It is a diesel alright.

 

Minus the roof and interior, it really isn't that bad. You start hitting stuff with degreaser and a hose and I think you'll be surprised at what you DON'T find. lol

 

Oh, it's an automatic. It'd probably be a little better with a manual. Bet a turbo would do wonders for it as well.

Looks like a pretty decent rig honestly. A little rough here and there. Is that just a glow plug light, or a button to activate them?

 

^+1 to the turbo.

Slap one on. I bet it would be pretty fun with it.

 

i don't think a turbo would make it that fun but it would probably help it pick up some power that it could use.

 

Most definitely more fun than it is right now.

Not quite as doggy. A 4BT swap would be more interesting and would have more power, that's for sure.

 

I wonder how that motor responds to boost. Can it take 8lbs, or 50lbs? Too bad there is so little information on them. You might want to try having somebody with some diesel experience check out the pump, and see if you can adjust the timing and amount of fuel. Heck, those numbers are almost identical to the slant six. It even makes peak horsepower at over 3,500 rpm. It seems like its actually surprisingly high-revving . . . at least on paper. You are the one driving it, not me.

Speaking of which, if you ever find yourself wanting to get rid of that truck, drive it up to Pennsylvania, park it in my driveway, and trade me keys. Lol

 

Two other tidbits I found:

Apparently they are governed to 2400 rpm from the factory, making them even slooooooower.

And apparently they are very similar to a toyota 2h. I'm not sure how similar that is though.

 

The OP has an entertaining and enjoyable writing style! I will not be much help but I do remember that I had a friend who bought one back then and even new they were slow as all get out. You probably need a rebuild which wont get you any speed or power but it would still be a pretty cool truck IMO. Post some pics if you have them.

 

Crap, I was a victim of my slow dial up again and just saw the pics after I posted above. That my friend is a very cool truck and I would love to take it off your hands if you get down to the Ozarks. That idle control can be useful in cold weather, if you have some sort of PTO application and even on the farm for creeping along at a set speed.

They were gutless and powerless new but for doodling around the farm doing chores they would be great and economical. Now, its worth is probably in its uniqueness to those of us who appreciate 1st Gen Dodges.