1985 Dodge D100 Custom Prospector

Description

Are '80s pickups collectable? Well, we'd argue that when they're as well-preserved as this 1985 Dodge D100 Custom Prospector, they're definitely worth considering. With Chevys and Fords starting to get some attention, you Mopar guys deserve a cool, affordable way to have some old-school fun.

The Prospector package added a bunch of chrome trim to the simple Dodge D100 (this is before they officially started calling them "Ram") and we have to admit that it looks fantastic. The two-tone paint is quite recent and outshines anything else in this price range and even some vehicles costing three or four times as much. It's really nice! There's no sign that this truck was ever a work vehicle beyond making the commute to some cushy office job and the shiny chrome trim would make it feel at home just about anywhere. Dodge's regular cab with a short box combination has better proportions than Ford or Chevy, too, as if the bed is a little longer; whatever the case it looks right. The bumpers shine up beautifully and you can tell that a guy who loves his truck owns this one, because the bed is protected with a blue spray-in bedliner AND a rubber mat.

Prospector trim meant cloth interior, not slippery vinyl, as well as some wood appliques on the dash to warm things up a bit. Dark blue carpets are in excellent condition and might be original, and their condition is probably due to those matching carpeted mats with blue bindings. A full array of gauges are a great find in a truck like this, as is working factory A/C (could perhaps use a shot of Freon), cruise control, and an upgraded AM/FM/CD stereo in the center of the dash. The funky three-spoke steering wheel is pure 1980s but the rest of the interior appointments look timeless, ensuring that this truck will look great in 10 or 20 years, too. The 66,201 miles shown on the odometer are actual, so there are no high-mileage issues (or low-mileage issues); it's been driven enough to stay healthy but not enough to wear it out. Nice!

Speaking of driving, the 225 cubic inch slant-6 under the hood is going to surprise you. Don't write this truck off because it doesn't have a V8, because the virtually indestructible slant-6 is ready, willing, and able to have plenty of fun. It's silky smooth and has a voice unlike the usual trucks you see at the cruise night, and people will give it a double-take when they see the open hood. It's completely stock, from the air cleaner to the exhaust manifolds, and while it looks busy under the hood, maintenance is actually a snap and parts are readily available (even performance parts). Power steering and brakes make it easy to drive and the 3-speed automatic transmission is a great partner for the torquey six. Obviously, it's been living in a warm climate its entire life because it's as clean underneath as it is up top and again, it's stock right down to the newer single exhaust with catalytic converter. Recent shocks ensure that this truck rides better than you'd expect and those shiny chrome wheels and 255/70/15 BFGoodrich radials give it a sporty personality.

Collectable or not? At this price, it's academic because what you're really getting is a super clean truck that looks awesome, drives great, and pulls down surprisingly good fuel mileage. Hard to go wrong there. Call now!