I have an '86 D150 with a busted grille, among other things, and a friend is scrapping an '83 2WD Ramcharger with a decent grille. They look like they should interchange, is this a direct bolt in or will I have to apply some Possum Lodge technology? TIA.

 

yes it should bolt right on to your truck. all rams have the same same bolt holes. you don't loose anything but time if it doesn't. i like the 81-85 grilles better than the 86-90 and 91-93 grilles. i plan on installing a grille from a 81-85 on my truck as soon as i can find some bezels.

 

Thanks for the response. I pulled the grilles today and did the swap. It isn't quite a direct fit but real close. Everything lines up except at the bottom of the headlight wells, the flanges on the '81 grille (it was an '81 not an '83 ) came up about a half inch short of reaching on the '86 but the screws were long enough to reach and snug it down. Also the headlights both sit at the very insode and bottom of the openings but from a few feet back it's not real noticeable. If it were a nicer truck I'd take the time to make everything line up but it's just a beater so close is good enough.

 

WHAT?!, if it still has a title and runs how much would they be willing to sell for

 

No title, no engine or trans, the lower foot of it is pretty much gone and the critters have been inside it for a couple years at least. It is FUBAR and that's being conservative. The tailgate is perfect though. As of today it also has no grille, driver side door handle or steering box and I'm going back Saturday for the steering wheel. It's just too damn cool to send to the crusher. It's a black 4 spoke aluminum wheel with a pleated vinyl horn button. Were those a Ramcharger only wheel or normal for all '81s? Remember, I'm new to Dodge trucks.

He has a '78 or so Adventurer short bed stepside 1/2 ton that has a real decent body but won't sell it. He's had it for 25 years and it runs but he just lets it sit. If he'd sell some of the junkers he keeps throwing money at the '78 could be REALLY sweet! It's a factory 318 and straight as an arrow, just starting to show surface rust where the paint chipped. He does at least start it and move it once in awhile but what a waste.............