Opinions needed on 72 to 75 D100 or W100 Dodge Truck

67Dart273 said
There ARE ways around "things" although I don't know all the secret parts combinations

Guys used to use Ford 1/2 T axles under Dodge 1/2 T because the bolt pattern is the same.

If you can convert the front end there was (at the time) a workaround for the full time box, I don't remember the details.

I don't have the time, money, and energy for that, anymore. I would love to have a "hot" 2WD pickkup, an old "square body" or a Dakota with a SB and OD torqueflite.

See that's what I figured. For drive train stuff, there's plenty of stuff out there that can be made to fit. Just costs money. Something I wish I had more of.

RustyRatRod said
You can get the Dodge and walk home, or get a Ford and deal with the ugly and never walk.

Hahah....That's a good point. Having to walk home sucks.

I had a Ford Ranger that was tough as nails. I put over 200k miles on it and kept going. I abused it in the desert, gone through mountains and stuff and never quit on me. I really abused it actually. LOL I ended up selling it and now I miss having a truck. That's why I'm in this position.

But really, drivetrain-wise....a Dodge truck shouldn't be too much different than my Duster. I do worry about other parts though. Like the interior parts that others say is hard to find.

Dr dan said
I've owned several Dodge trucks from '72 -78 most were 2wd but the '72 was 4wd I've had big blocks and small blocks. They are great trucks but don't really have the fit & finish of their counterparts. They are dependable and easy to work on when needed. It's been mentioned that the aftermarket support is miserable, so finding body and interior components can be tough. Drive train parts & chassis parts are no problem. I completely dislike Ford trucks, mostly because of the awful twin I beam suspension. How they managed to keep selling them is amazing to me, but then we keep electing democrats to public office too. Go figure.

You know, the twin traction beam of the earlier Fords is a selling point to me. Those are fabulous for high speed desert fun. You know...industries have been made around the Ford TTB suspension. Companies like Camburg and Giant Motorsports have awesome I-Beam kits. You can get crazy amounts of travel out of them. They do have drawbacks though.

I always wanted a '98 and older Ranger just for the twin traction beam suspension.