Results 1 to 11 of 11

Thread: 1989 D50 318FFI swap, #deathtrap

  1. #1

    Array
    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    03-27-2011
    Posts
    20
    Location

    Calcium, NY
    Vehicle

    1989 Dodge Ram 50
    Engine

    Dodge V8

    1989 D50 318FFI swap, #deathtrap

    Good afternoon all, got me a 89 D50 2.6 block broke, so I did a V8 swap. I really wish I would of done my homework, first. But took it a local shop and they told me 60hrs, and $2200. I says hell why not, then I'd have me a lil rocket. Well after a year and them dicking me around I went and got my truck. I don't exactly know how or what they did, or didn't do. But I got bad arms as it is, I can't keep it straight. My steering is all fudged it takes a football field to get turned around, they have ruined my truck. I love my truck and frustrated, I can't drive it... I call it the #deathtrap , its a scary drive. They did a frame "notch" and my steering is at such an angle.IMG_20140917_111431187.jpg
    Attached Images

  2. #2

    Array
    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    08-11-2012
    Posts
    1,199
    Location

    Oakland, CA
    Vehicle

    1989 Mitsubishi Mighty Max
    Engine

    G63B
    Wow. It took me a second to see but I just realized what he did with the "notch." What this clown did to your truck is not only Grade Z hack work, it's straight up dangerous. Do not drive this thing. That frame is fatally compromised, IMO. I would scrap it and start over with a new frame. Pull the cab, bed, driveline off. And inspect every square inch of the engine and trans because this wasn't the only garbage work he put in on this job, guaranteed.

    It's frightening this guy let you drive the truck. Taking your life into your hands.

  3. #3

    Array
    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    06-15-2014
    Posts
    6,059
    Location

    Adelaide, South Australia
    Vehicle

    1985 Mitsubishi L200
    Engine

    G63B
    Go back with an engineers' report and flame this sunuvabiatch for not only killing your truck and gouging your hard earned for a hack job (and making you wait a year for the privilege), but for putting your life at risk. Sorry to see that the truck you were getting enjoyment out of has ended up like this

  4. #4



    Array
    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    07-24-2012
    Posts
    2,363
    Location

    Washington State
    Vehicle

    1986 Mitsubishi Mighty Max
    Engine

    G63B
    $2200 I don't want to make you feel worse then Noahwins did, lol but how much did you buy your truck for again? The next time you drive by that garage who worked on your truck, drive it through their window and aim towards the owners desk.
    Your truck is probably able to be corrected, but for god's sake you shouldn't drive it that way until it is repaired. Your best bet are speed shops if any are available that do fabrications. Best thing is to get a welder and proceed to do it yourself. We can help since there are a number of folks here that have all the experienced needed for this swap. Don't give up, your truck should be able to be repaired and the structural integrity corrected.

    As for the shop, try reporting them to the BBB and take photos of the shotty work that was performed and the price you were charged. The BBB will work with you as well as try to get some or all your money back or even fix your truck the right way. Automotive shops have an oath to never allow a customer drive a vehicle that is unsafe for the road, yourself and by all means, other drivers. I would go after this shop for destroying your truck and don't blink an eye for it. This shop needs to be punished since they do not give a rats ass about safety.
    Have another shop examine the work and get a written report on the work and safeness of allowing it to be driven away in that fashion.

  5. #5

    Array
    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    08-11-2012
    Posts
    1,199
    Location

    Oakland, CA
    Vehicle

    1989 Mitsubishi Mighty Max
    Engine

    G63B
    Not to beat a dead horse but do you see the bird shit splatter welds on the heim joint steering post or whatever the hell that is holding the steering column in place? Good God. Imagine how awful the welds holding the frame together are. Much more stress on the frame and it might just snap. Especially under a V8. Get it off the road.

    Honestly, report this guy to state consumer affairs and whatever auto repair regulatory agency is in charge in New York so they pull his license. He's going to get someone hurt or worse.
    Last edited by noahwins; 09-22-2014 at 10:10 PM.

  6. #6

    Array
    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    03-27-2011
    Posts
    20
    Location

    Calcium, NY
    Vehicle

    1989 Dodge Ram 50
    Engine

    Dodge V8
    Thanks guys.. Gonna take it to a legit frame shop today to get a right up. I already have a chassis builder on board, gonna volunteer his knowledge for the rebuild.
    I only paid $500 for the truck 5 years ago. Some say to sell it and get something different but damn it I really doubt its gonna be worth anything now, other than scarp.

  7. #7



    Array
    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    07-24-2012
    Posts
    2,363
    Location

    Washington State
    Vehicle

    1986 Mitsubishi Mighty Max
    Engine

    G63B
    They are hard to get rid of once they have bitten into your head. I owned mine for 27 years and there are some others that have owned them for longer. I have no idea why I have kept mine so long, probably because I have not totaled it yet.

  8. #8

    Array
    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    08-11-2012
    Posts
    1,199
    Location

    Oakland, CA
    Vehicle

    1989 Mitsubishi Mighty Max
    Engine

    G63B
    As I said on Facebook, consider a Mustang II front end or Toyota or S10. Opens up a lot of suspension, brake and wheel options.

  9. #9

    Array
    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    03-27-2011
    Posts
    20
    Location

    Calcium, NY
    Vehicle

    1989 Dodge Ram 50
    Engine

    Dodge V8
    Yes mustang 2 front end is in my near future. Taking the truck Thursday to get rejected for state safety inspection.

  10. #10


    Array
    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    04-22-2012
    Posts
    149
    Location

    NW mississippi yall
    Vehicle

    1988 Mitsubishi Mighty Max
    Engine

    Dodge V8

  11. #11

    Array
    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    07-02-2013
    Posts
    35
    Location

    Alabama
    Vehicle

    1980 Dodge D-50
    Engine

    Dodge V8
    I have a 1980 D50 with a 340 stroked to 394 in it and I did not have to notch the frame . I just made new motor mounts and made my own headers. There is plenty of room under the hood with a stock front end .2013-04-04 17.19.26(1).jpg

Tags for this Thread

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •