1986 Dodge Ram D250 First Gen Cummins 12v Air Ride Flippac Camper Overland BOV

1986 Dodge Ram 2500 D250 Description

1986 Dodge 250 3/4 ton 4x4 with intercooled Cummins 12v engine and a Flippac Camper, located in Western Connecticut.
Perfect overlanding setup, great bug-out vehicle (BOV), and competent daily driver. 1986 D250 body with 1991.5 intercooled Cummins 12v 4x4 chassis under it, including a Kelderman Air-Ride rear. I would not hesitate to climb into this truck and drive it anywhere, over anything labeled as a road.
This summer the truck has been on two 12-hour round trip excursions, one towing a boat; last summer it went 2500 miles round trip to the northern tip of Nova Scotia and back in 5 days without a hiccup. 4x4 is engaged and disengaged daily to get up my driveway. The truck is as quiet inside as a First Gen will get and comfortable on long hauls. All the switches, gauges, and lights work except for the seat belt buzzer and the ashtray light; ABS module is detached but working and included. A/C blew ice cold in June but leaks, have three new/nos hoses, receiver, and 9 cans of R12 to get it ready next summer.

Currently finishing up the install of a Ramcharger 34 gallon tank as an aux tank, totaling 64 gallons on board and ~1200 mile range. See details of other recent work and upgrades below.
With the FlipPac you can use the truck as a truck all week, then hit the road, pop that top, and have a panoramic view from the camper bed that sits over the cab and also when standing up in the truck bed with nearly 7 feet of headroom. Sets up in under two minutes with just one person. Comes with a spare torsion bar just in case, and a SLO rain fly that covers the entire tent. FlipPac also has a cloth bunk to sleep a third person or for use as a desk or gear loft. These are no longer made and difficult to find on the East Coast, I had to go to California to get this one.
The truck is registered in my name as a 1986 Dodge D250. It runs and drives as it did in the early 90s. Nets 19mpg on long trips, 17-18 towing my Boston Whaler Menemsha, 15-16 just driving around town. Only rust on the truck was over the driver's rear wheel which has been patched with a steel panel; pass bed side has bondo from earlier in life. Frame was cleaned up and POR-15 applied; one small hole behind axle has a patch of D250 frame bolted over it. Lots of clear coat deterioration, nicks and dings, this is an honest truck. Windshield has a dime-sized star outside of the driver's view but within the sweep of the wipers, if that matters in your area.

I've tried to list everything I know about this truck from my three years with it, but it is a 35-year old truck and I am not a dealer. It is sold as is where is and with all faults known and unknown. I welcome your inspection of it any time.
Details:Engine is a Cummins 12v with 173xxx miles. Automatic transmission with OD, serviced and adjusted 15k miles ago. Dana 60 kingpin front, Dana 70 FF rear, both in 3.54 gears. NP205 gear drive transfer case.
Kelderman Air Ride rear suspension with new Firestone bags with internal bounce stops; this is integrated between the frame and leaf springs and has a built-in hitch receiver.
Sits on 5 Ford OBS Alcoas with 235/85R16 Cooper Discoverer AT3 with ~17k miles.
Over the last three years:Installed second 34 gallon fuel tank from a Ramcharger under the bed between the frame rails.
Custom front bumper with shackles, hitch receiver, and brush guard with light tabs.
Heavy duty tie rod and ends from Off Road Designs.
New calipers and rotors; all new brake lines by Inline Tube from master cylinder to each corner.
New Delco alternator; 2/0 battery cables and terminal ends.
New Daystar body bushings and trans mount bushings.
Roadkill (similar to Dynamat) in doors and on cab floor, sides, and roof, then sound deadener, heat shield, and new carpet with mass damping.
Pioneer 1.5 DIN radio with aux in; Memphis Audio door and rear speakers.
LE package power locks and windows installed and working great.
4” turbo-back Diamond Eye exhaust with muffler.
New rear brake hardware kits and parking brake cables.
Saddle blanket seat cover; all new door seals.
Bilstein shocks front and rear.
New Redhead steering box and Borgeson steering shaft.
New TPS & Neutral/Park switch.
Hella DOT-code headlights.New Gates serpentine belt and new tensioner.
Parts included: new rear drums, shoes, and cylinders; three new/NOS AC lines and 9 cans of R12; LE package power mirrors; 3 additional Ford OBS Alcoas (8 total); new in box master cylinder and booster; spare wiper motor; full length aluminum diamond plate running boards; brand new windshield, gasket, and trim strip.
If wanted, I have a 4x8 bed slide that will need a little tuning but is all there.
The truck is fully functional and ready to roll.
Status of second tank: Installed, plumbed, and wired. Next step, testing and final install of switch, etc.

1986 Dodge Cummins walkaround - YouTube

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1986 Dodge Truck Interior - YouTube

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