Abandoned Dodge D200 CrewCab SWEPTLINE Camper Special left to rot in a field!

Say hello to the next project! You’re looking at a 1969 Dodge D-200 crew cab SWEPTLINE! This beast is 20 foot long, 4,400 pounds of pure steel. Make sure to SUBSCRIBE to follow this build, let us know what you think should be done to this unique truck!
#CrewCab #Sweptline #Dodge

[@TheBonsaiZone]

An awesome find! I'd keep it 100 percent original, there is just so few of them around anymore.

[@RealSteelFabrications]

I think so too!

[@Ian-of9oi]

I’m on the fence. First I was thinking swap it onto a newer chassis. But if it can be made a runner keep it original.

[@rudysaldivar4228]

The original Megacab. I’ve noticed old tires were made differently back then. Now my Michelins dry rot before I wear them out.

[@RealSteelFabrications]

Nothing is built the same anymore!

[@Prettyrickie06]

I grew up riding in the back of the bed of this truck! Dad had a red 1970 D200 4dr manual. My mom redid the interior with white vinyl. Lol in our neighborhood the rule in all the houses was when you heard Mr.Frazier crank up his work truck, then it's time to get up for school. He was a heavy duty mechanic at the Marine Base in Albany, GA. Straight piped truck had the entire neighborhood smelling like exhaust and cigarette smoke....man I miss my Daddy....

[@skipstein744]

I owned a 1969 D200 318 ci auto trans, for years. It was always a great running truck . It lived and worked on our land in the mountains of California. Onward!

[@RealSteelFabrications]

That’s awesome! They are great trucks for sure!

[@nathanbopp6163]

That's a beauty. she needs cleaned up a bit. I'd keep her stock suspension, but airbags would work. You could use one those frames to build a 4x4 limo

[@RealSteelFabrications]

Not a bad idea

[@Rebel9668]

Personally I like the long bed. Can haul a lot more stuff with it. But then, I'd restore it to as original as I could. To me what some folks call patina I call too lazy to fix it. "Patina" makes it look like a turd. Take the time to straighten it, put new sheet metal in and strip and primer & paint it. That would be one sharp lookin' truck :)

[@RealSteelFabrications]

The long bed is growing on me, if we do the patina look, we are still going to fix the rust and replicate the patina, it’s all about preserving the history.

[@MrBlueWRX]

Keep it long wheel base and do a dually conversion,that would certainly turn heads.

[@RealSteelFabrications]

That would be awesome for sure!

[@TairnKA]

I'd make it 4wd.

[@RealSteelFabrications]

@@TairnKA ya it’s a 2wd

[@nikdepriest.]

Things a beast!! Nice to see where it started

[@victoriadurham29]

Restore to original. Don’t have to paint. Please don’t lower it. It’s a work truck bring her back and let her work again.

[@RealSteelFabrications]

I’m hoping the patina stays as well!

[@carlstclair9920]

Restore her to original.

[@Kevin-xn5qn]

You might find a vintage bag of weed in there.

[@HODGEPODGEDODGEGARAGE]

NICE find!! 😮 You can *never* have enough crew cab Dodge trucks! Awesome to see yours is a long bed. 🔧🔩

[@RealSteelFabrications]

For sure! She’s staying that way

[@chilltime4878]

Man, that thing is gonna be sweet no matta what you do to it. So many ways in my head and cant decide. Im jealous!! New to your channel and I will stick around and find out. Blessings from San Antonio, FL y’all.

[@RealSteelFabrications]

Appreciate the support! It’s truly a sweet ride!

[@GalaxieMarauder]

Build a tow rig. I d use that as an awesome flea market/swap meet tour the USA truck

[@RealSteelFabrications]

Dad actually mentioned that, guess we will see!

[@BillLaBrie]

seriously, I’ve always liked the way these looked sort of slapped-together. The B-Pillar looks like they adapted the single-cab dies in a rush. Or maybe it’s just two single-cabs welded together at the factory. It’s just the sort of rough, utilitarian approach that used to be standard in pickups. It’s been lost to heated steering wheels and LCD screens.

