The Medium-Tonnage Conventional Cab Dodges changed more then any other big Dodge built during its lifetime. The Sweptline era of the truck lasted from 1961 until 1973, outlasting the pickup an additional 2 years. We will split up discussion of these trucks to 1969 through 1973 on this page and 1974 through 1977 on another.
1969
The year was 1969, the grille used in the Dodges at the time was only done for ’68 and ’69. The hood was in it’s first year of use and would be the design until ’73, the last year for this body style.
Available in GVW’s from 12,000 to 25,500 lbs., the new Dodge conventional cab models retain all the most valuable features of previous models. Features like solid all-welded construction with box section beams at stress points, husky door hinges reinforced deep into doors, thick cushioning rubber body mounts, and extensive protection against rust. At the same time, several important changes have been made to modernize the truck’s appearance and add more comfort safety. For example, the front end has been restyled, instrument cluster and controls have been streamlined, new two-speed wipers have been included as standard equipment, and shoulder belts have been made available as an option (regular lap belts are standard, of course). The Dodge medium-tonnage conventional cab is just about the most durable tightly built cab going, and an exceptional value by any truck user’s standards.
Crew Cabs
Dodge offered the Crew Cab on all models in 1969, the D400/D500/D600/D700 and the W500. – A 6-man work crew can travel comfortably in this specially designed hauler. It’s built as a factory production model to give you factory quality control and save you money, too. The Dodge Crew Cab on a medium-tonnage chassis comes in wheelbases from 157″ to 221″, with GVW’s that range from 12,000 lbs to 25,000 lbs.
Power Wagon – W500
Delivers stump-pulling power wherever it touches the ground. This 4-wheel drive chassis-cab model (shown) is essentially like other Dodge medium-tonnage conventional cab trucks except for its awesome 4×4 traction. Available on 157″ and 175″ wheelbases, the medium-tonnage Power Wagon also comes as a chassis-cowl model (for special body application) and as the 6-man Dodge Crew Cab.
Engines
In 1969, there was a variety of options for engines. The D400, D500 and W500 had the 225 cu. in. as a standard 6 cylinder engine while the 318 cu. in. was the standard V8. The D600 came standard with the 318 V8, with an option of a 361-2, along with the D500. The D700 saw the 361-3 as the standard option, with the 361-4 and the 413-2 as optional engine packages.
1970-1971
The years of 1970 and ’71 saw trucks built they really incorporated no change from one to the other. The big change in design from ’69 to ’70 was that of the grille, cab lights and side marker lights. Beyond that you had change in GVW’s and models offered. The D800 was once again reoffered, staying off the options list for ’69.
These Dodge Truck models range in GVW’s from 14,000 to 30,000 lbs., or from, slightly above the low-tonnage range into the bottom of the heavy-duty range. Their rugged cabs continue with such construction features as solid all-welded design with box section beams at stress points, husky door hinges reinforced deep into doors, thick cushioning rubber body mounts, and extensive protection against rust and corrosion. While these cab features remain unchanged, a continuous program of modernization is being followed. Exterior and interior styling has been changed and improved, with a new instrument cluster face plate, standard two-speed wipers, and optional shoulder belts to supplement the standard seat belts. Here on Dodge conventional medium-tonnage “D”-series models, you get just about the most rugged truck cab built and an exceptional value by any standard of measurement.
Crew Cab and Power Wagon – W500
1970 saw continuation of the Crew Cab and W500 as seen in 1969. Even though the D800 was reintroduce in 1970, the Crew Cab was not an offering listed in the literature.
Standard Equipment
- 6-way adjustable seat
- Vinyl seat upholstery
- Black or beige interiors
- Two seat belts (four on Crew Cabs)
- Turn signals (double face up front)
- 4-way emergency flasher
- Backup lights
- Front only, combined side marker lights and reflectors
- Front only, identification and clearance lights
- Separate rear side marker lights and reflectors, and identification and clearance lights included on stake and platform models
- Taillights and stoplights
- Dual long-arm outside mirrors
- Driver-adjustable hand brake
- Padded left sun visor
- Push-button door locks
- High-level ventilation
- Fresh Air heater/defroster
- Dome light
- Coat Hook
- Rubber mat on cab floor
- Ashtray
- Flip-up glove box
- Left and right armrest (four on Crew Cab)
- Suspended brake and clutch pedals
- Two-speed electric windshield wipers
- Windshield washers
- Large rear window
- Cleaner Air System
1972-1973
Model years 1972 and ’73 saw the last use of the Sweptline Style Sheetmetal. The list of trucks offered was dropped down to just the D500, D600 and D800. For the most part, everything else on the trucks remained the same.
The three Dodge conventional cab medium -duty models (D500, D600 and D800) span a GVW range from 13,500 pounds to 29,500 pounds, making them ideal, economically priced units for such applications as dump, can, stake and tractor-trailer service. The cab is of rugged welded construction with box-section beams at stress points, heavy-duty recessed door hinges, rubber cab mounts, and extensive rust and corrosion protection contributing further to long, trouble-free cab life. Other features adding still more value to these models include standard two-speed windshield wipers and the optional Custom Cab package. This Dodge cab has earned a reputation for ruggedness under severe kinds of service, and as a cab that is a great value.
Photos from the collection
