New owner of a 1981 ram 50

[chuckagoataway]

Hey guys, Im from New Zealand and I picked up a beauty for $200! Thats roughly $156 us. Here it is named a Mitsubishi L200 Sport, 2l, rwd, 5 speed. It runs sweet and its pretty kick ass! Any help figuring out which engine it is would be appreciated. I have been considering putting an early mitsubishi evo engine in it if it fits but not sure where to start. I am missing parts like a front grill etc but hopefully with time something will come up. Will try post some pics soon.

[camoit]

There should be a plate on the firewall or on the block, to the front, and right of the head.
Oh and welcome to the board. You can also look in the Wiki under engine identification that will help also.

[pennyman1]

if it is a 2 l it would be a g52b here in the states. The block markings are really the only way to be sure which motor it is - check out the other sections of the forum for the engine chart - it will decipher the code stamped in the block. Welcome to the forum - we have others here from austrailia and NZ as well.

[chuckagoataway]

Thanks guys, will have a look in the next hour and see what I can find! Hopefully will upload some pics for viewing pleasure...

[chuckagoataway]

121691217012171

[pennyman1]

love the turn / driving light combo - those were never available in the states - didn't think the square headlights were available on pre 83 trucks outside of the USA. Looking like a good base to start with - underhood pics would be nice to see what one looks like from down under...

[BradMph]

Welcome to the Forum :)

Question: How do you have the trailer hitch connected?

luvit... even the windshield wipers are mount in reverse of the American styled trucks.

[pennyman1]

good catch - or is that because its down under - sorry couldn't resist...

[chuckagoataway]

Yeah the headlights are a hassle as I can't find a grill to fit it. I was thinking of upgrading to a newer grill but can't find anything that will fit. Also I need to upgrade the bench seat as it doesn't have a cut out for the transmission and keeps popping out of reverse. Will put some more pics up soon. I like the rough look so I'm keen to keep it a bit ratrod kinda style. Anyone know what year seats will fit? Also I want to lower it so looking for suspension that would fit?

[pennyman1]

83 to 86 mitsu mighty max in the states is the same single square grille - they are usually on ebay from the phillipines from like atom boys although the quality isn't very good. Most any seats can fit - its what amount of work you want to do - try mitsu eclispes, starions, or other mitsu cars, not sure what you have there. There should be some items available from Japan for lowering, or chassis suspension / aim industries in the states.

[chuckagoataway]

awesome, we have most years of the mitsubisti l200 here in NZ (they are basically the mighty max) should all the models fit? Gen 1 and Gen 2?1217312174heres the interior, a bit rough but as you can see i want a bench seat with a cut out for the transmission

[chuckagoataway]

12175121761217712178
This is all i can find on the engine. I would be keen to put something more powerful in it but not sure what will fit. I don't want to do a lot of mods etc, as in nz we have to certify everything and its not as easy as most places. let me know anything about it that you know. This is my fav car i have owned just because its honest and raw. Also I didn't take a picture but at some point someone fitted a sunroof to it which is fantastic ha

[pennyman1]

in the US Dodge and Plymonth sold these as "captive" imports from 79 to 83 and then Mitsu got to sell as the mightymax in 83, when the plymonth arrow truck was discontinued. The US truck benches were cut out for the shifter - odd yours is not, maybe the seat was swapped. There were dodge colts and plymonth arrow cars here with 2.6 motors (front engine, rear drive), and sapporos / challengers also - I am not sure what they were called outside the states. There are also 2.6 motors in some front drive mitsus that have been parted out for use on starions - the magna intake comes to mind.

[chuckagoataway]

anyone know where i can order a grill from?

[chuckagoataway]

Pennyman1 have you got any links to parts? I am really keen on getting a grill. I don't mind an aftermarket one just something that will fit my girl. Thanks for all your help!

[pennyman1]

There have been some on ebay in the states for your truck that may fit, but the shipping would be out of this world. You may be able to get one out of Australia - check with Geezer101 on here - he has an 83 l200 I believe. Or PM Mike Warme on here - he has a lot of 1st gen parts.