Inelegant Survivor: 1979 Dodge 3/4 Ton Prospector
If you haven’t already spent your $1,500 on that Corvette I wrote about recently, how about a pickup? The $1,500 asking price for this old Dodge pickup listed on craigslist is not a great deal, but it’s less overpriced than most. It’s a long bed, which makes it the four-door of the truck world, and it’s an automatic, but at least it has a V8. It’s also a 3/4 ton which might make it ride a little rough. It doesn’t appear to have been used as a serious work truck, but also doesn’t seem like it was pampered enough to have had a repaint. It will need the usual mechanical work to restore it to running and driving condition. It’s only been sitting for a few years, so it shouldn’t take much.
Things in the cab look to be in great shape. The carpet is worn, but otherwise, all it needs is a good cleaning.
This is the 180 horsepower 360 CID V8. Except for the new alternator, things look completely original. Power steering and brakes are evident, but unfortunately, there’s no sign of an AC compressor.
Could a solid, rust-free pickup like this one be worth $1,500? How about this old D Series Dodge? I’d trade my 2005 Town and Country for this in a heartbeat! If this pickup is as good as it looks and doesn’t have any serious mechanical issues, it shouldn’t take much to make it a nice driver. It’s probably going to find a home with someone who just needs a cheap truck. It would be great, though, if the new owner is someone who would treat it gently and appreciate it as the cool old truck it is. It’s among the last pickups that still drives like a pickup. You’ll find it listed here if it’s sold already.
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Comments
Gone already. Too good of a deal to pass up on.
Agreed. All that baby needed was a little bit of TLC and a bath and it will probably look great and make a great DD. Couple sacks of cement in the back will smooth out that ride.
Saved by the ad saver, thanks David. Nice rig, fair price.
First off we had 2 of these on the farm 360/automatic 4wd .3/4 ton..hauling hundreds of loads of corn…hay…. soybeans…hogs…and cattle…..absolutely fabulous trucks minimal maitinence…maximum production….But fairly worthless without 4wd
This would be an ideal truck to carry a camper. I had one of these for a few years an LE model black and silver two tone with a red interior. As firemanDan said supper tough and reliable. This was a dirt cheep price, someone got a bargain.
I don’t understand why some consider Long Beds undesirable. That’s what makes it a truck! When I (finally) pull the trigger on one of these, it’ll definitely be an 8 footer.
I, like most, wanted a short box. Most of us will never carry a sheet of plywood around, and that 2 feet does make a difference( like the difference between a 48 foot and a 53 foot semi trailer).
I am not a MOPAR fan, but am willing to admit that these trucks were built like tanks and are great trucks. This one probably could have easily sold for $2500.
Great trucks, but again, not near as fancy as the ’77 GMC I just bought. Seemed Dodges and Ford’s lagged behind on the cushy pickup. Proof positive, these 70’s trucks haven’t had the price gouging like the 50’s and 60’s trucks,,,yet.
Nice clean truck. I don’t think it was entirely rust free. There is rust at the bottom of the kick panel, no doubt caused by a leaky 1/4 window, or what we use to call them, wind wings. Still, it’s a good looking truck.
Wing vents, AKA 240 AC
That is not over priced at $1500. I’d buy that in a heartbeat if it were close by, just to use as parts for my Lil Red repair. Just look at that rust free cab and doors…..even has that wood grain door insert that Mopar enthusiasts would kill for.
Actually, I just bought this truck on April 27th. The only rust on this thing is on the frame. Fresh oil and filter and some new gas and she purrs like a kitten. The nearly new tires (Cooper Discoverers) are worth a third of the asking price. A little buff and polish and she’ll be my daily. No restoration plans at this point.
I hope you bless us with some pictures once she’s cleaned up. I think you got one heck of a deal!