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Encyclopedia > Dodge D Series
1978 Dodge Trucks advertisement
1978 Dodge Trucks advertisement

The D Series was a line of pickup trucks sold by the Chrysler Corporation's Dodge division from 1961 to 1980. After 1980, the trucks were renamed as the Dodge Ram and the same basic design was retained until the 1994 introduction of a completely redesigned Ram. The D Series shared its AD platform with the Dodge Ramcharger and the Plymouth Trailduster. Image File history File links Size of this preview: 441 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (587 × 798 pixel, file size: 108 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Source: Scan of period advertising, remains property of Daimler-Chrysler, used for historical purposes only. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 441 × 600 pixel Image in higher resolution (587 × 798 pixel, file size: 108 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Source: Scan of period advertising, remains property of Daimler-Chrysler, used for historical purposes only. ... Mazda compact Pickup truck with extended cabin and homebuilt lumber rack. ... The Chrysler Corporation was a United States-based automobile manufacturer that existed independently from 1925–1998. ... Dodge is a brand name of automobiles and light to heavy-duty trucks. ... 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (the link is to a full 1961 calendar). ... 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday. ... Second-generation Dodge Ram See also Dodge Ram 50, an unrelated Mitsubishi-produced truck The Ram is a full-size pickup truck from DaimlerChryslers Dodge brand. ... 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by United Nations. ... The Chrysler AD platform is a truck automobile platform used from 1972 through 1993. ... 1970s Dodge Ramcharger The Dodge Ramcharger was a large sport utility vehicle built by Dodge from 1974 to 1993, and based on a shortened-wheelbase version of the Dodge D Series/Ram pickup truck chassis. ... The Dodge Ramcharger was a large sport utility vehicle built by Dodge from 1974 to 1993, and based on a shortened-wheelbase version of the Dodge D Series/Ram pickup truck chassis. ...


The body offered the then-traditional step-side bed, with distinct fenders as an option. As default, it introduced the first Virgil Exner-inspired "Swept-Line" bed where the bed was the width of the vehicle and the fenders were inboard, as can be seen in virually all modern pickup trucks. Virgil Ex Exner (September 24, 1909–December 22, 1973) was an automobile designer for numerous American companies, notably Chrysler and Studebaker. ...


The D Series used the familiar Chrysler Slant 6 engine in 170 in³, 198 in³ and 225 in³ displacements as the base models, depending on the year. (The 198 was relatively rare, available as the base engine only from 1969 to 1973). All of Chrysler's larger engines, with the notable exception of the Chrysler Hemi engine were available as factory options. // History and concept The Slant-6, known within Chrysler as the G-engine, is one of Chryslers two most famous automobile engines, along with the Hemi. ... Early Hemi in a 1957 Chrysler 300C. A Chrysler Hemi engine is one of three different internal combustion engine families from the Chrysler Corporation (or its successor, DaimlerChrysler) that are Hemi engines; in other words, they utilize a hemispherical combustion chamber. ...


Another innovation was the introduction of an alternator rather than a generator for electrical power. A four-speed automatic transmission was a major advance - the truck used a two-speed automatic less than a decade earlier. An automatic transmission is an automobile gearbox that can change gear ratios automatically as the vehicle moves, thus freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually. ...


Yet another innovation, a Crew Cab (four-door) body style was introduced in 1963, a first for a factory pickup. Prior crew cabs were custom conversion jobs. A Club Cab was also available for 1973, providing transverse seating for either a single third passenger or two small third and fourth passengers (most often, the Club Cab was used as extra cargo space). 1963 (MCMLXIII) was a common year starting on Tuesday (the link is to a full 1963 calendar). ... 1973 (MCMLXXIII) was a common year starting on Monday. ... The term transverse means side-to-side, as opposed to longitudinal, which means front-to-back. In automotive engineering, the term transverse refers to an engine in which the crankshaft is oriented side-to-side relative to the wheels of the vehicle. ...

