1970 Dodge D200 4X4 Question - How rare is a D series 4X4?

jlwarn2 · Post by **jlwarn2** » Mon Feb 28, 2005 10:21 am

How can I prove that my truck is an original 4X4. I have read that some D100 and D200 were 4X4. You can always see where a truck was made into a 4X4, I have ran into a couple people with the same problem. I am the 3rd owner of this truck, I bought it from a guy who's father purchased it new.

66patrick · Post by **66patrick** » Mon Feb 28, 2005 10:26 am

A factory 4x4 will be a W100, W200, or W300, and will say so on the cab tag as W100, etc. If it says "D100", then someone has either done a cab swap and used that VIN, or done a 4x4 conversion somewhere along the line.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Feb 28, 2005 10:34 am

If it has an 8 lug closed knuckle Dana 44 or 60 front end, at least the parts are era correct. But only with a single stick transfer case. 2 stick 1968 and older.

Check your sert boxes under the VIN area. If the 4X stuff is not listed on the tag in raised letters/numbers, it is not a factory 4X. D is 2X. W is 4X. Was that way from 1958 on. Dealer could have specially converted it, if a W series could not be ordered in. Or the wrong trim was installed (been known to happen). If the 4X stuff is listed on the tag, you have a factory oops.

Dealer conversion was fairly common in farm country. Factory made very few 4X models in any given year. But, the parts could be easily sourced and installed once it hit the dealership. I've had more than one truck that never existed by the VIN plate, but the build sheet from the dealer showed the parts as correct. I had a 77 F100 with a full floater 5 lug rear Dana 44. Never available in the states. Dealer installed an Argentine built, Brazilian code rear end. Dodges can be just as confusing.

Jeffc · Post by **Jeffc** » Mon Feb 28, 2005 10:43 am

That is going to be tough to prove because the factory never made a D 4x4, there all W's.
Now that said there are some ways that it may have
ended up as a D 4x4.
Have you checked the number on the cab tag against
the frame number? frame number is on the pass side
frame near the front spring shackel. If numbers match
then there has at least that part is factory.

If numbers match then some one did a change to the running gear, maybe the dealer, possably the factory...
maybe right after reciving the truck the dealer
made the change, or the truck was ordered and made by the factory but dealer changed the order and was sent back to be changed before shipment....
There is always a possablity that someone is pulling your leg on this too and they just swapped the stuff in.....

jlwarn2 · Post by **jlwarn2** » Mon Feb 28, 2005 11:06 am

Thanks a bunch for the quick feedback!!!

This D200 Camper Special truck looks very original. I will go home later and look at the numbers.

I wish I could upload a couple .jpg files. I have not noticed a truck like this before. The roof of the cab has 5 yellow lights - I haven't seen many with this either.

Please let me know what else I may check to determine if it is an original 4X4.

Jeffc · Post by **Jeffc** » Mon Feb 28, 2005 11:25 am

Roof top cab running lights were most often dealer added
and not added at the factory.

digdoug · Post by **digdoug** » Mon Feb 28, 2005 12:16 pm

One thing you might check is the front axel capasity on the vin tag.D-100-200 are #2500. W-100-200are #3000.

jlwarn2 · Post by **jlwarn2** » Mon Feb 28, 2005 12:43 pm

The front axle is listed as 2800

Jeffc · Post by **Jeffc** » Mon Feb 28, 2005 2:28 pm

if tag is right and your tag id number matchs the frame, your truck started out life as a D200 3/4 ton
strait axle truck, 2800 is the standard rate for the
Elliot strait axle in the D200.

W100 will have a 3000lbs rate, W200 will have a 3500lbs
rate for the Dana 44.....

RussRoth · Post by **RussRoth** » Mon Feb 28, 2005 4:26 pm

Jeff,

Not sure about the 70 but mine is a 3/4 and is only rated @ 3,000 lbs. Unfortunately it has about 3,300 on it with the winch mounted.

The large knuckle 44 was rated 3,500 and must have been an option.

Jeffc · Post by **Jeffc** » Mon Feb 28, 2005 5:43 pm

Just what I pulled from a service manule, maybe a
later thing, as we all know anything is opional on
a Dodge, if they had it and it would fit they would
put it on......

Website · Post by **wideblock** » Mon Feb 28, 2005 8:41 pm

tons of great info, but i feel the need to add one thing. a properly done 4x4 conversion on a sweptline is not obvious in any way. these trucks swapp parts so easily, you can make a D into a W and no one could tell the difference by just looking at it.

jlwarn2 · Post by **jlwarn2** » Mon Feb 28, 2005 9:03 pm

I looked and the numbers on the fram match my VSN. I guess it can be debated forever if I can tell if this truck is original. If the truck was "modified" to a 4X4 does that make it more or less valuable?? I currently have my truck on Ebay and not too sure what it should end up going for??

Website · Post by **wideblock** » Mon Feb 28, 2005 9:10 pm

one thing i learned a long time ago about dodges. not many people are really into them, and the ones that are are looking for the package, original or not. if a guy would rather have a 4x4 then its worth more being converted. depends on the area you live in. lots of places a 4x4 is worth a heck of a lot more then a 2wd any day of the week.

Jeffc · Post by **Jeffc** » Mon Feb 28, 2005 11:34 pm

If the number starts a E or X it's a 4x4
any other leter it is a converted truck.
If done well, I agree with Trey.

RussRoth · Post by **RussRoth** » Tue Mar 01, 2005 12:01 am

wideblock66 wrote:tons of great info, but i feel the need to add one thing. a properly done 4x4 conversion on a sweptline is not obvious in any way. these trucks swapp parts so easily, you can make a D into a W and no one could tell the difference by just looking at it.

Trey is right but I doubt the crossmember(s) that would need to moved/replaced would have the correct rivets in it. Would likely be bolted in. Might be something to look for.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Wed Mar 02, 2005 3:02 pm

No wonder the question responses in the auction looked sooooo familiar.

Sweptline.ORG

1970 Dodge D200 4X4 Question - How rare is a D series 4X4?

1970 Dodge D200 4X4 Question - How rare is a D series 4X4?

I will look at the numbers

VSN tag

numbers match