1986 Dodge Ram Short Bed is a Blast of Awesomeness

Find the Vehicle on the Cheap

How do you get a mean machine on a budget?  Find yourself a decent used pickup truck and turn it into a classic hot rod!  That's exactly what the editor of Hot Rod Network, John Gilbert, did to his 1986 Dodge Ram Shortbed.  Depending on what part of the country you live in, old trucks can be found at a reasonable price.  Finding one from the '80s or '90s is great because they're old, but they're not OLD (like the classics).  Most are from the forgotten years...not old enough to be classic, YET, but old enough that it will be in a few years. 

Photos courtesy of Hot Rod Network 

The Right Condition

The trick is to find one that hasn't been abused worse than the red-headed stepchildren (if you're a red-headed stepchild, I'm sorry).  Another tip is to look at the body (and the underside) extremely carefully to verify the level of corrosion.  Rust removal can quickly become an expensive and time-consuming hobby.

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Classic Looks

Some truck body styles are ugly, others are timeless.  The 1986 Dodge Ram is boxy, and a brute, but timeless. Parts are plentiful from places like LMC Truck, Summit Racing, and other parts sources. That's great because I know the headache of trying to (unsuccessfully) find rare parts for rare vehicles.

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Mechanical Focus

When this 1986 Dodge Ram was purchased, one of the first things done was changing all the fluids and filters to the three-speed LoadFlite automatic transmission and the Dana 44 rear end.  Other additions included a shift kit, Edelbrock intake, 4-barrel carburetor, upgraded alternator, and a performance distributor.  All "necessary" stuff when doctoring up a classic.  Chrome valve covers and air cleaner add some bling to the muscle of this 318.

>>Join the conversation about this restomod classic Ram here in Dodge Forums.

The Show Look

This truck's bodywork, paint, and interior were all done on a budget. Riverside City College had the students shave the side marker lights and fuel door. That was followed up by the great paint job.  Finally, the interior was done by the students in the upholstery class.

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Custom Wheels

The wheels were one of the few things that were not done by the students.  They are 17-inch wheels custom made by Stockton Wheels and powder coated gloss black by Ludikris Kustom.  While custom wheels may be out of your budget, black wheels in the stock 15-inch size can produce a similar look at a budget-friendly price.

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The Expert Apprentice

There are numerous auto body, paint, mechanical, upholstery, and other auto tech classes at the high school and college levels throughout the United States.  If you're not in a hurry, it may be worth your while to consider having a great paint job done by kids learning the trade (while supervised by expert professors/instructors). 

>>Join the conversation about this restomod classic Ram here in Dodge Forums.

Switching Ownership

This Dodge Ram was sold in 2016 to a friend of the editor, Harold Clay, of Enid, Oklahoma.  Since then, the headlights were upgraded to Halogen, rear chrome bumper was installed, as well as a lowering kit for the front end.  The "RT" graphics were added as well. This awesome low-budget project gets us thinking of other restomod opportunities out there. What's your favorite candidate?

>>Join the conversation about this restomod classic Ram here in Dodge Forums.

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