Dodge D50 Barn Find!!!

[stevestevesteve]

Alright, so I have been looking into Mighty Max's for my next build. I want to keep the GSX mostly stock, and build the crap out of something else). So my dad told me the other day that there is a Mighty Max with the roof crushed in, in a field where he used to cut grass. So today we got the chance to drive out and actually check it out.

It turned out to be in really rough shape, something to far to restore. (we were thinking of swapping cabs on it though). But it wasnt a Mitsubishi Mighty Max. WTF. It actually turned out to be something we both didnt know existed. It was a 1983 Dodge D50 Turbo Diesel 4x4. It all adds up to be awesome. First it was the top of the line D50 that was made in '83. Then throw in 4x4. Then add some Turbo Diesel to it!?!? Thats awesome. I just wanted to share with you guys what we found and what we thought was ashame to just have sit and rot.... This wont be our last time visiting the D50....

Lemme know what you guys think! And if you guys have any insight on how rare these guys are. We figured kinda rare, almost just like finding a 99 GSX in a field.

Steve
(oh small update on my GSX, we are trying to get DSMlink to work (needs some fine tuning and more research)). Some more goodies are on the way and should be here this week for the Dizzum. Stay Tuned.


Steve

 

[logic]

Awesomesauce. Seriously, that's a cool little find, although there's quite a bit of bodywork needed from the looks of things (corrosion has probably dug into everything).

Wikipedia actually has a page about it, believe it or not. No production numbers, though.

Sadly, it seems like most people like to slam these trucks. Personally, I'd build a hell of a dune buggy or rock crawler out of it, but they look pretty good prepped for drag too.

 

[stevestevesteve]

Yeah, its pretty far gone... Yeah we've done a bunch of research on these trucks.

Once I do find a solid truck to buy, I will throw a 6 bolt in it and show off its ultimate sleeper skills.

MITSUBISHI GEARBOX MAGAZINE Justin Nault’s 90 Turbo Mighty Max

 

[boosteclipse]

My friend back in high school had a gas burner d50, fun little mud truck. I was unaware there was a diesel model.

 

[1995gsx20g]

wow you really can't miss that 4wd advertisement on the door..

 

[99gst214]

Damn that thing is no HX40 is it?

 

[brian9397gsx]

nice i found one at a u pull it in town. its in a lot better shape then that

 

[lk82]

hahahaha my vote is for you to pull the trans and rear end, then find a cheap gsx shell and to do a rwd eclipse


but anyways good find.

 

[Fiascoxl]

My buddies grandfather has a white one exactly like that sittin right beside thier old tractor in a pole barn. It has like 70k miles on it! I'll try and get some pics of it when Im back out that way.

 

[outrageousj21]

man my friend in school also had one. it was a bear to get bear to get started. but we tore it up and had alot of fun. if ## going to make it into a fun truck and not a restore i would cut the top off put in a roll bar and just a new front window. then u can bikini top it in the summer and just have a blast.

 

[BeatupVR4]

Awesome find!

 

[iamtall77]

Project Zero G Forums ~ Index

Check the Project section. Quite a few D50/MM projects. Someone there might have more info for you.

 

[kilo4]

This would be an awesome project truck to be submited to "Overhaulin". I bet chip Foose could make this truck bling.

 

[burkgonzo]

Wow that thing is rough at best, no offence but I would probably find a better shell to start with.

 

[laserspeeddemon]

The Dodge D50 was produced from 1979-1980. The D50 and Plymouth Arrow Pickup Truck had Mitsubishi made 4G52's (SOHC 2.0L 8v I4) and 4G54's (SOHC 2.6L 8v I4) engines in them. In 1981 they changed the name to the Dodge Ram 50. In 1982, the Mitsubishi Mighty Max joined in, but the Plymouth Arrow Pickup Truck dropped out. In 1983, the duo came with an available 4D55 (SOHC 2.3 8v I4, turbo diesel), but lasted only until 1985 as it came with a very whimpy 84 hp (flywheel rated) and very few sold. In 1990, the duo came with the 4G64 (SOHC 2.3L 8v I4) and 6G72 (SOHC 3.0L 16v V6). In 1993, the Ram 50 dropped out. In 1995, Mitsubishi dropped the 6G72 and the Mighty Max stopped production in 1996 in the US.

 

[Morphius]

If you buy it and go the route of removing the diesel components, let me know. I'll buy them. I've got one of those trucks.

 

[dsmTripp]

91 misubishi mighty max custom truck found this one for sale here in ny

 

[helluvadsm]

The mighty max went up till 96??!!
heh, you learn something new everyday.. BTW, do me a favor and spin that diesel turbo for me