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New FTO member, '88 Ram D100

T

T-Ram

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Joined
Feb 16, 2015
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Location
Columbiana Ohio
Hello,

I've been a member over at FABO for a long time, like 8 years now, but didn't realize this site was here. I had a '95 Dakota for nearly 19 years and just sold it to make way for a full size truck, this '88 D100. Purchased from my son's friend. Originally from Virginia (hence just a little rust), 173k, 318 TBI w/904. Not sure of gears just yet but they seem pretty steep. Runs great but needs work to lots of little things.

tom's d150 -2.jpg

tom's d150 -2.jpg
 
Thank you. If the tag is still there. I've not been inclined to climb under it on the ground as it was -15 F out this morning. I don't mind some winter and snow, but subzero temps I can do without.

I just got the original service manual in the mail the other day, and that tells me quite a bit. If I'm reading the charts correctly, seems the D100's came with 8.25 rears with 3.55 open gears only. Meh. (And my Dakota had 8.25 SG 3.55 setup that I wish I coulda swapped out lol.) Being that it's got the 3-speed auto, no OD, 3.55 seems a good possibility. I'll confirm when I get some weather around 20 or 30 degrees above zero, at least.

Other things I found interesting while reading through the service manual. All D100's are "light" 1/2 tons with a GVWR of 5000 lbs (which I already knew this), but not all D150's are "heavy" 1/2 tons (which I didn't know this). Some can be light as well with 5000 lb GVWR, some can be heavy with 6050 lb GVWR. 1988 year anyhow, but I would think this would carry through on the other 80's 100 vs 150 trucks. I've more research to do, but according to the charts, the frames are same between the two. I need to double check, but I believe the differences are limited to probably springs, axles (8.25 vs 9.25), and so far I'm guessing transmissions (904/A500 vs 727/A518) too.

Basically what I'm getting at is if I replace my 904 with a 727, my 8.25 rear with a 9.25 (and driveshaft), and put in heavier springs, I've completed a conversion to a heavy half-ton D150. Something I will seriously consider down the line since that's all easier swap-out stuff to do.
 
Surprised they used 8-1/4 housings but not unheard of. My 82 D150 Miser can with the 9-1/4 with 3:54 gears and 4 SPD od. Looks like its got the normal paint issuses. Hope You warm up soon. We have had colder winters just not stretched out this long.
 
Yeah it's 8.25. Looks identical to my old Dakota one, not the "diamond" shape 9.25. GVWR on the sticker is 5000 lbs, and it's also got 904 (at least looking at the trans pan, which is very square not odd-shaped like the 727). Perhaps it's because yours is manual 4-speed and mine is auto, and light-duty auto at that although I hear the 904's take a beating more than some think.

I like the paint/patina it's getting. I've not had a vehicle do that before actually.

No end to winter in the forseeable forecast just yet, but March can be nice. Can get 80 degree days some years, others it's just cold, icy and nasty through to April.
 
My 82 and 93 are both that way. Clear coat flaking off, primer showing and some surface rust.
 
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