The article on this page is from the February 1964 issue of Speed Mechanics, The Magazine for
Hot Rodders and was written by Larry Martin. The article begins with a look at Dick
Boynton's Super Stock B/FX D-100, then it discusses the new D-series "Sport" pickups available
to the pickup-buying public. Special Thanks to Steve Dreibelbis for sending in a copy of this
article.
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Take a good look at this image from the cover of Speed Mechanics, The
Magazine for Hot Rodders circa February `64. (Click here or the image on the left for the larger version)
At about this time was the introduction of the CSS, and by looking at this
it's easy to see how big a hit these trucks were. Hmm, are those fenderwell
headers on the left-side truck? Of course! They, along with dual quads on
top of the infamous crossram intake adorn the 426 Max-Wedge motor. (Special
thanks to Steve Dreibelbis of Bernville, PA for submitting this image)
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Superstockin' Pickups
a la Dodge
Based on Dodge D-l00 Sweptline pickup truck body and
chassis, the Ram Truck was built for one purpose: to go dragging and win! Providing the push for
this 3717-pound B/FX "killer" is a 426 cubic-inch Mark II Ramcharger mill complete with a Crower
camshaft (experimental) and a set of wild steel tube headers. Four individual headpipes, each 42
inches long, run into a 3½-inch collector dump. The outside diameter of the tubing is two inches.
While these pipes come on strong at 4,000 rpm, they leave something to be desired at low end. But
you can't have everything.
The intake valves are relieved approximately 1 cc each, bringing the estimated compression ratio to
13.35-1. Sunoco straight concen-trate is the only fuel that will nourish this ratio. To obtain a
minimum deck clearance of .018 inch, the block was milled and the combus-tion chamber size was
brought up to 82 cc's. Owner Dick Boynton experimented with various igni-tion systems, including
the new transistor sparkers, but still sticks with the Mallory Rev-Pol setup. Completing the
ignition system are special wiring and Autolite 32 spark plugs.
Pushing the torque, and we do mean torque, is a Torqueflite transmission modified by B & M
Hydro. The box not only obtains low-end performance but has a fabulous stall speed of 1800 rpm. A
standard push-button setup controls the shifting of the indestructible automatic transmission.
Inasmuch as the Dodge people didn't design the D-l00 for drag racing, the suspension required quite
a few modifications. Originally, Dick added long traction bars, but these have been "deep--sixed"
in favor of a more simple setup. A plain steel bar is clamped to the front half of the rear
springs, making them rigid. Third, fourth and fifth leaves have been cut back two inches on the
rear half for greater flexibility.
To reduce the apparent air vacuum that comes into play approximately three-quarters of the way
down the strip, Dick cut a large slot in the bed of the pickup box just behind the cab. The air
coming up through the slot seems to break the vacuum, for a 1-mph increase has been noted. Up
front, the Ram Truck employs small tires, while at the rear big Casler slicks on M&H casings are
utilized. Originally the truck ran a complete stock steel body; now the front end is all
fiberglass. This, along with reworked weight-transfer-type shocks, improves traction: the hauler
screams off the line.
To date, Dick's best time in B/FX is 111.45 mph in just 12.61 seconds, and the red and white Ram
Truck holds six track records. The only rub is that the truck is not available through Dodge
dealers. It is strictly a one-off machine. However, there are so many performance minded MoPar
dealers that you shouldn't have any real problems having one built for you. All it takes is
money!
Whereas the Ram Truck is a one-off hybrid set up strictly
for dragging, the Sports Pickup is a "workhorse of another color." This rugged, low-slung truck is
marketed for people who need the services of a truck as well as a "set of wheels" for stepping out.
It's also the perfect vehicle for the rodder or customizer who must tow his machine to and from
competitive meets. The pickup has always been a prime target for both rodders and customizers who
want to build a unique machine.
The Dodge Sports Pickup is available in four models, ranging from the ½-ton D-100 to the W-200
¾-ton with Sweptline or Utiline pickup bodies. Some of the goodies that come as standard equipment
are plush vinyl bucket seats, wall-to-wall carpeting, dual arm rests and sun visors, fully
instrumented dash panel with a Sun tach, center console, and racing stripes over the roof and hood.
Chrome grille work and bumper and roof moldings add jazz to this workhorse.
In the power department this truck really excels. You can get it with a 140-hp, 225-cube six;
202-hp, 318 cube V-8, or the potent 413-cube V-8, which is featured in this article. Backing up
these mills are three, four and Loadflite automatic transmissions and a variety of limited-slip
rear ends. The 413 mill is rated at 360 hp at 4800 rpm, with a maximum torque of 470 at 3200 rpm.
Premium gas will nourish the sensible 10:1 compression ratio without any trace of detonation.
Carburetion is adequately handled by a large Carter AFB quad with a dry-type paper air filter. The
big valves are moved by a high-lift, long duration 268-degree hydraulic lifter cam, as used in the
beefy 383 (330 hp) Dodge engine. Dual exhausts with pleasant sounding mufflers efficiently handle
all breathing problems. A long list of optional extras includes power steering, full chrome
hubcaps, chrome bumpers, tinted glass, custom side moldings and a full width rear window. All the
comforts of home.
The red D-100 pickup with the black racing stripes as shown in the photos has a wheelbase of 122
inches and sports the eight-foot Sweptline body. Some other interesting specifications are as
follows: total brake lining area, 293.2 square inches; 7.10-15 whitewalls, rear axle struts and
3.91 limited-slip gears. With the power steering and push button transmission options, this truck
handles just like a full-size car. High-speed handling is tops and the truck comes on like a
"bear." You can order this handsome hauler in any of 13 body colors. The four one-inch racing
stripes are white on dark colors and black on the lighter colors. There's a wide variety of options
so that the buyer can tailor the pickup to his exact specification. We are just waiting for the
NHRA to officially classify this baby so we can borrow one and go dragging. With 360 hp,
four-on-the-floor or push but-ton Loadflite, this pickup will be hard to catch, no less beat!
Source
Martin, Larry. "Superstockin' Pickups a la Dodge." Speed Mechanics, The Magazine For Hot
Rodders February 1964: 34-38.
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