While a classic 4×4 is a wonderful vehicle designed to take its occupants deep into the wilderness, such an existence can take a heavy toll on panels and paint. They can begin to become frayed around the edges, especially if they have been performing that role for several decades. That fate hasn’t befallen this 1988 Dodge Power Ram. It isn’t perfect, but its condition is above average for a vehicle of this type and age. The owner has decided that the Ram needs a new home, so it is listed for sale here on eBay. Located in Las Vegas, Nevada, solid bidding has pushed the price to $5,500 in a No Reserve auction. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder Larry D for spotting this Dodge for us.

Introduced in late 1980 as a 1981 model, the First Generation Ram enjoyed a successful run and surprising longevity. These classics remained in continuous production before being replaced by the Second Generation version in 1993 for the 1994 model year. Finished in Grace Silver, this Dodge presents well for a vehicle of this type and age. The paint holds an impressive shine and hasn’t developed much of the patchiness that can plague this shade following extended exposure to harsh UV rays. The clear coat is peeling in a few spots, but the Ram remains presentable. The bed shows evidence of scratches and marks that would be easily addressed with a repaint, although there are none of the dings or dents that might indicate abuse. The underside is as clean and structurally sound as you are likely to find, with only the occasional spot of dry corrosion common in vehicles from this location. The glass and trim look good, while the aftermarket wheels and tires add a purposeful edge to this Ram’s appearance.

Just because a person wants to disappear into the back of beyond doesn’t mean that such a journey should be hard work. With this Power Ram, Dodge would seem to have you covered. The engine bay houses a 5.2-liter V8 producing 170hp and 260 ft/lbs of torque. That power finds its way to the road via a three-speed automatic transmission and a dual-range transfer case. While never considered a high-performance model, its 19.4-second ¼-mile ET remained respectable for a vehicle of this type tipping the scales at 4,585lbs. Once the going gets rugged, the inclusion of power steering and power brakes would feel welcome. The engine bay presents quite well, and it does so for a good reason. The seller indicates that its V8 has only accumulated around 100 miles since it received a rebuild. It starts immediately, producing no smoke or odd noises. The transmission and 4WD system work as they should, and the tires are new. With fine weather heading our way, the wilderness beckons this Dodge and its next owner.

Given this vehicle’s location, I’m not surprised to find a few baked components when examining its interior. The most obvious is the dash pad, and while there are no cracks or splits, there is discoloration that may indicate that this type of failure might not be far away. If I were to buy this Pickup, I would throw a cover over the pad to protect it from further deterioration. The rest of the dash looks pretty good, as does the carpet. There is some fading on the seat upholstery but no physical damage that might necessitate replacement. The kick panels are missing, but with replacement sets available for under $50, addressing that would be an affordable process. The interior isn’t loaded with luxury appointments, although ice-cold air conditioning and an aftermarket CD should help make any journey a more pleasant experience.

If you wander out into the market today searching for a classic 1980s Pickup, the most commonly available will have rolled out of a Ford or General Motors factory. That is easy to understand, as their products dominated the market as Chrysler began to regain a stable footing after years of financial gloom and doom. However, classics like this Power Ram demonstrate that the company could produce attractive and practical vehicles with enough durability to hang in for the long haul. This 1988 Ram isn’t perfect, but its presentation remains good enough to continue turning heads after thirty-four years. I’m not alone in this belief because it has already attracted thirty-eight bids. If you have been searching for a classic Pickup, are you tempted to become the thirty-ninth bidder on this one?