1983 Dodge

[Dodgey350]

Hi All,

I am new in here. I currently live in Zimbabwe (Southern Africa) working for the United Nations.

I recently bought a 1983 Dodge Power Ram W350 with a 5.9 liter engine in it. It was used as a fire tender in the airport of the small town where I am based. As there were three weekly flights in and out of the airport all these years, the vehicle was not used much. Though it 26 year old, it has only 31 k miles on the clock which I verified against the log book the airport maintained.

I have taken off the heavy water tank and water pump that were at the back of the truck and want to use the truck as motor home and drive around in the African bush -mainly off-road.

The truck is fitted with 8 lug 17.5 inch rims. In Africa it is almost impossible to find new tires for 17.5 inch rims. Now that I read the posts here about 20 inch wheels, I am interested to know if you guys think it is ok to fit 20 inch rims on the truck. It would definitely is a plus on ground clearance but will it have negative effect on drive train, axles, transmission, fuel consumption and power?

I look forward to your comments/advices!

Glad I bought a Dodge!

[Gordon Maney]

I think you would be better off with 16 inch wheels, as tires would be much easier to get, I think. I admit I am not familiar with your part of the world, but that would certainly be true here.

Also, for your amusement, when I first saw your registration, I thought you were a spammer, but obviously not.

Welcome to the group. We envy you your truck....

[74w300uteline]

supply

find out what the un uses for rim& tire combo. tap into the un supply line. why is the un in zimbabwe?

[Dodgey350]

20 inch rims

find out what the un uses for rim& tire combo. tap into the un supply line. why is the un in zimbabwe?

The Dodge is mine and not U.N.'s!

The U.N. is feeding over 4 million people in Zimbabwe who are dependent on food aid because the government's policies ruined the agriculture in the country. Also, the U.N. is helping thousands who are victims of HIV/AIDS.

Cheers!

[papardun]

I'd check with your local tire supplier and find which size is the most available in your country. You also may want to consider using a wheel/tire combination that uses tubes for easier self repair in the bush.

[OLD DODGE]

when I first saw your registration, I thought you were a spammer, but obviously not.

I was waiting for the part when he was going to offer to send a check to somebody here in the states for some wheels...... you know the rest of the story.