10th Mar 2006, 21:34

I've got a 1972 tradesman with 439,000 on it and it's definitely worth every repair I've ever made on it. it always gets me where I need to go, and it's easy to work on too. I'll never get rid of it. I just bought a 77 too, to help preserve this one a bit more.

6th Dec 2006, 15:57

When I was born in 1975, my Grandpa got a powder blue Dodge Tradesman with the extension, and specified that it be completely empty, except for the driver's and passenger seats. He then outfitted it himself, with what seemed to be a queen size bed with several storage compartments underneath. He welded a custom steel grille to the front, rigged up two tractor batteries into the electric system, and modified the fuel system with an additional propane tank. All this plus a refrigerator and an altimeter out of an old airplane added up to one mean camping machine.

As soon as I was old enough to be away from home, he would take me on a road trip every summer. Over five years, we retraced the entire Lewis & Clark Trail. We also spent summers in California, Utah, Montana, and the Black Hills, fishing, golfing, and stopping at every historical marker we saw. I saw more of this country during my childhood than some people see in their lifetimes.

'Ol Blue now sits deactivated on my uncle's farm (much to my uncle's dismay), and I am welcome to it. There's no telling exactly how many miles are on it, but it's somewhere over 300,000, and on the original engine. In my mind's eye, I can see myself resurrecting it somehow, replacing the engine with a new turbo diesel & manual transmission, and putting another 500K on it, but who knows of the feasibility of such a plan.

It sure seems strange when put down in print, but that van helped shape who I am. At least I still have the altimeter.

4th Dec 2007, 12:38

I own a 1975 Dodge B 100 that I ordered in 1974, when I was 20 years old. It cost $3,800.00 and payments $88.50 a month for three years. I am still driving it today. It has 80,000 miles on it. It was stored in a barn for 20 some years. In storage, mice got in and messed up the shag carpet. I wish I had put moth balls in it to keep out the varmints. Hoever, I'm not restoring it. It is as fun as it was the first time I drove it. Vanning, here I come! 2% of vanners KEEP ON TRUCKING.

25th Mar 2009, 12:21

I bought my tradesman 200,because I needed a van and because my Dad had one, same year, just it was a Chrysler Voyager.

Many years have gone by, and I refuse to let my van go.

I found that if you put a kit on the 318 engine that is supplied by a company called Jeggs, the performance is incredible! I replaced the 2 barrel carb, with a 4 barrel Edelbrock. I also replaced the intake, the cam and lifters. The performance difference was instant. I will add the headers next, to complete the package.

One problem I have had is weak flex plates. Standard ones aren't strong enough. I wish the walls could talk... cause the story they could tell would make a cool movie.

I have used my van as a source of advertisement and a way to talk to my Dad when we weren't talking so well. We could sit and talk about the problems we were having and trouble shoot them through together.

If you ever had a problem with vibrations from the engine, but could never find it... look at where the transmission meets the bolt up U-part. there is a rubber grommet that tends to slip over time, and the tranny is rubbing direct to the metal U. My Dad went nuts trying to find the problem. When it happened to me, I found the culprit and told my Dad where to look. He couldn't believe it... even after he had had his trans rebuilt, they wouldn't tell him why it was making a noise & vibrating, even though they knew because he is old, they could keep hitting him up for repair bills! Good luck to you all! theairbrushman@gmail.com

8th Jun 2009, 18:44

I've had my 1976 Dodge Tradesman 200 since I was 10 years old. I'm 23 and after 13 years it's completely rebuilt. It has gold and red shag carpet the bed in the back, a complete bar with a fridge, two captain's chairs and leather pleated roof. It's a shorty van and there are the diamond rear windows. I love it. jonathonallen05@yahoo.com, any info or parts email me.

8th Nov 2009, 20:55

I have a 1974 Dodge Tradesman van, that has been in my family for about 30 years. All my life I watched the van become sun beaten. My uncle barely drove it 9500 miles on the drive train, so when my brother said he managed to buy it for 200 dollars, my uncle was moving and had to down size, so I ended up getting as a gift for my brother. I can't put into words how great that is. This van has so much meaning to me and so many possibilities...

13th May 2011, 12:36

Am original owner of a 1977 B-200 Dodge Van, I am looking for a billet square tub chrome grille. I retired it from a work truck. Am currently in the process of customizing it, but can't find a grille, any leads appreciated.

7th May 2012, 10:11

I am just needing some information. I purchased a 1974 Dodge Tradesman 200 van, with the 5.9 360 engine. And I have replaced the battery and regulator for the alternator. After a couple of hours of driving, the lights and stereo seem to go out, unless of course I give it some gas, then everything starts up and powers on again, but then goes out once I release the gas pedal. Any ideas about what that problem could be???

28th Jun 2016, 00:11

I just bought a piece of junk 1977 Dodge Sportsman. Where in the world do I begin to restore it, and where's a good place to get the parts? I want to restore it with modern day things under the hood. Any suggestions would be great.

28th Jun 2016, 09:18

I considered this era. But for a little more money I went to the 90s and bought a very clean high top conversion V8 automatic van. Cold air and plush. These vans are primitive. As far as privacy, the dark tints and slide curtains solve the privacy issue. Added a DVD and flat screen. And it's a dream to drive.

21st Jun 2017, 08:00

Looking for a 1978 black Dodge Tradesman shorty from the Oregon coast. The van has had at least two owners since its off the lot sale in 1978 from North Bend Dodge. Van had a custom grille and both hood and grille had no manufacturer badges. Red pinstripe on hood and under windows. Any Oregon coast van owners out there?

10th Nov 2017, 17:01

I have a 77 too. It's hard to find grilles even at salvage yards. The aftermarkets don't look like originals.