[@RealSteelFabrications]

Super true! The hoods and stuff on these trucks don’t fit quite right lol! Makes it tough when you’re restoring them and trying to get all the gaps right!

[@jeffreythompson7110]

I always wanted one of those swept lines .

[@RealSteelFabrications]

Pretty hard to find!

[@gr8fulpn]

Love the sweptline body style, had a 71 long bed w/ 318. Loved that truck

[@RealSteelFabrications]

They’re cool rides!

[@asataylor-smith474]

What a fine 👍 keep it as it is beautiful old thing. I have a dodge d100 step side 1971 over here in the uk only one over here👍👍

[@RealSteelFabrications]

Thank you! That's incredible!

[@rileyfindley7207]

A 12 valve Cummins swap would be cool for this truck

[@RealSteelFabrications]

I agree! Might be trying to do it on a budget like our current build. Try to show people that you can have sweet rides without wrapping a bunch of money in them, we will see tho.

[@rogerfrancis65]

The towing ring inside the passenger door floor is called a bow shackle as opposed to a D shackle, the shape determines its name, leave it as standard length and original paint.

[@RealSteelFabrications]

I agree with the paint! And the longbed is growing on me for sure!

[@rogerfrancis65]

@@RealSteelFabrications there are way too many chopped vup vehicles, and just like wagons rocketed in value it won't be long before longbeds also rocket if there are any actually left by then.

[@RealSteelFabrications]

@@rogerfrancis65 very true!

[@samking5615]

Awesome truck love to find one

[@RealSteelFabrications]

Thank you!

[@RiffRaff160]

New subscription from the UK. Love these old Dodge trucks. Thin on the ground in the UK

[@RealSteelFabrications]

Thanks for the sub! I bet they are!

[@nickwishert3950]

Keep it the way it is that is history right there

[@RealSteelFabrications]

Might be on a Cummins chassis already….

[@wadethomas6952]

I see Chevy and Ford all-time finally a Dodge that's cool truck

[@RealSteelFabrications]

Sure is!

[@markmcelyea6650]

Long bed crew cab dodges are very rare most were built with shout beds. Don’t slam it maybe think outside the box and fix it as it’s built. Those rusty steps try vintage power wagons they repo them . It is a very unusual configuration camper specials tend to be more optioned then most other dodges.

[@RealSteelFabrications]

Thanks for the info! What is the shout bed exactly?

[@markmcelyea6650]

Sorry stupid spell check should have said short bed. It may be a 69 but it’s got a 70, 71 grill my dad has a 69 . I Have 6 dodges , a 1941 Wc 12 , A 1943 WC52, a 1946 wdx power wagon, a1962 w 300 power wagon . A 1991 d250 cummins reg cab long bed an a 2003 4wd 3500 Dre I bought new had about 20 other dodge 4 WD . Dodge powerwagonpage good forum for info and questions. I sign on as Mac from Tx if you got any for me

[@OG-TimoT]

Absolutely love this truck. New to your Channel. You got a new Sub Brotha. Let's see what u can do Best of Luck my man👊🍻

[@RealSteelFabrications]

Thanks for the support, stay tuned!

[@teresagoodrich4388]

Please don't cut her up. Make her awesome again. Long bed crews are the best. I know, I've been driving one since highschool in the early 80's.

[@RealSteelFabrications]

Probably will try to find a short bed to put on it. They sure are awesome though, what year is yours?

[@teresagoodrich4388]

@@RealSteelFabrications 69. I post a pic but i dont see that option here. Ya'll said in the video tours was a 69, but I haven't seen that grill on a 69, except mine. My dad put the 70 grill on it because he thought the one on the 69 was ugly LOL! He also but tubs on the bed and a duel rear under it. And air ride. And a 440. It originally had the same engine yours does. If you don't know already, there are a few sweptline groups on fb that could help if you have any questions or part sources. They know lots more that I do. I'm just a mechanics daughter who was raised on mopar.

