So we’ve been on a dually pickup kick around here for a bit. Part of that is due to Chad’s box Chevy that he picked up and has been enjoying, but the other part is that we love dually trucks. All three of us. We have different visions of what it should be, but overall we agree that we prefer trucks from the 1970s-1990s, and if it’s got a manual trans we’re all over it. So instead of just finding a cheap Craigslist ad and pointing out that it’s cheap, this time around I’m going to take a look at this 1988 Dodge D350 and do a phantom Rough Start build. You see, I like the idea of a flatbed work truck and this Dodge could be the ideal setup. As much as I’d love a solid 1980s Dodge dually with the bed and all attached, a good flatbed setup with a headache rack and rails for tiedowns would make for a great shop truck.
Painted up in Forest Service Green and maybe a little bit batterd for the wear, this Dodge appeals to me simply because I love these trucks…they are simple and solid, so long as you find a rust-free example. I have no questions that the 360-powered rig runs and drives, so I won’t worry about that. We will need a driver’s side front fender, but that isn’t an important item so much as it’s a junkyard opportunity hunt. The interior needs to be scrubbed clean and I’d be on the hunt for any other bench seat than the factory base-model buckboard bench. Overall, as-is, cleanup and polish for what’s there should only take a hundred dollars or so, and the fender and bench seat can be had for low cash input. The truck comes in at $1,200, so let’s round up and call it $1,500 even for the basics.
Ok, now let’s look at the wants: the bed setup and some work for the 360. We’d go ahead and rebuild the 360…185 horsepower is weak sauce and we know the 360 has more in it for cheap. We’re not saying “408 stroker” but we are saying a serious kick in the ass. The manual transmission needs to stay, but I’d consider changing out the A833 case to an NP4500 for an additional forward gear, for better highway travel. Paint is always optional, but with everything metal on the cab painted green, you’d have to strip and re-shoot everything. The stereo system isn’t something to be too concerned about, junkyard one out of a pre-1996 Chrysler product and you’ll get just about everything you could want. Make sure the heater and air conditioning work and be done with it.
I think this Dodge could be done up decently for $3,500, if you watch your spending on the engine rebuild, find a used flatbed tray and skip paint. What do you think?
If I could find that around here in a GM I’d be on it like white on rice. But around here, central IN, that would be $5000. I’ve been looking.
My grandson Ian sez to put a utility bed on it, paint it all Forest Sevice green & put on some chrome rims to look like the full size Hot Wheels version!
looks like a no A/C version from here; yep that nv4500 would be nice maybe even a lighter nv3500 would be good if youre not going to really earn its keep… should be rocking 4.56 gears like my 85 power ram 350 where 60 mph is pretty much the end of the line with the NP435 (not the friendlier, but lighter duty A833 with or without o/D)… id still run it as is with a flatbed
I would use it as intended ,a work horse. A lot of these had the 4:10’s in them and a few with the 4:56’s all do to like you said 185 hp. A 5 speed would be nice .But look at what you will use it for. Maybe towing a car on a trailer,haulin a big bulky or heavy load .And does everyone need to drive 80MPH. come on man nothing wrong with settling in at 60 mph .De smog it,headers,a better cam, carb and intake and ignition ignition ,That will get you 30 or 40 hp on a low compression engine . But the tq will go way up .If you rebuild it from scratch and stroke it .Its a Dodge not a $50.00 383 Chevy.You would have 4k in the engine. 440 mopar motor home engines are $200.00 with trans all day long They are 330 hp. and over 400 tq. .Me I would go the stock big block replacement. Sell the 360 with trans for $700.00.You would brake even on the big block trans plant. Cause you would need a used intake and new 750 carb ,to replace the thermoquad .You ask ,now I told ya What I’d w with her .And as for the paint .That never di help performance ,just ego