1997 Dodge Ram 3500 Extended Cab Long Bed 2wd Pickup
For consignment, a 1997 Dodge Ram 3500 extended cab long bed with a title verified 82,779 actual miles. Our consignor states, "This truck has received meticulous attention all its life. It has basically been stored during the winters and is 100% rust free. In fact, it has never done an honest day's work in its 27 years. Its sole job was getting race cars to just about every major track East of Indy. It never failed."
Exterior
If you don't see the truck coming down the street, well maybe a coat of Flame Red will help. Of course, the face is chrome, including the big grille and bumper that spans the width of the truck with headlights perched on the end of bulging fenders flanking a massive hood. This leads to the cab that wears cab lights for visibility on the edge of the extended roofline. Trailing behind is the long bed, widened itself by the flared fenders that form a canopy of the dually axle. Extra marker lights illuminate in back as well on a tailgate that's straight and clean and rises over the trailer hitch and polished exhaust tip. Towing side mirrors spread wider than the Flying Nun's hat and 16-inch Weld wheels carry 85 series tires that are fittingly huge for the truck. A sliding window is out back, and the hard tonneau cover is in great condition. In fact, we couldn't find any glaring exterior flaws on this truck and the paint, chrome, and black plastics are all in fantastic condition. Meticulous attention indeed.
Interior
Formed tan plastic door panels house softer inserts with faux wood trim pieces and black hardware, all looking great. Big puffy tan leather bucket seats occupy the front and other than some minor compression of the driver's seat, they look to be in good shape and flank a storage bin and arm rest that doubles as the back for a third seat. In the back, the bench is not thick and comfortable but provides plenty of room to stretch out. The standard steering wheel with cruise control buttons on the center leads to a dash completely framed in wood laminate applique, oak if we had to guess, providing a honey colored glaze on the gauge pod, radio, and every other element of the wide dashboard. The gauges are standard although some A-pillar units have been added for measuring exhaust temperatures and boost, great additions for a turbo diesel engine. Next to the vertical A/C controls, we find an AM/FM/CD radio. A Prodigy towing brake controller is mounted at the bottom of the dash. The tall shifter is floor mounted and surrounded by plush tan carpet that belies the mileage on the truck, as does the foam backed headliner on the ceiling.
Drivetrain
We had no doubt it would be clean after seeing the rest of the truck and sure enough, under the hood is a clean 5.9 liter Cummins turbo diesel with a modified pump and injectors, a Horton auxiliary fan, and a new radiator assembly and hoses. A 5-speed manual transmission sends power to the Dana 80 rear axle with 4.10 gears and limited slip. Power brakes are onboard with discs up front and drums in the rear.
Undercarriage
Some light surface rust but a truck that has seen very little road salt, if any. We're not seeing any leaks, only minimal grease on the knuckles, and no road dirt to speak of. The single exhaust is large and flows through a stock style muffler before exiting the polished tip in back.
Drive-Ability
We hear some great engines around here, so pedestrian trucks don't do much for us, but a big turbo diesel plays some nice music, especially when you give it some gas, er, diesel and let 'er rip. Plenty of power at hand here and a big comfortable cab from which to wield it. We find a few things not working perfectly, however. For example, the A/C doesn't blow through the vents, the power locks aren't working, and the rear tilt on the driver's seat panel doesn't move the seat. Beyond that, all functions get a check mark from us as operational. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
Our consignor asks, why spend over twice as much for half the truck? We kind of agree here and the only thing missing from this equation is a show car on a nice aluminum trailer! So, who's ready to roll some coal around here? Who needs a work truck that's obviously been well taken care of and has many miles ahead of it? We love matching collectors and racers with great tow vehicles. Can we set you up on a date to meet this one in person?
3B7MC33D4VM577840
3-Mexico
B-Dodge
7-Truck Without Side Airbags
M-10,001 To 14,000 GVWR
C-2wd
3-3500 Series
3-Quad Cab
D-5.9 Liter Cummings Diesel
4-Check Digit
V-1997
M-Lago Alberto, Mexico Assy Plant
557840-Sequential Unit Number
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
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