Introduced in 1979, the Dodge D50 marked Chrysler’s entry into the competitive, growing, compact pickup market in North America. The D50 was a product of the company’s strategic partnership with Mitsubishi and came to America as essentially a rebadged version of the Mitsubishi Triton (also known as the L200 and Mighty Max). This collaboration allowed Chrysler to offer a compact, fuel-efficient alternative to its larger pickups. The Dodge D50 was a direct competitor of the Ford Courier and Chevrolet LUV at its introduction and later the Ford Ranger and Chevy S-10. The Dodge D50 was renamed the Ram 50 in 1981 to better align with Dodge’s broader branding shift.

The First Dodge Diesel Pickup

The diesel-powered Dodge D50 emerged in 1980, capitalizing on the era’s growing interest in fuel-efficient vehicles. With the Dodge D50 being produced by Mitsubishi, it’s unsurprising that Chrysler opted to fit the truck with a Mitsubishi-sourced diesel engine. For the 1980 model year, customers could option the truck with a naturally aspirated 2.3-liter four-cylinder diesel engine. This engine produced 62 hp at 4,200 rpm and 93 lb-ft of torque at 2,200 rpm. In 1983, the company equipped the 4D55 diesel engine with a TC05 non-wastegated turbocharger. This bumped output to 80 hp at 4,000 rpm, with torque jumping to 125 lb-ft at 2,500 rpm. For 1984 and 1985, Dodge upgraded to a TD04 wastegated turbocharger, which boosted output to 86 hp and 134 lb-ft. While the diesel engine option disappeared from the Ram 50’s build sheet after 1985, the Mitsubishi Mighty Max continued offering a diesel through 1987.

If any of this sounds familiar, don’t be alarmed. Ford utilized the same Mitsubishi 4D55 diesel engine in its Ranger pickup in 1985 and 1986. As a result of this engine-sharing, from 1984 through 1987 the Mitsubishi diesel engine was found in three different compact pickups in the United States.

The D50 Did Truck Things Well

Towing capacity for the diesel D50 was rated at approximately 3,000 pounds when properly equipped. Payload capacity hovered around 1,500 pounds, including passengers and cargo. This aligned with its role as a utility vehicle rather than a workhorse. The standard configuration included a four-speed manual transmission, with a three-speed automatic available as an option. Both paired to a rear-wheel-drive layout. A four-wheel-drive version, dubbed the Power Ram 50, debuted in 1982. The diesel engine, however, was primarily offered in two-wheel drive, limiting its appeal for off-road enthusiasts.

All In The Name Of Fuel Economy

Fuel economy was a key selling point for the diesel D50. Modern reports and enthusiast accounts suggest that the truck achieved around 25-30 mpg on the highway. This was a significant improvement over the gasoline-powered D50s, which typically managed 20-22 mpg with their 2.0-liter (93 hp) or 2.6-liter (106 hp) engines. Efficiency is what made the diesel D50 appealing. However, its performance trade-offs—sluggish acceleration and utterly modest power—often weren’t worth the price.

The diesel D50’s compact dimensions—184.6 inches long, 65 inches wide, with an 81.5-inch bed—made it nimble and easy to maneuver, ideal for urban use or light hauling. Its 109.4-inch wheelbase and gross vehicle weight of around 4,045 pounds (with the diesel) underscored its lightweight construction.

Despite its practicality, the diesel variant remained a niche offering. The diesel option was overshadowed by gasoline models and larger diesel trucks like the Dodge D150 with its Mitsubishi 6DR5 engine.