Contents

Custom Sports Special and High Performance Package

1964 saw the introduction of the sporty Custom Sports Special. The Custom Sports Special included bucket seats, console, carpeting and racing stripes. The optional High Performance Package could be ordered with a CSS truck or by itself on a base model truck complete with Chrysler's big 426 in³ wedge-head V8. This engine produced 365 hp (272 kW) and 470 ft.lbf (637 Nm) - in-line with the muscle car revolution that was then sweeping Detroit. The High Performance Package also included the LoadFlite automatic transmission, a 6000 rpm-rated Sun tachometer with heavy duty gauges, power steering, dual exhaust and rear axle torque rods (traction bars) sourced from 1961 Imperials. Custom Sports Special trucks were produced from 1964 through 1967. The High Performance Package was only offered from 1964 through early 1966. 1964 (MCMLXIV) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1964 calendar). ... The RB engine is a big-block V8 engine from Chrysler. ... The Liberty V8 aircraft engine clearly shows the configuration A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders. ... The Pontiac GTO is a classic example of the muscle car. ... 1955 Imperial Imperial was the Chrysler Corporations prestige automobile brand between 1955 and 1975, with a brief reappearance in 1981-1983. ...


1965

The D Series was redesigned for 1965. Big news was a wider tailgate and the replacement of the A series engines with the updated LA series. In 1967 the D Series trucks received big-block 383 2 barrel engines as a standard option. 1965 (MCMLXV) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1965 calendar). ... The Chrysler A engine is a small-block V8 automobile engine from Chrysler Corporation. ... The LA engine (light or low A engine) was an evolution of the small-block Chrysler A engine. ... A big-block engine is a North American V8 in a family of engines which generally have greater than 6 litres (360 cubic inches) of displacement; factory engine sizes reached a peak of 8. ...


1972

A redesign of the D Series for 1972 introduced a more rounded look (similar to the 1973 to 1987 GM C/K series), but included features such as an independent front suspension and pocketed taillights (the distinctive reverse on top lights were recessed to 1/4 in to avoid damage in loading docks and confined spaces). Styling cues, such as the scalloped hood and rounded fenderwells, were similar to the rounded, smooth look of the 1971 Plymouth Satellite. 1972 GMC Sierra Custom Camper The C/K was the name for both Chevrolets and GMCs full-size pickup line from 1962 until 1998. ... Independent suspension is broad term for any automobile suspension system that allows each wheel on the same axle to move vertically (i. ... 1971 (MCMLXXI) was a common year starting on Friday. ... The Plymouth Satellite was an automobile introduced in 1965 as the top model in Plymouths mid-size Belvedere line. ...


1972 also saw the introduction of the 440 in³ engine as a standard option for the light trucks.


The 1972 D Series was made famous in the television show, Emergency!, where it was the featured paramedic rescue squad vehicle for the entire seven seasons of the popular show. Emergency! Season 1 DVD Actors (left to right): Bobby Troup, Kevin Tighe, Randolph Mantooth, Robert Fuller, Julie London. ... A paramedic is an Emergency medical technician certified to the highest level of training and responds to medical and trauma emergencies in the pre-hospital setting (in-field) for the purpose of stabilizing a patients condition before and during transportation to an appropriate medical facility, usually by ambulance. ...


Notable models produced during this era were the 1978 to 1979 Li'l Red Express, the Warlock, the Macho Power Wagon and the Adventurer (Note: All Li'l Red Express Trucks were Adventurers, though not vice versa). All of these trucks were considered "lifestyle" pickups and were marketed to an audience that wanted specialty, personal use trucks. Dodge also saw a need in the market for a "Club Cab" pickup and released an extended cab version of the D Series with extra space behind the front seat while still having two doors on the cab - not to be confused with the much larger "Crew Cab" that had four doors.


1981

This generation was facelifted in 1981 when the D Series was rebadged as the Dodge Ram pickup, including an embossed "DODGE RAM" name on the tailgate. Obvious changes were the grille and hood, the taillights, and the entire interior. More subtle was the addition of a "shoulder" line reminiscent of the GM competition. This bodystyle continued until 1993. Many body panels are interchangeable for all models from 1972 to 1993, so it is not impossible to see a "hybrid" of a 1978 grille mounted with a 1974 hood and a 1991 cab. In most jurisdictions, the year is dictated by the year of the truck's chassis regardless of the body which has been bolted to it. Second-generation Dodge Ram See also Dodge Ram 50, an unrelated Mitsubishi-produced truck The Ram is a full-size pickup truck from DaimlerChryslers Dodge brand. ...


Sales were good during the Swept-Line era and into the late 1970s. A combination of tired styling and brand loyalty (primarily Chevrolet and Ford) during the 1980s and 1990s reduced sales volume for the first generation Dodge Ram. A massive redesign and restyle was adopted for the 1994 model year. 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by United Nations. ...


