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What do you think about this truck?

12K views 61 replies 26 participants last post by  TenneSST  
#1 ·
I have been wanting a 1972-1980 Dodge shortbed with a big block for a long time. I was going to build my 1985, but the older sheet metal is much better looking.

What do you think the truck is worth? He is asking $10k. I'm thinking about going to look at it next weekend.

Here's the ad:
1980 Dodge D150 fully restored 440 Magnum Auto Trans. No tire kickers or joy riders please. I am trying to get some medical bills paid and I hate giving up my car collection but I will give someone out there a chance if you are interested. I have a you tube vid of this truck also. Call or text XXX-XXX-XXXX for more info AND TO MAKE A OFFER.
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#3 ·
Oh no. I'm not going to run and give him $10k. You know, I'm no fan of red interiors, but that shade of red with the black works for me. I love the 1979-1980 grill. The only bad thing about the truck is the lack of a 3rd pedal and a gear rower.

I figure that he probably has more than that in the truck. I've built my 1985 in my head and it was over $15k. I may be willing to give a couple hundred more than it is worth since I want one and have wanted one for a while. I'm still kicking myself for not budging $500 on a numbers matching 1969 Charger R/T that is worth 10 times what it was 13 years ago.

If the truck were mine right now, I'd lower it 2"/4", lose the wheels in favor of a set of 17" Ansen Sprints, and fix a few problems with the interior. Later on, a Keisler 5 speed swap would make it perfect.
 
#5 ·
Looks to be in good shape, a few cosmetic fixes touches is all it needs.
Yeah, underhood needs a good detail. In the interior, the gauge panel, dash, and driver's side armrest need a little work.

Don't think any truck that age is worth $10K but it sounds like he is open to offers.
If it was a Chevy, it would be worth $20k. :mad:
 
#6 ·
I think its cool...would be a fun truck to play around with.

Oh...and my dad had a similar experience back in the late 80s...

wouldn't buy the pristine superbird for $4500 unless he put the rebuilt 440 back in...lol
 
#7 ·
I love the old Dodges. If I had a place to work on vehicles I'd restore one just for the fun of doing it.

Don't know the value of it, but it sure looks nice.
 
#8 ·
I don't know how your vehicles rust down there, (if it's a Tenn. truck that is) Check for serious bondo fill. cab floor, cab corners, door bottom edge, the box around the rear wheels, fender heels.... If done right, no problem.
That 727 trans will be tougher than any new 5 speed you could ever put in. (that big block won't need any more gears than 3 anyway). there is a possibility that he has put in a performance converter. Crawl all over it and ask a million questions! Good luck!
 
#12 ·
Very nice looking truck and in good shape, too. I don't think it's worth $10K, though. If I could have gotten that out of my '81 D150, that would have been great! Guess I just wonder if all the body panels/tailgate are original. I'm going to have to do some research, but it looks like it's either been restored or he modded it, IMO. Good luck as it would be a cool truck to play around with, no doubt! :)

- Cajun
 
#13 ·
Pix look good, and as you say, restoring would cost more, so if it's everything that you want, and you can verify that it was restored properly, then it's probably a good deal.

I personally wouldn't pay 10K for an '80, but if was everything i wanted, I would do it in a heart beat.

It's a tough call, and without having it near by to check over, makes it even tougher.

Good luck, and keep us posted. :smileup:
 
#14 ·
I really do like the truck. I purchased my 1985 D-100 because it was cheap.
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I don't care what you say, this truck will never be as good looking as the 1980 is. I'm also at a point in my life where I would rather spend time with my daughter (2), son (1 month), and my wife than spend it in the basement building a truck. Even if I paid $10k for the truck, I would have far less in it than I would if I built my 1985 the way I wanted.

The 1972-1980 sheet metal is way better looking than the 1981-1993 sheet metal. I've always liked the 1979 and 1980 grill the best. I prefer the square stacked quad headlights, but the round singles aren't far behind. I also like the 1979-1993 bubble hood better than the 1972-1978 twin pond hood. I normally don't care for interiors in colors other than gray or black, but that classic red really works with the black. I already own 2 black vehicles, so I'm no stranger to how tough it is to detail black paint.
 
