1971 D200 Conversion W200

[Wellser]

Hello All,

I have a 1971 D-200 that I have brought back from the brink of oblivion (might be exaggerating a little, but not much). It's a sentimental truck that was my Father's and I love having it in good running order.

The only thing that it lacks to be everything I could hope for is 4 Wheel Drive. I've seen some chatter about this searching through the forums and it seems like there's some mixed opinions about taking on the project. I'm not a wizard mechanic like some of you folks and would love some specific feedback on if I move forward what things I need to consider.

My truck has a 383 and an Automatic Transmission (727 loadflite). It's a longbed (128" Wheel base?) and the Adventurer/Camper Special

I know I need to find a front axle and transfer case. Maybe a shorter drive shaft for the space the transfer case takes up.

Also, I'll probably be looking for parts if anyone has some lying around in Northern Colorado.

Thanks in advance for the help!

Wells

[Wildergarten]

The only thing that it lacks to be everything I could hope for is 4 Wheel Drive.
[Snip]
My truck has a 383 and an Automatic Transmission (727 loadflite). It's a longbed (128" Wheel base?) and the Adventurer/Camper Special

An automatic is not an easy place to start from to go to 4X4 using standard Sweptline era drivetrain components.

[BigBlockTrucks]

I agree with wildergarten. The big block makes it even worse as far as price goes.
If you plan on a standard shift guys want around $500 for just a bell housing.
In the end it is probably cheaper to body swap onto a later model 4x4 chassis.

[712edf]

What you need is a 69-71 W200 donor truck to get yours as close to a "bolt-in" set-up as possible. It would have everything needed. But then you may not know its condition.

Or you could get multiple pieces from various trucks.

To keep your engine/transmission you can get a divorced NP205 transfer case from a 69-74 W100/200/300 truck.
Front axle can be from 61-74 W200 if you want drum brakes, or 75-later for discs.
75-79 D44F & D60F are full time. 80-84 have selectable manual locking hubs. 85-later D44F switched to CAD, D60F did not.

Reportedly you cant use a 75-later front axle with a divorced transfer case due to improper pinion angle but many claim to have done so without any issues.

Some choose the route of finding a 4x4 chassis & swapping over their cab.

Have you considered buying a second truck (4x4) and keeping yours stock?

Bucky

[PwrWgnDrvr]

Doesn't the auto trans have to be shortened in order to get the transfer case behind it?
Some other items needed are intermediate drive shaft, t-case crossmember and longer speedo cable.

[Wildergarten]

Doesn't the auto trans have to be shortened in order to get the transfer case behind it?

Correct. And for the record, I have an NP205 and a Dana 44 front axle for sale. I wouldn't recommend it because I just wouldn't try it. I'm with BigBlockTrucks in suggesting a later model chassis if he really wants an automatic transmission, but that's no walk in the park either.

[PwrWgnDrvr]

Auto trans W's were a factory option for the later swepts, so its not an aftermarket mod, but they are extremely scarce. I've owned, seen and photographed hundreds of swepts and never seen a single one with an auto. Swapping to a later chassis would totally negate any realistic similarity to "dad's truck".

[BigBlockTrucks]

I have seen a few rolling 4x4 chassis on market place for sale. They come up occasionally some have done a body swap and most in the northeast are because it’s all that’s left after rust ate the body.

[BigBlockTrucks]

I have never seen a 4x4 with automatic in a sweptline either.
Is there any proof that they exist?

[PwrWgnDrvr]

I have never seen a 4x4 with automatic in a sweptline either.
Is there any proof that they exist?

Dodge Pickups History by Don Bunn and Tom Brownell, pg 162:
1970/71 "a three speed automatic became optional for the W100 and W200 pickups."

IIRC, Aaron Arnold in Texas has a W300 with a factory auto.

If the sweptline registry were to ever be fixed, it could be searched for that option.

[712edf]

The 727 automatic was supposedly available from 1970-onward, at least in 100/200 series.
I think it was the shorty 727. I believe the D series may have used the longer 727. I overlooked that fact in my first post.

Bucky

[PwrWgnDrvr]

The 727 automatic was supposedly available from 1970-onward, at least in 100/200 series.
I think it was the shorty 727. I believe the D series may have used the longer 727. I overlooked that fact in my first post.

Bucky

Yes, D's have a long 727. Have parted several of those!
A shorty big block 727 would probably be hell to find.

[Wellser]

Wow, thanks for all the replies. I appreciate the insights.

I have considered keeping this one as is and then finding something else to meet my 4x4 desires, but looking around for one got discouraging fast. There doesn't seem to be a lot out there and what is available is more money than I have to throw around (not that they're not worth it for sure). Maybe I'm not looking in the right places.

I do also like the later era Sweptline: 69-71, probably just because that's what I have. I don't think I'd want to go through the trouble of finding a 4x4 chassis then doing a body swap although that is an idea.

Back to issue at hand, I'm not married to the automatic transmission, I'd actually prefer a manual. I'm mainly trying to do as little as possible to make the 4x4 conversion happen. I already don't like the idea of changing it from the original so much. Plus, I thought I saw a W200 somewhere on the internet that has a 383/727 set up. I could have been wrong. That being said adding a transmission to this conversation equation makes it less appealing still.

I've put a fair amount of time and money into this one and, believe it or not, my 14 year old Daughter is interested in it. So that's another point toward keeping it as is.

[Wellser]

Here's a 1971 W100 that has an automatic transmission.

Full Listing:
https://fourbieexchange.com/listing/197 ... -06012022/

[Hobcobble]

If it were me.... I'd look for a W and keep your D a D. I've been in
the "middle" of a D200 to W200 conversion for years.... partly due
to the non-Sweptline demands of life.... and partly due to the
untold hours it takes to do something like this alone [in my case].

John

[712edf]

Yes, D's have a long 727. Have parted several of those!
A shorty big block 727 would probably be hell to find.

I think motor homes & maybe D300 crew cabs had them.

Bucky

[dougdodgeman]

I have a factory '71 W300 crew cab that Aaron Arnold once "owned" but never had in his possession, so I'm sure they existed. How many is another story however? Doug

[soopernaut]

Here's a 71 W200 with a 383 and auto. It's original per the VIN plate. I've probably seen 10-15 4WDs with autos from the factory.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/195670476974?h ... R9Cm3cLgYQ

[PowerMan]

Here are a couple reference pics from a 71 W100 I helped restore a few years back
383/727/205
727 had the shortest output you can get.
The intermediate driveshaft was obviously rather short but still had the proper slip yoke.
I have worked on a 65 W200 that had a 413/727 (not stock) using the stock NP201. Using this short tailshaft version 727 (usually from motorhomes) no issues were had.

I do have a NP205 with PTO, crossmember, 4x4 driveshafts (for 128" wheelbase truck), PTO driveshafts and a factory Braden LU-2 winch with brackets and bumper for sale in Northern CA if you were interested.

[Wellser]

Here's a 71 W200 with a 383 and auto. It's original per the VIN plate. I've probably seen 10-15 4WDs with autos from the factory.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/195670476974?h ... R9Cm3cLgYQ

Yes, that is a pretty good looking truck. I'll keep my eye on it. Thanks for the heads up!