Dodge D series facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dodge D/W series
Overview
Manufacturer	Chrysler Corporation
Also called	Dodge Ram (1980–1993) Dodge W series (4x4 models) Dodge Power Ram (4x4 models from 1980–1993)
Production	1960–1993
Assembly	Warren Truck Assembly, Warren, Michigan, United States Santo André, Brazil (1968-1984) Windsor Assembly, Canada Bogotá, Colombia (1969-1976)
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size pickup truck
Body style	2-door truck 4-door truck
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive Front engine, four-wheel drive
Platform	Chrysler AD platform
Chronology
Predecessor	Dodge C series
Successor	Dodge Ram (newer platforms have "D" prefixed in its identity)

The D/W series was a popular line of pickup trucks made by Dodge. These trucks were sold for a long time, from October 1960 all the way to September 1993. The basic design stayed pretty much the same for over 30 years!

The D/W series trucks shared their main structure, called the AD platform, with other Dodge vehicles like the Dodge Ramcharger. If a truck was a 4x2 model (meaning it had power to two wheels), it was called a "D" series. If it was a 4x4 model (with power to all four wheels), it was called a "W" series.

First Generation (1961–1965)

First generation
First generation Dodge D-100
Overview
Production	1960–1965
Body and chassis
Body style	2/4-door pickup truck
Powertrain
Engine	170 cu in (2.8 L) Slant-six I6 225 cu in (3.7 L) Slant-six I6 318 cu in (5.2 L) A V8 413 cu in (6.8 L) RB V8 426 cu in (7.0 L) RB V8
Transmission	3/4-speed manual 3-speed push button automatic 4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	114 in (2,896 mm) (regular cab 6.5 ft (2.0 m) bed) 122 in (3,099 mm) (regular cab 8 ft (2.4 m) bed) 133 in (3,378 mm) (regular cab 9 ft (2.7 m) Utiline bed) 146 in (3,708 mm) (crew cab 6.5 ft (2.0 m) bed)

The first Dodge D series trucks came out in 1960. They offered many different engine choices. These included smaller six-cylinder engines and larger V8 engines.

A cool new feature for 1963 was the four-door "crew-cab" version. This meant the truck had two rows of seats, like a car. Dodge was the first of the "Big Three" American car makers to sell a truck like this from the factory.

Rear view of a 1964 D-200

These trucks came with different bed styles. Some had smooth, straight sides, called "Sweptline" beds. Others had step-sided, narrower beds, called "Utiline" beds. These were available in different lengths.

The first generation D series trucks were made in Warren, Michigan. They were sold under both the Dodge and Fargo names.

Custom Sports Special and High-Performance

In 1964, Dodge introduced a sporty version called the Custom Sports Special. This truck had cool features like bucket seats, a center console, and racing stripes.

You could also get an optional "high-performance package." This package came with a powerful V8 engine. For example, the 1965 model had a 426 cubic inch V8. This engine made a lot of power, similar to the fast "muscle cars" of that time. This special package also included a strong automatic transmission, a tachometer to show engine speed, power steering, and special parts to help with traction.

Second Generation (1965–1971)

Second generation
1971 Dodge D-100
Overview
Production	1965–1971
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door pickup truck 4-door pickup truck
Powertrain
Engine	225 cu in Chrysler Slant-6 318 cu in B B 383 cu in B B 421 cu in RB V8 426 cu in RB V8 440 cu in RB V8 361 cu in B V8
Transmission	3/4-speed manual 3-speed, dash or column mounted automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	114 in (2,896 mm) (regular cab 6.5 ft (2.0 m) bed) 128 in (3,251 mm) (regular cab 8 ft (2.4 m) bed) 133 in (3,378 mm) (regular cab 9 ft (2.7 m) Utiline bed) 146 in (3,708 mm) (crew cab 6.5 ft (2.0 m) bed)

1965–1967

The D series trucks got a small update in the spring of 1965. This is why you might see some 1965 models with two headlights and others with four. Updates included a wider tailgate and new engines. In 1967, bigger 383 V8 engines became a standard option.

1966 Fargo, sold only in Canada as a Dodge D-series clone

From 1965 until the early 1980s, D-series trucks were built in Warren, Michigan. They were also made in other countries, like Israel. In Israel, they were used by both regular people and the Israeli Army. They even made a bus version of the D500 truck for the army!

1968–1971

The 1968 models got a new front grille. A new "Adventurer" trim package was introduced, replacing the Custom Sports Special. This package added nice features like padded seats, carpet, and extra chrome.

1968–1969 Dodge D-100

By 1970, the Adventurer package grew into three different levels: Adventurer, Adventurer Sport, and the top-of-the-line Adventurer SE. The Adventurer SE had fancy things like a chrome grille, wood trim inside, special door panels, and full wheel covers. The 1970 models also had a new grille design.

