Another newbie thread; need help with differences

Hi guys,

let me start by saying that my next purchase journey started out as looking for a 3rd gen ram. After trying to find a manual transmission, 2500, quad cab, 4x4 and dealing with the a$$hole dealers wanting to charge in upwards of $20k for a 7~10 vehicle i've changed directions. I bought my first jeep over a year ago and quickly learned how to work on vehicles (generally speaking compared to what i used to know - nothing), so i'm not afraid to tinker with things if need be. Thanks for the members who helped out out during that fiasco!

Now i need your help again!

I'm looking for a first gen ram, not a ramcharger, but i believe a power ram - if that is what the 4x4 models are designated as. i also believe they're a W150

This is also going to be a new daily driver and in talking with my dad he said to go with the 318. He said the 360s had some problems and you won't win a lot of races with the 318, but it was a solid engine.

I also want a manual transmission, which seems to be a four speed.

transfer case - i believe they're solid because they were before the let's-save-money-chain-era. I do want shift on the fly though, like current vehicles. I thought i read that some latter models were able? Also, are they direct or vacuum lock crap? i remember driving back on the farm on a chevy which had a vacuum lock system 4x4 which i thought sucked and i was only 12?

So to sum up what i want, or at least until you guys tell me otherwise:
w150
4x4
318
4 speed
transfer case? years?


Thanks guys!

pretty much every year od the 1st gens had 318s as an option. most of transfer cases are np208's. they are not shift on the fly though. you can get a shift on the fly transfer case at a junkyard from some early 90s 1st gen rams though relatively cheap. manual transmissions are a little harder to find than autos. best of luck to you!

88rambigblock said:

pretty much every year od the 1st gens had 318s as an option. most of transfer cases are np208's. they are not shift on the fly though. you can get a shift on the fly transfer case at a junkyard from some early 90s 1st gen rams though relatively cheap. manual transmissions are a little harder to find than autos. best of luck to you!

Click to expand...

so i cant just lock the hubs and be able to shift into 4wd on the go? seems so unusual.

if you are looking for a truck you should look for a 92/93 with the 318 magnum and 5 speed. you get about 100hp more than a carbed 318 la engine and it is noticeable. i have had my share of fun with my little 318 magnum powered ramcharger.

crazzywolfie said:

if you are looking for a truck you should look for a 92/93 with the 318 magnum and 5 speed. you get about 100hp more than a carbed 318 la engine and it is noticeable. i have had my share of fun with my little 318 magnum powered ramcharger.

Click to expand...

i can't say i would turn one down, but i'm kind of looking forward to learning on a carb'd engine. plus, i'm having a hard enough time finding a manual, 318, short bed, in good condition that isn't turned into a mudding truck.

are any transfer cases in the 1st gens vacuum actuated? not sure if that's quite the right wording.

also, check this out for the heck of it

Dodge Other Pickups Prospector | eBay

eduardostewart said:

also, check this out for the heck of it

Dodge Other Pickups Prospector | eBay

Click to expand...

That doesn't seem real. How... how can that exist?

****, this makes me not want to sell my truck. It woke me up to just how beautiful these trucks are and how important they were, even if they aren't valued highly by collectors.

Plus, that jet black with the gold pinstripe is just sexy.

Deblackmon3 said:

That doesn't seem real. How... how can that exist?

****, this makes me not want to sell my truck. It woke me up to just how beautiful these trucks are and how important they were, even if they aren't valued highly by collectors.

Click to expand...

gorgeous ain't?!

eduardostewart said:

gorgeous ain't?!

Click to expand...

I don't believe it. I'd have to see it in person... like... how? Plus I want to hear it... but those tires are going to be dry-rotted to hell though, at least in the bead.

i cant wait to find mine. im finding fords and chevys like theyre a dime a dozen. can not wait for my beauty.

does anyone know what model manual transmissions were?

how about auto vs stick? i prefer the manual, but is either a better transmission? the 727 is everywhere.

There were several manuals on these trucks. Autos were more common though. 727 is a very capable transmission that is very easily built to be bullet proof, hell, I've got one behind my big block. lol

i found a beautiful and restored w150 with a 440 in her. for that i would settle on having the 727 and not a stick. Though, i don't think the 440 will be great for a dd

Yeeeah, big blocks can be a bit heavy on the fuel usage. lol I can attest to that with my 5 mpg 400. Granted, I DO have a heavy foot.

if built right, and careful driving a 440 CAN get more than 22 mpg. the 727 is an amazing transmission. very, very tough. I've got 600+ hoses going into mine and it runs like a dream, even after a few thousand hard miles. and when I say hard miles, I mean brutal miles.

the 208 transfer case is not shift on the fly. also that truck will never bring that 49,00$. ever. imo

whatcha guys think?

Whoa, that your new truck?