I'm thinking about buying a 1990 Dodge Ram, just wondering if there is anything I should look out for. The truck is a 4x4, with the 318 V8, and a 4-speed manual. The truck is hardly stock from what I understand.

I have no idea what year the 318 is from, but I'm almost certain it's not a 1990. The truck has also been converted from throttle-body injection to a carburetor. The motor has 18k miles, a mild cam, 340 intake, Edelbrock 600 CFM carb, and a new timing chain. The transmission is a 4-speed manual which was not standard in 1990. The guy also says he bought and installed a new clutch.

My only concern is that the truck does not run. The coil isn't getting power, but he claims to have narrowed the problem down to an electrical problem in the column.

The asking price is listed as $1,800; is it worth the risk? The body of the truck is straight as an arrow, and the interior was recently restored.

 

I'd have him fix it before I bought it. lol
$1800 is a bit too much for a truck that's not running. He's probably right about it being in the column, but why doesn't he fix it if he already knows what's up? That would be my question.

 

 

Haha. I won't be paying $1,800, that's for sure. He apparently doesn't have the cash to fix it; it's been sitting in his garage for 4 years.

 

i think he might be lucky if he gets $1000 for it as is not running. if he has the box and gets the truck running i think it might be worth $1800.

 

Ain't got no bed either.

I bet he's got the cash, he's just a lazy-***.

I've got a 76 D200 with a BIG BLOCK for 1500....

 

Haha, you're probably right. He does have the bed though, but I wasn't too concerned about that. I will be doing the bodywork myself.

 

i don't know how hard it is to find dodge truck parts down there but up here they are pretty hard to find. up here if you can find a good box you will most likely end up paying about $500 for it so if it was missing that would have to come out of the asking price of the truck.

 

Was the frame shortened or the rear axle moved? That looks like a super short wheelbase. Could be wrong though.

 

If that wiring is aftermarket, you are looking at tracing through a rat's nest to locate the problem, which is likely why the seller doesn't want to fool with it.

Does the starter turn the engine when the key is turned?