Posted by JIm Patterson on March 23, 1999 at 17:57:45:
In Reply to: '71 PW with a 383ci posted by Moby on March 23, 1999 at 15:05:51:
I own three of these trucks. I have a 70 W200 that has over Half a million miles on it. Documented and over 410,000 were put on by me. First engine was replaced at 240,000 miles. It's still running in another car. The engine is now a 440 stroked out to 502 cubes, went 180,000 before resent rebuild again. Three auto trans rebuilds. Replaced rear 4.10's last year. Nothing had been done to front axle. U-joints a few times, and thousands of brake jobs. I tow a large enclosed car trailer all around the country. I do not drive this thing easy, but do very good maintainence. That is the key to long survival. My other 71 W200 and D200 are loaded low mile originals, I do baby them. These trucks do have there weaknesses, but you can rework the weak areas. I do them as I break them, I have left a few of those little drive shafts out on the highway. Not any more. The frames flex a little more than I like. The drive shaft u-joints are too small,(easily changed). Door locks are poor, wipers, cab leaks, wind noise through windows and doors, bed comes loose, wood rots (changed out to nylon blocks) bodies are not as strong as you might think. (having rolled in a few of them) cab held up but body was pretty bent up all over. Parts are very hard to find, and Dodge changed things often. I have owned these trucks for 20 years and are absolutely in love with these ugly looking things. You tend to over look or improve on the weak areas. And take pride in the best, and there are many.