1984 Dodge W150 4X4 Prospector Royal SE Rustfree Low miles California truck

Description for Dodge Other Pickups 1984

Up for sale is my 1984 W150 Prospector/Royal SE 4x4. I purchased this truck last year from an older man in Northern California and the truck had spent its entire life in the area. It was well maintained and garage kept. It was purchased new in Nevada and soon after went to California to an area where there is very little precipitation and no road salt and as such it is in very good condition both inside and out. This is a highly optioned truck – I doubt you could order a Cadillac in 1984 with more equipment…. and it pretty much all works. And the miles are correct at 90480 – Autocheck entries and receipts California emission tests and the condition of the truck collaborate the odometer reading.

Body/Exterior/Glass

This truck is 100% rust free. It doesn’t have any rust forming or any that has been repaired. As stated above it spent its life in Northern California where there is very little moisture or rainfall. Even along the rain gutter and roof it is corrosion free – and the roof is an area where older Dodges rust out. The bed floor and tailgate are exceptionally straight. The door hinges are tight and the doors latch solidly and correctly. The body panels all line up and there is no indication whatsoever of any accident which is also collaborated by Autocheck. All chrome trim and both bumpers are exceptionally clean and straight. All the emblems and the Rams head hood ornament are there. The truck was repainted several years ago. I would call the paint a little better than average and the preparation much better than average. Every piece of trim molding weather stripping glass etc. was removed except the rear window. As such there is no overspray and there are also no runs thin areas or sanding marks. Slight strip of overspray on the rear window gasket. I have never waxed or detailed this truck. It looks about the same as the day I got it. There are a number of areas near the bottom of the truck that have been touched up from rock chips nearly all below the black side moldings. There is also a very shallow depression in the driver’s door that you can’t see in the pictures and the same just forward of the passenger side rear wheel. After you know where they are you have to look for them even in person. The previous owner kept this truck inside and because of this all the weather stripping insulation glass run channels etc. are soft and pliable. I have owned about 20 o these older Dodges and this is one of the few that the vent windows don’t whistle going down the road. The windshield is not cracked or pitted and is the original Chrysler “Safeguard” brand. Both side windows and the rear glass are in good condition with no cracks or hazing. The plugs you see in the bed are from the stainless steel dealer installed optional roll bar which I removed- goes with the truck if you want it.

Undercarriage/Frame

Every nut and bolt turns with a wrench or socket. That is what is really wonderful about dry western trucks… you can’t ever make a rusty truck right underneath. This is an expensive lesson I have learned a few times… You might as well buy one from out west so you have a solid platform that holds its value or appreciates. And I have already paid the $1000.00 freight bill. I did not undercoat this truck because in my opinion it is just a mask. The frame axles springs brake lines fuel line etc. are all in good condition and the orange-ish hue you can see in the pictures of the undercarriage is just the residue from Northern California soils and roads. The only thing I painted was the trailer hitch and rear differential cover.

Mechanical

This truck has the optional 360 4 barrel motor. It is coupled to a 727 Torqueflite Auto. This is a robust low-tech drive line and the transmission is probably the stoutest Chrysler made. I have done some maintenance items on the engine – when I got it the previous owner had replaced the water pump but it still would leave a drip so I took it in and found out it was actually the timing cover (which I suspected because it is common on LA block Chryslers) …anyway I had the timing cover gasket changed and that solved the problem. I also had all new belts upper hose cap rotor plugs and fuel pump changed. I have receipts. The motor runs quiet and carries good oil pressure cold and hot and it runs cool and has lots of power….a couple weeks ago I drove it to Plymouth Indiana and back…it will easily run 85 mph on the interstate with no complaints but it is somewhat cold blooded the first minutes of a cold start. I suspect the choke is not set right because it runs excellent thereafter and the rest of the day. I would love to have had this rectified but apparently no one around here wants to work on a carburetor any more. All the emission equipment is intact and this truck passed strict annual California emissions test every year including 2014 the last year it was there. I have those documents. It does have headers but it retains the catalytic convertors and stock exhaust. It is obviously carbureted so you have to pump the fuel before you start it cold. The transmission goes immediately into gear both forwards and reverse and it shifts silky smooth. The kick down works correctly for passing gear. There is no driveline whine or unusual noise in the drive train. The entire rear axle differential was rebuilt in 2009 at 84000 miles from the differential to the brake drums at a cost of $1700. I have receipts for this. I installed a new set of General 31x10.501x15 All/Terrains in February 2015. (I have receipt) and inspected the front brakes at this time and they are in good shape with plenty of pad left. This truck has the best brakes of any older Dodge I have owned with no pull shimmy or vibration. It still has its original 4x4 system and it works perfectly. The instructions are still on the driver’s sun visor. Most of these were converted to lockouts but since it worked and I never intended to drive it in snow or mud I left it alone. It has had new shocks recently and it handles very well. There is some steering play but not excessive especially for the year and design. You can drive this truck down a crowned country road with one hand. There are no leaks in the transfer case the differentials or the transmission. It will leave a small drop of oil when parked that comes from somewhere around the bell housing area. It is a small occasional drop – not a puddle. There are no fuel brake power steering or antifreeze leaks. There is some minor pitting on the aluminum wheels and I do also have the 4 original aluminum turbine style “Prospector” wheels in good condition that go with the truck.

