So, I'm thinking 6 months down the line after I get my Dart back and the gremlins sorted. I'm kind of looking for a truck I could either enjoy or tinker on. The truck will not be used as a daily driver, but it must be able to tow an open trailer with a car and haul parts on occasion. When it's not towing, I'd like it to either be a relaxing cruiser (nothing special horsepower wise) or a part-time off-road rig (mud and sand kind of stuff) as I sort of miss the Baja days. I'd prefer it to be a Mopar that can be bought on the cheaper side (less than $5k).

I have two options I was thinking of. Either going with an '81-'94 Ramcharger/D150/W150 or a '75 and older Ramcharger/D100/W100.

So, the pros that I can think of with the '81-'94 vehicles is that they're newer. Parts are abundant in parts stores and junkyards. The Magnum engines are going to output a lot more than the older 318/360's. Fuel injection! Should be safer due to safety regulations. Ramcharger comes with 4-wheel discs. The cons I see with them are that I don't necessarily like the looks of them compared to the older trucks and they have to be smogged. If they fail smog, it could mean big bucks to repair which may not be worth it on a cheap truck.

The pros that I can think of with the '75 and older vehicles are that there is absolutely no smog (huge benefit - no semi-annual inspection and free reign on engine swaps). If I get a small block (318/360) I can throw on my spare Paxton supercharger. If it's an LA engine, I can have a smaller inventory of small block parts as my Dart will have a 408. I like the looks a lot better than the newer vehicles. Besides that, the cons are more along the lines of safety and availability of parts. I am a big advocate of disc brakes and I believe they didn't become standard on trucks till about '73?

Either way, both sets of trucks can be had for less than $5k. I don't really care if it looks pristine or is a beater. What are your thoughts? Any other options?

I can tell you one thing for a fact, short wheelbase trucks, and especially Ramchargers are HORRIBLE tow vehicles! They look cooler no doubt, but they just are not practical for towing or hauling anything.

I'd look at an older 3/4 ton. Will have at least a Dana 60 rear and a 44 front. Be better set up for towing/off road. In CA it shouldn't be hard to find one with no rust. I'd go reg cab long box or ext cab short box. To get one with fuel injection worth anything you'd be looking at a '92 or later (92 the 5.2 magnum came out, 93 was the 5.9), the earlier TBI truck are gutless. U could get a big block til '78. They're prone to rusting around the drip rail at the front of the cab, if one is rusty there move one,not an easy fix. Happy hunting!

Perhaps you mean 81-93? 94 was a completely new body style. Most of these did not have Magnum engines or fuel injection. See WO23Coronet's post on when the Magnums came out. The LA engines had TBI fuel injection in 88/89 (318/360). I'm not aware of any Ramcharger having rear discs either.

4WD trucks didn't have disc brakes on the front until 1975, except I think the Ramcharger had them in 74. The 75-79 trucks were full time 4WD and the front axle is the least desirable axle of all generations of Dodge trucks. The 2WD trucks had discs standard in 73 but optional in 72.

So, what I'm getting from this is probably aim for an extended cab or long bed '73-75 D100/D200 pickup to get the lack-of smog, front disc brakes, a good rear end? Maybe a '75 W100/W200 or a '74-75 Ramcharger.

All of my information on the Ramcharger I listed were from kbb or wikipedia so who knows how accurate it is?

Nope. Regardless of what KBB or Edmunds says.

You could get by with a shortbox if:
1) You're not towing often/far/fast/heavy.
2) You drive well in advance of your actual position on the road.
3) You ensure you have working trailer brakes.

Otherwise I agree with what everybody else suggested.

If you want to bump up your budget a bit I know where there's a tricked out '78 shortbox 2wd with zero emissions equipt. from the factory available.

I've towed with various short wheel base vehicles. Not fun, they tend to want to whip. For lighter loads they did ok, but towing cars was sketchy a few times. Now I tow with a long box 3/4 ton and it's night and day difference. I will say the 3/4 ton sucks at off roading compared to the short wheel base rigs.

