I'd been looking off and on for a truck to replace my '68 D200 4x4 project. Something that I could tinker on when I wanted to, but didn't need anything major. Also, in a quest for better gas mileage, I was hoping for a slant that I could put an 833od behind (I know, there goes my "doesn't need anything major" statement...).

My buddy showed this one to me, and it took me a couple days to realize it was exactly what I was looking for... Pretty rust free truck fresh up from Nevada, fairly clean and straight. Was a 383 automatic truck, that this guy had swapped in a 225 and 833od, in order to build a truck for distance and mileage. Said his record had been 19.5mpg back when it had 3.55s in it (3.91sg now).

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Nice! Pickups have been growing on me lately. That is a fine looking truck you got.

Nice, still a pretty much stock slant?

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82 D150-225/727
02 Dakota-3.9/5 speed
87 GMC C7000-8.2 Detroit Diesel/5+2

Yep, bone stock (out of a '72 Dart)! I think he said he did the timing chain, oil pan gasket, and that kind of thing while it was out.

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always loved that body style truck!

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1980 Aspen 4 speed

I don't think more than a day or two has gone buy since buying this truck, that I haven't driven it. The exhaust drones at any speed, but that's the only complaint I have.

I've not spent much time at all tinkering on it. Replaced the carb with a barely used re-manufactured one I had laying around, did a tune up, replaced a leaking wheel cylinder, and that's about it.

On Monday I got 19mpg, driving 65-70mph up from Oregon. This gives me a good benchmark to start with, as over time I would like to experiment with various mods to increase fuel efficiency. Swap to 3.55s, lower it a couple inches, a DI special distributor, perhaps a super six (not convinced on that one yet), are all ideas I'm kicking around. Simple things, done one at a time, to see how the truck responds. Let's go ahead and put 're-connecting the odometer' at the top of the list, as retracing my steps on Google maps gets annoying fast!

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Awesome truck, you sure do look happy driving it lol

Those are awesome pics in front of that abandoned warehouse or whatever it is.

19 MPG is pretty dang good far a big old truck! Getting a bed cover will help a bit with aerodynamics, but you might want to study this picture to get some more ideas about aerodynamic modifications to a pickup (the guy who owns this pickup claims 30 MPG highway with an otherwise stock vehicle):



I would definitely look into an air dam and bed cover. Synthetic oil does help as well. Nice looking truck!

Thanks! It's been good for me, as I have a lead foot, and this truck begs to be driven like a grandpa would drive. Calmed my driving style down a lot.

Reed, good idea on the bed cover, I had forgotten about that one. I've seen that Toyota before, and read his web site. Seems like he mentioned having a '60's Dodge truck, too... Going to have to go check it out again.

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Zorg nice truck,,,

love that straight front axel!
how does it ride / handle with front and rear leafs?

Very nice!

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Rob

I’m Mater
The Kentucky Poser

You aren't kidding about them begging to be driven like a grandpa. I really like the 68-71 trucks, so I went to check one out to possibly buy. After a test drive I was like ok, I'm going to stick to the 72+ trucks with more modern style suspensions

I think it drives real nice. The shocks are completely worn out, so it's a little bouncy, but I feel the straight axle corners nicely.
Thanks man! What ever happened with the '71 short bed you were getting from relatives? (Did I get the story right?)
Funny, I attribute it totally to the stock /6! The front drum brakes are somewhat limiting when hauling a load or towing, but otherwise I haven't found Sweptlines to drive really any different than the Lifestyle era trucks. My other '68 has been my daily for 5 years, and with a small block (bigger carb/intake, RV cam, headers and loud duals) it begged to be romped on. The poor slant six in this one is just gutless.[/quote]

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They love it too much to let it go... Jason was doing some body work on it the last time we visited.

I just had to go and send them that cool Sweptline calendar and inspire them to keep it, didn't I..?

I'd still love to have a Swepty with a Slant 6. That could be the new tow rig and give "Stella" a break!

Something like yours would be perfect. Great find you got!

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Rob

I’m Mater
The Kentucky Poser

Been getting a consistent ~18mpg on the freeway. Add 'replace a headlight' to the short list of things I've had to do to it...

Tow duty this afternoon:

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