Interior

It is in very good condition. The seat sits high and firm. The head liner is intact and good condition – some plastic around the screws is cracked but that is inevitable. The dash is in perfect shape and very nice. Driver and passenger door panels are on good condition…driver side has a very small crack in the armrest. The carpet is in good shape with no rips tears or worn out areas with some light soiling on the far driver’s side. The sun visors are in good shape. All the gauges work – fuel oil pressure temp and ammeter. Both power window work correctly and quickly. (Motors were replaced in both windows in 2009 @ 84000miles. I have receipt). The instrument cluster and lenses are in good shape and everything works.

Electrical

The electrical system on this truck hasn’t been jacked with. The fuse box sits in it intended slot (unusual) and all the wiring is unmolested and original. All lights turn signals bright/dim switch cargo light dome light dash light brake lights and parking lamps work as intended with the original switches. The radio only works on the right hand channel. The cruise control is functional and works correctly. The horn works the wipers work on all speeds and the washers work too. All the dash light illuminate a night. The glove box light works. The power locks work (they are controlled by operating the one on the driver’s door) as I said both power window work… speedometer odometer and trip odometer work correctly key ignition buzzer works too. The flashers work but the top of the switch is broken off so you have to pull on it with something like a nail or small screw. This truck can sit for weeks without losing its battery charge.

HVAC

The air conditioning on this truck works and blows cold and the heat blows hot – but only on “high” and “low” – the middle speeds don’t work. I don’t know if the problem is in the switch or control unit (head) but I do know that the A/C works and is plenty cold. I am going to assume it is not something as simple as a fan switch. The “low” setting will keep the truck cool once you are moving and the “high” cools it down fast. I drove this truck a few times last winter when the roads were clear and the heat works well even on 0 degree days.

Summary

It is a pretty nice truck. I keep it inside but due to another purchase I am running out of indoor storage. The clean and clear title is in my name and the VIN plate is on the dash and matches the title as required by Indiana State Law. The miles are exempt on the title which is normal for a 31 year old vehicle. A police inspection was done when it got here from California. It is 31 years old so it is not perfect. For those of you have never bought online I will say pictures always look better than in person but I have tried to describe the flaws you can’t see. Please don’t screw my auction up by bidding then not paying. A lot of effort goes into this on my part and other bidders. Get permission from your wife husband and mom whatever. If you don’t have the funds available please just pass. If you live close enough and want to see it that is okay. I travel a lot during the week but if you have questions you can call – Pete 574-780-8639. If I don’t answer I will call you back. Winning bidder please contact me wit in 24 hours of auction end. Full payment due in 6 days. Cash in person or wire transfer. I will take a bank check but truck and title stay until it clears. I will fax or email a copy of the title to buyer before payment if you wish. I have 10 vehicles and am not interested in any trades…I have set the reserve at a reasonable number quite a bit less than I have in it. I plan on letting the auction run its course and I don’t have it for sale elsewhere. I prefer calls to email as I am seldom near a computer during the week. Thanks.