Mitsubishi · 1979-1996
Mighty Max / Ram 50
Mitsubishi's Forte/L200 compact pickup reached the US under three badges: the Plymouth Arrow Truck (1979-82), the Dodge D50/Ram 50 (1979-93) and, from 1982, Mitsubishi's own Mighty Max (to 1996). Gas fours, a V6 on 4WD and a short-lived turbodiesel powered the family.
- Years
- 1979-1996
- Drivetrain
- RWD · 4WD (Power Ram 50 from 1982; Mighty Max 4WD to 1995)
- Engines
- 2.0 L · 2.6 L 4G54 · 2.4 L 4G64
- Sold in
- US · Canada
Spec sheet
- Nameplate
- Mitsubishi Mighty Max (1982-1996) / Dodge D50 (1979-1980) and Ram 50 (1981-1994) / Plymouth Arrow Truck (1979-1982)
- Production
- 1979–1996
- Assembly
- Okazaki, Aichi, Japan
- Sold in
- USCanada
- Codes
- L200/Forte (1st gen)K00/K10/K20/K30 (2nd gen)
- Body styles
- Regular cabSport Cab / Macrocab extended cab
- Bed lengths
- 6 ft7.5 ft
- Drivetrains
- RWD4WD (Power Ram 50 from 1982; Mighty Max 4WD to 1995)
- Transmissions
- 4-speed manual (to 1986)5-speed manual3-speed automatic (to 1986)4-speed automatic (from 1987)
Engines
- Displacement
- 2.0 L
- Config
- I4
- HP
- 92 hp
- Years
- to 1989 (EPA lists MY1984-1989)
- Notes
- carbureted; 2nd gen
- Displacement
- 2.6 L
- Config
- I4
- HP
- 109 hp
- Years
- to 1989 (EPA lists MY1984-1989)
- Notes
- 2nd gen
- Displacement
- 2.4 L
- Config
- I4
- HP
- 116 hp
- Years
- 1990-1996
- Notes
- standard on 2WD from 1991; EPA lists a 2.4 L for MY1990-1993 and 1995-1996 (shown as 2.3 L for MY1994)
- Displacement
- 3.0 L
- Config
- V6
- HP
- 143 hp
- Years
- 1990-1995 (Ram 50: 1990-1992)
- Notes
- 4WD models only in EPA listings
- Displacement
- 2.3 L
- Config
- I4 diesel turbo
- HP
- 80 hp
- Torque
- 125 lb-ft
- Years
- 1983-1985 (EPA lists MY1984-1985)
- Notes
- 86 hp / 134 lb-ft 1984-85
Highlights
- 01
- Chrysler's answer to the Ford Courier and Chevy LUV (both 1972)
- 02
- Four-wheel drive added for 1982 – "Power Ram 50"
- 03
- Turbo diesel US-market 1983-85
- 04
- Ram 50 continued after the Dakota debuted in 1987
Photos
Mitsubishi Compact Rebadge 1979-1996, image 1 of 6
Mitsubishi Compact Rebadge 1979-1996, image 2 of 6
Mitsubishi Compact Rebadge 1979-1996, image 3 of 6
Mitsubishi Compact Rebadge 1979-1996, image 4 of 6
Mitsubishi Compact Rebadge 1979-1996, image 5 of 6
Mitsubishi Compact Rebadge 1979-1996, image 6 of 6
Related
Overview
Chrysler was late to the compact-truck party, answering the Courier and LUV in 1979 with a captive import from Mitsubishi: the Dodge D50 and the Plymouth Arrow Truck (the Arrow ended after 1982). The Dodge became the Ram 50 in 1981 and gained four-wheel drive in 1982 as the Power Ram 50. Mitsubishi started selling the same truck under its own Mighty Max name in 1982.
A second generation arrived for 1987 - the year the Dodge Dakota appeared - and the Ram 50 stayed on sale until about 1993-94. In later years the standard engine was a 116-hp 2.4-liter four (1991) and 4WD models received a 143-hp 3.0-liter V6. A turbodiesel was offered between 1983 and 1985.
The Mighty Max name lasted in the US until 1996 with 6-foot or 7.5-foot beds and regular or extended Macrocab.
Sources
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitsubishi_Triton
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plymouth_Arrow
- fueleconomy.gov/ws/rest/vehicle/menu/model
- fueleconomy.gov/ws/rest/vehicle/menu/model
- fueleconomy.gov/ws/rest/vehicle/menu/options
- fueleconomy.gov/ws/rest/vehicle/menu/options
- fueleconomy.gov/ws/rest/vehicle/menu/options
- fueleconomy.gov/ws/rest/vehicle/menu/options
- fueleconomy.gov/ws/rest/vehicle/menu/options
- fueleconomy.gov/ws/rest/vehicle/menu/options
- fueleconomy.gov/ws/rest/vehicle/menu/options
- fueleconomy.gov/ws/rest/vehicle/menu/model