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Thread: 81 D50 that needs some help

  1. #1

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    Rosamond, CA
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    1981 Dodge D-50
    Engine

    G54B

    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.

  2. #2

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    Oakland, CA
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    1989 Mitsubishi Mighty Max
    Engine

    G63B
    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!

  3. #3




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    Pittsburgh, PA
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    1980 Dodge D-50
    Engine

    G54B
    backspacing is 4.5 on rims-original wheels 14 x 5.5 or 14x6
    Pennyman1
    The best Dodge that Dodge never made
    Living the D-50 lifestyle since 1980

  4. #4

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    1981 Dodge D-50
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    Quote Originally Posted by pennyman1 View Post
    backspacing is 4.5 on rims-original wheels 14 x 5.5 or 14x6
    Do yo think the wheels I have in min ill work?

  5. #5

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    Rosamond, CA
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    1981 Dodge D-50
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    Quote Originally Posted by noahwins View Post
    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!
    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.

  6. #6




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    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.
    Pennyman1
    The best Dodge that Dodge never made
    Living the D-50 lifestyle since 1980

  7. #7

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    Rosamond, CA
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    1981 Dodge D-50
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    This is the look I am going for, just not as aggressive with the wheels.
    Attached Images

  8. #8

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    Rosamond, CA
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    1981 Dodge D-50
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    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

  9. #9

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    Rosamond, CA
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    1981 Dodge D-50
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    For this truck I don't think I would lower it any more than 2 inches front and rear.

  10. #10

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    Rosamond, CA
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    1981 Dodge D-50
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    Wheel specs will be 15X8 front and rear also, looking at some steelies.

  11. #11

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    1981 Dodge D-50
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    Plans changed, just going to sell the truck and focus on my other car.

  12. #12

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    04-12-2016
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    Location

    Phelan CA
    Vehicle

    1986 Mitsubishi Mighty Max
    Engine

    4G63-T
    Do you still have the truck or did you sell it

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