Hi Guys,
I'm new here. I hope I'm posting this in the right place.
I own a sweet 1971 Ford F100 with a warm 390 - it's a 2WD. But I love all old, classic trucks. I've been looking around for a 4WD Truck, as I need it here on my farm. We are in the upper Midwest, and you ain't gonna pull a Hay Wagon with 2WD in the Winter up here.

I came upon a 1976 Dodge "5 Quarter" that is 4WD, has a 318, and is all original. Not sure if it's an M880, or not. Get this: It has only 27,000 original miles on it. It runs & drives perfect - no issues at all. Body is good, too. He wants $2,250 for it.

It seems like a great deal to me. In fact, this same guy had a '77 5 Quarter a couple years ago with 21,000 miles on it. He sold that one for $3,000. I don't know where he got them from, and I guess it doesn't matter.

I looked at the "beefy" suspension this thing has, and it looks like it would be the perfect work truck for us. It really looks stout.

What do you guys know about these trucks? I love the idea that it has a 318. The only thing I'd probably do to it is slap on some headers & low restriction exhaust, and a small 4 Barrel Carb & Aluminum Intake. I don't want a race car, just some good low end torque for hauling/towing.

I'm attempting to do lotsa research, and educate myself on these style trucks. It will probably be driven only 2500 to 3500 miles a year. I sorta figure that at this price I can't go wrong, but wanted to see what some of the experienced Mopar Truck guys thought.

Any opinions or advice would be welcome.

Thanks,
Bob

 

As long as you dont have to smog it.... Check the Vin and also. open the door there should be an I.D. plate on the door or in the pillar if it's an M880

Go take it for a test drive.... More than likey you will find it's very low geared and governed to about 62 MPH... But if it all works (4X4 and all) go for it...

He might have an in with the folks over at the local DRMO or DLA for getting rid of the old military stuff.....

the Vehicle title is the omly thing problems I have run into.... Make sure he has one. or at least a letter saying he is the owner of the truck.

Keep us posted...

 

Any pics of said work truck?

 

I'll try to get some pictures next time I'm running service calls over that way.....provided it's still there!

 

5/4 is a Govt rating
Unless it has a D60 with 9/16 or larger lug studs it is a standard 3/4 truck
All the M880 type trucks that I've seen have 4.10's Being I'm a big GSA junkie I've looked at a bunch of them

 

5/4 is a 1 1/4 ton. Should have a D70 front and D80 rear (all that I have seen have had these). They are fun vehicles to drive and wheel in and you can haul a lot with them.

 

Personally, I’d pass on the headers and the 4bbl. If you want some low end grunt, get a mild aftermarket torque cam and call it a day. but that’s just me.

 

Sounds like a perfect candidate for a Cummins swap to me . I'd love to see pix of that. My perfect tow rig would be a '73 1.5 ton club cab with the Cummins 12V. I'd be in heaven...


j