1970 Dodge "The Dude" pickup

"The Dude"

In August 1969, Dodge released a special version called "The Dude Sport Trim Package." This was a D100 truck with cool added features. It had a "C" shaped stripe on the side, a "Dodge Dude" sticker on the back, and special wheel covers. The tailgate was also unique, with "Dodge" written on a flat surface instead of the usual raised logo.

"The Dude" trucks were only made in 1970 and 1971, and only about 1,500 to 2,000 of them were produced. A famous actor named Don Knotts helped promote "The Dude" in commercials.

Third Generation (1972–1993)

Third generation
Overview
Production	1971–1993
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door pickup truck 4-door pickup truck
Related	Dodge Ramcharger
Powertrain
Engine	170 cu in (2.8 L) Slant-6 I6 225 cu in (3.7 L) Slant-6 I6 318 cu in (5.2 L) LA V8 360 cu in (5.9 L) LA V8 400 cu in (6.6 L) B V8 440 cu in (7.2 L) RB V8 243 cu in (3,988 cc) 6DR5 I6 Diesel
Transmission	3/4-speed manual 3-speed column-mounted automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	115 in (2,921 mm) (regular cab 6.5 ft (2.0 m) bed) 131 in (3,327 mm) (regular cab 8 ft (2.4 m) bed) 133 in (3,378 mm) (Club Cab 6.5 ft (2.0 m) bed) 135 in (3,429 mm) (regular cab 9 ft (2.7 m) Utiline bed, 1972 only) 149 in (3,785 mm) (crew cab 6.5 ft (2.0 m) bed and Club Cab 8 ft (2.4 m) bed) 165 in (4,191 mm) (crew cab 9 ft (2.7 m) bed)

The D series trucks got a new, more rounded look for the 1972 model year. This new design lasted until 1980. It included new features like a special front suspension that helped with a smoother ride. The taillights were also set back a bit to protect them from damage. These trucks were built with a lot of galvanized steel, which helped them resist rust and last a long time.

Dodge was a leader in making "extended-cab" pickups. They introduced the "Club Cab" in 1973. This cab had two doors but more space behind the front seats than a regular cab. It wasn't as long as the four-door crew cab. The Club Cab could even have small jump seats that faced inward, allowing up to five passengers.

The 1972 D series truck became famous on the TV show Emergency! A D300 truck was used as the rescue vehicle for paramedics in all seven seasons of the show.

Special Models

1979 Li'l Red Express truck

During this time, Dodge made some really cool and unique truck models. These included the 1978–1979 Li'l Red Express, the Warlock, and the Macho Power Wagon series.

The Warlock was a special, factory-customized truck. It was made in limited numbers in 1976 and then more widely from 1977 to 1979. Warlocks often came in black, red, green, or blue. They had custom gold wheels, wide tires, bucket seats, and a special bed with oak racks. They also had gold pinstriping on the outside and inside. These trucks were designed to appeal to young buyers who wanted a unique 4x4.

1977 Dodge Warlock

The Li'l Red Express was a very fast and unique truck. It had big exhaust pipes that went up behind the cab, like a big rig! It was not sold in all states due to special noise rules. Because of this, some dealers created their own version called the "Midnite Express." These were usually black Warlock trucks that had Li'l Red Express parts added to them. Most Midnite Express trucks had a larger 440 engine.

These special trucks were called "lifestyle" pickups. They were made for people who wanted a truck that was fun and showed off their personality, not just for work.

Diesel Engines

In 1978, Dodge offered its first diesel engine option for pickup trucks. This engine was a 4.0-liter six-cylinder diesel from Mitsubishi. It was a good choice for saving fuel, but it wasn't very powerful compared to the gasoline engines. Because of low sales, this option was only available for a short time.

D200-based M880 CUCV

Many D-series trucks were also used by the military. They were known as the M880 series.

Dodge Ram (1981–1993)

1983 Dodge Ram D150 shortbed

In October 1980, the D series trucks got an update and were renamed the Dodge Ram. This happened when Lee Iacocca took charge of Chrysler. The trucks got new grilles, hoods, taillights, and completely new interiors. The tailgate now had "DODGE RAM" written on it.

Starting in 1982, even more rust-resistant steel was used to build these trucks, making them very durable. This body style continued until 1993. Many of these trucks are still on the road today! It's common to see parts from different years swapped onto these trucks because many body panels fit models from 1971 to 1993. The narrow "Utiline" bed, which had been around since the 1940s, was stopped in 1985.

Newer engine technologies were added, like throttle-body injection in 1988. The engine choices included the six-cylinder "slant-6" and two V8 engines. In 1989, a powerful Cummins B-series diesel engine became an option.

Sales of these trucks were good for a while. However, by the 1980s and 1990s, the design was getting old. Many people preferred trucks from Chevrolet and Ford. A completely new Dodge Ram truck was released for the 1994 model year.

Engines

See also

• Fargo Trucks