1987 Ram 50 4x4

I have this truck and thinking of transplanting a 5.9 Mag & auto into it. My question can I change the front end stuff to two wheel parts, I don’t want all those heavy hubs-componites which will not be used again. Short bed extended cab, Thanks

Those D50 trucks have a really short nose on them. I put the sheet metal off of one on a Jeep J10 frame around 25 years ago. I needed to add 6" to the front fenders to fit the AMC 360 in it, and the radiator was still in front of the radiator support. Measure the distance between the radiator support and the firewall and see if your up to the amount of work its going to take to put that 5.9 under that sheet metal. Extending the length of the front fenders was the easiest for me back then. It was a ball of fun, but a lot more work then I thought it was going to be.

The trucks were originally Mitsubishi trucks, built in Japan, and used the same basic frame as all the Japanese trucks used at the time. If I remember correctly, the entire frame was a welded unit from front to back, nothing was riveted. It would be a pretty major undertaking to change a 4x4 into a rear drive. You would need a good front 2 wd drive frame to cut up, at which point splicing to the 4x4 frame wouldn't make much sense. I also don't believe the 2 wheel drive frame would accommodate the 5.9 magnum very well. I believe that was one of the big reasons I used the J10 frame instead of the 2 wheel drive D 50 I had. Gene

Thanks for the info on that, put it on the back burner for awhile. I could just make up a box frame using the mustang II front end.??

i have a couple of buddies that have the 5.2/5.9 magnums in their d50's, that are 2wd. on the front hubs there is another import truck that you can change the 2wd from and end up with 4 1/2 bolt pattern. if you want, pm me and i will give you his name and number.

Realistically, that would probably be easier then what you were purposing. You still might want to measure the length distances under the hood. Could change the entire plan. Gene

There was an article a long time ago with a guy that put a 360 motor and trans from a Cordoba into one. Said it was an easy swap . As far as the front goes its independent suspension so strip it out and find some knuckles. v-8 ram 50

Being an extended cab I could move the firewall back the needed amount.

it is a drop in. no major fab necessary unless you want ladder bar/4 link.

Interesting post I have had this '88 sitting at work for 4 years. May look into such a build.

Thanks for reminding me, I have to call the guy tomorrow on his builds.
Do it, mines the same color except an extended cab