Got a new truck! 81 RAM Step Side 4x4

[rklein383]

Need an engine for it (small block), but is a really solid truck. I love it!

 

[pauly]

Very cool! Congrats!

 

[HemiSSDart]

It is actually a Dodge D150 Utiline, stepside is a generic GM word. Nice truck, but come on over to the Mopar world...

 

[SSG_Karg]

JEALOUS!!!

 

[rklein383]

It is actually a Dodge D150 Utiline, stepside is a generic GM word. Nice truck, but come on over to the Mopar world...

Always a critic on these forums.

I believe the D is a two wheel drive and the W designation is a four wheel drive. Although in this case, the truck was originally a two wheel drive 6 cylinder. Sometime in the past, the cab and bed was put on a 4x4 chassis.

 

[rklein383]

My other Mopar...

 

[HemiSSDart]

Always a critic on these forums.

I believe the D is a two wheel drive and the W designation is a four wheel drive. Although in this case, the truck was originally a two wheel drive 6 cylinder. Sometime in the past, the cab and bed was put on a 4x4 chassis.

Just a pet peeve of mine, like referring to a Club Cab as an extended cab with a posi traction and camel hump heads or something of that nature. Cool truck either way, but I will always use the proper nomenclature and have a hope that everyone else would also...

 

[Bobzilla]

Need an engine for it (small block), but is a really solid truck. I love it!

View attachment 1716436158

Good looking truck. Why does it need an engine? I am assuming you are somewhere in the southwest since it is solid? That is the one bad thing here in Michigan; rust.

 

[rklein383]

Panhandle of Texas, no engine, I have a solid lead on a good running 360. Will find out Friday if it pans out.

 

[rklein383]

Just a pet peeve of mine, like referring to a Club Cab as an extended cab with a posi traction and camel hump heads or something of that nature. Cool truck either way, but I will always use the proper nomenclature and have a hope that everyone else would also...

I have been a Mopar guy for 35 years, I guess I didn't see that many Utiline trucks in those years so really didn't know the correct terminology. I have had a 78 and 79 4X4 long bed truck in the past.

 

[dartindanno]

That truck is awesome! Good score

 

[HemiSSDart]

I have been a Mopar guy for 35 years, I guess I didn't see that many Utiline trucks in those years so really didn't know the correct terminology. I have had a 78 and 79 4X4 long bed truck in the past.

That's cool, I have had 6 Warlocks and 4 Lil Red's in the last 35 years, so it is just my hang-up. You got a good project, have fun with it!

 

[rklein383]

I think the truck is good enough just to drive as is, once I go through the mechanicals. I would like to put AC in it.

 

[Bobzilla]

That would be an awesome driver with a 360 and air conditioning.

 

[RustyRatRod]

That's a cool truck!

 

[rklein383]

Tires on the truck were made in 1984, good enough to roll it around and that is about it.

 

[MMissile]

Put a LS in it. Jim will love it.

 

[rklein383]

I actually just bought a 360 that is in a very rough 79 Power Wagon. Good news is it is a 100% complete engine that I paid a core price for. It supposedly is a good running engine. We will see shortly.

 

[volaredon]

Put a LS in it. Jim will love it.

As nice of a truck that that is, I'd rather see it crushed first

 

[rklein383]

Of course my good engine is in need of a full rebuild...

 

[rklein383]

Got a real good deal on a 5.2 magnum, dressed it up LA style on the front and cleaned it up a bit. Ready to drop in.

 

[JDMopar]

Did you use the Hughes cam snout extender to put a fuel pump eccentric on it? I installed one of those a few years ago and it looks like the woodruff key needs more engagement on the eccentric. It works, but it was worrisome.

 

[rklein383]

Did you use the Hughes cam snout extender to put a fuel pump eccentric on it? I installed one of those a few years ago and it looks like the woodruff key needs more engagement on the eccentric. It works, but it was worrisome.

Yes, did on my 71 Barracuda as well. Yes, key is on the smaller side, but a fuel pump is a small load.

 

[rklein383]

Made good progress solo today. Engine and headers are in place. My engine hoist barely did the job. Had to remove the front tires and drop the front all the way down.

 

[JDMopar]

Good job! Did the Magnum pan that was on it work in the truck, or did you have to swap to a 360 LA truck pan? Asking because I hope in the near future to drop a 5.9 Magnum from a 98 3500 into my 88 D100.