"The little black truck"...

[Backtobasics]

Did a half tank fill up to see where she stands...Up to 18 and change.
Commute is mostly highway, but there is some in town driving.

I picked up a muffler from work, long round diesel looking thing but smaller pipe diameter. I am going to put it up on the rack and see about replacing the stock muffler with this completely straight through design muffer for a little less backpressure.

[freebeard]

Sounds like it might be a [fiber]glass-pack. Loud pipes save lives.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Backtobasics

Diesel would be awesome, but finding a diesel combo that would swap in with a minimum of effort is going to be a challenge. This model of truck is hard to find as is, let alone a diesel version or diesel drivetrain...

There are options such as the Volkswagen TDI, Kubota V-2203 and few other light-duty Diesel engines which can be swapped into, but wouldn't be so easy to set the stock automatic transmission to work behind'em.

[Backtobasics]

The D50 has been sitting for a few weeks. I got it lowered at work, but then the holiday season opened the skies, and we have been to busy to get the alignment done. I got all the tie rods installed yesterday, and got it aligned. Truck drives like a dream. The toe was incredibly far off. It was so far gone, it killed a pair of tires in 3 months. Toe and tie rods also explained the vibration at 55 that is gone. I have two new tires to put on the back, and then get all 4 done with nitrogen, and I almost think this portion of things will be addressed. I filled it up last night, and can't wait to see how the lowering, alignment, etc help the MPG.

[Slow_s10]

Sounds like an awesome project! I have a lot of respect for this as I have also been working on building a minitruck commuter. Definitely post up some pictures of it with the new suspension I would love to see how it looks now.

[Backtobasics]

Before lowering:

[Backtobasics]

After Lowering, Tie rods, and alignment:

[Backtobasics]

I am stopping for a partial tank fill up tonight. It drives so much better. Only drawback right now is the steering wheel. The guys have the total alignment right, but for some reason Mitsubishi decided to make the passenger side tie rod with total toe adjustability, but to straighten the wheel, they will literally have to separate the tie rod, turn it out a couple threads, and reset entire toe. It does not have the sleeve where one tie rod is left thread, and the other is right thread.
Still working on finding decent mirrors. May end up using small motorcycle type mirrors on stalks.

[Smurf]

That's a nice stance for that truck.

If I remember correctly, the 2.0 DOHC that came in the Avengers, Eclipses, etc is one of very few engines that can be 90* turned. Those engines aren't too costly, and your D50 trans should bolt up. That should give you a good FE improvement.


After some searching:
"The Chrysler 904 tranny from an early 80's Ram D50 will bolt right up to a 4G63 motor. This is the same 904 tranny that many Hemi guys run in the NHRA Super Stock class."
I think you'd be looking for the 4G63 motor more than the 420A motor, but it's still a relatively simple swap. Forget carbs, step up to fuel injection!

[freebeard]

After Lowering, Tie rods, and alignment: [pix]

Here's to the power of flattering lighting. But seriously, it looks good.