81 D50 that needs some help

Hello all, picked up this little truck for DD/town when my MR2 turbo is down for motor swap. So I have kind of done some research on this truck and was surprised it had a Mitsubishi engine in it. So I have heard of all the 4G63t info and thought about going down that path in the future but started thinking about a Honda K24 swap plain and simple though. I am not looking to make a sleeper or something complicated. Just want a fuel injected 4 cylinder engine in the truck and I want to keep a 5sp in it. The body is clean for the most part, it is still the original orange color but all of the clear coat is gone and there is a little surface rust on it. Going to try and sand it smooth, nothing professional but going to either spray it black or try the plasti dip stuff to get it looking like it should be on the road. I do live in California for now but being a resident of Texas has its perks with vehicle emissions and this truck being over 25 years old it is exempt now. I am looking for some cheap steelie black wheels for it currently and want to know what off set will work as the wheels I found are 15x8 and 15x10 3.75 backspace. That's it for now but this is the path for it currently, drive it stock until the MR2 is on the road, buy new wheels, paint it and last but not least motor swap and conversion to FI.

The 1990-1992 2.4 SOHC Mighty Max and Ram 50 engines are desireable because they're FI, 6 bolt, very reliable other than their ECUs (which can be fixed easily enough) and they don't have the problematic MCA jets. 2.4 and the R5M21 5 speed transmissions they came with are easy to come by and should bolt in to your truck but I'm not too familiar with 1st Gens so double check.

Any 6x5.5/6x139.7 steel wheels off old Datsuns and Nissans, Toyotas, even Couriers/Sundowners should fit. GM truck wheel swaps are popular too but you maybe have to bore out the hub.

Post pics! Welcome!

backspacing is 4.5 on rims-original wheels 14 x 5.5 or 14x6

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Originally Posted by pennyman1

backspacing is 4.5 on rims-original wheels 14 x 5.5 or 14x6

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Do yo think the wheels I have in min ill work?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by noahwins

The 1990-1992 2.4 SOHC Mighty Max and Ram 50 engines are desireable because they're FI, 6 bolt, very reliable other than their ECUs (which can be fixed easily enough) and they don't have the problematic MCA jets. 2.4 and the R5M21 5 speed transmissions they came with are easy to come by and should bolt in to your truck but I'm not too familiar with 1st Gens so double check.

Any 6x5.5/6x139.7 steel wheels off old Datsuns and Nissans, Toyotas, even Couriers/Sundowners should fit. GM truck wheel swaps are popular too but you maybe have to bore out the hub.

Post pics! Welcome!

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I will try and get pics by the and of the week, have to replace the starter first and then get alignment ASAP since the truck is currently eating tires.

they will stick out so far it will look like a hot wheels truck, and rub badly. Most states will expect fender flares or flaps to control the debris off the tires.

This is the look I am going for, just not as aggressive with the wheels.

This is the look I am going for, just not as aggressive with the wheels. I also found the correct wheel 15x8/6x139.7 4.5in backspace $59 ach

For this truck I don't think I would lower it any more than 2 inches front and rear.

Wheel specs will be 15X8 front and rear also, looking at some steelies.

Plans changed, just going to sell the truck and focus on my other car.

Do you still have the truck or did you sell it