Vehicle Description
1985 Dodge B150 Ram Van Royal
The Dodge B series was a range of full-size vans that were produced
by Chrysler Corporation from 1970 to 2003. Through their
production, the full-size vans were sold under several different
nameplates. Built on the B platform, (later AB), the full-size vans
entered production for the 1971 model year. Due to a
one-welded-piece "Uniframe" design, the Dodge platform was lighter
and stronger and featured a lower cargo floor than the competition,
at the expense of noise, vibration, and harshness, (NVH). The
resulting lower center of gravity improved handling versus the
competing products. The B-series van was popular for cab-over
motorhome conversion until Chrysler Corporation's egress from that
market during their financial difficulties in the late 1970s.
For consignment, the small version of a bus, meant to shuttle your
passengers here and there with plenty of cargo room, and
comfortable seating. Our example is from 1985, and is a 1 family
owned, 2 owner hauler that was ordered by our consignor's father at
Quigley Motors in Boyertown, PA. It is well equipped with AC, plush
cloth seating, a powerful V8 under the hood, and the rarely seen
4-speed manual transmission with 4th gearing being overdrive. This
garage kept skate has decent paint, and a very nice interior
considering the 150,123 title verified miles, but a quick peek
inside and out makes one question this count and things appear to
have 100,000 miles less wear. This is a Royal van which as opposed
to the Tradesman van which was fully enclosed, has plenty of
windows to offer a "zoom" with a view for the passengers.
Exterior
With all steel panels, we see the factory white paint scheme going
on all over the long slab sided steel that makes up the people
mover. The paint is overall good with only a few minor chips and
scuffs to note, but there are some dents at the rear of the body
where the sides wrap around to meet the back. The roof, while
slightly dirty, remains in good condition with its ribs and valleys
and wrap-around drip rails. The glass is all clear, and is
surrounded by black trim with a few of the panes having a thin
strip of stainless set into the molding. A large rear door swings
open to reveal a big cargo area that could presumably hold another
2 bench seats but are not installed or with this van. Large
passenger side twin doors allow access for all the passengers to
climb in easily. All chrome is present and accounted for with only
a few dings and light tarnish and the Ram truck style egg crate
grille leads the way in very good condition. Standard 15-inch
wheels and covers are on all 4 corners and are wrapped in Hankook
rubber from the 9th week of 2022.
Interior
Red vinyl bolsters and striped gradations of red broadcloth inserts
cover the front buckets, (which sport arms that fold up and down),
and the single bench is behind the buckets. The seats are all in
very nice condition with no rips or tears and certainly show far
better than the logged miles would allude to. The headliner is
simple white perforated melamine and textured black rubber matting
covers the floors and makes for easy clean up. Due to the "cab
over" design a large plastic engine cover is between the buckets,
and just above is the original dash topped with a red carpeted pad.
Deeply inset gauges reside in front of the driver and 2 smaller
supporting gauges are just to the right all within a black bezel.
Also noted are the controls for the wipers, heat and AC and the
factory AM/FM Chrysler stereo. Peering toward the doors we see an
interplay of white steel for the sills, stitched red vinyl and
applique inserts and clean red carpeting. Chrome is reserved for
the actuators and windows cranks and these panels appear as nearly
new. This design repeats itself throughout the van on all the side
paneling. The engine cover also doubles as a nice large flat area
for storage and of note is the 4 receptacle 120V unit mounted to
the base of the driver's seat. This is wired to a plug under the
hood and can be handy for those overnight "glamping" trips.
Drivetrain
The factory 318ci V8 is under the hood and into the passenger
compartment, as a cab over design. This mill is fed by a 2-barrel
carburetor and bolted to the back is an A833 derived 4-speed manual
transmission with 4th gear being an overdrive. Wayyyyyyyy in the
back is an 8 1/4" axle to turn the tires.
Undercarriage
Again not looking the part of 150,000 miles, we see a clean and
overall rust free environment with black undercoating preserving
all the steel components. Surface rust, albeit minor, is appearing
on the usual suspects, but again, it is very minor. All appears to
be structurally sound underneath with independent coil spring
suspension in the front and leaf springs in the rear. Bringing this
large and in charge piece of steel to a stop are power front disc
brakes and power rear drums and a stock style single exhaust system
is on for the exhale.
Drive-Ability
Depressing the clutch and turning the key brought this van to life
so it was off to the test track with my crack decoder in tow. On
our well hidden track the van performed swimmingly with ample
acceleration, good handling for a rig this size and bias free
braking. All functions operated as they should although we noted
the AC did not blow as cold as it should have and there is a pesky
vacuum leak under the dash that causes the air to only blow from
the defrost position. I felt more like a big rig driver going
through the gears in this van, but once acclimated to the shifter
location things were a breeze.
This Dodge Ram B150 Royal van, with its extra area on the rear is
capable of carrying plenty of passengers and all of your cargo. It
has good paint, no rust but does come with some love momentos in
the form of a few dents and dings. The interior remains nicely
preserved, as is the engine bay and it's a blast to drive. Mileage
be damned, this truck looks and performs better than others with
half its clocked miles. I smell a business opportunity here...
2B4GB11TXFK305419
2-Canada
B-Dodge
4-MPV
G-5001 Thru 6000 GVWR
B-B Series 2wd
1-1/2 Ton
1-Economy Price Class
T-5.2 Liter V8
X-Check Digit
F-1985
K-Windsor, Ontario, Canada Assy Plant
305419-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our
showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just
1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The
website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888)
227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come
see the vehicle in person.