[@RealSteelFabrications]

@@teresagoodrich4388 love that! But ya, this grill is definitely from a 70 or 71. The truck was wrecked before so I bet they switched out the grill for the newer style, passenger fender has been replaced as well.

[@teresagoodrich4388]

@@RealSteelFabrications check the headlight placement, that's the case they will very slightly not line up. Just enough to be a real pain in the backside when you have to replace one and almost impossible to adjust. But it's not ugly and that is the most important thing...right dad...yeah...right. LOL!

[@RealSteelFabrications]

@@teresagoodrich4388 I’ll have to check it out! Glad you found the channel! We will have more videos of what the plans are with the truck!

[@CoastalAutoReactionCAR]

Good to see you get that crew cab boys!

[@RealSteelFabrications]

Yessir, looks like more metal work...ugh lol!

[@RealSteelFabrications]

Going to try to talk dad into preserving that patina though!

[@jacemusgrove3073]

Leave it longbed and fix the door. After that, whatever makes you happy. Clean it up and drive it! Nice find for sure!

[@RealSteelFabrications]

Thank you!

[@duenasramon25]

That plate on the underside of the dash is the base plate for a pioneer FM Stereo 8 track unit.

[@RealSteelFabrications]

Good to know!

[@gerrycovarrubias8226]

Got a 66 D200 love it

[@RealSteelFabrications]

Right on! Thanks for checking it out! We are looking at a 1963 tomorrow, stay tuned...

[@windowcreek1798]

What an awesome old truck. Oh ya....

[@RealSteelFabrications]

I love it!

[@Ian-of9oi]

Those door latches were always trouble. Had a Dodge grain truck of that vintage growing up.

[@RealSteelFabrications]

Can't blame them for not being opened for 35 years

[@Ian-of9oi]

@@RealSteelFabrications yeah and on our 66 D800 the door latches were the only thing that gave us any trouble. Guess being a short haul grain truck and having to get out every load did not help. Plus it still runs now.

[@RealSteelFabrications]

@@Ian-of9oi Ya i bet! That's awesome though, what motor?

[@Ian-of9oi]

@@RealSteelFabrications 413. Had a 5 and 4 trans setup.

[@jaysonburns4423]

This truck is fricken cool

[@RealSteelFabrications]

Agreed! Don’t see them too often!

[@ClassicMoparsbyEvtheDodgeMan]

Great deal

[@RealSteelFabrications]

awesome ride!

[@kimherrick9615]

thats a CB mount low on the dash, so you can can move the CB from car to car. Fix the rust, keep the patina on the outside, restore the interior, pull the 383 and put a 12 valve in it's place with a built 47RH trans. Looks like a great project.

[@RealSteelFabrications]

That’s actually close to the plan we are thinking! Stay tuned to follow the build here in the future!

[@27087999]

this pick-up truck odel was very very popular in my country Argentina.!!!! and very specially this for the electrical company!!! it's very easy see on the argentina street this trucks working!!!

[@RealSteelFabrications]

That’s amazing!

[@glenbo2464]

Its gonna run !

[@RealSteelFabrications]

Hope so, got a new starter on the way, old one is fried.

[@StreetTruckGarage]

wow , awesome, that bed is huge

[@RealSteelFabrications]

Truck is 20 foot long

[@RealSteelFabrications]

It is now currently Cummins swapped

[@StreetTruckGarage]

@@RealSteelFabrications beautiful , got a super cab myself also with a 6bt, but it has a step side bed

[@StreetTruckGarage]

@@RealSteelFabrications haha thats so awesome, well i am watching out here in Africa, love the Dodges-

[@RealSteelFabrications]

@@StreetTruckGarage incredible, glad to have ya!

[@jessop0joe]

I was brought here by a VGG tag. I would have thought someone who watches Derek would have made it start and drive outta there. 😛

[@RealSteelFabrications]

We really wanted to, but we had to wait a good while for the previous owner to get a title for it, so the truck sat for a good while after we initially went there to try to get it running and drive it home.

[@davidforsyth446]

Keep as close to stock as possible, I opine too many customs out there, by no means shorten the bed.