So, now where I'm getting to is buy a '73-75 3/4 ton long bed or extended cab for cruising and towing and find an alternative, budget friendly off-roading rig.

For towing, would 4WD prove to be significantly more beneficial than 2WD? Aka, is it really worth looking for a W series truck over a D series?

Unless you need (or want) the 4x4, it will have little positive effect on towing, 4x4 slightly decreases MPG (which will be in the 10-12 mpg range anyway), and adds more drive train upkeep.

I think I would give some thought to how much towing you will actually be doing with the truck as well. 3/4 tons are more expensive for up keep then a similarly equipped 1/2 ton (tires, brakes and suspension parts all cost more for a 3/4 ton then for a 1/2 ton). An extra spring (or 2) in the rear spring packs will make a standard issue long box or extended cab short box 1/2 ton truck into a great tow rig if the trailer has he proper brakes and if your really going to be towing once a month or less. Gene

It's not going to do much towing. If anything, no more than probably 100-200 miles round trip once a month or so unless I start getting more into my racing. But I wouldn't mind a decent 2WD truck that I could cruise around town while my Dart is being worked on.

If you're just towing your dart on an open trailer, a half ton will do fine. You could do a lifted one with some nice tires and it would do ok at doubling as your off road rig.

Please buy a CLUB CAB with a SURE GRIP, not an extended cab with a posi...

What about a Regular Cab with a Torsen?

So, just for reference, these are what I should be looking for except being in running condition and/or cheaper? Probably straying away from the short beds or step-sides?

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/5362866569.html

http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/cto/5350653941.html

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/cto/5327260349.html

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/5356120824.html (Crew cab just for Rhinodart )

I would take the 73 crew cab out of those choices, but if you are going to be towing long distance I would get something newer say mid 90's and up. Those old trucks are a lot more fatiguing to drive long distances than something modern.

The crew cab has a rusted through roof, big block (not entirely bad) and is a long truck, which makes them a pita to park. The rusted roof is the biggest problem.

Of the ones listed, I'd go look at the one with the topper (the 2nd one listed). Gene

The rust can be repaired fairly easy and for 2200 bucks it's the best deal. The others are over priced...way over! I just (cheaply)bought a one owner D200 this week and waiting on it to be delivered Saturday. It will the new tow truck for my '78 Chrysler Conqueror boat.

Why are you narrowing your search to early 70s trucks? oh.. that's right. They are cheaper to maintain. Are you sure about that?
There are good trucks and good deals to be found if your patient enough. What about 1990's Cummins diesels?

There was a time I wouldn't give a pick-up truck a second look. Long wheelbase Dodge Sportsman or Tradesman vans were my favorite race car tow vehicle. I could haul family, friends to the track and tools on the construction site. If I was still racing I would consider getting one.

https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/5363031086.html

https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/5362215955.html

https://orangecounty.craigslist.org/cto/5327794567.html

He was looking for a larger pickup truck, old enough to be emission test exempt. The vans do not fit within either request, and the diesel is out of the given price range. If he is expanding the request perimeters....

I've had great luck with my 93 Dakota, and it has pulled a car trailer. Older Dakota's, around here, are getting pretty cheap as well. Any V8 Dakota that is not the short box, standard cab would tow a trailer great, and the gas mileage is up a couple mpg more then the full size trucks, until you get into the 2000 model year and newer Dakotas.

But, I don't have to meet emission tests, and I don't have to get it tested every year either.

Is the emission test exception based on the vehicle being so many years old (like anything over 30 years old does not have to be tested), or is it locked at a specific model year (must be a 1980 model year or older)? Gene

I never said the vans did fit the (his)bill. They were my preference years ago and were posted as EXAMPLES of whats out there. Things aren't always as cheap as they seem especially when it comes to 40+ year old vehicles and the constant upkeep that comes with them not to mention how unreliable they are.. I merely IMPLIED he expand his search regardless of Cali smog tests. I would assume the vehicles I have links to are California smog legal or were until recently.
Vans are cheap and plentiful and the diesel besides a good looking truck the asking price isn't written in stone.