What ‘72-‘80 D-Series Trim Packages? Custom, Advent?

Is there a definition or list of options, trim package, etc, that would be built into/included in a “Custom” vs “Adventurer” model, etc?

Was the “Custom” the Base model? What models were available in 1974?

I own a ‘74 W200 Custom 200 pickup and was curious.

Thanks

Some of your questions can be answered via the pages at http://www.hamtramck-historical.com/dealerships/1974DealershipDataBook-08.shtml

I can't tell you piece by piece, year by year, but this is the generalized version:

Custom was the low end and pretty much means no side trim and a plain chrome strip across the dash.

Adventurer was mid level trim and included the upper side spear, tail light surround and a wood grain strip across the dash.

SE was top level trim and included Adventurer items plus lower side moulding, woodgrain dash face and longer door panels with carpeting along the bottom.

As near as I can tell, 80 / earlier Prospector package was a custom with a side spear but none of the other Adventurer items.

I think the woodgrain door panel insert was part of the Adventurer package in some years, part of the SE package in other years. Pretty sure the aluminum tail gate insert was SE only. I also think Custom was low back buckets or bench while SE was the optional (in lower trim levels) high backs as standard.

Try browsing around these two sites - they both have a big selection of original dealership brochures:

http://www.lov2xlr8.no/dodge.html
http://oldcarbrochures.com/

The 76 pickup brochure on the first site seems to have the most info.

http://www.lov2xlr8.no/brochures/dodge/76pick/bilder/9.jpg

The top trim level in '74 was called an Adventurer Sport.

Appreciate the Great replies and links.

DC

Some years such as 1975 they made an Adventurer SE which I think was top dog.
SE and Adventurer also had 2-tone paint.
I thought the Prospector was 81-up
Then there was also the Camper Special option not to mention Macho, Warlock, Little Red and Big Horn models.

Not totally up on 74 but I'm sure it was about the same as 77-78. Like stated before Adventurer Sport was the top of the line in 74. Not sure on 75 but by 76 top of the line was Adventurer SE. Custom was the base model and Adventurer was the middle trim level. 77-78 Adventurer SE was special seat material, door panels, wood grain dash, emblems and several other things that really don't matter like dual horns, power steering, oil pressure gauge, AM FM radio etc..... Pretty much all models could have been ordered with the exterior trim, monotone paint and two tone in 3 different styles. So a customer could have been speced out with all the trim and two tone paint on a Custom but they usually were not. Hope that helps you

Good to know.

My truck started out as a Pacific Telephone Utility Truck. It came with a LA 360 (largest engine you could get with the manual transmission). A friend has (or had) a W200 with a 440 and manual transmission, but it was not Factory.

A subsequent owner swapped on a Sweptline Bed. That bed was thrashed, so I found one in better shape off a ‘75 Pickup at a PIck-A-Part. This truck is a lowly Custom, though my replacement bed was off a more delux model.

DC

Top Hand, Palomino, Pick-M-Up and a few other appearance packages as well. Camper Special was more of a hardware package and marketed toward people that wanted to slide a camper in to the bed. I think pretty much a 200 w/ dual tanks, heavier springs and I dunno what else.

During the 80s the Adventurer and SE packages were phased out and replaced with (3) different levels of Prospector packages. I think the term is "badge engineering". I've seen the dealer brochures from the mid 80s that break down what's in each level. The pre 80 Prospector package seems to be an undocumented mystery. My one previous owner RC has the Prospector decal and the upper spear but a Custom emblem on the dash and no trim level option code on the under hood label.

The top trim level in 1974 was the Adventurer SE, not the Adventurer Sport. The Adventurer SE was always the top trim level any year it was offered, from 1971-1980. In 1981 the Royal name replaced the Adventurer name.

Base Custom, slant 6, 3 sp std, hub caps, chrome front bumper, manual disc brake and manual steering. As for options any of them were available except outside bright work. The custom could have though a narrow(about 1" wide molding that followed the body line, 2 tone paint not required and a narrow molding around the back of the cab, only available though if 2 tone paint was ordered with roof color being different

My dads 74 Custom had the side molding with the whole truck in Bronze met., 318, auto, PS, full wheel covers, painted rear step, and spare tire.