[@RealSteelFabrications]

Stay tuned on what will happen! Thanks for commenting!

[@chrisminter7776]

@8:37, that was called a slide mount. another bracket would mount on your cb or 8 track and made it easy to take out so you didn't have to leave the unit in the truck to get stolen. Dad had one in his 1975 chevrolet scottsdale.

[@RealSteelFabrications]

awesome, good to know!

[@joes3485]

If you plan to repair all the rust-thru areas, then repaint, I would say keep it all original so the cost will be less. Otherwise, do what you wish. I like the dually option mentioned elsewhere.

[@RealSteelFabrications]

Getting a Cummins swap

[@lifelong5425]

Love it

[@punkinsgarageandpaint8299]

It would be cool to do a full chassis swap with a 2nd gen dodge Cummins! I'm not a diesel person..heck never drove one either but this would be amazing..,like the guy from Ford era KZbin channel.

[@RealSteelFabrications]

That would be amazing!

[@wolfgangricky]

In 1969 there were 1,707 D200 crew cabs made with a V-8. Those #'s beg for an original rebuild

[@RealSteelFabrications]

agreed!

[@jhawk1985]

Short bed. Small lift kit with big wheels and mud tires keep the patina and some new interior. Fuel injection to make it reliable/daily driver. Wouldnt mind seeing a Cummins in it

[@RealSteelFabrications]

Checkout our most recent videos. It’ll be getting a 5.9 cummins, 4x4, big wheels with mud tires, not for sure on paint yet but agree patina would be cool! Also it is staying a longbed.

[@Jmanhag]

Do NOT put a short bed on this truck. You will destroy the soul of this rare and very useful truck. 1969 Dodge Camper Special with a crew cab and 8 foot box was in its day THEE truck for serious campers. The Camper Specials were all D200's (three quarter ton trucks) set up to haul a full size camper without being tail happy. Having a six person cab and the ability to carry a 10 + foot camper made them great for family camping and/or hunting trips. This is a rare, fully set up camper vehicle and should not be destroyed. If you absolutely have to have a short bed, get a short bed or a normal, run of the mill long bed and and chop it up. Please do not destroy such a rare and purpose built truck. If nothing else, get it running and safe to operate on the roads and sell it to someone who will appreciate what this truck is. You should have no problem buying another truck better suited to being chopped to hell with the money you'd get for it. And you would be instrumental in preserving a piece of American light truck history.

[@RealSteelFabrications]

Lot of good information here, thank you! I agree with keeping the long bed though.

[@TairnKA]

I'd repair any "major" rust issues (safety / structural), buff it up the best you can and add something to protect the petina. The other option is to retro rod it (new drivetrain, frame(?), suspension, disc brakes, etc...), including paint (2 tone). ;-)

[@RealSteelFabrications]

I think a mix between the two would be perfect!

[@graemelliott3942]

Get it running fix the brakes, new tires, throw away all the trash and wash it and drive it.

[@RealSteelFabrications]

Check out our latest video, power washer worked wonders on it

[@graemelliott3942]

@@RealSteelFabrications watched it! Waiting for more!

[@lucifermorningstar8541]

I got to say I love when the younger generation don’t have a clue what things are, there’s a little brackets inside the truck on the roof there for hanging clothes with a hanger LOL

[@RealSteelFabrications]

Figured that’s what it was for

[@pathbelow6652]

I have 3 of these. Old state department trucks. None have much rust. All run. None 4 sale.

[@RealSteelFabrications]

Wow! That’s amazing!

[@mattyrothsoffroadgarage8333]

Offroad utility truck whoud be the best way to build this old girl and personality I think short bed trucks lood distinguishing

[@RealSteelFabrications]

Seen a lot of guys doing that!

[@BEW1969]

Looks like a 69. Front clip was probably changed at one point. Only way to know is by the vin. 61-69 are 10 didgit and 70-71 are 13 didits. The dodge emblem on glove box is 69 only. The dash screws are original. They used small ones and big ones.

[@RealSteelFabrications]

Yep! It’s a 1969 with a changed out grill and fender.

