Dodge D Series

Dodge D Series

The D Series was a line of pickup trucks sold by the Dodge division of American automaker Chrysler from 1961-1980. After 1980, the trucks were renamed 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/Plymouth Trailduster twins.

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 virtually all modern pickup trucks.

The D Series used the familiar Chrysler Slant-6 engine in displacements of 170 cu in, 198 cu in and 225 cu in as the base models, depending on the year. (The 198 was relatively rare, available as the base engine only from 1969–1973). All of Chrysler's larger engines, with the notable exception of the Chrysler Hemi engine were available as factory options.

Another innovation was the introduction of an alternator rather than a generator for electrical power. A three-speed automatic transmission was a major advance — the truck used a two-speed automatic less than a decade earlier.

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).

In Argentina, was manufactured the first generation of the D-series. They were given the Dodge and Fargo brands, as Dodge D-100 and Fargo De Soto. They trucks was produced by the Argentinian subsidiary Chrysler-Fevre Argentina S.A.