Well, how do I put this?
It’s kind of a long story.
As you may know, the Grumpy Old Bastard across the street recently kicked off…
Good Ol’ Chuck. I sincerely miss the guy.
His wife? ex wife? danged if I can figure it out, and his daughter are pretty much wanting to erase his existence from the place across the street it appears.
They even sold his car off before he was dead.
Chuck, like me, was a bit of a Pack Rat and there is a lot of stuff over there.
They already had some relative show up with a trailer, twice, and hauled off a bunch of his stuff. The way it should be as far as I’m concerned, family first.
Well while I was finding out that he had actually passed on, talking to his wife I guess, she asks me if I want to buy a truck.
Lemme tell ya, I had already asked Chuck twice over the last few years what he wanted for it and he wouldn’t give me a price.
Heck yeah I’d like to buy that truck BUT…
But it’s 3/4 ton 4X4 with a 360 gas engine and an automatic transmission. I figure the thing would eat me alive for gas and maintenance. A set of tires alone would be well North of $1500 if I had to buy a set.
On top of that, the biggest obstacle is going to be fighting against The Big Boss at the end of the very first level.
She is all about NO.
Very vehemently NO.
I got a quick list to go with that, NO.
So anyway, I’m out there talking to this woman again Friday after work and she is wanting to get this truck started so it can be backed out from beside the house next to a shed and get it out front so they can slap a For Sale sign on it.
She tells me that her and the daughter looked it up and Blue Book and it says it’s worth $7000.
I told her that she wouldn’t probably get that much because the paint is all messed up and there is a good sized dent in the side of the bed.
Then she tells me that she really doesn’t care, she just wants it gone.
Hmm.
So I figuratively rolled the dice and said I would give her $3,500 because I am cheap and we are neighbors.
I fully expected her to laugh in my face for such impertinence.
Much to my surprise, she said she would take that.
Now mind you, this $7000 Blue Book price is for a pretty pristine example of a 1993 Dodge 3/4 ton 4X4 but this truck is freaking LOADED with goodies and only has 113,000 original Old Man miles on it.
It has a winch on the front with a Brush Guard, factory overdrive, add on Cruise, a tow package, a Brake Lock system and a swing out cherry picker in the bed, something I had completely forgotten about and also something I have been very seriously considering putting in the back of the Chevy .It already has a CB antenna connection and cable inside and even comes with an extra set of tires, already mounted on rims.
There is also a fiberglass bed cover that is hydraulically actuated thanks to Chuck that I am going to have to get down from under his carport.
Yeah, this thing is probably worth every bit of seven grand going by the stupid prices for trucks I have been seeing for the last few years around here.
So I went over there this morning to see if the thing would even start so I could get it out in the street for her.
Good Ol’ Chuck. He had a battery minder hooked up to it.
I unhooked it, got in it and it fired right up.
The last time I remember seeing him drive it was last Summer and I see it hasn’t been tagged since 2021.
I parked it and came back in the house and then left shortly afterwards to go visit a buddy and his Dad.
At this point I have pretty much decided that at $3500, this is a deal I can’t refuse.
I’m just really not looking forward to the knock down drag out fight with the wife about it.
I came home, brought it up again, gave her my reasons for getting it and to my everlasting disbelief, she was only mildly pissed off about it.
Again,
I just got back from sealing the deal. I have the paperwork sitting next to me and because tomorrow is a holiday, I am going down Tuesday and getting a cashiers check for $3500 and handing it off after work.
There was even a folder full of service records, including the original owners manual
Long story short, ladies and gentlemens, I am now Officially a MOPAR owner, again.
This thing is setup with damn near everything I ever wanted in a truck since 4 EVER.
I had planned to clean up and sell the old Chevy to recoup some of the cost but out of nowhere the Wifely Unit starts talking about giving it to The Kid.
We shall see how that works out in the near future. In the mean time it is still my daily driver until I can go through this Dodge and get it up to date.
I know there is a bad axle seal somewhere but I can get by with that until the weather gets better. I’m really not looking forward to fixing that out in the road but if I have to I will.
Eventually.
Hey Thanks Chuck, it sounds like he would be cool with this.
According to the wife, he actually thought I was a pretty good guy after all.
Not that he would have ever said it to me.
I’ll try and take care of it buddy.
