This 1988 Dodge Power Ram 4×4 pickup has more than a few things going for it, with the biggest appeal tied to its short wheelbase design. The stance is pretty great, too, with upsized tires and wheels complimenting the high-riding appearance that instatly sets 4WD trucks apart from their 2WD counterparts. This Dodge is listed here on eBay and described as a California driver with some mild running and cosmetic issue but the seller claims there is no rust. Bidding is over $6,000 at the moment with no reserve.
I’m sure anyone who bought one of these trucks new and beat it to within an inch of its life is sitting here in amazement that multiple buyers are angling for the chance to own it. The color scheme certainly helps, as black and gold two-tone makes for a sharp driver. The wheels are classic American Racing-style “Sawblades” that were seemingly everywhere in the 1980s, and the meaty tires fill out those fender wells nicely (though it’s hard to say whether the tires have a few years on them at this point.)
The interior is pretty respectable for a truck that clearly wasn’t put away as a museum piece, and despite being in a sunshine-laden state, the dash doesn’t appear to have any cracks. The seller doesn’t confirm whether it was stored indoors over the years, but it certainly seems like a possibility. However, we can’t see under that blanket to determine what sort of condition the bench is in, but the seller does allude to the driver’s side needing some work. Still, the big win here is the crack-free dash.
The Dodge is equipped with a 5.2 V8 and is said to run strong; however, the seller notes an old carburetor setup is causing the Dodge to stall out at the occasional traffic light. Personally, as the seller, I would have fixed that before listing it as it’s a fairly straightforward repair and will inspire more confidence in bidders, especially local buyers who could drive it home. Regardless, this isn’t stopping potential buyers from bidding this Dodge to a fair number, and I suspect it will $7,000 before the auction wraps up.
I would buy this if the seller agrees to fix the carburator problem because I don’t want to inherit a problem I know is going to force me out of hundreds of dollars.
Carburetors on Dodges of this vintage are notorious for problems…ongoing problems ! This truck is a prime candidate for an aftermarket fuel injection setup which would no doubt end the drive ability issues. Other than that I would not hesitate to buy this truck !
Go with a magnum set up with wiring harness and fuel tank can’t go wrong there and by the way you’ll be getting rid of all that smog junk that took so much from the engine power and looks
I like this truck, don’t find myself in position to make a bid right now. The carburetor problem doesn’t bother me, can likely be repaired by removing the top of the carburetor and moving the idle mixture rods to the top hole. Sounds like it is set too lean, a common problem because of emission regulations of the time. That ones old enough that it should not need to pass more than a visual inspection most places and some places it won’t need to be inspected at all. The 318 or 5.2 liter V8 is nearly bullet proof otherwise. In stock form it’s not a speed Demon, but if originality isn’t an issue, an Edelbrock Performer 318 intake and an Edelbrock Performer AVS will wake a 318 right up.
My ex’s deceased father had one of these. He mostly spent his time in it snow plowing and dragging Fords out of ditches. These are great vehicles folks
A VERY nice truck….. these old Power Wagons are hot as survival rate was never great. Along with quite low production numbers when built, especially in ‘shorty’ option kit, I am thinking it will easily approach the 10 mark and may even exceed it. To have a running truck, great color scheme, and a desirable build is one thing (actually 3 things) but to have a rust free and non abused work truck showing this level of originality is amazing.
I own an all original 90,000 mile 8′ box Power Wagon with all original paint, 318 and automatic. It has zero rust and a quite patinated paint scheme with silver and red as the colors, red interior, not beat up but just showing 40 years of gentle use….. one would not believe how many people walk up and offer many thousands more than I paid !! These are scarce to find without huge chunks of metal missing to oxidization, even in drier climate states. The buyer of this 6 foot shorty is going to be getting what appears to be a well preserved unit ~
A VERY nice truck….. these old Power Wagons are hot as survival rate was never great. Along with quite low production numbers when built, especially in ‘shorty’ option kit, I am thinking it will easily approach the 10 mark and may even exceed it. To have a running truck, great color scheme, and a desirable build is one thing (actually 3 things) but to have a rust free and non abused work truck showing this level of originality is amazing.
I own an all original 90,000 mile 8′ box Power Wagon with all original paint, 318 and automatic. It has zero rust and a quite patinated paint scheme with silver and red as the colors, red interior, not beat up but just showing 40 years of gentle use….. one would not believe how many people walk up and offer many thousands more than I paid !! These are scarce to find without huge chunks of metal missing to oxidization, even in drier climate states. The buyer of this 6 foot shorty is going to be getting what appears to be a well preserved unit ~
Nice find on a truck made mostly from metal. But expect to be under that hood alot if you’re taking this thing wheeling on your weekends. I owned 2 Ramchargers in 1980s and 90s and they were strong off roaders . The short wheelbase makes these things great hill climbers. Worth 10 grand for sure.
Great truck and reasonable entry level on the bidding — I hope the seller gets a fair price. Hate to see these gems relisted with an enormous starting bid or unreasonable BiN.
Heading says 1985 write up says 1988? Looks like 88 to me sweet truck but a Holley sniper FI new intake and headers with duals would really wake it up and solve drive ability problems IMO
Love my 2019 4×4 ram 2500 6.4 hemi with off road package
Buddy had one of these. Had a lot of fun with it. No mileage listed? Picture of odometer looks like it could be 77,281 in one of the interior pics.
I love these old Dodge trucks. Always thought that they took a page from the GM styling book when these came out in ’72. Such a departure from the previous design. The 80s update cleaned up that homely late 70s grille. I started selling these in ’91 when it was still the same old truck. A guy asked why he should by one over the competition. I replied that he’d save money now and would have trouble wearing it out. It looks tired today but he’s still driving it.
Ehh, seller has a poor eBay rating and some scary feedback, due diligence before bidding…
I have owned Mopar trucks forever. I have a 1982 dodge W150 which is 4×4 denoted by the “W”. It just keeps going and going. Simple mechanically. Never got stuck in the rugged terrain of Oregon. Outdid Toyotas at times. Ive had mine since 1993.
I have owned a long bed ’87 for some 30 years with the 318. Never a problem. Work with the carb. Adjust the fuel mixture and the choke adjustment. Mine had a problem and now runs great . Usually get 2 thumbs up daily.
This truck is not 1988 dodge truck it’s a 1984-85 dodge truck I know i used to own one they got the year mixed up!
It sold for $10,101.00 after a flurry of bidding in the remaining hours, moving past the 7,000 point and onward.
It appears both seller and buyer were rewarded for their time.