October DealsAmazon USOctober deal check: compare before you payAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.Check DealsWindows FixRecommendedWindows errors stealing your time? Find the fix fastScan stability, cleanup and performance issues.Fix NowOctober DealsAmazon USDeal season is back - check today's better picksAmazon US: current deals, useful picks and tech finds.See Picks×
Skip to content
CarCodyAdvertise
Service recordThe Garage

History of the Dodge Warlock: The Years, Styling and Warlock II

Introduced as a 1976 Dodge pickup custom option, the Warlock became a regular-production model in 1977 and is commonly reported through 1979 as the Warlock II.
Entry462 Date Time3 min MechanicCarCody Team
Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.

The Dodge Warlock began as a 1976 pickup custom option and became a regular-production model in 1977, according to specialist histories. Its short-wheelbase stepside look, oak bed racks and gold pinstriping helped make it a factory-custom pickup rather than just a work truck. The commonly reported final model year is 1979, when the truck was called the Warlock II, though one specialist source gives a conflicting 1980 end date.

What was the Dodge Warlock?

The Warlock was a Dodge pickup custom option introduced in 1976. A U.S. Department of Transportation product-schedule table identifies the Warlock as a 1976 Dodge pickup custom option: Chrysler light truck product schedule notes. The table establishes the option’s presence, while later histories describe its launch and production sequence.

Dodge marketed the Warlock as part of a broader shift in how automakers presented pickups and vans: not only as practical vehicles, but also as personal, customizable rides. Dodge’s historical account groups the Warlock with the Li’l Red Express and Street Van in its “Adult Toys” advertising: Dodge’s Street Van era history.

When was the Dodge Warlock made?

The clearest supported timeline distinguishes the 1976 introduction from regular production starting in 1977. Hot Rod describes the Warlock as appearing late in the 1976 model year and says production continued through 1979, with the last-year truck named Warlock II: Hot Rod’s history of the Warlock and Li’l Red Express.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
#1 Best Overall
MPC 1977 Dodge Warlock Pickup 2T 1:25 Scale Model Kit
  • MPC 1977 Dodge Warlock Pickup 2T 1:25 Scale Model Kit
Model-year point What the sources establish
1976 The U.S. Department of Transportation schedule records the Warlock as a Dodge pickup custom option; secondary histories describe a limited late-year introduction.
1977 Specialist histories describe the Warlock as entering regular production.
1979 Hot Rod reports this as the final model year and identifies the final-year truck as the Warlock II.
1980 Dodge Connection gives a 1977–1980 range, but that conflicts with its account of the 1976 introduction and Hot Rod’s 1979 end date; 1980 is not established by the stronger corroborating account.

The year disagreement is worth keeping in mind when dating a truck or describing the model’s final year. Dodge Connection’s overview and appearance details are available at About the Warlock.

What made the Warlock distinctive?

The Warlock’s identity centered on factory-custom styling. A specialist history describes a short-wheelbase stepside pickup with oak bed racks and gold pinstriping. Those details are useful clues to the package’s look, not a complete specification for every model year or surviving truck.

  • Body style: short-wheelbase stepside, also described as Utiline.
  • Bed detail: oak bed racks.
  • Exterior accent: gold pinstriping.

The available histories do not establish that every Warlock had identical equipment, color, engine or drivetrain. Nor do these visible details alone prove that an individual truck is an authentic factory Warlock; that determination requires vehicle-specific documentation beyond the cited histories.

What is the difference between a Warlock and a Warlock II?

In Hot Rod’s account, Warlock II is the name used for the final-year 1979 truck. That makes it a later model-year designation in the Warlock’s history, rather than evidence of a wholly separate line with a fully documented specification here. The available sources do not provide a complete year-by-year list of equipment changes between Warlock and Warlock II.

