Dodge Trucks History
1961 - 1971
by Don Bunn
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Please visit our new comprehensive Sweptline Truck
History & Data Website...
After 13 model years of highly maneuverable, short wheelbase, easy to drive trucks
Dodge engineers reverted back to the traditional method of light truck chassis
design. Dodge's new 1961 low-tonnage models featured three new wheelbase
lengths: 114-inches for the short box D100; 122-inches for the long box D100 and
D200 and 133-inches for the D300. These lengths compared to 108-, 116-, and
126-inch wheelbases of the previous 13 model years.
The chassis construction of all models featured new heavier and stronger straight
frame rails with six sturdy industry standard 34-inch cross members, strong I-beam
front axles, new wider and longer multi-leaf springs at all four corners, heavy rear
axles and Chrysler's superior Oriflow shocks. All low-tonnage trucks featured wider
axles to provide greater stability and easier maneuverability.
| The Sweptline Pickup Series was the first to feature full-width, smooth
side, cab-wide cargo boxes. All Utiline boxes, with fenders bolted to their sides, carried
over without change. Standard 1961 Utiline box lengths were 6 1/2-, 7 1/2- and 9-feet, for
the Sweptline models 6 1/2- and 8-feet; a one-ton Sweptline was not available. Sweptline
pickups sported a new grille design in 1962 which continued through mid-year 1965. A 1964 Dodge D100 Utiline pickup is shown. |
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The 1960 Sweptline boxes were completely new. They were a full four inches wider
than before and featured 10 percent more cubic load space.
Two new six cylinder engines replaced the former L-head sixes. The 170 cubic inch
101 horsepower slant six was optional for D100s only and the 225 cubic inch 140
horsepower slant six was standard for D100, D200 and D300. The 200 horsepower
318 V8 was optional for all D100, D200 and D300 trucks. Dodge trucks beginning in
1961 featured alternators, they charged the battery even when idling.
The 3-speed LoadFlite pushbutton automatic transmission continued as optional for
all low-tonnage trucks. Other standard and optional transmissions included a new
3-speed HD synchro; a 3-speed Extra HD 3-speed synchro and a 4-speed synchro
which featured a power take-off opening and a floor shift lever.
| Two important new 1964 trucks included the industry's first personal use pickup, the Custom Sports Special, and the A100 compact trucks. The CSS was an image pickup especially when equipped with the High Performance package consisting of the 365 horsepower, 470 ft-lb torque 426 wedge V8, automatic, power steering and brakes, tach, dual exhausts and rear axle struts. Dodge's personal use Custom Sport Special pickup was new in 1964. |
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The A100 pickup only accounted for 3 percent of total compact truck sales, but the
compact vans and wagons were Dodge Truck's most important new products ever.
The 1961's "weak" grille design was replaced in 1962 and it lasted up to midyear
1965. In fact no changes in engines, styling, models, etc. were made until midyear
1965.
Second series 1965 trucks featured an all-new grille, single headlights,
re-engineered Sweptline boxes which featured full-depth double wall construction, a
full-width tailgate and a longer wheelbase. The long box half-ton and 3/4-ton
pickup's wheelbase was increased to 128-inches but the box remained at 8-foot (6
1/2-foot short box). Utiline pickup's wheelbase also increased to 128-inches.
Utiline's cargo box lengths were 6 1/2-, 8- and 9-feet.
| This 1969 Dodge short box half ton Custom pickup is an all-original 18,000
mile like new truck. It is powered by the 210 horsepower 318 cubic inch V8 engine. No
engine changes were made through the 1966 model year. The standard engine for the 1964
A100 was the 170 slant six. The 225 slant six was an option. The 273 V8 became optional
for the A100 in 1965. In 1967 the optional A100 V8 was upgraded to 318 lb. ft. torque due to an increase in its compression ratio. |
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The 258 horsepower, 375 lb. ft. torque 383 V8 became an option for D100, D200
and D300 pickups in 1967. No other engine changes were made for low-tonnage
trucks through the end of the 1971 model year.
Dodge pickup's front appearance changed for the better in 1968 with a new grille
design. Also new for 1968 was the sports-type Sweptline Adventurer pickup. The
glamorous Adventurer included custom carpeting, chrome grille and exterior
moldings, added insulation, hooded dials, wheel covers, dual arm rests and
available bucket seats with a center storage/seating console.
New for 1969 was a redesigned hood, instrument cluster and controls, flipup
glovebox, contoured padded dash, and a deep-dish energy-absorbing steering
wheel.
| When photographed in 1988, this 1971 Dodge half-ton Adventurer pickup
still looked good as new even though it was used to pull the horse trailer shown. The 1970
pickups had another new grille. The Adventurer model became more refined inside and out. This was the last year for the A100 pickup. The A100 compact truck line was dropped and replaced with an all new compact van line. A pickup was no longer part of the line. |
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The last year for the Sweptline series was 1971. Because it was the last year no
changes of note were made in models, style, drivetrains, or interiors.
For serious truck information see: http://www.pickuptruck.com/
