Slideshow: Check Out This 1986 Dodge Ram Short Bed
See what happens when a bunch of plucky automotive college students gets their hands on a 1st gen Ram truck that's ready for modding.
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 80's or 90's 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. 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 well 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 bit brute, but timeless. A lot of the newer trucks are bringing the boxy, yet refined look back. However, this Dodge Ram isn't as trendy as the Square body Chevy trucks. Despite not being as trendy, it's still a great looking truck! Furthermore, it's a basic run-of-the-mill truck. 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. A perfect example is one of my family members trying to find vehicle-specific parts for a Lil' Red Express. It's a rare truck, and finding authentic parts while trying to save money can be difficult. Stick with the basics, and your budget will love you.
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Mechanical Focus
When this 1986 Dodge Ram was purchased, one of the first things done was change 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.
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The Show Look
This truck had bodywork, paint, and interior done on a budget. The Riverside City College had their students shave the side marker lights and fuel door. Followed up by that is a great paint job. Finally, the interior was done by the students in the upholstery class.
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Custom Wheels
There are countless 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).
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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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, turn lens replaced, rear chrome bumper installed, and a lowering kit for the front end. The "RT" graphics were added as well. As of January 2018, this vehicle was up for sale for the great price of $9.995. A great vehicle at that price is sure to move quickly.
>>Join the conversation about this restomod classic Ram here in Dodge Forums.
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