New Guy in NorCal

[JunkyardKustoms]

Hello everyone, I'm new to the Forum and just wanted to indroduce myself.I'm in Northern California but am originally from Arizona. It looks like I might be picking up a 1961 D200. I'll be honest, before it was offered to me I never knew about these trucks (other than seeing the one ICON built). Anyways, I've owned a few classics before and always do my own work. Not a Mechanic, just mechanically inclined and love old classics. So back to the truck, it's sat at my step-mother's family farm for about 10 years or so I think, supposedly it ran when parked. It looks like it used to be used by the State of California or something, it's yellow with a Utility Bed (still has the California Black Plate). Looks like a V8 (poly 318 I suppose) and a manual trans (not sure which one). According to the door tag, it has a "Spicer" rear axle with 4.10 gears. I plan on finding a normal bed for it and giving it a good hot rod treatment. Lowered, maybe a set of Coker tires, maybe short bed conversion depending on what bed I find for cheap. Hopefully I can get the Poly going well and it doesn't need too much . I've been looking around the forum since Thanksgiving when I saw the truck and heard the price tag of $$FREE$$! Looks like a wealth of knowledge here and look forward to starting this project in the next few months or so.

[Hobcobble]

Welcome to the site from a fellow '61 D200 owner!
John

[PwrWgnDrvr]

from WC
Assuming it is a long bed, I have a real decent early long bed available here. A big stash of other parts too.

[JunkyardKustoms]

Thanks for the well greetings. PwrWgnDrvr, that sounds like it might work out down the road. I'm at Travis AFB, but the truck is down in Visalia. About how much are you looking to get for the bed? I've seen them anywhere from $150-$1000. Right now I'm just getting prices.

[PwrWgnDrvr]

Bed is rust/rot free, sky blue paint, needs tailgate and lights. I would like $300. I may have a tailgate in my stash, $150-300 depending on condition. Keep in mind the early truck's wheelbase is shorter and the later beds won't fit. You will need a bed from 61-65.5 that has the round taillights and chain ties to secure the tailgate.
http://www.sweptline.org/SweptlineRegis ... /truck.jpg
http://www.sweptline.org/SweptlineRegis ... 1181178051

[JunkyardKustoms]

These are the only pictures I have of it. Body looks pretty rust free and complete. I think I want to keep the 17" steelies. Coker makes a 235/55R17 WWW that would look good I think.

[nytemuvr]

Just remember...nothing is free. It might have been a state truck, but they're usually orange and/or white for CalTrans and green for the Park Department for as long as I remember back then. If the plates are regular truck commercial plates then it's probably not a state truck or if the date stamped on the plate is '61. A truck from a military base wouldn't have commercial plates neither. There's a Pick 'n Pull close to you that has old trucks occasionally.....http://www.picknpull.com/check_inventory.aspx

[JunkyardKustoms]

I was guessing a state truck if some sort, but I guess if it's the wrong color then it wouldn't be. Either way. And I know that "free" isn't always just that. But it might be a decent start.

[Hobcobble]

Dang!!.... You really hit the jackpot on that truck.
Those look to be the stone stock 17.5" wheels / hubcaps too. The
mirrors are likely original equipment as well. Terry can set you up
with a decent box by the sounds of it. You'll have quite an excellent
rig!
John

[JunkyardKustoms]

17.5"? That's a new one for me. I've seen 16.5" before, but not 17.5". I'll have to double check the size. I just glanced and saw 17. Maybe it is 17.5 if that was stock. I might have to switch them out then. Not sure if I'll be able to find the size tire I'll need in a 17.5.

[bamm67d100]

Cool truck!

[lightning4x4]

Nice truck !!!! welcome posting.php?mode=reply&f=1&t=37323#

[JunkyardKustoms]

I keep going back and forth on if I want to pull the trigger on this D200, or keep my '02 F150 SuperCrew. I'm honestly not in love with the body style of the '61, but it's kind of growing on me.

[NewcastleHoward]

Welcome, there is two of us up the road from you in Newcastle with 4 headlight trucks. Mine is a 64' W200, Matthews is a 65' D100. If you need help call. I may want those rims if there for sale. Howard

[JunkyardKustoms]

Cool. It would be sweet to get together for a meet or something if I end up getting it. And the rims (if they are the 17.5") will almost definitely be up for sale.

[Txas2step]

Looks like a really nice truck. 1st year of the sweptline body style. I love my '61 shorty. Good luck on finding parts and getting it on the road! Chris.

[JunkyardKustoms]

I wish mine was a short box. I've looked into shortening the frame and sticking a short bed on it since I'll have to find a bed anyways. Then find a stock SWB driveshaft or shorten mine.

[slick]

Man I wish that utility box was a shortbed that thing is sweet. I love the truck

[PwrWgnDrvr]

Man I wish that utility box was a shortbed that thing is sweet. I love the truck

Ive got that exact utility box on a 70 SWB W100. Will sell the whole truck, or just the box. Should be a pic of it in the registry under my handle.