Interesting Dodge Diesel

[JFitzgerald]

Ever seen one of these ? Was a first for me. It sure isn't pretty, but interesting... Anyone have a clue how rare it may be?

 

[TPCDrafting]

What a rare pos. And there are 8 bids on it!!!

 

[bigkid59]

I found one of these in a junk yard in Memphis about 6or 7 years ago. I bought the engine and hydro boost unit for $100. 00 intending to install it in a GMC pickup I had at the time.

I bought it as is. I rigged up a garden hose to the water inlet and cranked it up on the ground. It was getting water into the exhaust so I pulled the head and found many cracks, about 16 or 18 if I remember correctly. After checking an industrial engine dealer about parts, I decided not to repair it. The dealer quoted me a cost of about $1000 for a new head and over $100 for the head gasket.

I seem to remember a horsepower rating of 101. This one had a clutch housing to fit the Mopar transmission, and would have been fine with a Mopar 4 speed OD transmission.

Dodge also used the 6 cylinder Perkins diesel in some 3/4 ton pickups. I have seen several of these, but only the one with the Mitsubishi engine.

Dodge has come a long way since then!

 

[AMikonis]

I think Don Bunn mentioned these in his TDR column a few years ago. I've only ever seen one, in a junkyard out west somewhere. It had a "diesel" sticker or badge on it somewhere I remember...

 

[JFitzgerald]

Could be that they were rare for good reason... 101 HP in a full size truck??:-laf

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

It is funny most people think GM was first to offer a diesel option on an American fullsize pickup (in 1978, I believe, with the deplorable 5. 7). But Dodge had them beat by at least a year.



I met a guy a couple years ago with one of these, he actually liked his. Gutless and smokey but it got good mileage (low 20s he said) and was reliable. Had 250,000 miles or so on it. Sounded good. His truck was the Club Cab 2wd longbox.



Vaughn

 

[hdm48]

Well, I don't know about you guys, but , I want to know where I can get that "organic" look for my truck.





-dave-

 

[Power Wagon]

I WANT IT!!!



I don't have the money for it... BUT I WANT IT DESPERATELY.



I can use the power train... no iff's ands or butts.



It would make me one CHEAP repowered old crew cab.



Not to mention, you CAN turbo that mitsu engine and clean up the smoke, and it runs pretty good after that.



Come on... anyone wanna spot me the money? Oh, wait, it's back east and I'd have to go get it... hmmmm...



Not to mention, the city says I have too many cars around my place... .



Still, guys... That's a very simple and elegant way to dieselize an older power wagon or crew cab for really GOOD fuel economy.



I've met a couple owners of these things, and they actually have a club still going, I think. They have turbo'd them, and if I'm to believe the tales, that 101 horsepower runs pretty good, ,especially if it's wearing a turbo.