Looking for Suggestions: Best Non-Diesel Truck / Powertrain Pre '1993?

[daveco]

My current truck is an '86 318 auto 1/2 ton. It's a good truck, but it is tired and really is just not quite what I need.
So I want to replace it with a '72 thru '92, 3/4 ton or non-dually one ton.
I love the look of the '70s trucks also like the '80s look enough that it really does not matter that much.
I'm looking for opinions regarding Big Block -vs- Small Block, Manual -vs- Auto trans, ideal rear gear ratio, best HD rear axle, and any pertinent Dodge truck trivia.
It will see some heavy towing (8000 pounds-ish), It must have A/C, reg cab long bed. I like the idea of a big block, could live with a small block if that would really be good enough. Do not want a dually (just don't).

So given those parameters (subject to change), what would be your ideal set-up?

[Todd Wilson]

Its gonna be a tough one for you requiring all you want.   You could try and find a big block truck from the early 70's.  After 78-79 I doint think there were any more big block trucks. After that you are gonna be stuck with the 360.   Your best bet would probably try and find an 89-93   3/4 ton  truck with a 360. They would be the most modern and get the best mpg.   The 360 will hog gas down at a high rate when working them hard. They will do the job but get thirsty.   The next generation Rams from 94 and up are starting to get to be cheap on the used market.


Todd

[daveco]

 Thanks Todd, I don't put many miles on my truck so mpg is not a huge issue (that is what my Neon is for). What I am wondering is how a properly set up small block compares to a properly set up big block. I would expect the Big Block to do better (naturally) but is a 360 "good enough" to make the added cost of a Big Block not worth it? Is there a big difference in handling between BB/SB trucks?
I've owned:
1984 Slant Six short bed 4spd. Great daily driver, good MPG. Just too small of a bed, too small motor.
1992 V8 auto Dakota Sport extended cab. Loved that truck, towed great, (fuel injected 318 magnum). Truck was just too small and had the turning radius of an oil tanker.
1986 318 1/2 ton auto. Good truck, just worn out and I don't want to invest a bunch of money in a half ton.

I'm sort of settling in on a mid-80's 360 4bbl 3/4 ton, just don't want to regret not getting a big block truck.

[kab69440]

I had an 87 W-150.    318/ 435-208   I've been kicking myself in the axe for years because I was dumb enough to sell it.    7mpg downhill with a good tailwind, but there was nothing that beast wouldn't pull. After seeing antifreeze in the oil one day, and deciding I had nothing to lose but a $150 short block, I drained the antifreeze out of it. I drove it everywhere for about another 6 years like that. That 318 would have been the greatest demolition derby engine ever. I sure wish I'd never sold it.

[daveco]

Coolant is for wimps

[Todd Wilson]

MY 1974 Dodge D200   440 727   4.10 gear truck getys 9mpg.    Empty or loaded.WIth a newer 360 truck you will get better mileagole unloaded.   Load it down and you will get the job done but it will be thirsty. It wont pull as good as a big block.


Todd

[stripedelete]

GMC/Chevy is going to have the big block right through to 93 isn't it? 

[oldgold69]

had a 75 w200 power wagon got 8 mpg   i could drive though a swamp road with it  full of firewood never got stuck   

[Troy]

I have a 76 Power Wagon with a factory 440 auto and it gets about 7 mpg. I haven't loaded it too heavily yet. It did drop to a little over 4 mpg in the winter which was pretty disappointing. I have heard that the 360s aren't all that great in the mileage department and they don't have the power of a big block either. I've seen as low as 7-8 mpg in the hills with what I'd consider a reasonably light trailer behind a newer Magnum. I know a lot of people who get a long just fine with their 318s but I do not know how much they pull. The newer truck with the Magnum engines and EFI should be better on an every day basis (and they have more power than the earlier engines).

Troy

[daveco]

Wow, I had no idea the mileage was that bad, I was thinking like 12-13 mpg, not 7 or 8.

[Troy]

Well, it does have 33s and 4.10 gears. However, I doubt that it gets much better than 9-10 stock. I had a 2wd 84 Suburban with a 454 and it pretty much got 10-11 all the time. Even the late 90s V10s with overdrive and EFI aren't getting much better.

Troy