For decades, the Dodge Sweptline trucks have been a hard pill to swallow. Even with their capable powerplants and unique, beautiful styling, they never quite enjoyed the same popularity as their GM and Ford competitors. Seeing a D-Series truck at anything other than a Mopar event is a rarity, but thankfully that is finally changing as of late! In fact, they’ve been coming out of the woodwork often enough these days that QA1, one of the leading aftermarket suspension companies on the planet, decided to pick one up to R&D new suspension systems for this growing market.
The project began with a ’69 D-100 fresh out of a California vineyard where it had served as a work truck for most, if not all, of its life. Hence: Project Corkscrew! And one of the raddest parts of this build is that, other than the suspension development, a lot of volunteer time went into it thanks to QA1 employees from different departments. As has been said many times before, teamwork makes the dream work!
Handling Upgrade
Of course, the first thing the QA1 crew had to tend to was the severely outdated and worn suspension, which consisted of leaf springs all around. It was great for hauling wine barrels around the vineyard, but that was now in the past.
With QA1 now fully onboard with the ’61-71 Dodge D-Series trucks and hinting at developing performance suspension systems for ’72-93 Mopar trucks, we definitely think now is the time to be on the lookout for your next Dodge project!
The front received a new crossmember from which an independent control arm setup was hung, with Mustang II-based drop spindles, a power rack steering system, and QA1 Proma Star double-adjustable coilovers. This yielded a 6-inch total drop up front, while the rear was dropped 7 inches with a modified ’88-98 GM truck flip kit and the addition of 1-inch lowering blocks, with QA1’s Stocker Star double-adjustable shocks taking care of the damping. While this setup drastically improved the handling and overall feel of the Dodge, the folks at QA1 tell us that the rear setup is temporary and will soon receive a newly developed torque arm linked rear suspension with coilovers to replace the leaf springs.
Braking performance was greatly enhanced with 13-inch Wilwood brakes all around, actuated via a Wilwood manual master cylinder. All of this stopping power terminates where the road meets the sticky 295/40R20 Pirelli tires, which are mounted on 20×10 Rocket Racing Attack wheels.
The project began with a ’69 D-100 fresh out of a California vineyard where it had served as a work truck for most, if not all, of its life.
Now that the truck could handle, it needed something other than the 318 V-8 that was currently sitting between the framerails. While respectable in its own right, it certainly wouldn’t provide the acceleration and speed that the suspension deserved. We’re not sure whether an LS, LT, or even Coyote engine were considered, but we’re definitely glad that the QA1 crew stuck within the Dodge brand and wedged a built low-mileage, cammed 2020 5.7L Hemi into it, complete with an 8-speed automatic trans underneath. A Mopar 345 crate engine controller setup was wired up, saving everyone the trouble of having to figure out the electrical side of the install. As luck and preparation would have it, the engine started right up and idled the first time the ignition key was turned! Plumbing up the fuel system ended up being relatively easy as well, since it was found out that LS fuel components are pretty much interchangeable with the Gen III Hemi since they use the same size connectors and operate in the same PSI range.
The rest of the truck remains pretty much stock, with the exception of the vintage pinstriping, as well as lettering and signage done by Print Lab Wraps. Well, then there’s the Dakota Digital gauges, which were pretty much a necessity due to the modern engine, as were all of the other peripherals that keep the truck running and driving smoothly.
With QA1 now fully onboard with the ’61-71 Dodge D-Series trucks and hinting at developing performance suspension systems for ’72-93 Mopar trucks, we definitely think now is the time to be on the lookout for your next Dodge project!
TRUCK SPECS
Owner QA1
Lakeville, MN 1969 Dodge D-100
Chassis & Suspension
QA1 ’61-71 D-100 independent front suspension QA1 Proma Star front double-adjustable coilovers Modified ’88-98 GM rear axle flip kit with 1-inch lowering blocks QA1 Stocker Star double-adjustable rear shocks Custom transmission crossmember Front Wilwood 13-inch brakes with six-piston calipers Rear Wilwood 13-inch brakes Wilwood 15/16-inch bore manual master cylinder Tanks, Inc. rear-mount tank with in-tank pump
Wheels & Tires
20×10 Rocket Racing Attack wheels 295/40R20 Pirelli P Zero tires
Engine & Drivetrain
2020 5.7L Hemi engine Mopar rear sump oil pan Modified Hooker ’72-93 D-100 swap mounts Comp Cams Stage 1 camshaft Modified TTi headers 2.5-inch dual exhaust Mopar 345 crate engine controller MDS eliminated and VCT locked out Bouschillon Performance reduced pressure power steering pump Custom 26-inch Be Cool radiator and electric fans 2020 8HP70 8-speed automatic transmission Sound German Automotive trans contoller Hooker trans bracket Energy Suspension trans mount Remote mount Derale trans cooler
Body & Paint
Original paint Custom vintage pinstriping Graphics/lettering by Print Lab Wraps
Interior & Stereo
Recovered factory bench seat Factory steering wheel Dakota Digital VHX universal gauges with OBD-II interface