87 Ram 50 V8 Swap

I've had an 2WD 87 Ram 50 stashed away for several years, good body, decent interior, bad motor. Lately I’ve been kicking around pulling it into the shop and doing a V8 swap on it. I’ve seen/read about various swaps including SB MOPAR, SB Ford and even SB Chevys into these.

I’m kind of thinking 318 with an 833 overdrive 4 speed (if the tag is correct it has 3.91 gears in it). It currently has a 5 speed with a cable operated clutch.

Anybody here done a V8 swap (any brand engine) into one of these? I’m looking for insight on front spring upgrades, fitment issues, PS upgrade etc.

If I remember right, the distance between the firewall and the radiator mount is pretty short. You have to cut the grill to mount the rad in front of the rad support. Time to drag out the tape measure.

I put a D 50 cab & front clip on a 77 Jeep J 10 that had an AMC 360 4v. Think I added 4" in the center of both fenders to clear everything. That D 50 cab is very light. That Jeep was a lot of fun. In 4x4, from a standing start, wide open throttle would jump the whole truck off the ground, but you had to wear a helmet or you hit your head on the roof doing 4x4 ditches and such. The jeep was junk, the D 50 was junk, nothing to loose = lots of fun. Gene

V6

If you've read about it then you should already know. I've seen a couple with V-8 swaps and little else. Look cool, sound cool, make more tire smoke than anything.
You'd really have to commit to frame and suspension upgrades to make it comfortable to stab the long pedal.

There is a member on the race forum with a small block d50.
user D-50

It can be done. 340 in our 87 D50

Yup, I remember reading about a 340 in a late '70's Arrow pickup. Same chassis I'd imagine.

My brother built one with a mild 360 back in the late 90's.

The only detail I really remember was a FWD Daytona radiator was mounted directly behind the grille because there was no room where it should have been. He ran a 904, stock rear end, wheels, tires, brakes, suspension...everything. I also believe he had to run 2 hood pins due to the hood latch assembly being in the way of where the radiator had to go. The truck was built out of spare parts and purely for fun. He drove it for a couple years and sold it to a friend in Springfield, MO.

Was it safe? No. Did it handle? Not a chance. Was it fun? You bet. The look of the then-new Corvette owner and his trophy wife/girlfriend having a red beat up, rusty truck out-accelerate them was priceless.



I've got a picture of it around here somewhere...have to see if I can dig it up.

I will post pic. if it is not to big. This is a 1980 D-50.

Happened to run across a picture of the D50 my brother built and remembered this post from last month. Quite the sleeper.

No engine shots that I can recall.