Dodge D Series

The D Series was a line of pickup trucks sold by the Dodge division of American automaker Chrysler Corporation from 1961 to 1980. After 1980, the trucks were renamed as 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 to 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.