Vehicle Description
1981 Dodge W250 4WD Extended Cab Pickup - California Truck - 5.2L
V8 - Automatic Transmission - Highly Original (Please note: If you
happen to be viewing this 1981 Dodge Ram W250 4WD Extended Cab
Pickup on a website other than our Garage Kept Motors site, it's
possible that you've only seen some of our many photographs of this
truck due to third-party website limitations. To be sure you access
all the more than 150 photographs, a short startup-and-walk-around
video, and a link to its accident-free Carfax report, please go to
our main website: GarageKeptMotors.) Dodge makes pickup history...
an extra 34 cubic feet of storage space inside for the things you
don't want to leave outside. -1981 Dodge magazine advertisement The
'81 Dodge Ram advertising went on: The Club Cab, like all Dodge
Sweptline pickups, gives you front disc brakes, double-wall
construction all around, and independent front suspension. You also
get the new Electronic Ignition System for surer starts in any
weather. This system is not affected by cold or rain. It eliminates
points and condensers that wear out and is virtually
maintenance-free. The Electronic Ignition... another example of how
extra care in engineering makes a difference.... This was the
first-ever club cab, and it was brand new in the pickup truck world
back in 1981. For only the second year, these trucks wore the Dodge
Ram branding, which, like the club cab feature would endure until
the present day. The brand's advertising also hailed its specific
advantages over the competition: ...more galvanized steel than Ford
or Chevy for critical rust protection,... an 8-foot box with more
load area to carry bulkier cargo than Ford or Chevy, and pickup
beds ... welded to cross-sill brackets eliminating rust-prone bolt
holes, while Ford and Chevy bolted theirs through the bed. These
Dodge Ram trucks even came with a 30-day, 1,000-mile guarantee of
buyer satisfaction: Just bring it back in good condition with no
metal damage, and when the dealer gets clear title, you'll get your
money back. Offered here is a rare, fully loaded, 4-wheel-drive
example of a very real bit of pickup-truck history. Originally a
California truck, subsequently relocated to Arizona, the truck
wears a handsome, period two-tone exterior paint scheme in light
yellow over orange-brown with steel wheels and center-hub covers
all around. The proportions of the club cab design are handsome and
help explain why this feature remains available in pickup trucks
today. With just 50,000 miles on the odometer-or barely 1,300 miles
per-year-this is an extremely low-mileage survivor. Overall, the
exterior paint shows well with some age-related patina from normal
use, as well as clear signs of use in the pickup bed and tailgate
areas. In similar fashion, some chrome trim including the bumpers,
exhibits light patina, and the front bumper is slightly
mis-aligned. That said, the truck is free of significant damage and
its cabin glass and lighting lenses are clear and un-cracked.
Body-panel alignment is straight and proper. Emblems (including the
250 Power Ram fender badges) as well as the Dodge Ram
identification on the tailgate are complete. (The truck's
factory-applied data tags are also still in place.) The interior
features tan, textured fabric upholstery. While the driver's seat
shows some creasing from use, the upholstery overall is remarkably
free of wear, rips, or signs of use. Floors feature rubber mats
with Ram-identified all-weather mats as well. The truck's dash
features simulated wood, round gauges, and a factory radio, all in
good condition. Heater-ventilation lever-controls show
delamination. Some surfaces-notably the door trim, visors, and
glove box-show light wear and minor discoloration from use. No
headliner is in place, nor were these trucks delivered with one
from the factory. The automatic-transmission shifter is
column-mounted, white the manual two-speed, 4-wheel drive
transfer-case lever is floor-
