Vehicle Description
1983 Dodge D150 Pickup
The D/W series is a line of pickup trucks that was sold by Dodge
from October 1960 to September 30, 1993. The same basic design was
retained until the October 1993 introduction of a completely
redesigned Ram. The D/W series shared its AD platform with the
Dodge Ramcharger/Plymouth TrailDuster twins. 4x2 models were
designated D, while 4x4 models were designated W. This final
generation received a facelift in October 1980 when the D series
was rebadged as the Dodge Ram pickup around when Lee Iacocca took
charge of the ailing Chrysler Corporation. Such things include an
embossed "DODGE RAM" name on the tailgate along with other obvious
changes like the grille and hood, the taillights, and the entire
interior. More subtle was the addition of a "shoulder" line
reminiscent of the GM competition. Beginning in 1982, even more
corrosion-resistant steel was used in the construction of the
trucks. This body style continued until 1993 and many of these
vehicles are still on the road. Many body panels are
interchangeable for all models from 1971 to 1993, so it is not
uncommon to see a "hybrid" with, as an example, a 1978 grille
mounted with a 1974 hood and a 1991 cab.
For consignment and proudly presented for your consideration, a
slammed, widened, caged, reworked and beefed up, twin turboed
version of the 1983 Dodge Ram D150. The beneficiary of a no stone
left unturned restoration has left this once mundane 2-wheel drive
hauler an eye catcher and show stopper and now have a truck that is
truly "Built Ram Tough". Oh, and did I mention this truck has been
photographed for Classic Truck Performance. I see shades of
Bonneville and the fabled Salt Flats in the future...
Exterior
A fresh respray of Indigo Blue paint bathes steel panels which are
very straight and have well minded gaps and seams. Few if any
faults can be found in this application and that includes the red
and black painted striping and all trimmings are blacked out and
straight with nary even the beginnings of any dimpling or fading.
The front grille, with a single square headlight on either side
uses a rectangle design with a hexagon inlay all in body matching
blue, the standard of the 80's and early 90's with a custom twist.
Simplified, yet sophisticated, the grille presents well, especially
with the inlets for the twin turbocharger system lurking just
behind and just below is the smoothed and tucked black front bumper
with add-on splitters underneath. A long Indigo Blue and black heat
extractor hood is flanked by solid straight front fenders on either
side. These fenders have had steel widebody flare added and also
air extractor cut outs on the rear of each flare giving a much more
aerodynamic and racy look to the truck. Long straight slab steel
sides are only broken up by the red pinstriped black swoop running
down from the hood and along the beltline of the truck as well as
black trimmings on the door handle, and mirror. More steel flares
have been added to accommodate the large rear rubber. The doors are
straight and close with a quality thud. The 6.5-foot bed has been
modified to allow the rear suspension to travel and the whole
inside has been finished in high quality Indigo Blue with a diamond
pleated vinyl overlay on the bed flooring. Rear down bars pass
through the Lexan rear window and give a hint of what's to come in
the interior. The rear gate is looking like new and is flanked by
wrap-around style taillights and another smoothed and tucked bumper
with splitters below. 20" XXR deep dish polished lip wheels are
shod in extra wide Nitto low profile rubber front and rear and
perfect the overall look.
Interior
Dark and light blue leather in bucket format is the seating in the
spacious cab and presents as new. Red inserts with X stitching in
ivory are seen on the upper seat backs and provide a nice contrast
to the smooth dark blue and tuck and roll light blue leather.
Swooping down from just below the rear window is a custom console
and is framed by the red painted steel of the roll cage. This gives
the rear of the console a sliding board effect but looks very
natural in this habitat. The console continues along the hump with
just light blue leather padding and presents with a Lokar shifter
before ending under the dash. A custom leather wrapped billet 3
spoke wheel is fronting the dash atop an Ididit steering column.
The dash, which has been fully redone with a red leather wrap and
Indigo Blue around the cluster, heater/AC slides and AM/FM/CD
stereo looks just perfect. Dark blue carpet floods the floors and
presents well with only minimal wear, and we note even the pedals
have been wrapped in leather. A full roll cage has been installed
and finished in red to provide all the protection the driver and
passenger could ever need. Finishing our tour are a mix of blue and
red leather door panels which, like the rest of the interior,
present as new, and are complete with seat matching ivory
stitching.
Drivetrain
Peering into the cavernous but full engine bay we are met with a
rebuilt 318ci V8. It is fed by FiTech EFI and has the assistance of
twin turbochargers to give some extra ponies via boost. We note
Turbowerks oil pumps to provide adequate lubrication to the twin
hair dryers. Strapped to the back is a rebuilt A904 3-speed
automatic transmission which sends power back to a widened
Chevrolet rear axle with 3.56 gears. Adding some bling to the
engine bay is a new Champion aluminum radiator, MSD ignition, and
custom pulleys along with a custom Indigo Blue painted and red
pinstriped engine cover and fully heat wrapped turbo chargers and
auxiliary piping. And we musnt forget the custom inner fenders with
more red pinstriping and red roll cage extensions running to the
front of the truck.
Undercarriage
All buttoned up underneath with a solid frame and flooring in more
Indigo Blue. An independent front suspension with coil overs works
with a 4 link rear suspension with more coil overs from QA-1 in
high travel form with tubular control arms. All of the suspension
is painted red, and the undercarriage is just as nice as the top
side. Custom built headers feed spent gasses through Flowmaster
mufflers and then exit via body cut-outs in front of each rear
wheel. Power disc brakes are on all 4 corners complete with drilled
and slotted high-performance rotors. Just a wonderful well thought
out presentation.
Drive-Ability
I love the perspective one gets behind the wheel of a pickup truck
although I usually require a step ladder to gain access it was not
the case with this slammed beauty. That said, this truck fired
right up with the twist of the key and off to the test track I
went. On the track the truck performed with mind scrambling power
once the turbos got spooled up, wonderful bias free braking and
superior handling. A smooth ride for a truck as well. All functions
were operational during my drive save for the A/C needing a
recharge and the driver's window crank fell off when I shut the
door. I didn't dare attempt any land speed records during my drive
although the seat of the pants dyno told me that a request to add a
"Flying Mile" to our test track needs to be in order.
A wonderfully executed truck, far from its humble utilitarian
beginnings. A rebuilt and upgraded power plant, beautiful and
functional interior and more custom body styling cues that one can
shake a stick at. I love these custom builds as they skew so far
from the norm of mass produced automobiles and show off the talents
of many hands involved. Hurry and visit our Hallowed Halls
befo...for more information please contact the seller.
