Appearing to have been worked pretty hard during its life, this 1978 Dodge Power Ram 150 4×4 pickup comes across as a diamond in the rough in the seller’s description. Maybe I’m being too picky, which could be the case, but it sure has a lot of dings and dents on it. They have it posted here on eBay in Spokane, Washington, and they’re asking $9,000, or you can make an offer.
It’s hard not to notice the bent grille in the first photo and the one above. I was bummed, but then read the seller’s description: “good condition grills for these are hard to find these days. The condition here is a testament to how well this truck has been cared for.” I was thinking how bent that one is and how hard it would be to straighten out, but maybe I’m way off, and it’s really a nice grille? I love the front bumper winch and the overall seemingly solid condition, though. You can knock a $1,000 off the price if they keep the front bumper and winch, by the way.
Then there’s the driver’s side, ouch. “Only has a few minor defects/dents that could be easily straightened.” What am I missing? It looks like a nightmare of dents and creases to me, but maybe not? Dents and all, it does look solid as far as rust goes. I love the seller’s optimism, though: “large dent on rear driver’s side fender (full replacement bed side panels are available at a low price. or the existing sheetmetal could be straightened.) -has a few other shallow dings & dents here & there, but overall has very nice sheetmetal!” It just looks like it’s been used pretty roughly for a very long time to me, unless all of these dents and creases happened on a single event; otherwise, why not fix them as they happened?
“Well preserved original interior ! The only repair needed is to driver’s side lower seat cushion upholstery.” Ok, I’m with them there, the interior does look really nice, other than the driver’s side of the bench seat. There aren’t any underside photos, but the detailed photos of the sills and other areas show what looks like a solid truck. Here’s the rear of the bed. And here’s a brochure on the ’78 Dodge pickups. This truck has a Georgia license plate on the back, just to put that out there, as it’ll come up in the comments.
The engine bay looks incredible compared to the rest of the truck! Has it been hit with a spray gun in there on the firewall and other areas? Maybe not, and who cares? I know I’m being overly-critical, and I love Dodge pickups, so I need to let the beat body go and concentrate on the good parts. Like the 318-cu.in. OHV V8 with 135 horsepower and 235 lb-ft of torque when new. Power is sent through a transfer case and TorqueFlite automatic to all four wheels. It’s been in storage since August of 2025, which is also when they bought it from the original owner. It’s said to run and drive well, but “sometimes has some smoke from the exhaust, perhaps due to a weeping valve seal.” Any thoughts on this well-used Dodge 4×4?
Diamond in the rough? Hardly. More like CubicZarconia.
…in the rough. The seller could have just said, “truck is beat to sh*t, but it’s relatively rust free and runs good when it doesn’t smoke”
The dent at the left rear of the bed is a concern. Compare the gaps between the cab and bed on both sides of truck. The difference shows the frame has been flexed. This can shift the cowl just enough to cause leaks in rainy weather. I’m aware of this from experience.
I had a 75 shortbed Power Wagon in high school. Cool trucks! Mine was a granny low 4 speed. This truck has been beat! It can be fixed up nice with a lot of $ and work. It needs a bedside for sure. Not a big deal, spot welds and a little cutting, about $600. The grill is available from LMC… I think 🤔 the seat cover same company 🤔 that front bumper winch thing? Is ugly lol. Sorry, I hate insulting an old vehicle but that creation could stay with the owner. Overall I like it, I think it would be doable in the backyard garage. Yes, I’d give it a new life
high price for that condition but still a fun rig to have for a daily driver
Straiten the grill as best you can ,punch out the other dents ,fix the seat and drive it! The two tone is cool You’d have a truck with a lot of character.
Contrary to what others say, I say “keep the winch and charge people to pull their stuck vehicle out of the snow/water/mud/swamp, you name it”. It’ll pay for itself in no time! This truck may have spent most of its life in Spokane. It’s the dry part of the Evergreen State and we don’t salt the roads. But with petrol at $5 and climbing, no way would I daily drive this.
Had a 77 Dodge pickup with the ‘birdbath’ hood and a 318. Couldn’t kill it
Probably has next to nothing in it…
A Georgia rear plate and a washington front plate. I guess that’s how you can tell if you’re coming or going. 318 with the Lean Burn computer. Had one on a 77 Volare Roadrunner. 360 It was so slow it couldn’t get out of it’s own way. After i ripped all that off it was almost respectable.
No leanburn on this ride. The GVW would allow emissions to a PCV and EGRthat it
Best of luck with the sale. $9K for this ride looks like the current bought it to flip it for a quick buck. I’d pass.
the last two of these I bought in the last 6 months were far better than this and had 318 and 360 engines in them. Zero rust and no where near the dents this deep or this many, and having 80 and 90,000 miles each. Note this does have rear wheel rust in the fender arches. I believe this is not any where close to having a 9,000 dollar value attached. The amount I paid for my ’84 and ’85 Power Wagons (retrieved from MT dry country) was $1,000 each and they ran and drove. I wish the seller well in getting what he is asking because there are far better ones out there for far less