Could you please push the Dodge in the garage....people might think it's mine!

We still have our '03 Suburban (it's still a law in Texas that you have to own a Suburban) so they give me a pass on the Dodge.

I really have gotten carried away on this Ram, but it was cheap and I'm having fun with it, and am tickled with the way it's coming out.

-Mike

 

Yup....gotta say, Mike...it looks like a brand new truck! Nice job!

 

Thanks a lot! And to think just over a month ago the co-worker I got it from was either going to have a salvage yard come get it or was going to donate it to Goodwill....

One man's trash is another's treasure, right??

-Mike

 

He has done a nice job on that truck! Hey Mike, wanna borrow my OCC for a couple weeks?

 

So you have about $500 or so into it plus the original cost of purchase?
I just did a rough Kelley Blue Book for you.....
'Private Party' value.....

$6,019...................good condition
$6,119...................very good condition
$6,394...................excellent condition

 

I've been looking on Craigslist (imagine that....) and ones similar to mine seem to be going for around $5K.

I do have quite a bit more than $500 in it....the new tires and paintwork were the largest expenses, but at $5K I'd still more than double what I do have in it.

If I come across a clean low-mile 95-96 Roady wagon or a REALLY REALLY clean 91-92 Olds Custom Cruiser, the Ram will be for sale or traded fast.

BUT I can't get rid of the Ram yet....I'm not done with it yet.

 

You could get a fast 4K out of that truck the way it sits now. There's a couple of beater club cab Dodges around here. This one is the sister to yours:

http://wichitafalls.craigslist.org/cto/2998358020.html



Needs a lot more than the battery, belt, and AC compressor they claim and for $1650 I won't touch it. But I have offered $800 for it and based on your ability to get that one cleaned up I bet I could do the same with it. But then I see things like this 88 Caprice Wagon in OKC for $1000...

http://oklahomacity.craigslist.org/cto/2918988355.html



And I get to thinking I better just hold out for my wife to get the Explorer/Durango/Tahoe/Yukon/Expedition/Suburban she wants and then let go of the minivan and snag the first solid carbureted GM B-body wagon I see and go to town on it.

 

Before...




and after...






Wow amazing...:2_thumbs_up_-_anima

 

You do amazing work Mike, and your posts are always an interesting read.
Keep up the good work!

 

Wish I'd found raised white letter tires for my Ram. That one above is a twin, and cheap too. Looks ok in pics, must be beat up in person.

As for the Caprice, I loved my '86 sedan, but it had the 305 Chevy in it. Most of the wagons had the Olds 307....and engine I'm not a fan of.

 

Thanks Fannie, I love a project. I just really wish I'd taken a "before" pic when the tow truck first dropped it off at my house. The before pic above was after I'd washed 17 months of dirt and dust off it and cleaned the black brake mess off the chrome wheels already!

Did you notice the inspection and registration stickers in the window on the first pic? Expired in 1/11 and 8/11, ha!

-Mike

 

Is that what those two stickers are, I didn't know. We only have a safety sticker in our window. The registartion is usually kept in the glove box with prove of insurance. Do alot of the States have two stickers like this?

You have done an amazing job with this truck, kudos to you!

 

When I did all the engine work a few weeks back I'd of course changed the nasty black oil that had been in there for Lord knows how long. I've since driven just over 500 miles, and the new oil had turned black. Hopefully just from mixing with whatever old oil was left in the engine.

Changed the oil and filter last night. Put Mobil High Mileage 5W30 in it and a good filter. Drove around a bit and the new oil is still a pretty gold color this morning. Nice.

While I was under the truck I looked at the freeze plug, and it seems to be holding fine. Don't see any new signs of leakage from the engine, hoses, trans, or rear end...looks like all the recent repairs are holding!

I've got to drive to Waco after work this evening, about a 200-mile round-trip, all highway. Taking the Dodge, we'll see how she does!

-Mike

 

Wow that drawing looks just like me too! Scary!

As for the stickers, Texas is the first state I've lived in that has both. In NJ you got a window inspection sticker and the registration was a card kept in the glove box. Colorado was the same way.

We were in Virginia a while and the sticker had to go in the lower middle of the windshield. Drove me nuts. Don't know if it's still that way.

Every state is different.

-Mike

 

Georgia had state safety inspection way back in the 60's-70's then it was discontinued. 15 metro Atlanta counties have required annual emission inspection for any passenger vehicles less than 25 yrs old. The old 'Roop we have will have its last treadmill test this year in October.