My new project

[DustyDog99]

Just recently picked up a 1986 W150 Power Ram for $500 as a project truck on a budget. It seems a little unusual in the way it was order. 318/435/208 seems pretty normal but the 3.21 gears threw me a bit. I am building it mostly stock with the addition of limited slip in the rear and stock size tires as I will be driving it daily. I can't seem to find another grille surround so I am swapping on a 92 grille which I can get all of it new. The bed will be the biggest problem as I haven't been able to find anything for a reasonable price. Will post pics soon.

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[reek]

post pics! at some point, the front grill for the gen 1 rams changed where the headlights were just a bit higher than previous years. forgot what year. anyway, check rock auto for a grille. they have some for the 86. keep those old trucks on the road!

btw, where are you located? I have several parts trucks. one has a good rear end with limited slip. I'm in Sacramento CA

 

[DustyDog99]

I'm in colorado. I tried to add pics but it wouldn't let me. Might need to upgrade first. Dunno.

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[DustyDog99]

Rock auto doesn't have the metal surround that the grille mounts to. On mine the bumper got pushed against it and dented the bottom of the headlight sections and was pushed up long enough to wear thru the surround.

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[reek]

not sure why you can't post photos. maybe you need more posts before you can?

anyway, too bad you're not closer. I gotta get rid of the 92 body parts, been trying to give them away locally, not many takers. I doubt it's realistic with shipping but PM me if you need anything, it's yours no charge.

 

[crazzywolfie]

3.21 gears are very common on older dodges especially the ones with standard transmission or 4x4. i know my 81 and 89 both have 3.21 gears and the 89 came from the factory with 31's. the newer trucks with overdrive commonly come with 3.55 gears since they got the extra gear to help lower the engine rpm at higher speeds.

 

[DustyDog99]

It will be nice to run 75 with out feeling like the motor is screaming. This is my second ram and my 5th dodge truck. My dad has been a mopar guy since the 60s so it runs in the blood.

The shipping would be rather high on anything, that's why I am looking to put a flat bed on the truck as I can't find a good long bed for it.

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[crazzywolfie]

with 3.21 gears it shouldn't be screaming at 75 but definitely way faster than the 50 it was designed to go. i have had my 81 up to about 85 and the tach only said the engine was running at about 3600rpm which is ok. these vehicles were not build with speeds that high in mind. i think my dad use to have a 1 ton with 4:10 gears a 435 and it would max out at about 70. talk about bad combination but it worked good since he was using the truck like a tow truck.

 

[DustyDog99]

My other truck is an 85 D250 318/435/3.54 suregrip and it's happiest at 55-60.

Since I am going with a daily driver, the motor combo is going to be mild geared towards torque rather then horsepower. To that end I am getting a lunati voodoo cam with an idle to 5500 rpm band, weiand intake and edelbrock 650 avs carb. Looks like a good combo on paper but the proof will be after I get it running. Any one have experience with the cam or intake? Gasket matching and 360 valves will complete the package along with stock exhaust manifolds and lmc glasspack duals. Also anyone have experience with the proform HEI ignition?

Thank you in advance for any advice.

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[crazzywolfie]

but it also likely came from the factors with taller tires than most 150's came with.

have you considered fuel injections? if your going to be buying new parts and daily driving it it may be the best way to go to get the best performance all the time but still get decent fuel economy. i personally find the stock ignition system on these trucks pretty good as long as you didn't get the lean burn system. even then if you went with fuel injection most of them can fire the coil and act as as the ignition module.

 

[DustyDog99]

Fuel injection is out of my price range right now, but might be a future upgrade. I have learned how to tune carbs and timing for optimal gas mileage as is evident by the 20+ mpg I get in my 250. The reason I was looking at the hei was due to the fact that I have no ignition system right now and I wanted a simple ignition system. I have to completely rewire the truck anyway as it had gotten chewed up by critters and the hei only uses a couple of wires.

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[crazzywolfie]

have you looked at some of the aftermarket TBI setups? they have got pretty cheap. fitech has a complete setup that is just under $1000. you are probably going to spend at least $4-500 between new carb/ignition system. for a bit more you can get fuel injection which would make it more daily drive able.

https://www.summitracing.com/int/parts/fif-31003/overview/?retaillocation=int

 

[DustyDog99]

I will look into that thanks for the info.

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