Special offer. See more information about Outbyte and uninstall instructions. Please review EULA and Privacy policy.
Rank #3
BDTCTK Dodge Ram Mammoth Pick-Up Truck Model Car, Zinc Alloy Pull Back Toy car with Sound and Light for Kids Boy Girl Gift(Black)
  • [Alloy Car Model]: The size of the car: 6.8 *2.7*2.5 in. Weight: 0.5 lbs.Outer packaging: exquisite colored translucent packaging box.
  • [Material Quality]:This product is made of high-quality zinc alloy material, the body is made of zinc alloy, the windshield and the interior of the car are made of environmentally friendly ABS material, and the tires are made of rubber.
  • [Function]: This product can be opened with all doors, the front hood, the rear cover, and the doors on both sides can be opened. Pressing the wheel or opening the left or right doors can trigger the sound and light control switches, and the sound simulates the sound of an engine. It has a strong pullback function, pull it back, release the hand and run forward. The interior of the car is realistic and clearly visible.
  • [Ornament and Collection]: This product is very suitable for static ornaments, and can be used as ornaments next to the computer. For those who are keen to collect model car models, it is a very good collection of art.
  • [Suitable for Birthday and Christmas gifts]: Exquisite packaging, which can be used directly for children over three years. Used as a model display as a gift for adults.

How did the Warlock relate to the Li’l Red Express?

The Warlock and Li’l Red Express were sibling Dodge offerings in the “Adult Toys” marketing context, alongside the Street Van. The available official history supports that shared advertising position, but does not provide a complete apples-to-apples comparison of their specifications, performance, production numbers or prices. The Warlock’s documented identity is its pickup custom-package styling; the Li’l Red Express is established here as a related offering, not as a direct technical equivalent.

Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support on Ko-Fi

What is not established about Warlock production?

The sources cited here do not verify an exact production total, option codes, or complete engine and drivetrain combinations by model year. Those details should not be inferred from the Warlock name or exterior styling alone. A 1978 Dodge sales brochure is listed in a catalog as covering the Warlock, but the catalog listing does not establish current availability: Dodge truck sales brochures.

Best Value
2019 RAM 1500 Rebel Crew Cab Pickup Truck Red 1/24 Diecast Model Car
  • Brand new 1/24 scale diecast car model of 2019 RAM 1500 Rebel Crew Cab Pickup Truck Red die cast model car by Motormax. Brand new box.
Rank #4
KiNSMART - 2019 Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup 1:46 O Scale 5" Die Cast Metal Model Toy Truck (Black)
  • SCALE DETAILS: Precisely crafted 1:46 O scale die-cast metal model of the 2019 Dodge Ram 1500 pickup truck, measuring approximately 5 inches in length
  • AUTHENTIC DESIGN: Features detailed black exterior finish, realistic wheels, and accurate body styling matching the full-size 2019 Ram 1500 truck
  • CONSTRUCTION: Built with durable die-cast metal construction and high-quality plastic components for long-lasting play value
  • DISPLAY QUALITY: Perfect for collectors and enthusiasts, with authentic detailing including grille, headlights, and body contours
  • RECOMMENDED AGE: Suitable for ages 3 years and up, makes an ideal gift for truck enthusiasts and young collectors

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

More from the Garage

  1. Entry001Date09 OCT 26Time3 minWhich Brake Pad Should You Buy From RockAuto or Elsewhere?Section: Blog
  2. Entry002Date09 OCT 26Time5 minThe Pros and Cons of Touchless Car Wash SystemsSection: Blog
  3. Entry003Date09 OCT 26Time3 minCan a Trickle Charger or Battery Tender Properly Charge a Car Battery?Section: Blog

Thanks for visiting Carcody

Carcody.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.co

Recommended PC Tool
Recommended PC Tool
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You DownFree scan - exact matches
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They SpreadFree repair scan

Two free Windows tools

One Free Minute Could Fix That PC

Before you go - each of these free tools takes about a minute and tackles what quietly slows a Windows PC down.

Special offer. View Outbyte info, uninstall instructions, EULA, and Privacy Policy.