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Posted By: jcvanner 77 B300 Tradesman - November 28th 2022 6:42 pm
Greetings,

I seem to have found a lead on a 77 B300 1 ton, and it is a short wheel base van. My question is, does anyone have an idea of what engine a 77 B300 would have? I'm assuming a 360 would be the one, or perhaps a 318.

Also, would a B300 short wheel base be somewhat of a rare thing? It seems odd to me.

Thank you for your time.
Posted By: Wedgy Re: 77 B300 Tradesman - November 28th 2022 6:49 pm
Originally Posted by jcvanner
Greetings,

I seem to have found a lead on a 77 B300 1 ton, and it is a short wheel base van. My question is, does anyone have an idea of what engine a 77 B300 would have? I'm assuming a 360 would be the one, or perhaps a 318.

Also, would a B300 short wheel base be somewhat of a rare thing? It seems odd to me.

Thank you for your time.

Yes! Odd yes and it could even have a 400, or 440. But probably a 318, or better the 360. Maybe a Slant 6 stick! Exciting!! Cool find! Good Hunting!!
Posted By: Lee7673 Re: 77 B300 Tradesman - November 28th 2022 10:02 pm
Are you sure its a short wheel base? I am pretty sure the 300's are the long maxi vans.
Is the wheel base a 109" or a 127"?
Posted By: jcvanner Re: 77 B300 Tradesman - November 28th 2022 10:44 pm
Originally Posted by Lee7673
Are you sure its a short wheel base? I am pretty sure the 300's are the long maxi vans.
Is the wheel base a 109" or a 127"?

I haven't seen it or measured it in person, it just looks like a shorter wheel base, but pictures can be deceiving. It's definitely not as long as the maxivan, but it says B300 tradesman on the side, and has the 8 lug wheels.

Here's a pic, maybe you can tell. Picture
Posted By: Lee7673 Re: 77 B300 Tradesman - November 29th 2022 2:28 am
Originally Posted by jcvanner
Originally Posted by Lee7673
Are you sure its a short wheel base? I am pretty sure the 300's are the long maxi vans.
Is the wheel base a 109" or a 127"?

I haven't seen it or measured it in person, it just looks like a shorter wheel base, but pictures can be deceiving. It's definitely not as long as the maxivan, but it says B300 tradesman on the side, and has the 8 lug wheels.

Here's a pic, maybe you can tell. Picture

Do you have a picture of the passenger side?
Posted By: jcvanner Re: 77 B300 Tradesman - November 29th 2022 7:44 am
Originally Posted by Lee7673
[/quote]

Do you have a picture of the passenger side?

Unfortunately not, but I do have this one, slightly better from the same side. Picture
Posted By: Astrocreep66 Re: 77 B300 Tradesman - November 29th 2022 12:21 pm
This is truly strange or rare, did someone convert a 100 to a 300?
Posted By: Lee7673 Re: 77 B300 Tradesman - November 29th 2022 5:31 pm
I think someone converted it over to a one ton. I don't think Dodge made any shorty 1 tons in the 70's. I could be wrong but couldn't find any evidence online either to support a 1 ton shorty mid Dodge van
Posted By: Wedgy Re: 77 B300 Tradesman - November 30th 2022 12:20 am
The VIN would be interesting. This was the era of the Dodge Street Van.
You could get a lot of special factory options in the Tradesman vans. Dodge Van Clan!

If you could order the big block 400 or 440 in 1977 in a shorty, down to a Slant 6 in this year, maybe your could special order suspension in a shorty as well?
Posted By: jcvanner Re: 77 B300 Tradesman - November 30th 2022 5:46 am
Originally Posted by Wedgy
The VIN would be interesting. This was the era of the Dodge Street Van.
You could get a lot of special factory options in the Tradesman vans. Dodge Van Clan!

If you could order the big block 400 or 440 in 1977 in a shorty, down to a Slant 6 in this year, maybe your could special order suspension in a shorty as well?


I would like to get the VIN, but the seller is not very responsive and a poor communicator. I'm very intrigued by this van, a 1 ton shorty van is pretty cool I think. If the guy would just talk to me and take some pictures in the daylight, I would send him the cash and have it shipped over. If it's at least in decent condition I'll take it and restore it, but he won't even do that. Then complains about "so many people asking, not one serious buyer".

Sorry, I'm just whining at this point, frustrated.

I suppose it is possible it was converted to a 1 ton, it just seems kind of unlikely, no? Wouldn't that be a lot of work?
Posted By: Ram4ever Re: 77 B300 Tradesman - November 30th 2022 10:41 am
As far as can tell from my 70-72 Shorty service manual, there were some differences in the rear suspension which were typical of 1-ton suspensions, but they never really come right out and say which rear ends were available at that time other than the 8-3/8" and the Spicer 60.

I'll attach the picture of the rear suspension assembly diagram so you can see which parts change. The square U-bolts, the upper plate and large curved bottom plate, and the offset shackle are conspicuous.

When you'd get into the later, B350 vans, they actually changed how the springs attached to the frame.

Attached picture 20221130_053135.jpg
Posted By: Ram4ever Re: 77 B300 Tradesman - November 30th 2022 10:47 am
Actually, I just discovered a useful appendix in the shorty manual, which lists the various leaf springs by van model versus gross vehicle weight, versus spring capacity!

It also tells you how to determine which springs you've got by the thickness and number of leaves!

I'll attach a picture.

Attached picture 20221130_054805.jpg
Posted By: Ram4ever Re: 77 B300 Tradesman - November 30th 2022 11:02 am
I've found another section in the appendix of my Shorty service manual, which deals with the front suspension and it's ratings, and the rear axle.

These details wrapped across a 2nd page. I'll post both pictures here.

Attached picture 20221130_055556.jpg
Attached picture 20221130_055617.jpg
Attached picture 20221130_055649.jpg
Posted By: 75RoadRunner Re: 77 B300 Tradesman - December 03rd 2022 11:04 am
There are a few shorty 1 tons out there, not many. The easiest way to tell is weather or not there is a window between the front doors and the side door (right side) or the double windows (left side). Big blocks were becoming somewhat common with the 3/4 and 1 tons in 77, so that might be sitting next to your right foot.
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