Faults:
Emergency Brake line froze frequently. Stopped using it and left it in gear when stopped.
Shocks were worn out when I got it. Cheap to replace.
Head liner completely fell out. Had a hard time gluing it back on, and eventually just removed it entirely and left the red painted metal roof showing.
Cracked head, started leaking antifreeze into the engine.
Paint on the bed worn off due too bad job installing camper shell.
Distributor cap got water in it frequently.
General Comments:
This was my first car. I seriously abused the poor thing, but it kept on running. There was only 2 times when it wouldn't get me from point A to point B. (Distributor cap moisture, frozen emergency brake..)
I often waited 7000 miles between oil changes, once ran it without coolant. Still ran great.
Performance was very sluggish at first. I replaced the wires and plugs with split-fire, and removed the camper shell. This pushed its performance up drastically.
Power steering on this is amazing. It's the easiest to use and steer I had ever seen until I bought my Buick Regal. (I'm learning that this is also true of my new Plymouth Horizon. I guess Dodge makes good power steering. :)
Very cold-blooded. In the winter it would only get 12mpg or so. During the summer it was closer to 20mpg.
Stock stereo system sucked. It was easy to replace, I ended up filing down the radio slot to fit a $90 Sam's club special in its place.
The door mounts for the speakers were a pain. The speakers would frequently short out on the door if they weren't tightened down periodically.
Rebuilt the engine after the head cracked. The performance was never the same again.
13th May 2009, 13:46
I am considering installing a Weber Carb. on my 87 ram 50, but don't know what to do about the computer controls. Any suggestions on how to install without computer interference? Thanks.