That’s a smokin deal. Run to the bank and get it done.
suh-WHEAT ! Good luck and best wishes with it. And respects to the previous owner, may he rest in peace. My old man had a 1965 Plymouth Fury III wagon with a 318 in it. When it was on its last legs he gave it to me as I was in college and living off campus, it was helpful to get around. Some mechanical issues regarding the right front axle will remain a story for another day. Eventually the vehicle went back to dear old dad when I moved on campus and the ‘rents decided I didn’t need a car anymore . . . . . . but that 318 could haul.
Fortune favors the bold!
Uh, “again”? So, you’ve owned Chrylser products in the past, and you still wanted a Dodge truck? 🙂
If you ask me, they threw in the dent for free! Nothing says “good truck” like a well deserved dent. I just picked one up on a Death Valley off-road trek. Along with a new layer of desert pin-striping.
but out of nowhere the Wifely Unit starts talking about giving it to The Kid.
It wasn’t out of nowhere, that plan preexisted this truck coming available.
You done good. And you deserve it. —ken
That is in incredible shape for a truck its age. What a deal!
That is a good looking truck. Score, as we said back in the day. The swingarm is a bonus. You will get another 150K miles out of the rig if you keep it in good condition. Yeah, I know you will and that you already know that, still wanted to say it. chuckling
Hey Phil you got a rocking deal on that!! Just think of all the stuff you can haul home in that beast. What’s in it a 360? You gonna look good cruising in it. I think the old guy would be happy that you got it knowing you would take care of it. Allan
Suspect Ole Chuck was working his magic “behind the scenes” to ensure his buddy got the best deal. Friends like Ole Chuck have mysterious mojo to take care of folks important to them. Suggest you price a new Dodge truck with all the breakable do-dads if you want sticker shock. All it needs now are some flames on the sides. You scored big time man.
My rock solid 1997 4 x 4 Ram pick up is just about top hit 200,000 miles… The 318 runs so smooth that it can barely be heard running, but it sure pushes a lot of snow when I plow with it…!!! Gotta luv a Dodge truck…
Nice score, Phil!
Here in SC my roomate who is from here, I moved from stupid North 3 years and learning, would just say “Hell Yeah” his words.
Cheap bastards win every so often.
Nice score. And it kinda keeps Chuck in the neighborhood.
Nice deal! I’d’ve bought it in a minute!
Congrats!
Last year for that body style, I think.
Best thing about old iron – NO OBD2 port!
I’ll keep my Mopar musings, to myself…….
Leigh
Whitehall, NY
Involuntary hip thrust. Too cool. Had a 1992 3/4 ton dodge 5.9 Cummins and a 5 speed manual. 75k on it when I got it and 152k when I sold it 10 years ago. Still regret it.
Great deal!. The 360 is the same engine family as the 318, only with more cubes! Congrats! That Dodge is old enough to be a good one.
A good story with a happy ending! Glad to hear positive news in the world. Nice truck. You are well deserving of the blessing bestowed upon you. Congrats!
Dude. That’s awesome. Pinch yourself 😀
Fuck, I am jealous of those wing windows! Those are classic! You did good ya old bastid! But red man? Red is not so good ju-ju… At least paint the rear and front bumpers black to match those factory rims. Enjoy the hell out of your Dodge, I guess we are gonna have to change the Chevy series to a Dodge one now… Call you Redman now.
Cederq you watched the movie used cars to many times.
he has a point. at least paint the bumpers and wheels black
that red back bumper looks like shit.
a nice flat black on the other hand,,
Sweet!
I’m so jealous. Those are hens teeth here in Michshitigan.
You being a mechanic and all, I shouldn’t have to say it, but I will anyway.
Be sure you service the tyranny, (no pun intended). I’m a big Dodge fan, but I’m currently driving an 06 hand me down Trailblazer with 350k on the odo. I’ve had the trans serviced every 35k and it still works like new.
Enjoy!
Seconded and thirded on the tranny service. Have them Power flush it, it will pay for itself absolutely.
Congrats on the new truck Phil!! Still working on the 62 ford. Thanks again for the ford books!
wing windows is a big plus ! now if the shop would get my 1994 4runner done.
I be a happy man too. and just why does the kid NEED you old truck ?
just make sure the “kid” buys the truck from you. otherwise he start thinking whenever he needs something, you going to give it to him.
