Additional.  This appears to be a full convertible. is this legit on a 1975 or is it possibly a hack job (it IS on a farm).

 

The VIN breaks down as
AA MODEL DESIGNATION PW100
0 BODY TYPE Sport Utility or Forward Control Chassis and Incomplete Chassis
B GVW CLASS 6001 to 10000 lbs
F ENGINE TYPE 360 or 360-2 or 360-1 2BBL
X ASSEMBLY PLANT Missouri Plant
068174 Sequential Serial Number
That's using the VIN decoder here (on the left side of the screen) The AAO is the Plymouth model designation, the PD3401 is familiar but can't place it offhand (am at work so no access to manuals) and the 6100 probably is the weight rating.
The Sami is a convertible yes, just like a Traidlduster/Ramcharger (up to 1980)

 

Thank you - that is awesome. It still has the original 360 in it apparently and it runs well according to my friend who knows the owner. 4wd front driveline is not hooked up, gas gauge doesn't work, wipers are intermittent and there is rust behind the doors.  Here are the only pics i have - worth $3500?

 

Looks like Chevy axles/wheels - at least on the front (can't really see the lug pattern on the rear).  Maybe that's why the front drive line isn't hooked up.
Dodge didn't use 6 lug axles back then on these rigs.
Sounds a little high to me.  Might want to take a closer look at the engine and underneath to see what else might be different.

 

confirmed the front is a chevy 6 lug 1/2 ton axle. Does that mean that the front  drive cannot BE hooked up? As it is highly unlikely i'll be 4Wheeling that isn't an issue to me really, as long as the fact that it is not connected does not  mean an issue for  the vehicle overall OR extra strain on the back end driveline. Any thoughts on this?

 

Looks like Chevy axles/wheels - at least on the front (can't really see the lug pattern on the rear). Maybe that's why the front drive line isn't hooked up.
Dodge didn't use 6 lug axles back then on these rigs.
Sounds a little high to me. Might want to take a closer look at the engine and underneath to see what else might be different.

Dodge didn't use 6 lug axles except on '91-'04 Dakotas and '98-'03 Durangos, other than that, 5 or 8 lugs with some obscure year econboxes getting 4 lugs.

Thank you - that is awesome. It still has the original 360 in it apparently and it runs well according to my friend who knows the owner. 4wd front driveline is not hooked up, gas gauge doesn't work, wipers are intermittent and there is rust behind the doors. Here are the only pics i have - worth $3500?

Dodge, Ford, Jeep, International, and GM used the same solid front axles most years, the 44 in 1/2 tons- spindles interchange between brands when on the same axle. GM had their own knock-off of it they put in their trucks- not exactly sure how different it is. However, I don't think it's different enough to not have the driveshaft hooked up. Sounds like it was done because of an issue with the front or as an attempt to save gas.

Sounds a bit high, I've been seeing a lot of clean projects and decent trucks being unloaded for less. I'd keep looking. Even in your neck of the woods that's likely true. '74 and '75 Ramchargers and Traildusters are removable tops and prior to '76.

 

good food for thought. My liking for this one is that the bed is lined as opposed to carpeted so i can use as a truck also. I've been looking here for several months though and have only seen jimmy's and blazers to this point and  none of these had a lined bed so would need work. any thoughts on what i should go to? (and i realize this is a completely arbirtrary question and i'm not giving enough information to make a fully reasoned decision) but i figure guys on this board probably keep a close check on prices countrywide of these things.

 

Are there any other questions i should  ask or specific ares to check for metal cancer other than the obvious??

 

check the gear ratios of the axles, easy reason that the front drive line would not be hooked up, check under the body for rust, and anything that looks like bed liner, as it could have been lined to cover the cancer, where the rust is behind the door, look underneath for the body reinforcing box, if it is there, check its condition for cancer, if it is gone, double check the doors to ensure proper opening and closing, as well as checking the body mounts , some times they get removed to make installing rockers easier.
make sure the brakes work properly, and double check that it is a d44 up front and not the chev 10 bolt, and since the wheels look similar check the rear axle, is it a chevy 6 lug? or d44? did they upgrade the master cylinder to handle disk brakes up front? did they set up the parking brakes in the rear?, it is the little details that will make it unsafe.

and after that , the price is a little high, and I would rather have the original axles or proper 3/4 ton axles swapped in.

 

Holy smoke, we've just gone waay beyond my current knowledge zone.  Questions:
1. IS there any harm to the truck or danger from not having the front driveline hooked up?
2. How do i tell whether it's a dana 44 - is it stamped on it in an easily visible place?
3. How one earth does one check gear ratios of axles?
4. am i biting off more than i can chew? actually forget that i think i know the answer but these trucks are just waay too awesome - as long as it doesn't kill me i can learn as I go.

 

Won't hurt anything by not having the front drive shaft hooked up. You'll just only have 2wd.
If the gear ratios are different between the front and rear axles and you engage 4wd, bad things can happen and since a 75 would have had a full time 4wd transfer case, could be another reason the front drive shaft is out.
You can get a rough idea of gear ratio by jacking up the wheels, turn them 1 full revolution while counting the number of times the drive shaft turns. It will not be an even number of drive shaft turns per wheel revolution. Common stock ratios would be 3.23 and 3.55. Another method would be to pull the cover off the differentials and count teeth.
Stock Dodge axles would have had a metal tag with the ratio under one of the differential cover bolts, but with one that old, that tag is probably gone.
For axle identification, here's a link to the FAQ section that has pictures of various differential covers that will help you ID the axle type. I'm sure a google search will reveal similar images for Ford and GM axles.

http://ramchargercentral.com/drivetrain/dodgeman%27s-incomplete-guide-to-axle-identification/

As to whether or not you are biting off more than you can chew all depends on your skill level, access to tools and equipment, ability and willingness to learn new things and how much you are willing/able to spend. A 'correct' set of Dodge axles for a 1/2 ton dodge truck should be relatively easy to come by in junkyards. But not knowing what other mods or additions have been made to the vehicle can lead to much frustration down the road.
If the front axle is the only wildcard after some of the other items mentioned have been looked at, shouldn't be too bad.

 

believe it or not google is your friend here,
how to identify my axle will bring up tons of info
and lots of pics, as well the people on this site are able to provide specific info, frequently with pics upon request, don't be afraid to ask questions, but don't get offended by answers that you may not want to hear

have a direction first, some clear set goals, and lots of people here will be able to help you to get there, from a list of required tools, to step by step technical how to's, even if you are not dealing with a dodge.

 

Hi, just in case this discussion is still live, and someone here sees it...
About 3 weeks ago I bought the Trailduster in question - verified by the photos and VIN.
It hasn't changed much. The guy I got it from said he bought it to fix up, then he developed a disease - he didn't say what, but he gets around in a scooter now and can barely use his hands.
I'm trying to find some history on the truck. If anyone remembers any details, I'd appreciate hearing about it. There's some mention of it being on a farm?