Which Project Truck Are You Taking On? 1976 Dodge D100 vs 1981 Ford Bronco

Good morning! This week, all the vehicles I’m going to show you have exactly one thing in common: the same asking price. They’re all being offered for $3,500. Are they worth it? Well, that’s up to you, isn’t it?

Last week, I gave you a bunch of silly scenarios in which to choose a car, and we finished up on Friday with you getting to choose which one I got stuck with. I guess I shouldn’t have said that I “kinda liked” the Chevy Aveo, because apparently, that’s what the majority of you thought I deserved.

Ah well. I’d actually be fine with it; dynamically challenged as you all claim it to be – though I have a hard time believing it’s any worse than a first-generation Kia Rio or a Toyota Echo – it’s still small and manual. I’d rather try it out than be bored silly driving that Altima, which took second place.

Now then: When I first started looking for cars for today, I noticed that the first few ads that caught my eye all had the same asking price: $3,500. I took it as a sign, and I’m going to run with it, so all of this week’s choices will be that same price. Some of the pairings will make sense, and some won’t, but it will keep everything on a level playing field. We’re starting out with a couple of good ol’ V8 American trucks. Here they are.

1976 Dodge D100 – $3,500

Engine/drivetrain: 318 cubic inch (probably) OHV V8, three-speed automatic, RWD

Location: Newark, CA

Odometer reading: unknown

Operational status: “Runs but has an oil leak,” has been sitting

Truck naming conventions are always a little strange. Every manufacturer has its own way of designating the many different models available, which often look the same at first glance. Generally, a smaller number indicates a lower payload rating, and in the case of Dodge and GM, the first letter of the name can tell you whether a truck is 2WD or 4WD. And of course, each manufacturer has its own names for body styles and trim levels. Put it all together, and what we have here is a Dodge D100 Adventurer Utiline – a half-ton, short-wheelbase 2WD truck with a stepside bed, in mid-level trim.

Power for this stubby little truck comes from Chrysler’s LA small-block V8, which I’m guessing is probably the common 318 cubic inch version. It’s backed by a three-speed Torqueflite automatic, and it’s as good a combination as you’ll find in a ’70s truck from any manufacturer. This one has been rebuilt, but we don’t know when, and it has also been sitting for years. It runs well, but has an oil leak. Are we talking a little seepage, or the Exxon Valdez? And from where? The seller doesn’t specify. It has an aftermarket Edelbrock carb and intake, and what looks like it might be an aftermarket ignition box as well.

The seller has redone the interior seat upholstery and carpet, and it looks great – I think. The photos make it a little hard to see. Dodge offered all kinds of special edition trucks during this time, but as far as I can tell, this is just a garden-variety Adventurer, or maybe an Adventurer Sport. It’s not a Warlock or anything, though. The biggest problem I can see with the interior is that it doesn’t have air conditioning, which means those black vinyl seats are going to get mighty hot and sticky.

I don’t think the two-tone paint is original, but I bet it was done in the ’70s. My guess is that the truck was originally all black, and someone added the blue accents. It’s not in great shape, though, and you’d have my support if you wanted to redo the blue areas or repaint it entirely. It does look all right from a distance, and at least it isn’t rusty, so I guess you could just live with it.

1981 Ford Bronco – $3,500

Engine/drivetrain: 302 cubic inch OHV V8, three-speed automatic, 4WD

Location: north of Spokane, WA

Odometer reading: 90,000 miles

Operational status: Runs and drives well

Ford’s original Bronco was a tiny little thing, based on its own unique chassis, but when Chevy and Dodge produced their own two-door SUVs to compete with it, they chose shortened versions of their full-size truck chassis. Ford pretty much had to follow suit to compete, so in 1978 the Bronco grew in size and joined the F-series line of trucks. That version lasted only two years, before the F-series was completely redesigned for 1980 – including a new Bronco. The larger Bronco was a hit and proved useful for all kinds of jobs, from serious off-roading trips to just a quick run to pick up some OJ. (Sorry, I had to.)

This Bronco is powered by Ford’s 302 Windsor V8, with a two-barrel carburetor and a three-speed C6 automatic transmission, driving both front and rear axles. Someone will correct me if I’m wrong, I’m sure, but I don’t think the full-size Bronco was ever sold without 4WD. I’ve certainly never seen one. It runs and drives just fine, according to the seller, and it just had its cylinder heads rebuilt not long ago.

The interior needs some help; the carpet and seat upholstery are both done for. The fake woodgrain on the dash has seen better days, too, but it had no business being there in the first place. This isn’t Grandma’s LTD. There are piles of parts strewn about the interior, which, judging by the rows of derelict trucks visible in the backgrounds of the photos, may or may not belong to this Bronco. Best to ask the seller to inventory all of it, so you know what it is.

Outside, it looks like some rust repair has been started, including some panel replacement in a few places. It’s a little strange that they would put the trim back on over primer paint, but maybe they consider it good enough and done? It has some very ’80s-looking directional aftermarket wheels on it, but those of you with OCD, don’t look too closely: the wheels are facing in different directions on both sides of the truck. Swap either the fronts or rears side for side, and everything will be facing the same way.

Trucks from the 1970s and ’80s are getting more popular all the time, and these two make a nice change from the steady parade of squarebody Chevies that everyone seems to have. On one hand, you have a cool stepside Dodge pickup, and on the other, a full-size Bronco. Both run, both have V8s and automatics, both need some work, and both are the same price. Which one is more your style?