Dougs new toy; 1986 Dodge RAM D150

I bought a truck! Hunted for a bit and I found this 27 year old gem just a few miles from my house. The guy, not much older than me, had it for sale for $1500 and my boss (who is a good friend of mine) went with me to check it out and knocked him down to $1000. So just today we went to AAA, filled out the title transfer, slapped my new plate on and drove it home.

Nothing too special. Originally was bought as a farm truck before the guy I bought it off from got it. It was his daily driver and he did some mods like a new stereo, cab lights, floor lighting, and some other stuff. Not to mention replacing the entire radiator. Came with an extra set of tires on rims and of course fuzzy dice.

Currently it needs some work before it is road ready, and I dont go for my licence test until the 31st, giving me some time to get it ready. Things to do:

Rewire cab lights.
Rewire trumpet horns (yes, I have a trumpet horn)
Diagnose turn signals (not working)
Replace wiper blades
Replace window seals
Misc electrical work (mostly wire looming stray wires)
Bondo

I took video, its at the bottom of this post. Meanwhile, enjoy these photos.











Cant forget my sticker!

Sweet find I love em old square body dodges

Same. Had it been a curvy 90s/2k style I wouldnt have bought it, regardless of price.

Ya they're ugly in my opinion and the trannnys are junk my brothers dodge is going in for the 5th tranny rebuild

My boss has a 90s Dodge. Clearcoat on them is crap. CV joints are going out. I had a 94 Dakota that had more probems than it was worth.

This thing is 27 years old and in better condition (although it is 2WD, I forsee drifting corners this winter). Went and spent $30 on a Haynes manual so now I can fix just about everything.

Methinks you can fit your tractor in there... One step closer to Haspin

Indeedy. Need to be able to see how much gas I have in my tank before I make any long trips though lol.

The body looks fairly straight for being a farm truck, usually they are all dented up.  It also looks low on the PA cancer scale for its age, so I must say you got a good deal on it.
Do you know if the body is all original?

It is. Still has residue from tje old farm decals.

Fixed the turn signals today. Started off with checking the fuse box. Turns out one of the connectors got pushed in so it wasnt contacting the fuse. So I just pushed it back into the fuse box, plugged in my fuse and away it ticked (and flashed). So now I can at least drive it down the street.

Next I need to get behind the instrument panel and fix some bulbs. RTS indicator doesnt illuminate, and none of the gauges illuminate. So no night driving. Might be able to find out more on the fuel gauge too, might be as simple as an unplugged connection.

I love that truck
I was the 2nd view on your vid lol but sadly in the video i couldn't hear the engine purr that is my favorite sound in the world is an engine at a nice low idle. otherwise I love that old thing, the older the better.

Yea my phone didnt pick it up. Ill retry next video.

Actually put it to work today, filled it with cut wood from a dead tree that fell in the last storm we just had. So of course i had to pose it in the cattails.

Dodge-in its natural habitat.

That is national geographic material right there my friend lol

Doug Fackler wrote:

Next I need to get behind the instrument panel and fix some bulbs. RTS indicator doesnt illuminate, and none of the gauges illuminate. So no night driving. Might be able to find out more on the fuel gauge too, might be as simple as an unplugged connection.

Have you verified that you've got tail (running) lights? It's very common for vehicles to have that tails on the same circuit as the instrument lights. It's possible the fault lies in the headlight switch, too.

For the fuel gauge, there's a fair change the terminals are rotted off the top of the sending unit. Being on the top of the gas tank, crud and moisture collect and pool up there, and goodnight!

Doc Sprocket wrote:

Have you verified that you've got tail (running) lights? It's very common for vehicles to have that tails on the same circuit as the instrument lights. It's possible the fault lies in the headlight switch, too.

For the fuel gauge, there's a fair change the terminals are rotted off the top of the sending unit. Being on the top of the gas tank, crud and moisture collect and pool up there, and goodnight!

All lights work on the exterior. Some dash lights work, some dont. Yheres a lot of home done wiring on it so it might just be a connector or a blown bulb.

Havent checked it yet. I want to check behind the dash first. If its not behind there im gonna have to drop the tank.

So I really wanted to go for a drive, so luckily tonight my aunt went out to eat at the clubhouse at my workplace, so i piled my grandparents into my truck (I took out the center console thingy) and went over to drop off some stuff at the shop and eat.

As you may remember though, my dash lights dont work. Knowing I would be driving home at night, i needed to be able to see my speedometer. So since i had to take out the center console, i took apart the lights and shoved them under the plastic of the instrument cluster. Now i dont have to rush to fix my dash lights (although the glow is a bit too bright so it isnt permaneant).

Cool truck!
I love the looks of them 70s-90s "square" body trucks.

Ive given serious consideration of getting one. I prefer the 70s body myself.
What engine does it got?

Small block V8, the famous 318.

Also I got my licence yesterday so its about to hit the road!

Ahh- A solid, dependable workhorse of an engine.

love the 318.. one of dodges best

Last night when i was topping off a surge of gas came out of the filler as the handle tipped off and prior to that it smelled like gas. When it dries out (rain) im gonna have to check it out. The tank has to come off anyways so a leak will push me a little further.

Also bought a new steering wheel cover, seat cover, and ordered a bunch of LED strips in red.

Should be a simple, reliable truck. You will have to fix something every year, but it will be easy to fix.

Stretch44875 wrote:

Should be a simple, reliable truck.  You will have to fix something every year, but it will be easy to fix.

its going to be more than yearly.. its a dodge, remember? LOL.. all joking aside, its a nice truk. hope she treats ya well, Doug