let go. '87 RCSB that I put a 413 in. Motor rebuild 2years ago 30 over, but still with low compression industrial pistons and heads. Good little driver.
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Re: Vintage Dodge Truck Purchase (Opinion)
[Re: Chris Johnson]
#2441247
01/26/18 11:10 PM
01/26/18 11:10 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,886 Lost and Spaced
bboogieart
master
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master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,886
Lost and Spaced
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I gotta say, I really like the standard cab 71 to 80 2wd trucks. I have 2 now and would LOVE to find a swept line. I like that straight axle too. Had one back in the 80's and daily drove the heck out of it. Never needed 4 wheel drive myself. For me it would mean I would just get farther into the woods before I got stuck. 10 grand would go a loooong way in this type truck, if you are able to get it outside the rust belt.
I have mechanical Aptitude. I can screw up anything.
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