New and looking for suggestions

[Zaque]

Hello from Colorado, I have a 1981 ram 50 sport that I got as my first vehicle from my great grandpa and I also have a 1984 ram 50 royal diesel 2wd. The 2.6 motor is blown and needs rebuilt on the 1981 and the cab is badly rotted on the 1984. Debating swapping the diesel into the 1981 or rebuilding the 2.6 and restoring the truck from the ground up. The diesel is a cool novelty but the 2.6 is original. Any suggestions? The 1981 sport has the same paint job as the 1981 ram 50 commercial on YouTube.

[pennyman1]

We need pics - condition not important. Welcome to the forum!

[geezer101]

Hi Zaque, welcome to mightyram. I'd be leaning towards the '81 sport for a rebuild/project. The 2.6 will be nicer to drive compared to the diesel (too bad the cab is trashed on it - what are the factory options on the 'royal'?) You can junk the diesel and use it to fund the project sport, so at least you have a potential cash pool to pull from.

[Zaque]

Royal diesel has bench seats and has been repainted blue. Rocker panels are completely gone and the rear passenger body mount has rusted through the floor. The 81 sport has a little rust in the rocker panels but is in otherwise good shape. It is brown with gold stripes. Has original bucket seats and gold spoked rims. The motor started to knock about a year back so it needs rebuilt. The diesel runs. Was considering swapping the diesel in, rebuilding the 2.6, or building a performance motor. Is it best to keep the sport original?

[Zaque]

15273 1981 dodge ram 50 sport

[Zaque]

Originally had gold stripes and rims I mean. The owners before my great grandpa painted the rims and stripes primer grey. Don't have a picture of the diesel yet.

[mikewarme]

The diesel will out accelerate the 2.6 at highway speeds if all systems are in good shape. However I have an 81 2.6 with 50,000 original miles and it is a blast to drive ! Part the diesel out and you will get alot of money for all the individual parts like furl filter housing, injection pump, injectors etc.

[Zaque]

Nice! I'd like to see a picture of your 81