• The Fordubishi

    I picked up this truck 17 years ago for $150 figuring I could rebuild the engine and have a parts truck for my shop.The rebuild was stupid money at the time so as a joke I grabbed an 85 302 out of a T-bird that was totaled. Got the thing on the road and had a blast kicking "ricers" butts with it. Then 11 years ago I was hit by a drunk driver who merged into my lane taking out the passenger front end (I wasn't hurt at all just PISSED)
    A few months later I found a rust free 83 cab and bought it for $39.99 from a local junk yard.Well next thing you know the frame is stripped, air ride put in, 4 link, 7.5 inch 3.45posi (Ranger axle) gas tank relocated,full mandrel bent 2.5 inch duel exhaust,AOD with 2400 stall and a stage 2 shift kit,modified BBK Mustang headers, and 5 lug front conversion. there the truck sat for a few years.
    Then I was lucky and found a set of 66 289 4v HO heads and its engine upgrade time.Put in a new cam (Ford A312) windage tray,anti-pump up lifters,roller rockers and a few things to let the engine run to 8000 rpm.Again the truck sat for a few more years
    in the last 6months I have been working on it again and with luck will be on the street again in 3-4 months
    Photobucket.com/fordubishi you can check out all the work so far to date. I update it every few days with new pic's

    Original build
    D-50 F-L.jpg
    New Cab and engine mods
    Engine In .jpg
    New duel exhaust
    X Mem Painted.JPG
    Body back on frame for the last time
    Cab on Frame.jpg
    Getting there
    Bump & lights.jpg
    Back Together
    PS Done.jpg
    It's a driver again
    DS Done.jpg
    Bags Deflated
    No Air.jpg
    This article was originally published in forum thread: The Fordubishi started by Fordubishi View original post
    Comments 11 Comments
    1. Bill e's Avatar
      Bill e -
      Dang... that is pure beauty...
    1. mylittleshitty's Avatar
      mylittleshitty -
      INDEED.. I want a first gen
    1. Maurice's Avatar
      Maurice -
      I enjoyed looking at the pictures of your great looking truck. I have a 79 Arrow pickup and installed a Ford 302 with a T-5 speed manual trans. I have owned it since 1980 and try to improve it each year. Nothing like your beauty but still a lot of fun. I just purchased a Power Brute rear diff for it but have not installed it yet. It will be a good winter project.

      Maurice
    1. amos_dugger's Avatar
      amos_dugger -
      Is this thing for sale?
    1. MightyKen's Avatar
      MightyKen -
      All i can say is wow, its immaculate!
    1. Jacepaul's Avatar
      Jacepaul -
      If you're still keeping up on this hit me up... Just picked up an 87 auto looking to do something similar... Specifically about engine/tranny mount and the 5 lug conversion... Thanks
    1. Salteen's Avatar
      Salteen -
      Dad has a 89 stang, he is gonna 351 swap it, so i was gonna buy the 302 (69k miles) and put it in my donor truck (1982 ram 50 engine going in my 87) t 5 and all (he is going Richmond 6 speed)
    1. Salteen's Avatar
      Salteen -
      a 302 is a good choice because it is a really small block. a 318 or something fills the bay. a ford 390 is the size of a dodge 318 or a chevy 6.0 LS
    1. sixto's Avatar
      sixto -
      Excelente camioneta
    1. jdub1.0's Avatar
      jdub1.0 -
      Keep them going! All of these truck's are great!
    1. Markjr's Avatar
      Markjr -
      Hey beautiful truck love how it came out. I have a question wonder if you could help me if so can you message me I’m looking for a 1989 ram50 shroud if you can that would be awesome!