[minnesota guy]

Mopar or no car.

 

[hawken]

Here is a page showing basic spcifications of the 1985 Dodge D/W (100/150/250/350) chassis with front & rear spring rating info, GVWR's and the like.  Take a look at payload capacity of the D100 vs. D150 ... and then the W100 vs. W150?    The D100 has about 1000 lbs LESS payload capacity where the W100 has MORE payload capacity than the W150.  What's up?

When I look for parts for the rear and front springs for D100's & D150's, I don't find variations between the two.  Ditto for the W100 vs W150 leaf springs.

Like others have said, I think a lot of this has to do with Dodge creating a model spec'd out to meet some Federal Regulations related to payload & weight ratings on one-end, and then the fact that given the same chassis between the D100 & D150 and the W100 & W150, the ne the extra equipment on the D150 and the W150 probably reduced the overall GVWR as compared to the respective 100's.  But I just can't see a D100 having a (literally) 1000 pound LESS payload capacity than a D150.

 

[SuperBurban]

The payload is calculated by subtracting the empty weight from the GVW. The D150 has 2 options for GVW, the payload they list, is the max payload, using the higher of the GVW's, and subtracting the empty weight. The D100 does not have the optional GVW.

I'd bet the W100 only has the 20 gal tank, while the W150, has the larger fuel tank, that would account for the missing 5LBS.

 

[hawken]

I still don't beleive the rear leaf springs on the D100 are so different as to account for 1000 lbs less payload than the D150s.  And, the D100s had less std. equipment overall than the D150s.

My shortbed '85 D100 (almost done swapping the orig slant 6/904 with a low mileage 440/727 drivetrain from a '77 Dodge Tradesman 2 1/2 T chassis (motorhome)) has the optional 35 gallon tank, A/C, PS, PB and 'Prospector' I pkg., so it is effectively equipped like most D150s.  I just have not seen any obvious differences in the leaf springs between the D100s and D150s ... in the parts catalogs or at the salvage yards.

This subject (D100 vs. D150) is really of interest to me because I am about to cure my power problems with my engine conversion.  Incidentally, my totally stock front suspension sits about 3/8" lower with the 440/727 installed than the orig. /6 & 904 (about 140 lbs. difference).

Since my project will evolve, I started with front suspension upgrades including pulling some parts from same/similar year Ramchargers incl. the (very large) front sway bar.  It is the rear suspension I have the most questions about - the rear leaf springs and the payload capacity for the D100 vs. the D150 ... 'cause everything I am seeing on the rear suspension under my D100 appears to be the same as the D150s, yet the original literature explains that there was this huge 1000 lb. capacity gap between the D100 vs. the D150.  The rear axle and brakes appear to be identical as well.  If anyone has any experience suggestions on this subject, let me know.  My 'new' 440/727 drivetrain is a stock (at this point) smogger motor from '77 w/ the HD 727, so I am after the torque increase of a large cube V-8 - nothing crazy (yet).  I would like, however, to work toward beefing-up the suspension to handle towing a car & trailer when I need (& without worry).

 

[ramman8798]

Hey dude, The D/W 100 are half ton two wheel drive trucks. The D/W 150 are four wheel drive trucks in the Gen One series they were the Snow Commander or a heavy half ton truck. I still have three of them in my collection and have owned a series of them from 1976 thru 1998. Every one of them an exceptional truck.

 

[SuperBurban]

Hey dude, The D/W 100 are half ton two wheel drive trucks. The D/W 150 are four wheel drive trucks in the Gen One series they were the Snow Commander or a heavy half ton truck. I still have three of them in my collection and have owned a series of them from 1976 thru 1998. Every one of them an exceptional truck.

Sorry dude, D= 2 wheel drive, W= 4 wheel drive. both came either 100, or 150, depending on options or years. Both are 1/2 ton.

 

[KThaxton]

True dat dude!