The words “Dodge” and “Cummins” just go together. When the W250 and W350 Rams got the 5.9 six in 1989, it was a direct departure from the indirect-injection V8 diesels that Ford and GM were offering, and it was a great way to forget the occasional underpowered Mitsubishi diesel that Dodge had messed with in the very late 1970s. With 400 ft/lbs of torque, a five-speed manual and an available automatic that could handle the workload the truck could perform to expectations, and the same basic architecture that had been used since 1972 meant that parts were cheap and plentiful.
Since it was based on the same platform, the Dodge Ramcharger (and it’s Plymouth TrailDuster twin) would offer very little headache if someone wanted to have a Cummins powertrain installed. But this isn’t a slapped-together truck, but a truly detailed creation that is jaw-droppingly excellent. A man near Blaine, Washington built this gorgeous 1978 Ramcharger to be a restomod that seems meant to make Brian claw at the screen like a cat wanting to be let in from the rain.
The donor vehicle was a 1992 W250 that had taken a hit in the front end. Since it had the five-speed, and the Ramcharger was an automatic, the seller decided to purchase the automatic built and ready. The 440ci V8 came out and the Cummins 6BT was dropped in. With little doubt, there are a lot of modifications to make this work right, but the seller takes it to the next level. The intercooler is hidden behind the grille, out of sight. The transmission cooler is hidden with a fan for assistance. The exhaust is a 4” design and muffled. The factory Rally Pack gauges work with the 1992 systems perfectly. The paint is an older repaint of the factory color. It has the rubber mat for flooring; a part that the seller bought NOS and admits was “very expensive”. It even has the factory optional AM/FM/CB radio. Like I said, detailed.
The “Buy It Now” price on it’s eBay ad is somewhere in the $15K range, and I hope he gets at least that, if not better. I’d like to see this truck with a set of restored or reproduction white wagon-spoke wheels and raised white letter tires, as was common in Dodge advertising in the late 1970’s, but that’s about the only thing I’d want to do to it, since I love the restoration theme. Whoever built this truck, you did an amazing job. Absolutely amazing.
We’re salivating over this truck badly. What’s your opinions?
(Courtesy of Bring A Trailer)
I love it!! A lot cheaper than todays breed of diesels and it is in a classic body!
Im a GM guy but I would love to have it! GOOD JOB!
That thing is pretty much perfect.
The builder really knew what he was doing, because he’s added just enough lift to comfortably fit those tires without turning it into a bro-truck.
I wish he’d kept the 5-speed, though. Rowing through the gears with that big 6BT clattering would be just terrific.
Love it!
Quite a few of these have been built by guys on the diesel truck sites DTR to name one
The builder is a very good friend of mine that has the” disease ” of perfection. He has spared no expense in the fastidious build on this truck which is consistent with his other projects. We used to pour all our efforts into strictly vintage Cadillacs but the truth be told , our first deal about 31 years ago and the beginning of many deals was a Dodge pick up that needed to be put together . Marty is a true Dodge fanatic and has a long history of outstanding restorations, in fact, there is another Dodge dually I am seriously considering that he has been toiling over for quite sometime now that would be a great asset to my collection . Know this, whosoever gets this truck when the hammer drops will not be disappointed and rest assured that the standard
of workmanship here is far superior to most …. The “perfection disease ” knows no boundaries when it comes to the “Martinization ” of anything this lad touches… a true crazy Canuck..