I need help. I'm a dodge truck lover from way back. Due to a medical condition I have to give up my beloved '01 ram 1500 quad cab 4x4. To help me, my buddy (another dodge truck lover) sold me his ranch truck, 1985 w250 4x4. The dash,map,dome and cargo lights do not work. I can't find the fuse box. The light switch will be my second diagnosis. Any other ideas? Also, it has the quadrajet carb which has an vacuum leak. What will interchange? What after market intake is emissions legal? Finally, doe's any one know if the 1st/2nd gen 5.9 will interchange with a intake/ carb from '85? Thanking everyone in advance. Ramluver54.
mopar fan
03-09-2009, 04:19 PM
First of all welcome to DodgeTalk. I moved your post here so it will get more visibility. I'm sure someone will chime in to help you with your problem.
thejudges69
03-10-2009, 10:59 AM
My truck had a holley on it when i got it. but they changed the intake to an edelbrock intake. I do notice though that theres a rod on the transmission that i believe is the kick down rod for the tranny that won't reach to be hooked back up. I'm not sure if theres an aftermarket kickdown cable setup or not. Surely someone will have more insight then me.
DiverDwnPowrRam
03-10-2009, 12:21 PM
Your fuse box is under the steering wheel...look for four screws on a removable panel...on the QuadJet..I am biased because i like them..so for me i would do a total rebuild
ramluver54
03-10-2009, 05:40 PM
#1)mopar fan-thanks for the welcome. I look forward to intermingling with others. #2)thejudges69-when I had my 74 power wagon (360, crane r.v. cam, hedman headers, double roller timing chain, reworked heads, edelbrock intake, holley carb and mallory ignition)which was a swap with my dad for my 1 year old dodge truck, we had the same problem. Kickdown rod was made using a section of same diameter all-thread cut to length. Throttle cable was made by modifying my motorcycle clutch cable to fit. This set up lasted for years. I hope it helps.
ramluver54
03-10-2009, 05:54 PM
Thanks. As soon as I can move around better I'll look for it. As for the quadrajet, been a long time since I worked on a carb and I like them too but I was told that this one is too wore out for a rebuild. Rochester only supplied them for 3 years and, If I understand correctly, it uses a different throttle plate so it's item specific. Haven't found used/rebuilt locally and that's why I'm looking for an interchange. (p.s; my son has an edelbrock carb on his chevy 4x4 and it floods out and sputters a lot when we go to our property in n.w. ariz. which is 4800 ft. higher elevation. The blazer that I sold him had a quadrajet and it never gave a problem. Tells me something. Thanks!
volaredon
03-11-2009, 11:03 PM
sold a newer Dodge and bought an older one due to med reasons? That ws 1 reason (not the only) that I sold my 97 Ram 1500 4WD and bought my 83 D 250 (to "save" money) but the 83 has turned into a Tim Taylor "more power" project; being on disability and bored of sitting in the house out of my mind, helped lead to that, which (of course) has snowballed almost outta control! Too many "might-as-wells" while I had the motor apart; a top end swap took me parts of 4 days that should have been a day, day-and-a-half max. at least I am not on anybody's "book" flat rate wise. and I don't have to pay myself for the time spent!
ramluver54
03-11-2009, 11:29 PM
Hated to get rid of it but still owed a lot .First had to take in the 2 grandkids(love em to pieces and they love the 1500), then broke my r. shoulder 1 1/2 year ago and now have a partial disability from it. Now tore up r. knee and am having much more trouble than the shoulder. Haven't worked in almost 2 months. Luckily I have Aflac to help with rent and electric. Otherwise I wouldn't give up the 1500. It is a fantastic truck. My friend practially gave me the w250 and won't let me pay a penny until I'm back on my feet. But I have made a "to do list" for when that time comes. I too have too much time on my hands right now. Never even got to finish the "ol lady's" grand wagoneer either.
volaredon
03-11-2009, 11:34 PM
yeah; aint that a b1tch; when you have the time theres no $$$$ typical in my book too.
ramluver54
03-12-2009, 02:45 AM
Went to move the truck (first time I drove it since it was delivered-I'm a short-shit and with a bad knee it's kinda hard/painful) turned the lights on and as I started to drive the headlights went out and wouldn't come back on. Now no headlights, dash lights, or dome light. Good thing I was gonna replace the switch with my next check. Think I got the problem figured out. Now about the carb.........
volaredon
03-12-2009, 09:32 AM
about the carb; scrap the Holley and find an Edelbrock, an AFB or a ThermoQuad(T-Q)
ramluver54
03-12-2009, 05:21 PM
The power wagon had the holley. This one is a q-jet. From personal experience, the q-jet is a decent off road carb but seems like it's going to cost a lot to replace. Had a carter afb on one of my trucks and was great for torque but wanted to flood at angles, and the road to my property is all cut in by dozer, truck and hand going up the side of a mountain. My son's edelbrock didn't like the altitude or angles. So now I'm not sure of which way to go. What is your experience with those? What kind of install problems?
DiverDwnPowrRam
03-12-2009, 06:26 PM
actually ANY spread bore QJet that has no electronics will fit your truck. That means middle to 87 Chebies also..oh and 81-86.5 Dodge trucks...about $10-$15 in the J yard, $45 for the gaskets, $35-40 for the bronze bushing fix (highly recommended) and .01cents for a drywall screw to remove the idle tubes.
http://www.cliffshighperformance.com/
