Hey guys. I am buying an 86 Ram tomorrow. Test drove it today on my lunch hour and I don't have any specs other than it's an 86' 3/4 ton 318 4 speed manual. My question is this... After about 50 mph it shakes quite a bit. It's gonna need new tires, but I'm wondering if it's going to be a simple front end fix or if this is normal in a 19 year old truck ( every one I've been in shakes. lol) I can give more specifics tomorrow, but any info would be appreciated. I sure miss my 98 Ram sport but this will work for what need a truck for now. Thanks in advance.

 

It shouldn't shake. It should bounce on rough surfaces, but not shake. I'd say something isn't balanced, perhaps tires or driveshaft. Is there mud caked on any of the wheels?

 

Hi, I bought a 1986 1/2 ton 318, 4spd last summer and drove it 300 miles back home with no shimmy or wobble but it only has 34,000 miles on it. The front end may have some worn parts such as balljoints and or tierod ends. Those items should be checked in addition to tire balance and faulty tires. I had a 1988 W150 with TBI that I really liked but had so much trouble with the electronics that I sold it. I was in the process of converting to a carburetor when a guy offered me $500 for it. He put the TBI back on, drove it for about 10 miles and it's been sitting for the last 10 months. It got around in the mud and woods exceptionally well. The 4spd with the low range will take you a lot of places. Good luck!