For Sale: Dodge Ram Van Transformed into a Pickup That Resembles a Fridge Illustration

      Bill Hess. Facebook

      There is a 2001 Dodge Ram Van 2500 for sale in East Wenatchee, Washington, which has been transformed into a pickup truck. That might sound unexciting if you haven't seen it, but judging by the large image at the beginning of this article that caught your attention, you can understand why I found it worth discussing. It resembles something I might have sketched as a child.

      It's uncertain who completed this conversion—it could be a professional job, though my assumption is that it's DIY—but it looks capable enough to function as a utility truck for transporting lumber, construction materials, or a large load of mulch for weekend projects. With an asking price of $6,500 and an odometer reading of 96,000 miles, it’s relatively affordable and fresh enough to serve as a durable beater.

      The Dodge Ram Van never reached the popularity of the Chevy Express, which is still on the market but old enough to be depicted on stone tablets. Nevertheless, the Dodge has always been a reliable choice. The V6 variant didn’t offer much utility with its 175 horsepower, but this one comes equipped with one of the available V8 engines. The seller does not specify which V8 it is, but at minimum, it features a 318-cubic-inch engine producing 230 horsepower, and at maximum, it has a 360-cubic-inch V8 with 250 horsepower. Regardless, it should be capable of towing a reasonable load with a payload capacity nearing 2,200 pounds.

      Bill Hess. Facebook

      Whoever completed the conversion seems to have executed it well. It has the appearance of a classic cabover pickup—similar to a ’60s Ford Econoline—and retains the van’s rear double doors for easier access to the bed. The original third door on the passenger side is still present, providing another entry point to the bed that makes loading and unloading longer items more convenient. The seller does not indicate whether the rear window can fully open or be removed, but one photo shows it slightly ajar, potentially allowing some airflow on warm days.

      Before its transformation into a pickup, the Ram Van 2500 had an impressive cargo capacity of 238.9 cubic feet. It retains that capacity now, with the added benefit of accommodating larger, oddly-shaped items since it’s no longer enclosed. If you’re using it to haul landscaping materials, it can be loaded with a front-end loader, simplifying the process.

      Bill Hess. Facebook

      With less than 100,000 miles on the clock, this Ram Van pickup should be good for several more years of use. It appears to be in generally good condition, despite showing some rust in the seller’s pictures. However, if the rust isn’t too extensive and you intend to use it as a work vehicle, that shouldn’t pose a significant issue.

      Sure, for the same price, you could opt for a factory-built pickup like a GMT800 Chevy. But that wouldn’t be as intriguing! If you're in need of something with a bit more bed space for occasional hauling, this Ram Van pickup conversion could be just the ticket. Plus, you’ll have something unique.

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