1976 Plymouth Trailduster

[bb71challenger]

I looked at a black '76 Trailduster and never knew the subtle differences between them and the Ramcharger. This thing has old tires but a healthy 360 and a 4 speed/air. I love the factory fender flares it has and although I did a search of Trailduster pics I have not run across another one like this. It has old faded white stripes on the side with what looks to be a mountain scene in the middle. Has anyone any information on these? I can pick it up for 1500 and am thinking seriously about getting it for a hunting vehicle. Any information about these rare beasts would be greatly appreciated.

[Moparal]

It has a removeable top to   very cool. Many people look for the 76 trail duster

[wally426ci]

http://www.plymouthtrailduster.com/ found this site...... 

and this. http://www.rahpwr.com/myautos/brochures/duster2.htm

[go-fish]

I would slap my Momma to own a 70's Trailduster, RamCharger or SWB pick up.
 

[Mentally Challenged]

I would slap my Momma to own a 70's Trailduster, RamCharger or SWB pick up.
 

 I saw a guy at the gas station last night with a nice blue 70's Power Wagon. Very nice, and sounded healthy. He looked busy talking to somebody, so I didnt get to talk to him. I love those older trucks.

[71chally416]

I had a short WB '79 Powerwagon for a few years I bought from my brother who bought it new. It was impossible to get it stuck. Still had the original TF tranny when I retired it. It had rust everywhere. One time I actually beat a GN Buick for 1/8 mile + when I locked it in 4wheel low at a traffic light. He didn't pass me until I was completely wound out in high gear with the tranny in neutral coasting.  It had 3.55 gears and the big 31" tall BFG tires.

[bb71challenger]

Cool info guys.    Does anyone know what I am talking about on the fender flares? They look aftermarket kinda but it looks to be original faded black and the flares are definitely metal because you can see bare metal in a few places where rocks have chipped the paint off. I will try to visit the guy again and snap a few pics. He actually has a long bed 3/4 ton 90 Dodge that he is selling for 1800 and if it sells he says he will keep the Trailduster. I am hoping I can talk the wife into it before the chance goes away. Oh yeah it has 76k original miles from what I can tell. Too nice of shape to be 176k imo.

[71bigblock]

Those traildusters are sooo cool.  I've only seen one once.  It was shot. 

Here is an awesome one, great shape.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Plymouth-1979-Plymouth-Trailduster-Ramcharger-4x4_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a727Q7c66Q3a2Q7c65Q3a12Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1308Q7c301Q3a1Q7c293Q3a1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem260360101067QQitemZ260360101067QQptZUSQ5fCarsQ5fTrucks

[bb71challenger]

Yeah I was looking for more stuff on them and saw it earlier today on ebag. Great looking truck but I still cannot find one with the fenders flared like I saw on that 76      I dont know if the guy is right be a buddy told me that they had a sport package or something that had those different fenders.

[Mentally Challenged]

I have saw the flares you are talking about, but I know nothing about the package they came on. May ask the guys over at Ramcharger Central, some of them guys are pretty knowledgable about the older trucks and such.

[grimmey71]

My brother is a huge ramcharger guy, I think he owned one of what you are describing i think it was something like a >snow patrol, or snow commander package

['Cuda Hunter]

I own a 77 Trail duster and a 77 Ramcharger.  Both with 440's.  Ramcharger has 33's and a big bumper with a wihcn.  The ramcharger is pretty rusted out but the trailduster doesn't have a single rust hole on the entire vehicle.  I am planning a switch around one day as the trailduster has the 205 transfer case and the lock out hubs. 
I suggest that if you purchase the truck, make sure it has the 203 transfer case.  This is the one that has the hi, hi loc, lo, and lo loc handle inside the cab.  My ramcharger had a 4 speed in it originally. I can't recall the exact number of the 4 speed but one has a granny gear and the other doesn't.  I prefer the 4 speed that doesn't have the granny gear.  Seems to work better for quick excelleration and for climbing mountains. 
However I switched out the 4 speed because I broke several parts 3 different times inside.  Just decided it wasn't worth it to keep fixing the 4 speed.    I do beat the living hell out of my trucks though.  I have literally replaced every part on the vehicle with the exception of the glass and the main frame and body panels. 

  I have been scavaging parts from Ramchargers and traildusters for over 15 years now and have never seen a factory wheel flare.  Doesn't mean it's not out there but I just havn't ever seen one.  Definitely would like to see some pics of the flares as that is new to me.
  These trucks make great hunting vehicles.  The most important place to look for rust in these trucks are the front floor boards where they meet up to the center hump.  The center hump screws down with 4 big bolts and this area seems to like to rot out first.  My floors on the ramcharger are absolutely shot.  I remedy it with about 4 floor mats on each side. 
  The 741/2 ramcharger had a removable top that took the top of the door frames with it.  They didn't seal worth a crap but when you have the top off it really looks much better not having the door frames on the doors.  In my opinion, 74 is the best year. 

  Sorry about that, I just went on babbeling for a while there. 
I can talk ramchargers for a long time as I have spent alot of personal time with my trucks.  They were my first Mopars!!  The 440 hooked me! 

[bb71challenger]

The more info the better, keep it coming guys!    I will try to snap some pics today or this weekend. The guy actually changed out the transfer case but still has the original. The 2 cases are different. It does have the 4 selector 4x4 shifter and the one in there now makes it full time 4x4 which I have never really been a fan of. I dont use 4x4 very often so I prefer the old tried and true front locking hubs. I am sure if I get it the guy will throw the original transfer case in the deal. It does have a little damage to the fiberglass rear hatch. Not bad but enough to let me know that it was made out of fiberglass. I am going to surf that site and see if I can uncover more information too. Thanks guys.

[HemiOrange70]

My buddy has a Ramcharger. It runns, just needs the doors painted. He wwwould like sell it cheap. It is in Canada if that is a problem.

[Devil]

I have a later model RamCharger, actually the last model for the US, a 1993.  I love the truck, It does everything and goes everywhere.  The body has just fallen apart around the engine.  Which is the 318 Magnum, with A518, 4x4.



Ryan