For the most part, Lohnes and I can see eye-to-eye on trucks, with a couple of minor indiscretions. He likes older rigs, me not so much. He likes the geared-down, lumbering tractor-like styles of working trucks you might have seen in the 1950s and 1960s. I don’t want a super-speedy truck, but it had better be able to do a damn sight better than 45 MPH in it’s top gear. Otherwise, we like our trucks to have grunt, have classic rugged looks and to be ready at a moment’s notice if they need to be pressed into service. Now, raise your hand if you are surprised that I picked a Dodge truck. 

But hear me out for a second, because this isn’t just the random 1972-93 Dodge that got my attention for the moment. This 1972 is a pretty unique style, a factory longbed stepside 3/4 ton, with air conditioning, Warn front hubs, a SureGrip in the rear axle, and a winch. This is the kind of truck that you might find at a national park or at one of your local Forest Service depots, along with four-door longbed pickups. Where would you have seen one of these working? I’m asking, because I’m not sure myself. But make no mistake, a truck like this would be working.

Now the old work rig is restored. The wood in the bed looks amazing, the interior is first-rate, the paint looks great and the classic white-spoke wheels and muscular lines of the D-series stand out wonderfully. So if you’re up for rowing that four-speed around and cranking on the unassisted steering wheel, what do you say…would you rock a work rig like this?

eBay Link: 1972 Dodge W200 longbed stepside