This eBay seller has shown time and again for having a knack at turning up desirable project trucks, and oftentimes, slightly better than project-grade trucks. In fact, given the West Coast location, they are often daily driver-quality specimens and usually loaded with desirable equipment. This time, he has a clean crew cab dually 1985 Dodge Ram 3500 with the Prospector package and a rare manual transmission. The Dodge is loaded up with features including the 5.9L 360, Dana 70 rear axle, trailer towing package with 4.10 gears, dual fuel tanks, and more. Find it here on eBay with bids to $11,200 and no reserve.
The other thing this seller does a great job of? Taking incredible pictures. Seriously, some of the best photos I’ve seen of vehicles for sale over the past few years have come from this account. The Prospector two-tone paint job is in excellent shape and the fender flares not only look sharp, but also help to make the dually rear axle appear natural. The paint isn’t perfect, but this is also in keeping with most of this seller’s offerings, which tend to be unrestored trucks in driver-quality condition that are practically turnkey. As the seller points out, this example may have been one of the most expensive offerings from Dodge in 1985, and also notes that a D350 with the 165′ wheelbase crew cab and long bed dually setup could be close to a one-of-one given the pricey cost of entry for a truck this loaded up.
The condition is decent all around, but not perfect. As noted, the paint has flaws, and the interior has evidence of wear-and-tear, particularly on the armrests. The steering wheel sports a wrap and the bench seat is covered up with the standard seat cover. Finding a manual transmission in a truck like this has to make it rarer still, but it does mean you couldn’t check the box for cruise control – those two features didn’t play together in 1985. However, almost every other desirable option was included, as the seller spells out here: factory A/C, “Deluxe” heater, intermittent wipers, AM/FM with cassette, power windows and locks, and a sliding rear window. Just remember, though, that the power windows were only offered in the front doors. The seller also confirms the dash is crack-free and that the Prospector package wood trim remains in excellent shape.
The engine bay is as clean as the rest of the truck, and the 360 was the largest and most powerful option you could get in 1985, according to the seller. The truck is said to run well, and the listing claims it has just over 40,000 miles showing. The Dodge features numerous heavy-duty options which should make it an excellent hauler, and across the board, it has the ability to haul passengers and cargo. With plenty of room for friends and sufficient power onboard for both county roads and highway use, this vintage Ram is a perfect fit for a daily-driver truck that likely still feels quite competent even in modern traffic. The seller thinks it’s nice enough to build a collection around – do you agree?
That’s a unicorn. With no big block offerings from Dodge, it seems as if most of the sales at this time were going to Ford and GM. Someone will be getting a nice head turning ride.
The truck is crying out for a Cummins turbo diesel swap. Your not going to tow much with that 360, which probably explains the low miles.
I would bet the original owner kicked himself for not waiting to buy the Cummins 5.9 in 1989. Correcting the seller/flipper. Sorry. The truck isn’t rare. They made it until 1993.
The only thing rare is the fact that this beast still has a gas engine. That would explain the low miles. These are one gas drinking rig. Many of these nice pre Cummins trucks have been swapped to the 5.9. I have a 1993 D350 5 spd manual and same wheelbase as this. I have more high school kids wanting it then you could shake a stick at. Kids and their trucks!
Be a good rig to pop a camper on or a 5th wheel hitch and follow the Sunshine 🌞
The truck looks in very acceptable condition, well equiped but that little 360 is going to be well stressed just moving the truck around empty and it’s going to drink gasoline at a voracious rate. I pull a lot and haul a lot and this combination would be worthless for my needs without a diesel engine.
This configuration was not offered up to ’93. The crew cab wasn’t available after 1985. Most crews seem to be SRW with short beds. The government had a bunch of those in the days, mostly 3/4 .
I thought you could get a 400 in these ,and then the Cummins on top of that , still a sweet truck !
take a football field to U turn
Located in:
Oakland, California
The Cummins wasn’t offered until 1989. And BTW, this isn’t a 3500, tons were 350s until ’94.
No cruise control ; no problem cause you never drive very long between fill ups !
I agree with the diesel upgrade
Man, this is a great truck overall. It’s got all the right options, and the right look. Amazingly it’s got every single piece of the side trim!! Unfortunately she falls a little flat in the mechanical aspect. As many others have said, that little 360 is going to be hurting pulling just the truck, and it’ll drink gas like water. A Cummins swap and bigger fuel tank would make this old girl the towing queen she should have been.
Ended: Jan 09, 2022 , 7:07PM
Winning bid:US $15,800.00
[ 50 bids ]
Last minute slap on rear fenders for the dually and no power windows for the rear doors…! If you are going to play in the ring with the real trucks, this is not how you do it. Know wonder few of these were produced. Brand loyalty is a sickness for some. But I would love to own this…
Another one of those dealers that seems to find
a lot of good deals to flip.
You seem to feature this seller every time they list a
vehicle.