Dodge D50 Diesel???

[JR2]

Hey I just found a 1983 Dodge D50 4x4 Diesel 5-speed for sale here in AK. I know the eingine is a Mitsu and 2. 3 liters but beyond that I know nothing. What can any one tell me? This would be for my 15 year old son to drive as his fisrt car (ie training car).





Thanks,



JR2

 

[klenger]

Sounds like a cool truck. If it has a good engine, it would be neat to restore it.

 

[DBogo]

from what i hear them little jap diesels run good and run forever, does it got a turbo on it or no

 

[Dl5treez]

I have a '84 turbocharged 4x4... .



They rust out from just looking at road salt, and once the rust starts it's very difficult to get it to stop. Literally one season of winter driving can start the process. I know of a 2wd D-50 that was rust free for over 10 years until it was driven one winter in Nebraska... ... it's now in a scrap yard. :{



The engine has pretty good power, about like a typical 4 cylinder gas engine. Mileage varies in the mid-high 20's. 30's is possible on a long highway trip.



Fairly low geared, 75mph is about it. They cruise GREAT 60-65mph.



Keep the engine fairly stock as the head gaskets don't take to excess boost pressure very well. If you lose a head gasket or overheat the engine, plan on a head as well. They aren't too expensive to repair--the Mitsubishi engine has a wide range of applications and parts are readily available.



The clutch isn't super strong--but if it needs replacement they're easy to find, and relatively cheap compared to other import little pickup clutches.



Adding a different air intake system and low restriction exhaust helps perk them up a little bit. With no muffler it cackles badly and sounds rather pathetic, a glasspack sounds pretty good.



In stock form they put out very little smoke, don't sound all that much like a diesel, and run pretty good. Mine has ~30" tires on it & I have no desire for more power. That's what the big truck is for.



The rest of the truck is pretty reliable. They have a few quirks here & there but overall I like them.

 

[JR2]

Well the wife said "NO WAY" for the little dodge. She says its too small for the boy to drive on a daily basis. I am still thinking it would be a fun truck to have and I will probaby have a look next week.



Thanks for the info...





John

 

[ndennis]

JR2: I bought one in October 1982 and put 165,000 on it 12 years till I cracked the head so bad it just wasnt worth it for me to repair it. I drove it so much and spent so much time in the drivers seat, I actually broke the springs in the bucket seat lower cushion. Great motor for its time... rated at 80hp+125ft. lbs but one magazine dyno'd one and got 90 & 150. Worst mileage I could get out of it was 25mpg. On the highway would get 30-35. Timing belt needed to be changed every 30,000. It was hard on clutches... put at least 3 or 4 in during my ownership. When I found the head was cracked, I purchased an imported used motor and installed it then traded it in on a 95 Powerstroke. For more information on the engine, the Mitsubishi engine code was 4D55. Just be aware that there is not much in the way of door and front end protection on those D-50's and if you have a headon or broadside, there is not much there to protect you. If you are set on getting one, the 83 is best one to get. The 84-85's started to get smogged and their performance suffered when compared to the 83.

N Dennis

 

[southpaw]

JR2 I was lucky to find an 85 4x4 turbo mitsi with only 40k . The head gasget blew so it was replaced by a shop $300. It had a clunk in the drive shaft, just needed grease. The local dealer told me it was junk and needed to be traded in, someone there knew how neat this little toy was and wanted it for himself . Now for the goods and des bads, The oil filters are pricy if they are still available or you can find a supplier about $40, it likes to be greased every 2-3 K . especially the drive shaft joints, the RPM range is tight the turbo kicks in at about 1200-1500 and maxes out at about 3k. as stated in the reply above there isn,t much protection around you . I will retire this truck to the farm and use it ,great fuel milage to. Its a neat old truck and fun to drive great off road in sloooow motion. good luck K. Ellis

 

[cojhl2]

Heres one forya. . Back in 83 when those pickups were new I met a guy, I think from GA who was delivering a big Press Brake at my friends shop in IA.



That Brake he said weighed about 40k!!



He modified the D50 stock diesel to put a live tandem axle under it. Also the trailer he pulled was long enough to allow that weight. He said he delivered all over the country with that rig.



I dont know axle ratios or anything and for that matter never asked about the trans setup.



He said he had no power issues and had the necessary brake setup to stop that load. I suppose that was all on the triple axle trailer.



That pickup with the tandem setup was a beauty to behold!

 

[Dl5treez]

Just an FYI in case someone is reading this:



In regards to the Mitsu diesel oil filters, they're still very much available.



Wix part # is 51324 Napa Gold 1324



Or, if you wanna have some fun, ask the parts guy to give you an oil filter for your 1995 Corvette ZR-1. Yup it's the same.



Dan's pretty much useless tech tip of the week.

 

[Nyoest]

Well the wife said "NO WAY" for the little dodge. She says its too small for the boy to drive on a daily basis. I am still thinking it would be a fun truck to have and I will probaby have a look next week.



Thanks for the info...





John

I hope it's big enough to sleep in!

 

[RoryTek]

I would love to have on of those trucks to use to re-power my 1988 Mitubishi Montero, it's direct bolt in. Anyone have one that runs and wants to get rid of?

 

[Stab]

Needing a voltage drop resistor for the glow plug system on a 1984 D-50 Mitz Mity Max. Dodge does not have any in the country! Just started looking on the Mitz page.



Any help on the glow plug system would be appreciated!

 

[Dl5treez]

I would love to have on of those trucks to use to re-power my 1988 Mitubishi Montero, it's direct bolt in. Anyone have one that runs and wants to get rid of?

Do some searching through the supply chains of "Japanese engine" dealers---there are much newer Mitsu diesels available, even into the late 90's, that are direct bolt-ins for the Montero/Pajero trucks.