1986 Dodge D50 Reviews - Page 2 of 2

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13th May 2009, 13:46

I am considering installing a Weber Carb. on my 87 ram 50, but don't know what to do about the computer controls. Any suggestions on how to install without computer interference? Thanks.

In reply to 13th May 2009, 13:46

20th Jul 2011, 17:34

Hi there, on a 86 Ram 50 Custom 2.0, I just have one question. In California, will this Weber/carb pass smog? Ty.

30th Mar 2012, 12:03

Yes, the carb is being an issue, also the blinker switch, but all in all, I would not trade my Dodge truck for anything. Well except maybe another Dodge.

Grew up Dodge, & plan on staying Dodge...

1986 Dodge D50 Power Ram 2.5L from North America

Year of manufacture	1986
First year of ownership	1995
Most recent year of ownership	1998
Engine and transmission	2.5L Manual
Performance marks	6 / 10
Reliability marks	9 / 10
Comfort marks	6 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper)	5 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)	6.5 / 10
Distance when acquired	115000 miles
Most recent distance	136000 miles

Summary:

Hard to kill, reliable truck

Faults:

Emergency Brake line froze frequently. Stopped using it and left it in gear when stopped.

Shocks were worn out when I got it. Cheap to replace.

Head liner completely fell out. Had a hard time gluing it back on, and eventually just removed it entirely and left the red painted metal roof showing.

Cracked head, started leaking antifreeze into the engine.

Paint on the bed worn off due too bad job installing camper shell.

Distributor cap got water in it frequently.

General Comments:

This was my first car. I seriously abused the poor thing, but it kept on running. There was only 2 times when it wouldn't get me from point A to point B. (Distributor cap moisture, frozen emergency brake..)

I often waited 7000 miles between oil changes, once ran it without coolant. Still ran great.

Performance was very sluggish at first. I replaced the wires and plugs with split-fire, and removed the camper shell. This pushed its performance up drastically.

Power steering on this is amazing. It's the easiest to use and steer I had ever seen until I bought my Buick Regal. (I'm learning that this is also true of my new Plymouth Horizon. I guess Dodge makes good power steering. :)

Very cold-blooded. In the winter it would only get 12mpg or so. During the summer it was closer to 20mpg.

Stock stereo system sucked. It was easy to replace, I ended up filing down the radio slot to fit a $90 Sam's club special in its place.

The door mounts for the speakers were a pain. The speakers would frequently short out on the door if they weren't tightened down periodically.

Rebuilt the engine after the head cracked. The performance was never the same again.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th April, 2003

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14th Nov 2003, 17:10

I very much agree with your review of the Ram 50. I am 17 years old and I drive a 1986 Ram 50 four by four. I hunt in this truck, and it is known in my school as "The Goat" due to its climbing ability. Your review is the best I have ever read on the internet.

25th May 2007, 13:18

My 1986 Dodge D-50 is about the most reliable trucks I have had. With the Mitsubishi engine and solid body construction it was a real deal purchase. About the only problem was the automatic choke; it wouldn't open all the way so I disabled it and although I have to feather it till it reaches operating temperature. It get about 40 Miles per gallon and with the price of gas these days it does make a difference.

12th May 2011, 22:12

I bought this 1986 D50 pickup for $50.00 because it had two problems; automatic choke didn't open fully and would dump too much gas into the engine; so I disabled it; works fine once it warms up.

Secondly the tranny had to be replaced, this cost me only $100.00 including the clutch, and it has been going since I bought it 12 years ago. It has been doing my hauling jobs without trouble. I have loaded it up to 2000 pounds with sand, and had no problem going, although the overload springs helped.

1986 Dodge D50 Power Ram 4x4 2.6L from North America

Year of manufacture	1986
First year of ownership	2000
Most recent year of ownership	2001
Engine and transmission	2.6L Manual
Performance marks	2 / 10
Reliability marks	4 / 10
Comfort marks	2 / 10
Running Costs (higher is cheaper)	3 / 10
Overall marks (average of all marks)	2.8 / 10
Distance when acquired	87000 miles
Most recent distance	91000 miles
Previous car	Subaru Justy

Summary:

Buy something else

Faults:

Blown head gasket one month after purchase, warped head - $350.

Frozen caliper - $158.

Exhaust rattling constantly.

Excess body rot, rust everywhere.

Absolutely NO power.

Replaced ballast resistor - no one had the part, used one cost $10.

Excess oil usage, 1 quart every 100 miles.

Will not start in cold weather.

Un-locateable vaccum leak.

Tail lamps went out.

Alternator faulty.

Alignment problems.

Weather stripping became loose.

Wiper motor is weak.

Interior pieces falling off, broken.

General Comments:

It's a real piece of crap, but it's good on gas.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 18th April, 2001

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