How2Day: 1968 Dodge Pick-Up Specs

After nearly six decades of building rugged pickup trucks, Dodge, a division of the Chrysler Corporation, decided that by 1968 its trucks needed a little glamour. Buyers could choose up to 31 styles of pickups, ranging from the compact 90-inch wheelbase versions to the heavy-duty workhorses, but they could also order models featuring plenty of chrome, full-floor carpeting, bucket seats, a center console and even a vinyl roof. The 1968 Dodge pickup finally arrived as a second family vehicle.

Two six-cylinder engines were available on standard light-duty 1968 Dodge pickups. The 1968 Dodge Power Wagon was also equipped with a six cylinder. The two sixes in the standard models were the 101-horsepower, 170-cubic inch, Slant Six with a 3.41-inch bore and 3.125-inch stroke. The 170 had an 8.5:1 compression ratio and developed 145 foot-pounds of torque, the twisting force generated inside the engine to give the truck its towing power. The 140-hp 225-ci Slant Six featured a 3.41-inch bore and 4.125-inch stroke with an 8.4:1 compression ratio to develop 215 foot-pounds of torque. The 1968 WM300 Power Wagon was powered by a 125-horsepower, 251-ci, inline six-cylinder engine. It featured a 4.437-inch bore and 4.50-inch stroke, 7:1 compression ratio and 216 foot-pounds of torque. Three- and four-speed manual transmissions were standard.

Three V-8 engines powered the standard 1968 Dodge pickups. The 180-horsepower, 273-ci V8 featured a 3.625-inch cylinder bore and 3.313-inch stroke. Its compression ratio was 8.8:1. The torque was 260 foot-pounds. The 318 V8 developed 210 horsepower and 280 foot-pounds of torque with a 3.91-inch bore and 3.312-inch stroke and 8.5:1 compression ratio. The 383 V8 was new for 1968. It generated 258 horsepower and 375 foot-pounds of torque. Its bore and stroke was 4.25 X 3.38 inches and the compression ratio was 9.2:1. Three- and four-speed manual transmissions were standard and an automatic was an option.

The compact A-Series half-ton trucks sat on a 90-inch wheelbase and weighed 2,910 lbs. Dodge sold the standard D100 Series and W-Series trucks as a chassis and cowl or chassis and cab only, along with the Utiline and Sweptline pickup models. Dodge placed these trucks on 114-inch wheelbases with a curbside weight ranging from 2,540 lbs. up to 3,520 lbs. The long wheelbase version of the D100 half- and 3/4-ton models sat on a 128-inch wheelbase. The 1968 D200 Series 3/4-ton featured a 146 wheelbase and 4,335-lb. curbside weight rating, while the one-ton D300 was on a 133-inch wheelbase and weighed up to 4,760 lbs. Cargo box lengths on all models were 6.5, 7.5, 8 and 9 feet.

Light-duty D100 Series pickup -- not equipped with the 318 or 383 V8s -- payload capacities, which includes a occupants in the truck and a payload in the cargo box, ranged from 2,475 lbs. to 3,250 lbs. depending on the model. The D200 models -- not equipped with the 318 or 383 V8s -- with a 116-inch wheelbase could carry a payload ranging from 2,950 lbs. to 3,825 lbs. D200 models -- also not equipped with the 318 or 383 V8s -- sitting on a 126-inch wheelbase could haul up to 4,925 lbs.

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