#15 ·
Well, I went to look at it this morning. It was as nice as he said. The paint is beautiful. The upholstery is too. It is the nicest driving 1972-1993 Dodge I've ever driven. It has an old muscle car feel. It needs a few little things fixed and/or redone. I didn't give the asking price, but I gave slightly more than I wanted to. He threw in a Phord 9" rearend, the original vinyl steering wheel, and a set of Little Red Express style slot wheels.

Plans: Clean it up, fix gas gauge, fix driver's door armrest, sell the Summitt Racing "Weld copy" wheels, rechrome mirrors/door handles/front bumper, install my big block truck headers, polish grill, lower it 2"/4". Maybe I will do some engine stuff down the road.

I will post some pictures tomorrow.
 
#17 ·
nice...keep us posted.

Also...I saw a truck with the twin sideways scoop hood at carlisle that was very nice looking. To be honest, I think it was one of my favorites I've ever seen in the older body style. But...on a 2wd...it could be sexy :p

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#20 ·
Even if I did give the asking price, I'd still come out better than if I did it myself. I know I have WAY more in my '85 Shelby Charger is worth. That's with me helping a friend for a year on one of his customer's cars in return for paint and body. I helped with the body work and did everything else myself. If I sold it today, I'd probably lose big time.

10 years ago, I would never have bought a complete or nearly complete vehicle, but I'm at a point in my life where I'd rather spend time with family than sanding body filler. There is something about doing it yourself that makes it more special, but enjoying it right now is cool too. I can still do some stuff to make it my own.
 
#21 ·
nice truck but like the rest im not a fan of the red interior
 
#22 ·
I got the truck home. It rained all night and I hit a storm on the way home. The truck is filthy. I have a few minor fixes to do and some stuff I'm going to change. I gotta have something to tinker with.

I'm not normally a fan of red interiors. I just love the way this interior goes with the black. I'm going to redo the dash. I may see if I can replicate the gauge panel in the same wood/stain as the steering wheel. I may replace the factory gauges with Autometers. I'm going to put a tach where the aftermarket gauge trio is. The Phord 9" may end up under the truck. I am going to get rid of the wheels and the white letters. I'm thinking about sandblasting the Little Red Express wheels and clear coating them with argent centercaps. I have a pair of big block truck headers. Down the road, I may build a stroker 440.

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#24 ·
It runs good. The 440 is pretty much stock with a lumpier cam. The truck has a real 60's muscle car feel to it. Maybe this truck will kill the urge to mess with my stock SS/T. ;)
 
#26 ·
Congratulations Kevin! :w00t:

It is always so good when someone can pickup a truck that is what they want. I got the feeling earlier that if it was in good shape, that we would see it in your driveway. :)

Gotta laugh though....you commented on buying one instead of building.....but you are now talking about the changes/mods. :LOL: Yup! been there! Understand the excitement. I am so looking forward to following your progress as you 'make it your own'.

Awesome canvas you have there! Please keep the progress pics coming. :smileup:
 
#27 ·
I robbed the Dodge hood emblem from my 1985.
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It has a 1978 440 under the hood. It needs the kickdown linkage for the tranny. It also needs a fan shroud. I thought my slant 6 shroud would work but it is offset to one side. I found my big block truck headers.

I replaced the door lock knobs. It sure it nice to have an abandoned project 1985 Ram. I'll probably rob some other stuff.
 
#29 ·
Don't run that too long with out the kick down linkage!!
I only drove it home.

Is that steering wheel a 'rim blow' chrysler? My '71 Cuda has one!
The little rubber 'tube' on the inside of the steering wheel when squeezed activated the horn.
I don't know. I don't see the tube you are talking about. It is similar to the E-body Tuff wheel. It has a real wood rim.

Did you get him to come down on the price any?
He came down a little.