CB radio is okay, but you might want to check out the midland micromobile
https://midlandusa.com/collections/micromobile/products/mxt575-micromobile%C2%AEtwo-way-radio
going to put one in both 4runners myself. better range to them and not as many assholes have them yet. and they also work with the hand held units as well
might be a good thing to have in the coming shitshow.
She’s a BUTE Phil! 😀👍
I can already see some Mad Max Modifications for the upcoming FUSA Festivities!
Lucky twice in one day?
You’re on a roll.
Well, now you can add Thief and Taking Advantage of Widows and Orphans to your resume. ;-))
I’m kidding, of course.
That’s a great truck and a great deal with all of the extra’s.
A cheap set of tires for a 3/4 ton 4X4 will run $1500. I have a F350 4X4 that is going to need tires soon and I have started looking for highway tires. Any off road or oversize will shoot the price to over $2k. You also need to check the date code on the tires that are on the truck and the spare set. If they are over 5 years old do not push the load and speed limits. If they are over 10 years old replace them.
A 360 gas engine in a half ton 2WD is a gas hog. Add 3/4 ton 4X4 and good gas mileage will be double digit numbers.
That’s not a dent – it’s character!
Phil, that picture, you’re a funny sumbitch. congrats on the score, it needs a camper though so you can go see Cederq and go fishing.
ps And the owners manual as well. That is the real shocker right there.
yup, you are right about that. the guy who bought my 1989 4runner was shocked when I threw in the shop manuals as well as spare parts I had for it. cap and rotor, spare set of wires .spare brake pads. and a new in the box radiator.
told him the springs where extra 700 pound rated and the torsion bars where changed out 10 years ago.
and a extra gas tank installed years ago- nothing like a extra 13 gallons of gas for long trips.
I did keep the ARB bumper and winch though.
it fit on my 1994 4 runner.
and the tires where 3 years old, maybe less that a 1000 miles on them. maybe I should have added another grand to the price ?
I do have to say this, it is the second time reading this and I keep getting a chuckle
every time I see your shocked face.
trade your dollars for stuff you are going to need/want. it is only a matter of time now before they become worthless.
Good stuff! I’m wanting that cherry picker. I need to look at it closer….
Dang! SUPER score, Phil. While I have sufficient for our needs, I’d grab that baby, service everything, and ask $10K for it! But that’s *only* because I don’t need something like that. You scored as well as I did on my Beaver Motor Coach, for sure!!
The cherry picker looks like an African-American Mod of a Horror Freight one, especially with that “after market” short throw bottle jack.
I wish I was closer to you, I could lend you my Quickjack system to assist in jacking up/crawling under the truck. It’s a lifesaver.
I hope she doesn’t read your threads online; at least not until Wednesday.
And just like that he goes from the nice guy across the street to that cocksucker that stole chukie’s truck.
DAMN! You SCORED! The only thing that would have been sweeter would’ve been a CUMMINS under the hood!
Niiiiiiiiiiiiiice!
Back deck like that and you can make a ‘technical’ that’ll put Toyota to shame…
Quad-M240s I’m thinking…
You could yeet the shit outta someone with a Combat Ride like that!
Phil and me were talking about that last night on the phone! Too funny!
Well played, sir.
I had a ’79 Model of that one- You got a Deal! the 360 may be a bit more of a Gas Pig than the 318, but keep your Foot out of it and its not Insufferable for occasional use. The 727 Trans in it is pretty Bulletproof if you Keep the Oil Clean (the Engine, too). Look at the Dataplate, if it says the Trans is an LA-727, even better, that’s the Heavy-Duty one for Towing.
Great story to pass on to everyone that will listen. Besides, how much worse mileage will it get than the Chevy? The interior looks fantastic and the lift and winch are a plus, I mean really, your wife unit probably never considered that you can now winch heavier “stuff” found by the road onto the bed. Hee!
Clean and wax, you can probably get 6K within a day, even with a ding if you end up in a hard bind.
With luck it will be an easy seal to replace. Fingers crossed.
What’s with the matching dents on the sides of the bed?
Danged if I know, I never got around to asking about them.
Congratulations, sir! Great deal.
NIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICE!
price a new 4WD. $30K?
SCORE!
Hell of a deal,congrats!