1st Gen Build - (I need to name her!)

1984 Dodge Ram Prospector













Straight body, zero rust, dirty but good interior, makes for a perfect project truck!

I will post some stats later tonight, I am trying to get a build sheet from Dodge, but everything should be stock.

That's awesome!

sweet truck. just remember something that old save everything you remove from the truck...if you don't use it sell it to someone that can reuse it... just my $.02

nice. Love the first gens. My GF had a 89 D150

Goldie

Sweet truck

looks like a fun project!

That is awesome. My first vehicle was a 84 Ram Prospector. Single cab long bed Two tone Brown and tan but in the reverse color as yours. I had a 318 that came with it and I did a 360 swap with Eldebrock engine build up. I loved that truck. I sold it in Germany when I left. I loved that thing. I ended up working on it so much I could fix crap on those with my eyes closed. Congrats on a awesome truck.

Oh I had named my 84 "The Beast"

Goldie sounds like a good name

I don't know about "Goldie", I have some colors in mind for paint, and gold isn't one of them.

As for stats, the truck is bone stock. I guess it's been parked since 2007, and parked for 15 years before that. Needs some TLC in the way of gaskets and stuff, but nothing major. The only real problem I can see is that some of the body mounts are deteriorated, and so the right side of the cab sits about an inch lower than the bed. I am not having any luck finding a replacement though. Some energy suspension replacements would be awesome.

I have to go over the truck bumper to bumper tomorrow if the weather holds out, see what I can find out. A good tune-up and service and she will be purring!

Goldie = prospector.

eh, okay.

how about DERF

I didn't think a rust free Gen 1 existed! I'm shocked and amazed.

I'm surprised Energy Suspension doesn't make em. Hell, they where the same from '72-'93 (or something close). I recall on the back of Mopar Power or similar rag there was a company that made a lot of those kind of components.

WhiteExpress said:

I didn't think a rust free Gen 1 existed! I'm shocked and amazed.

I'm surprised Energy Suspension doesn't make em. Hell, they where the same from '72-'93 (or something close). I recall on the back of Mopar Power or similar rag there was a company that made a lot of those kind of components.

Click to expand...

Actually, after searching Energy Suspensions catalog, I found a "Master Kit" for the 74 pickup, I am going to call and see if it includes body mounts. If so, all new bushings for her!

Goldie = Prospector, I get it now!

I like your truck!

So looking at a new ignition system, I want to get rid of this Electronic Fuel Control System attached to the air cleaner. I know I need a new carburetor, and I am looking at a new intake, but I am seeing a lot of choices for ignition systems.

1) Mopar Performance P3690426 - Mopar Performance Electronic Conversion Kits with Distributor LINK

2) Mopar Performance P3690430 - Mopar Performance Vacuum Advance Electronic Distributors LINK

I am kind of leaning towards the conversion kit, simply because it's more of an update, and I really don't like vacuum systems. But at the same time, the vacuum system has to be functional for other systems regardless of whether or not the ignition system is attached to it. And the vacuum setup it $70 cheaper.

Has anyone installed either of these, and if so, what do or don't you like about it? Also, any input on changing the ignition system would be greatly appreciated. This is my first time dealing with the EFCS on Chrysler.

Thanks!

updates?

Go with the full electronic setup!

I am terrible at updating, partly because I work 24/6, but also because I work 24/6. I actually put my truck behind my tow truck about 3 months ago, and after driving 300+ miles, I jumped in to drive it and found I had messed up the trans somehow.

After driving the other truck for a month, I have finally found time to tear into the trans, and see whats up...

NP435, noise and clanking while idle with clutch out. Grinding into every gear except 4th and reverse. As far as I know, metal shavings and teeth chunks are a bad thing...



Even obvious metal in the gear oil seems bad to me!



Minus a few very minor nicks here and there, everything "seems" normal. Except maybe my 3rd/4th syncro rings. Are they supposed to look lopsided and funny?



How about freely moving around?



Not to mention the pour...


(I know, who films videos sideways? It's my cell phones fault...)

Despite the massive amounts of metal in the oil, I cant seem to find any excessively worn or damaged gears. Being my very first manual trans tear-down, I'm not 100% on the syncro rings. Is that amount of play normal? I wouldn't think so.

If anyone has any experience with these things, please post up. Im ordering all new seals this afternoon, and might be looking into syncro parts too!

Thanks!

That's freaking awesome mate. I would name her old faithful.

Edit: just saw the trans. Not awesome.