[@CoastalAutoReactionCAR]

That leak woulda been the trans shift lever seal over the years.

[@Rebel9668]

Only 30? I've never even seen a truck like that one and I'm 52, LOL! We had a '71 Dodge pickup that was an A100 (COE, like the little red wagon) and it had a sh*tload more rust on it than that truck and that was back in the mid 1980's...if it's still around today I bet all that's left is the engine and frame, LOL!

[@RealSteelFabrications]

Those A100’s are awesome! 30 years of sitting in a field, defiantly could be in worse shape for sure.

[@jotterson1156]

Sweet petina

[@RealSteelFabrications]

Agreed! Hopefully is staying!

[@nathankoroush7918]

Looks like the truck from the movie, Fire in th sky.

[@RealSteelFabrications]

I’ve never seen the movie, but I looked it up, and it sure does!

[@nathankoroush7918]

@@RealSteelFabrications Love these old trucks.

[@RealSteelFabrications]

@@nathankoroush7918 same here! Can’t wait to get to working on it, what would you like to see happen to the old rig?

[@nathankoroush7918]

@@RealSteelFabrications Just get back on the road.

[@davefrolik1189]

I had same truck but but it had a 9ft stepside,, believe I still have new grill for it in my barn

[@RealSteelFabrications]

Step sides are awesome! Want to sell the grill?

[@davefrolik1189]

@@RealSteelFabrications i will find it and send you a pic

[@RealSteelFabrications]

@@davefrolik1189 thanks!

[@davefrolik1189]

@@RealSteelFabrications hi guys if you can send me an email address I can send you some pics of grill,for some reason I can't get them here

[@nitcat1]

I would keep the long bed and put a vintage cab over truck camper on it.

[@RealSteelFabrications]

That would be cool!

[@richardthomas3873]

I'd love to have one sitting on the army truck frame. 2 ton take one axle out.

[@RealSteelFabrications]

That would be awesome!

[@James-sir]

Make her brand new like Stock

[@RealSteelFabrications]

I kind of think the patina should stay!

[@ChefMichaelTurner]

Leave as is. Don’t shorten it. Don’t slam it. I have a 1975 w200 long bed. You want that long bed it’s a truck.

[@RealSteelFabrications]

For sure!

[@dannyritchey1963]

The cheapest would to keep it 2wd original work truck. My friends dad had the same truck but it was 4wd. Pull start tractors. Or a totaled 2nd gen Cummins body swap ur 69 body would be kick ass. Get it running for now. Rare truck thease days .

[@RealSteelFabrications]

For sure, we are thinking to keep it on a budget, so maybe a fuel inject 360 with newer suspension from a donor vehicle, then keeping the patina, something we can drive comfortably!

[@BEW1969]

Long bed crews are rare. 90% are short beds. Dont mod it out. Keep it original! Restore it to original if anything!

[@RealSteelFabrications]

Agreed!

[@howardganzer4316]

I'm a big fan do you have a tailgate for a D200

[@RealSteelFabrications]

We do not, sorry

[@tlr-nut7275]

They rarely do. You don't us the tail gate when you have a camper on it.

[@brianmauro4546]

If she is for sale I am interested in purchasing it.

[@RealSteelFabrications]

Not currently

[@vernonricker9910]

Kinda wanted to see them start this truck.. Not everything Else

[@RealSteelFabrications]

Our most recent video is starting it!

[@jamesestis146]

Slam it nice wheels and modern paint a keeper or give it to me haha

[@RealSteelFabrications]

Would look good on the ground with some wheels, it’s a keeper!

[@bradcampbell3288]

Cummins, lifted.

[@RealSteelFabrications]

Would be awesome!

[@toddbankes3019]

Fix it up stock form....no bagging, LS swaps, or none that other crap.

[@RealSteelFabrications]

sorry, got cummins swapped

[@pedroklock9670]

👍🇧🇷

[@RealSteelFabrications]

What would you do with it?

[@denhamdaves]

Frame off restoration number Maching

[@RealSteelFabrications]

went a very different route

[@carstengrove6214]

Cummins swap long bed

[@RealSteelFabrications]

That’s the plan!

