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Dodge Ram 50
Dodge Ram D50
Dodge
Production 1979-1986
Class Compact Pickup
Body Style 2-Door Pickup
Length
Width
Height
Wheelbase: 109.4"
Weight 2500-3000 lb
Transmissions 4-Speed Manual, RWD/4WD
5-Speed Manual RWD/4WD
3-Speed Automatic, RWD/4WD
Engines 2.0L (122 cid) I4 (1979-1986)
2.4L (144 cid) I4 Turbodiesel (1983-1986)
2.6L (156 cid) I4 (1979-1986)
Power {{{Horsepower and torque rating}}}
Similar Mitsubishi Mighty Max
Plymouth Arrow

The Dodge Ram 50 (called the Dodge D-50 for 1979 and 1980) was a badge-engineered version of the Mitsubishi Triton sold by the Chrysler Corporation from 1979 on. The label lasted until 1994, through two generations. Plymouth also received a version of the vehicle known as the Plymouth Arrow Truck, sold from 1979 to 1982. This was Chrysler's belated answer to the Ford Courier from Mazda and the Chevrolet LUV by Isuzu (both of which had been introduced in 1972), while the Toyota Hilux and Datsun Truck were already available and imported directly from Japan. Mitsubishi itself imported it as the Mitsubishi Mighty Max when it began selling directly in the US from 1982, at which point the Plymouth ceased to be available. The Dodge version had quad rectangular headlights beginning with the 1983 facelift, while Mitsubishis and earlier Dodges had single units in North America. In the rest of the world, importers could choose between single or double rectangular units, as well as twin round headlights. The twin round units were the original fitment for the Japanese domestic market.

Technical Details

Four-wheel drive was added for 1982. This created the Power Ram 50 in the United States, as in Dodge's nomenclature the "Power Ram" name was used for four wheel drive models. A turbo diesel engine was available in US models between 1983 and 1985. The 1983 turbodiesel was fitted with a TC05 non-wastegated turbo and produced 80 hp (60 kW) and 125 lb⋅ft (169 N⋅m) torque. The 1984–1985 turbodiesels were fitted with a TD04 wastegated turbo which resulted in 86 hp (64 kW) and 134 lb⋅ft (182 N⋅m) torque. The standard D-50 had the 2.0 liter engine, while the Sport had the 2.6. A four-speed manual was standard; a five-speed manual overdrive or three-speed automatic were standard. The truck rode on 14-inch wheels, with a 3.571:1 or 3.909:1 gear ratio, 109.4 inch wheelbase, and gross vehicle weight of 4,045 (2.0) or 4,120 (2.6) pounds. That wasn't too shabby, considering the heavier D-150 had a standard GVW of 4,800 pounds (max, 6,050).

Generations

First generation (L020; 1978)

The first generation model of Dodge's compact pickup truck was first sold in Japan as the Mitsubishi Forte in September 1978 and continued until late 1986, when the line was cancelled in the Japanese domestic market for five years. In Japan the Forte was originally sold with the 92 PS (68 kW) 1.6-litre 4G32 engine (L021P). Later this was updated to the 86 PS (63 kW) 1.6-litre G32B engine with two-wheel drive (LO25) or with four-wheel drive coupled to the 2.0-litre Sirius G63B with 110 PS (81 kW) (L026). Offered in basic Deluxe trim, the larger-engined version was also available in leisure-oriented Custom trim. The Custom also has a smoother and less utilitarian bed, without provisions for fitting a canvas top and with fewer hardpoints for strapping down loads. In export versions, the 2.0-litre petrol version had 93 hp (69 kW), while a larger 2.6-litre unit offered 105 hp (78 kW). Also popular in many markets, was a 67 PS (49 kW) 2.3-litre diesel engine. The 73 PS (54 kW) 1.6-litre Saturn engine rounded out the lineup in many countries. A naked cab and chassis version was also available in some markets. Mechanical features included recirculating ball steering and front disc brakes, rear-wheel drive, and front suspension with coil springs. Four-wheel drive (4WD) was added in 1981, featuring torsion bar suspension up front. The rear suspension for both comprised leaf springs with bias-mounted shock absorbers. The 4WD system incorporated an extra lever located alongside the main four-speed shifter. This provided three positions; 2WD in high-range, 4WD in high-range, and 4WD in low-range. In low-range, the vehicle travels at half road speed for any given engine rpm. The transfer case is chain-driven to the front wheels, making it lighter, quieter, and easier to shift than the more common gear type. As such, the driver can shift between 2WD and 4WD in high-range without using the clutch, with the activation of low-range requiring the vehicle to be stopped. A warning lamp would light when the 4WD was engaged.

Second generation (K00/K10/K20/K30; 1986)

The second generation model was introduced in 1986 for most markets. In Australia, this model launched in October 1986 as the low-cost Triton. In Japan the pickups were not sold for a few years, making their return as the Strada in Japan in March 1991. A facelift took place for the 1993 model year, with a new grille and new plastic bumpers comprising most of the changes. It continued to be produced until 1996. Sales in the Japanese domestic market continued into the middle of 1997. The truck usually has a 68 hp (51 kW) 2.5 litre diesel or an 84 PS (62 kW) turbo diesel engine, with the turbo diesel being the only engine available in the Japanese home market. The Triton was not a spirited performer, with a four-wheel drive V6 model having a top speed of 126 km/h (78.1 mph). The second generation Mitsubishi truck was also produced in Thailand. An SUV model developed from the Mitsubishi Triton, called the Mitsubishi Challenger was released to Japan in 1996. In overseas markets it was also badged Montero Sport, Pajero Sport, Shogun Sport, or Nativa. Challenger shares many components and some body panels (i.e. front doors) with the Strada pickup truck and utilises the second generation Mitsubishi Pajero wheelbase. The Challenger was also produced in Thailand as the Mitsubishi Strada G-Wagon. The Thai model, unlike the same vehicle manufactured elsewhere used the same front styling as the Strada pickup truck that it was based upon. It was retired from production in 2005, but the Challenger nameplate was resurrected for the second generation of the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, launched in 2008 and which is also based on the following generation of the Mitsubishi Triton.

The Ram 50 was redesigned in 1987, which was the same year Chrysler introduced the Ram 50's successor, the Dodge Dakota. Despite this, sales of the Ram 50 continued for another seven years, possibly because the Ram 50 was a compact and the Dakota was a mid-size. The difference in size and cost left a niche for the Dodge 50, and its cancellation may have been due more to a desire to show independence from Mitsubishi than because of any product overlap. The Mighty Max ended production for the 1996 model year despite its old age.

Bed Details

The Dodge Power Ram 50 had two bed lengths available after 1987. A 72-inch and an optional 88-inch bed were available with both beds sitting on a 105.5-inch (short bed) or 116.1-inch (long bed) wheelbase. Both beds were 55.7 inches wide.

Trims

Based on the Mitsubishi Mighty Max/Forte/L200, the Dodge Power Ram 50 Pickup Truck was the 4-wheel-drive (4WD) version of the Dodge D50 pickup truck. The Dodge D50 entered the U.S. market in 1979, several variants were built including the short-lived Plymouth Arrow and a diesel engine option between 1983-1985. Rare by today’s standards, the ’83 turbo-diesel came with a TC05 turbo making 80 hp and 125 lb-ft of torque. The ’84–’85 TD04 turbo-diesel made 86 hp and 134 lb-ft torque. U.S. production ended in 1994. Four-speed manuals were standard and a three-speed automatic transmission was optional. A (much maligned) 3.0-liter V6 became available in nearly every market, but it was not a popular power-plant.



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