In the world of diesel trucks, it’s not hard to find a rig that has been the recipient of a drivetrain that was not part of the OE plan. Take for instance Charles Pitcher’s 1979 D100 Dodge. While the D100 was a factory offering, the addition of the Cummins engine takes it out of the factory-built realm.

“We fit the truck with a 1993 Dodge frame, 1990 Cummins 12v engine, NV4500 transmission, and a Ford NP205 transfer case,” says Charles. “The chassis is completed with a Dana 80 rear axle with disc brakes, 63-inch long travel rear springs with a shackle flip, and a custom-made ladder bar suspension. The front is my own bolt-on three-link coilover suspension featuring Fox shocks and a Ford kingpin Dana 60 front axle with 14.5-inch rotors and dual piston calipers.”

Almost looks like it could be factory installed.

The wheels on the D100 measure 17×8 and are hand-built with ’60s-era stainless-steel hub caps. Many custom features include a custom 4-inch stainless exhaust, stainless brake and fuel lines, and custom-bent aluminum A/C lines. “We even went into further detail with a handmade aluminum fan shroud that’s even stamped with the words, Caution Fan,” quips Charles.

The firewall, floors, and transmission tunnel are also handmade by the owner. The entire truck was stripped to bare metal and refinished in Teal Frost green with a matte clear coat. Inside are custom leather door panels, a suede-wrapped aluminum headliner, and a custom center console with hidden, flip-out cup holders.

The details can make a break a truck and this D100 includes under-bedrail LED lighting, power locks, and a Bluetooth stereo control hidden in the original ashtray. According to Charles, it’s a great all-around workhorse. “The 3.54 gears cruise well, the A/C blows ice cold, it tows a trailer great, and it can handle about any terrain I put it through,” Charles affirms.

Simple, understated, and cool.

“The truck’s original plans did not include a repaint but with the amount of custom work we did, it seemed right to respray the whole truck. The only panel we didn’t see a need to remove was the roof skin and luckily, it is clean inside and outside.”

• Cummins turbo diesel engine
• The cylinder head and injection pump have been rebuilt
• S300 internally-gated turbocharger
• Updated internals and four-bolt top cover with iron tail housing
• Tom Woods 1410/1350 double-Cardan (CV joint) front shaft built on a 3-inch tube
• Tom Woods 1410 on rear shaft built on a 3-inch tube
• Dana 80 3.54 rear axle with anti-spin differential and 35 spline shaft
• Dana 60 Ford high-pinion kingpin front is a unique blend of parts featuring Dodge Dana 60 knuckles and spindles
• Sectioned and grafted diesel core support with dual hood latches
• NOS doors and a birdbath hood
• Rear bumper tucked and lifted slightly
• Front bumper fitted with recessed LED fog lights
• Custom floors, transmission tunnel, and firewall
• Speed Hut gauges
• NOS door panels with custom door cards and armrests hand-made in leather