[@RealSteelFabrications]

What should happen to this old truck?

[@michaelsedway9703]

Cummins 12 valve. Repair the rust, leave the patina and put Yosemite sam mudflaps on it, then rock it on Friday night

[@RealSteelFabrications]

@@michaelsedway9703 that sounds perfect! I agree with leaving the patina!

[@michaelsedway9703]

@@RealSteelFabrications thought about it some more. Tank the body, put it on a 2nd gen 4x4 chassis with 24 valve and nv5600 trans. What ever you do, it will be awesome. Cheers from Las Vegas. Close to finishing a 64 power wagon w100.

[@OG-TimoT]

Stock Look. Two tone Paint. Stock but custom interior. Modified suspension. (Bagged or Static) But man I would not cut the bed down on this deal. Any way you do it, Best of luck👊🍻

[@RealSteelFabrications]

@@OG-TimoT I love that idea! Agree 100%

[@dougi6109]

Don't chop it up too many guys destroying trucks leave it the way it is patina it.

[@RealSteelFabrications]

We won't, haven't decided if we are going to change the bed or not.

[@firebreathinggarage2117]

Unique, you used it twice. Look it up.

[@RealSteelFabrications]

“being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else” I would say that definition is fitting to the truck, can’t replicate that patina!

[@firebreathinggarage2117]

@@RealSteelFabrications , then every bolt, fan blade, even every barrel rifling. So your belief makes everything unique, which completely waters down the idea of being one of a kind.

[@RealSteelFabrications]

@@firebreathinggarage2117 my bad, well it’s unique to me, sorry we have opposing views

[@steveadzema4521]

Leave it as is just get it back on the road

[@RealSteelFabrications]

It’ll defiantly be running soon!

[@chadfent3987]

They really didn't make many of the crew cab/long bed camper specials. Please don't shorten it. If you really think you want to do that, sell it to me instead.

[@RealSteelFabrications]

We have not decided what we are going to do yet. Do you know how rare that combination is?

[@chadfent3987]

@@RealSteelFabrications I have seen just a few over the years. Wheelbase is 159" yes? If so, I think you have a d-300. If that's the case they made under 2,000 that year. www.sweptline.com/hist/prod_info.html

[@RealSteelFabrications]

@@chadfent3987 no should be 146 I believe, D-200

[@chadfent3987]

@@RealSteelFabrications OK, fair enough, still only 2 and a half thousand, of which 2/3 were V8. And, really, let me know if you want to flip this when you get the metal patched up.

[@samking5615]

2002 silverado hd =20 feet long

[@RealSteelFabrications]

BIG truck!

[@oliverroedel1111]

don´t go with the short bed hype, leave it original

[@RealSteelFabrications]

I agree, gotta convince my dad

[@ChargerusPrime]

Restore it to original then sell it for 500k. Yeah, that's literally how much one of those is worth,they only made about 2000 of them. They're as rare and valuable as a superbird.

[@RealSteelFabrications]

How so

[@ChargerusPrime]

@@RealSteelFabrications because they are so rare and different. Crew cabs like that wouldn't be seen again til 2010 in dodge trucks. They're sought after for multiple other reasons as well.

[@tlr-nut7275]

Just because they are rare doesn't make it valuable. A Superbird is way more money than this truck. After you spend 100k getting this truck back to mint condition, you'll be lucky to get 50k for it.

[@ChargerusPrime]

@@tlr-nut7275 lmfao your knowledge of mopars is LAUGHABLE. And I ain't putting 100k into anything because I know I don't have to. I could put 20k into the one I found and sell it for at least 120. Lemme ask you this, why do 1940s and 50s power wagons sell for just as much if not sometimes more than birds if they aren't as "valuable"? Answer, they absolutely ARE.

[@tlr-nut7275]

@@ChargerusPrime I've got a a '68 W200 crew-cab short bed Power Wagon in much better shape than this one. You can have it for a mere 20k. Come and get it. I have lots of old cool Mopars.