Keen observers will recognize this 1986 Dodge Ram 2500 4X4 as it was covered here on Barn Finds several months ago. At the time it was available for a BIN price of $25,000. It appears to have sold and now it’s available here on eBay, once again, and this time the bidding for this Templeton, Massachusetts domiciled beauty has reached $36,000 with the reserve not yet met. The remarkable thing, however, is its condition, it is a survivor and a sight to behold.

Another reason for selecting this subject has to do with this post about a 1969 Dodge D100 that was published earlier in the week. In it, I stated, “This Dodge D100? It’s a bit gangly and dated looking in my estimation though the follow-on third generation, which commenced in 1972, was a big improvement“. And this 1986 2500 is a member of that third generation (’72-’93) and the styling improvement, in my estimation, was substantial placing this vintage truck on firmer ground with its competition.

The mileage is 55K but I have to wonder if this truck ever did truck-like things – it is incredibly clean, outside, underside, and inside. And that includes the cargo bed too, there’s barely a scratch. Fortunately, there are many images included because there is essentially no verbiage in the listing. That said, there are numerous listing videos that will fill in some of the blanks. The finish is so strong that I’m tempted to think it’s a respray and there is some minute evidence of overspray – could just be a “touch-up” though. The underside is extremely clean too but it looks as if it has experienced a little satin black rejuvenation.

Inside shows absolutely no evidence of the kind of mayhem that usually befalls a pickup truck – especially a 4X4. The buckskin vinyl bench seat looks new (there is a small boo-boo in the driver’s side seat back) as does the rubber floor mat – it just seems too good an environment to be original. While 55K miles of use isn’t an abundance, it does constitute out and about and one would think there would be more noted wear than there is. Then again, maybe the original owner was a neat freak and just took stellar care of this truck. The instrument panel looks cheap in a Mopar ’80s sort of way but I really dig it nevertheless – I like its functionality and arrangement, it makes me think of simpler automotive times.

Power is provided by a 5.2 liter V8 (318 CI) V8 engine which works both axles via a three-speed automatic transmission and what looks like a New Process transfer case. There’s no word as to how it runs and drives but there’s no reason to assume any issues. The engine compartment is certainly tidy and complete.

This is a nice-looking truck, in fine shape, and with the top bid reaching $36,000, one would think the seller is going to do alright – especially if he bought it last October for $25K. Now admittedly, we don’t know what he may have invested in it (and we don’t know the reserve either) but twelve bidders like it and I imagine it will be going to a new home soon. Looks like Dodge’s pickup truck popularity may be right there with older Chevy/GMC and Ford F100/150s, wouldn’t you agree?

P.S. Almost forgot about the videos, here’s a basic walkaround for your review.