1981 Dodge W250 4WD Extended Cab Pickup- California Truck - 5.2L V8 - Automatic Transmission - Highly Original (Please note: If you happen to be viewing this 1981 Dodge Ram W250...
1981 Dodge W250 4WD Extended Cab Pickup
- California Truck
- 5.2L V8
- Automatic Transmission
- Highly Original
(Please note: If you happen to be viewing this 1981 Dodge Ram W250 4WD Extended Cab Pickup on a website other than our Garage Kept Motors site, it's possible that you've only seen some of our many photographs of this truck due to third-party website limitations. To be sure you access all the more than 150 photographs, a short startup-and-walk-around video, and a link to its accident-free Carfax report, please go to our main website: GarageKeptMotors.)
“Dodge makes pickup history... an extra 34 cubic feet of storage space inside for the things you don't want to leave outside.” -1981 Dodge magazine advertisement
The '81 Dodge Ram advertising went on: “The Club Cab, like all Dodge Sweptline pickups, gives you front disc brakes, double-wall construction all around, and independent front suspension. You also get the new Electronic Ignition System for surer starts in any weather. This system is not affected by cold or rain. It eliminates points and condensers that wear out and is virtually maintenance-free. The Electronic Ignition... another example of how extra care in engineering makes a difference....”
This was the first-ever “club cab,” and it was brand new in the pickup truck world back in 1981. For only the second year, these trucks wore the “Dodge Ram” branding, which, like the “club cab” feature would endure until the present day. The brand's advertising also hailed its specific advantages over the competition: “...more galvanized steel than Ford or Chevy for critical rust protection,””... an 8-foot box with more load area to carry bulkier cargo than Ford or Chevy,” and pickup beds “... welded to cross-sill brackets eliminating rust-prone bolt holes,” while Ford and Chevy bolted theirs through the bed. These Dodge Ram trucks even came with a 30-day, 1,000-mile guarantee of buyer satisfaction: “Just bring it back in good condition with no metal damage, and when the dealer gets clear title, you'll get your money back.”
Offered here is a rare, fully loaded, 4-wheel-drive example of a very real bit of pickup-truck history. Originally a California truck, subsequently relocated to Arizona, the truck wears a handsome, period two-tone exterior paint scheme in light yellow over orange-brown with steel wheels and center-hub covers all around. The proportions of the “club cab” design are handsome and help explain why this feature remains available in pickup trucks today. With just 50,000 miles on the odometer—or barely 1,300 miles per-year—this is an extremely low-mileage survivor.
Overall, the exterior paint shows well with some age-related patina from normal use, as well as clear signs of use in the pickup bed and tailgate areas. In similar fashion, some chrome trim including the bumpers, exhibits light patina, and the front bumper is slightly mis-aligned. That said, the truck is free of significant damage and its cabin glass and lighting lenses are clear and un-cracked. Body-panel alignment is straight and proper. Emblems (including the “250 Power Ram” fender badges) as well as the Dodge Ram identification on the tailgate are complete. (The truck's factory-applied data tags are also still in place.)
The interior features tan, textured fabric upholstery. While the driver's seat shows some creasing from use, the upholstery overall is remarkably free of wear, rips, or signs of use. Floors feature rubber mats with Ram-identified all-weather mats as well. The truck's dash features simulated wood, round gauges, and a factory radio, all in good condition. Heater-ventilation lever-controls show delamination. Some surfaces—notably the door trim, visors, and glove box—show light wear and minor discoloration from use. No headliner is in place, nor were these trucks delivered with one from the factory. The automatic-transmission shifter is column-mounted, white the manual two-speed, 4-wheel drive transfer-case lever is floor-mounted. The sliding-window access to the cargo bed is complete and operates properly.
Under the hood, the 5.2-liter V8 engine is complete with all components in place and all wiring and hoses properly located. The engine bay is clean, but not overly detailed. The battery includes connections for a battery maintainer. The truck's undercarriage is true to its California-Arizona history with no body rust evident, and only light surface rust on some un-coated metal.
The more then 150 high-definition photographs available on the Garage Kept Motors site, together with the walk-around-and-startup video (and damage-free Carfax report) faithfully present this Dodge Ram pickup from every angle, including from underneath. That said, we always encourage in-person inspections at our Grand Rapids, Michigan showroom by interested parties, or their representatives. We ask only that appointments for such visits be made with us via phone or email in advance. In the same way, we are happy to answer any questions about the truck.
Coined in this truck's advertisements was the “Dodge. Depend on it” tagline. That legendary dependability is borne out here, waiting for its next custodian.