New Dodge Power Ram 50 owner

[TPetersen92]

Hello, I'm 20 years old, live in Roseville, CA and I just bought my first car. Its a 1989 4x4 Power Ram 50. I'm getting it smogged tomorrow and then I'm gonna go have some fun testing out the four wheel drive

I've been looking everywhere and i cant find any Grille Guards/Bull Bars for these trucks. Does anyone know where you can find them?

[camoit]

Welcome to the board.
Roseville hu. I'm in sac. SMOG sucks as they never pass the first time.

[TPetersen92]

What are some things i can do to improve emissions if it doesn't pass?

[pennyman1]

pep boys sell an additive to your gas that will clean the cats and o2 sensors - it comes with a guarentee to pass smog. Also clean the PCV and EGR valves - they are always cruddy and cause emission problems.

[TPetersen92]

Thanks for tips I took it in this morning and it passed first try :D

[camoit]

Well that was easy.. I was forced to give up trying to smog mine and go another direction.

[TPetersen92]

DSC00128.jpg

Here's a pic of my truck.

[camoit]

I've seen that truck before. One thing you should do is change the timing belts. There probably old and have never been replaced. Do it now before it makes you do it when you you can least afford to be down. We have seen this happen many times. A new owner gets the truck then bam. Broken parts and big problems.. Another good thing to do is clean all the ground connections. The truck is 23 years old now, and this is when things really need to be looked at cleaned and protected. If there are things that are jerry rigged in the electrical then it is a problem just weighting to happen. Since you passed SMOG so easily then NOW is the time to take action. Preventive Maintenance is the key.

[TPetersen92]

Doesn't the G54B engine have a timing chain instead of a belt... But that probably needs to be replaced anyway. I plan on giving a full tune up in the next couple months but money's tight right now with the holidays... I find that it is getting around 14 - 15 mpg is that bc its a 4x4 and it eats more gas or will a tune up improve that?

Thanks for the help, i look foward to driving this truck till it dies and then bringing it back to life

[camoit]

At some point in time, the second gens went to belts. I'm not sure when. But if you look under the hood you will ether see a plastic cover on the front of the engine (belt) or not (Cain). Some of the guys on here know engine numbers to vehicle variants and options. Once you get into the later years like yours things can get confusing. I don't think Mitsubishi or Dodge kept track of the changes. If you check out the thread below you will see it's an 89 also, but it has a belt and a carb. We haven't nailed down when the change overs happened. But we are getting close. Is widely known that in 1990 they went to FI but we haven't figured out the month. We also know that in 89 you can have a 2.0L or a 2.6L engine. The heads of the two can be swapped back and forth. You can also swap heads over to a twin OHC along with some other internal parts. Project zero G has a large amount information on doing that kind of swap. Trust me, you will find these trucks can be quite a nightmare of different things. The engines were used from your truck, to Areas K cars, mini vans, forklifts, generators and farm water pumps. One thing to keep in mind is parts are getting harder to find. Trany, front end, rear end, interior, light covers, and some engine parts, the list goes on. So always keep an eye out for parts or complete trucks.


http://www.mightyram50.net/vbulletin...4933#post14933

[pennyman1]

In 1989 you could get the 2.6 in a MMM or dodge ram truck. It has a timing chain that won't need replaced under normal conditions. Make sure the oil stays clean and you won't have issues with the motor - I have run Rislone in my 1980 D-50 since new - it is a super detergent that will gently remove buildup from the motor. It can be found almost anywhere that sells oil. 1990 and up went to the 4g64 motor that has a timing belt. The 2.0 G63b and the 2.6 g54b motors cannot swap heads due to the motors being of 2 different engine families. Nice truck and welcome to the forum.

[camoit]

Like I said I don't know the numbers.
But here is what they did.

Engines:
1979-1989 - Carbureted
1990-1996 - Fuel Injected

• 1979–1987 2.0 L 4G52 I4, SOHC, Carburetor, 90-93 hp (67-69 kW)
• 1987–1989 2.0 L G63B I4, SOHC, Carburetor, 90-93 hp (67-69 kW)
• 1979–1989 2.6 L 4G54 I4, SOHC, Carburetor, 105 hp (78 kW)
• 1983–1985 2.3 L 4D55T turbodiesel I4, 80-86 hp (61-64 kW)
• 1990–1996 2.4 L 4G64 I4, Fuel Injection, 116 hp (87 kW)
• 1990–1996 3.0 L 6G72 V6, Fuel Injection, 142 hp (106 kW)

Heads G52 2.0L onto a G54B 2.6L

Pennyman. If you say they didn't have a belt in 89 then why does this one have it? It must be a G63B or a 4G54. Thats all it can be. Unless someone swapped it.
http://www.mightyram50.net/vbulletin...4933#post14933

[TPetersen92]

Thank you for all the info this has been a huge help

[DroppedMitsu]

Camoit that motor is the 2.0 g63b which were always belt driven. All 2.6 g54b truck motors regardless of year had chains.

[camoit]

Camoit that motor is the 2.0 g63b which were always belt driven. All 2.6 g54b truck motors regardless of year had chains.

I know the G52 2.0L was chain.
I love you guys, you keep the numbers straight for me. God knows I can't.
This is why dyslexic people like me hate Mitsubishi, all them crap ass numbers. Just bring me the dam truck. I'll fix it..,,

[ikeepzitclean]

Hello, I'm 20 years old, live in Roseville, CA and I just bought my first car. Its a 1989 4x4 Power Ram 50. I'm getting it smogged tomorrow and then I'm gonna go have some fun testing out the four wheel drive

I've been looking everywhere and i cant find any Grille Guards/Bull Bars for these trucks. Does anyone know where you can find them?

welcome to the site Petersen. good to see another local here

DSC00128.jpg

Here's a pic of my truck.

thats a good lookin truck man.. 5 spd?

[92bluemax]

Welcome to the forum ... What color is your truck ??? If its blue look at my gallery because my truck appears to be just a shade lighter than yours ! nice truck !!

[TPetersen92]

My truck is a 5 spd, though because its a 4x4 its geared low so it doesn't like going over 65mph.

92bluemax, your truck looks just like mine it looks like you even have the tool box

[pennyman1]

the tires on your truck seem larger than stock - that could be why you are struggling to get to 65 and above. Have you had someone with a vehicle follow you and see if your speedo is accurate - larger tires will read lower speeds for the same rpms.

[TPetersen92]

I did that today and my speedo is off by 5mph so when it says 60 i'm actually doing 65

[TPetersen92]

Tommorow I'm going to replace the spark plugs, the distributor cap, air filter, and give it an oil change

[camoit]

If you want to fix the speedo. Capitol Speedometer in west sac can re-gear it for you. Unless you are plaining to go back to the stock tire and rim. But it does look good the way it is sitting now.

[ikeepzitclean]

Tommorow I'm going to replace the spark plugs, the distributor cap, air filter, and give it an oil change

once u get all that done get up 30 miles or so east of u on I-80 and enjoy that 4x4 in that fresh snow. lol

[ikeepzitclean]

If you want to fix the speedo. Capitol Speedometer in west sac can re-gear it for you.

do they happen to carry odometer gears for diff. makes and models? cuz i need 2 or 3 gears for one of my cars.

[92bluemax]

Mine is also a 5 speed 4x4 with stock tire size,and she moves along deascently on the interstate,but my driving is usually in the mountains of southwest Va,and offroad