Notes

  • Medium-duty D Series trucks were also built until 1978.
  • W Series trucks were essentially four-wheel drive versions of the D-Series trucks. W-Series trucks were offered in both the light-duty and medium-duty versions.
  • S Series trucks were essentially medium-duty D Series trucks designed for school bus bodies.
  • Military versions were the M-880 for the 4x4 version and the M-890 for the 4x2 variant. These were replaced by the GM CUCV's in the mid-1980's.

The Commercial Utility Cargo Vehicle or CUCV Program was instituted to provide the United States military with a cheaper vehicle to augment the purpose built, but expensive, Gama Goats and HUMVEEs then coming into service. ...

Engines

  • 170 in³ Slant-6 I6
  • 225 in³ Slant-6 I6
  • 1964 426 in³ RB V8, 365 hp (272 kW) and 470 ft.lbf (637 Nm) gross
  • 318 in³ A V8
  • 1965 273 in³ LA V8
  • 1967-1979 383 in³ RB V8, 258 hp (192 kW) and 375 ft.lbf (508 Nm) gross
  • 1967 318 in³ LA V8, 160 hp (119 kW)
  • 1972 360 in³ LA V8, 180 hp (134 kW) net
  • 1972-1979 400 in³ RB V8, 200 hp (149 kW) net
  • 1974-1979 440 in³ RB V8, 235 hp (175 kW) net


In Brazil, it was marketted just with the 318 cu.in. V8 // History and concept The Slant-6, known within Chrysler as the G-engine, is one of Chryslers two most famous automobile engines, along with the Hemi. ... The straight-6 (also inline 6, I-6, or I6) is an internal combustion engine with six cylinders aligned in a single row. ... // History and concept The Slant-6, known within Chrysler as the G-engine, is one of Chryslers two most famous automobile engines, along with the Hemi. ... The straight-6 (also inline 6, I-6, or I6) is an internal combustion engine with six cylinders aligned in a single row. ... The RB engine is a big-block V8 engine from Chrysler. ... The Liberty V8 aircraft engine clearly shows the configuration A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders. ... The Chrysler A engine is a small-block V8 automobile engine from Chrysler Corporation. ... The Liberty V8 aircraft engine clearly shows the configuration A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders. ... The LA engine (light or low A engine) was an evolution of the small-block Chrysler A engine. ... The Liberty V8 aircraft engine clearly shows the configuration A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders. ... The RB engine is a big-block V8 engine from Chrysler. ... The Liberty V8 aircraft engine clearly shows the configuration A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders. ... The LA engine (light or low A engine) was an evolution of the small-block Chrysler A engine. ... The Liberty V8 aircraft engine clearly shows the configuration A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders. ... The LA engine (light or low A engine) was an evolution of the small-block Chrysler A engine. ... The Liberty V8 aircraft engine clearly shows the configuration A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders. ... The RB engine is a big-block V8 engine from Chrysler. ... The Liberty V8 aircraft engine clearly shows the configuration A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders. ... The RB engine is a big-block V8 engine from Chrysler. ... The Liberty V8 aircraft engine clearly shows the configuration A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders. ...


External links

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  Results from FactBites:
 
Dodge D Series - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (896 words)
The D Series used the familiar Chrysler Slant 6 engine in 170 in³, 198 in³ and 225 in³ displacements as the base models, depending on the year.
A redesign of the D Series for 1972 introduced a more rounded look (similar to the 1973 to 1987 GM C/K series), but included features such as an independent front suspension and pocketed taillights (the distinctive reverse on top lights were recessed to 1/4 in to avoid damage in loading docks and confined spaces).
Dodge also saw a need in the market for a "Club Cab" pickup and released an extended cab version of the D Series with extra space behind the front seat while still having two doors on the cab - not to be confused with the much larger "Crew Cab" that had four doors.
Dodge C Series at AllExperts (296 words)
The C Series was a line of pickup trucks sold by Chrysler's Dodge division from the early 1950s through 1960.
It replaced the Dodge B Series of trucks and was eventually supplanted by the Dodge D Series, introduced in 1961.
Dodge continued the "pilot house" tradition of high-visibility cabs with a wraparound windshield, introduced in 1955.
  More results at FactBites »

 

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