609tdbn
01-15-2008, 11:39 PM
Hi all, new to this forum and new to Dodge trucks and was hoping that some of you may have some input about a project.
When my Grandfather died in 2001, his 1984 D150 was parked under the shed at his shop with 92000 on the odo and about a half tank of gas. Prior to being parked, it ran great. Recently, my Grandmother has signed title over to me and I am beginning the process of bringing it back to the road. I have moderate auto repair knowledge. I can change most parts, diagnose and repair brakes, change fluids, spark plugs, etc. I know what the main parts of the engine are and what they do, however the diagnosis of engine problems evades me.
About the truck: It's a 1984 D150 custom, 2wd, long bed, regular cab. It has a 318 with the 2-barrel carb and an auto transmission. The truck doesn't run, the motor's not frozen, the only fluid leaking is tranny fluid and I know where that's coming from. I live in southeastern NC. The trucks not a beach vehicle, but we have bugs and other varmints. Fortunately, I have seen no evidence of rodents in the truck.
What I'm asking for is some guidance on where to start, perhaps a checklist of things to plan on buying for my first afternoon of wrenching, and some problems that I may run into that those of you experienced with these type of "barn vehicles" may forewarn me of.
Bear in mind, this isn't going to be a daily driver, I have a truck for that, just need it to be able to drive it around town. I don't plan on taking it out on the highway or on long trips. Eventually, as other priorities are handled, the engine and tranny will be rebuilt, the rear end gone through, and the body and interior freshened up. For now, it just has to run "good enough."
Thanks in advance, folks. I'll send pictures as this truck evolves.
When my Grandfather died in 2001, his 1984 D150 was parked under the shed at his shop with 92000 on the odo and about a half tank of gas. Prior to being parked, it ran great. Recently, my Grandmother has signed title over to me and I am beginning the process of bringing it back to the road. I have moderate auto repair knowledge. I can change most parts, diagnose and repair brakes, change fluids, spark plugs, etc. I know what the main parts of the engine are and what they do, however the diagnosis of engine problems evades me.
About the truck: It's a 1984 D150 custom, 2wd, long bed, regular cab. It has a 318 with the 2-barrel carb and an auto transmission. The truck doesn't run, the motor's not frozen, the only fluid leaking is tranny fluid and I know where that's coming from. I live in southeastern NC. The trucks not a beach vehicle, but we have bugs and other varmints. Fortunately, I have seen no evidence of rodents in the truck.
What I'm asking for is some guidance on where to start, perhaps a checklist of things to plan on buying for my first afternoon of wrenching, and some problems that I may run into that those of you experienced with these type of "barn vehicles" may forewarn me of.
Bear in mind, this isn't going to be a daily driver, I have a truck for that, just need it to be able to drive it around town. I don't plan on taking it out on the highway or on long trips. Eventually, as other priorities are handled, the engine and tranny will be rebuilt, the rear end gone through, and the body and interior freshened up. For now, it just has to run "good enough."
Thanks in advance, folks. I'll send pictures as this truck evolves.