1987 Dodge Power Ram W250 LE - 360 V8 - 4x4
Description
For auction is my 1987 Dodge Power Ram W250 with the LE package, meaning it was a fully loaded model.
BASICS
Year: 1987
Model: Power Ram W250
Engine: 360 CID V8 (Gas)
Trans: 3 speed automatic (Torqueflite 727)
Drivetrain: 4x4 w/ CAD (center axle disconnect)
Mileage: 64,xxx (can't say if the ODO rolled over once or not)
Fuel Delivery: OEM Rochester Quadrajet 4-Barrel (for a few years just before FI, Chrysler used Q-Jets on these trucks)
Title: Clean PA title in my name
GENERAL INFO
This truck is a highly optioned model, which included the biggest engine available, 4 wheel drive, power windows and locks, fancy interior, cab roof lights, two tone paint, sliding rear window, intermittent wipers, big mirrors, cruise control, air conditioning, upgraded 4 speaker stereo... etc. It is impressively original and unabused. I spent the last year going through the truck and bringing it up to grade mechanically. Therefore, it needs nearly nothing in the mechanical department. It just passed PA State Inspection without issue. The interior is in incredible condition, probably about the cleanest interior you will find in a truck of this vintage. The body is the roughest part of the truck, specifically with respect to dents/rust. The paint is generally in pretty solid condition for the age. The rust is mostly concentrated on the bottoms of the doors, front fenders, and rear wheel arches. The frame has lots of surface rust but is still sound. The worst is a quarter sized section missing where the right rear bump stop used to mount. Not a structural issue I was told by two different mechanics. The cab floors, corners, door sills, rocker panels are in amazing condition! In fact, I had the carpet up when I replaced the cab mounts and the passenger floor looks like new. The driver's floor has surface rust, but is still solid and a quick wire brush and paint would be all that's needed. This truck had a bed cap for most of its life and therefore the bed rails are almost like new, with just some scratches in the paint. Right bed side needs to be rewelded/patched back where it joins the floor by the taillight, it is wobbly because that joint rusted. If you were looking to make this truck a real head turner, a good set of used/matching doors, front fenders, some trim pieces, and rust repair panels for the rear arches would do the trick.
Mechanically speaking, I spent a TON of time and money going through this truck. If you were to pay a shop for this kind of work, you might be looking at $5000 in parts/labor, probably more. I do all my own work and therefore I paid for just parts, which was still a significant sum. I am extremely meticulous in my work and I believe the pictures will prove that to a prospective buyer. What work I performed was done to a restoration level standard.
In summary, this truck would make an amazing work truck as-is and in some regards (given its age) is almost too nice for a work truck. It would make a great hobby truck for somebody and with some more exterior TLC would present very nicely. If you're a 1st generation Ram fan, this one is worth your consideration.
WORK DONE / NEW PARTS (ALL WORK PERFORMED IN THE LAST 200 MILES!!!!!)(all parts brand new unless noted)
-OE Headlamp Switch
-OE Dimmer Switch
-OE Ignition Switch
-Traced/fished burned out wires through the dash harness in a fully OEM manner (you could never tell I was in there)
-OEM Heater/Climate Control Unit
-Good, Used Fuse Panel Cover
-Complete Front End Rebuild/Restoration
-MOOG upper/lower ball joints
-Bead blasted, repainted spindles
-16 new lug studs
-16 new lug nuts
-National wheel bearing seals
-National spindle hub seals
-SKF inner wheel bearings
-SKF outer wheel bearings
-Centric rotors
-Centric brake pads
-Centric rebuilt OEM brake calipers and hardware
-MOOG right side u-joint
-DANA right side spindle needle bearing
-MANN oil filter
-Oil Change - Shell Rotella T4 15w-40
-PROTHANE cab mounts (with new metal welded into frame mounts. Wire brushed, Rust Bullet paint, black chassis paint)
-WIX trans filter
-WIX trans pan gasket
-Fresh ATF
-STANT radiator cap
-Rochester Quadrajet full rebuild (using a kit from Quadrajet Parts.com)
-new idle pickup tubes included
-new in-carb fuel filter w/ check valve
-ACI driver's side window motor
-Airtex distributor cap and rotor
-DENSO plug wires
-NGK spark plugs
-EDELMANN power steering return hose
-EDELMANN power steering pressure hose
-Thermostat housing
-GATES water pump
-OE rubber front door seals (both)
-OE radiator
-STANT thermostat (OE temp)
-TRICO wiper blades
-Trans cooler rubber hoses
-Thermal fan clutch
-CARTER fuel pump
-WIX fuel filter
-EDELBROCK air cleaner kit
-rubber fuel hoses (all engine bay hoses)
-FEL PRO rear diff gasket
-VALVOLINE rear diff gear oil flush
-OE used rear bumper
-steel fuel return line (along frame rail)
-OE reverse lights and wiring
Also included were many other miscellaneous odds and ends and a VERY thorough cleaning of the entire truck!
PROS
-heavily optioned truck
-reasonably quick for what it is (makes a great noise when Q-Jet secondaries open up)
-working 4x4 (can be finicky to get into 4 Low, never messed with it)
-$5000+ in new parts/labor
-runs and drives beautifully, very comfortable
-working (ish) A/C (could use a recharge but blows cool)
-original working radio and speakers (balance can be funky at times)
-CLEAN interior
-nice plastic bedliner
-fresh inspection
-receipts for EVERY SINGLE PART I put on the truck in chronological order, comes in 3-ring binder (proof of the work done, no games)
CONS
-needs a shot of starter fluid after sitting a few days, especially if cold outside (likely leaking secondary well plugs in carb, new brass plugs included. I tested and they did not seem to be leaking when I rebuilt the carb. Wish I would have replaced them then, hindsight is 20/20)
-trans occasionally wants to stay in 2nd at cruising speeds (maybe a kickdown linkage adjustment is needed? Seems to happen when truck is very warm. Other times it acts normal)
-frequent, but not constant speedo cable squeak (definitely annoying, never got around to it, but works fine)
-cosmetic body dents and rust
-passenger door alignment (very firm hand over latch to close, never messed with it)
-chintzy gas tank rear strap (from previous owner)
-missing exterior trim pieces
-cruise control doesn't work
-power locks don't work
-passenger window motor bad ($38 for a new one just like I put in driver's door)
-exhaust leak at manifold/downpipe connection?
-broken taillight lense
-non lethal frame rust
-other smaller imperfections, please examine pics closely (it is now a 31 year old truck!)
I am listing because I would like money for other projects, as much as I could use a reliable/practical truck like this. I am located in the Boyertown, PA area and would be happy to show a prospective buyer the ins and outs of the truck. Please message with interest and questions and I will respond promptly. I have pictures of everything I did to the truck, but eBay only allows 24 pics. If you want pics of something else, just inquire. Happy bidding!
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