Rare 1978 factory Mitsubishi diesel equipped D100 1/2 ton pickup. 243 cu in straight six diesel. Perfect project for a Mopar fan who wants something rare or for a tow vehicle for your classic Mopar. Or just something none of your buddies at the car show own or likely have ever seen?

Running and drivable but the old Dodge pickup body is rusty and in need of some TLC [better yet a full restoration]. The value of this truck is the factory installation of the 6DR5 243 cu in Mitsubishi straight six and the engine is in very nice shape. Starts and runs better than my 06 Jeep CDR diesel. With the block heater plugged in it started easily every time in -0F weather this last winter. Engine is completely original except for a rebuilt water pump and new fuel cannister [the old filters are impossible to buy so I installed a new filter canister. Original one comes with the truck.

Less than 2800 or so of these rare Mitsubishi 6DR5 diesel equipped Dodge trucks were manufactured in a short-lived attempt to offer a high MPG pickup for the American market.

The other part of the story was that Dodge made these to fulfill the consumer market requirement to bid for the US Military vehicle contract. [Dodge lost out and the Dodge M880 and M890 military vehicles (pickups) were replaced by the Chevy CUCV (the blazer)].

A quote from a motor press article "The 1978 saw also the introduction of the first Diesel powered Dodge pickup truck. Available as an economy choice in the light duty trucks was Mitsubishi 6dr50A 4.0-liter inline 6-cylinder naturally aspirating diesel, rated at 105 hp (78 kW) at 3500 rpm, and ~230 Nm (~169 lb·ft) @ 2200 rpm. The diesel used standard Dodge manual and automatic transmissions via specially made adapter plate which had the LA V8 bolt pattern. This rare factory option, VIN code H, was the result of fuel crisis and the collaboration of Chrysler and Mitsubishi. "

You can Google other info.

Here is a video of the truck with the engine running. http://youtu.be/zutkFx6u-AI

Great mileage and torque and longevity but only 105hp and top speed of about 65 mph. So most of these trucks were sold to Fire Departments and for similar uses. This one shows all the signs of having been a Fire Dept truck [Red, covered in bureaucratic labels and warnings, roof plug for what must have been a bubble light, etc]

48,000 on the clock. It might be original. Truck shows signs of having been allowed to sit for most of its life. I've only put abut 6,000 miles on it in 15 years. This truck comes from Northwest Indiana where I bought it near LaPorte in 1999. Holds together and doesn't flap in the breeze but drivers floor is rusted out. Rusty rear wheel wells and some rust on quarters. Windshield is cracked just like the day I bought it in '99. Bed is surprisingly intact.

Comes with the factory manual for the truck and one for the Mitsubishi engine.

I drive the truck on a regular basis. Starts, runs, drives, stops. Lights work. Brakes are fine. I use it for short runs to the lumber company and similar. But I have not gone more than 15 miles from home with it since 1999.

I always intended to restore this beast. Never happened. Just remarried and time to sell off some old toys and projects.

Bring a truck and trailer. I would *not* drive it home unless you live within an hour of Lansing Michigan and also have a trusty friend driving a trusty pace car next to you with some tools. No use doing damage to this old gal by running it to bits on the highway in some insane attempt to get to Jersey or Texas. These old diesels are slow and loud.

The Spyder Motor Wheels in the photos do NOT go with the truck. Had those since 1980.

Auto Services in Michigan

Zaharion Automotive ★★★★★

Auto Repair & Service, Brake Repair, Tire Changing Equipment

Address: 13111 Beadle Lake Rd, Climax

Phone: (269) 979-8500

Woodland-Kawkawlin Trailers ★★★★★

New Car Dealers, Trailers-Automobile Utility, Trailer Equipment & Parts

Address: 112 S Huron Rd, Bay-City

Phone: (989) 686-6176

W L Frazier Trucking ★★★★★

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Address: 5195 E River Rd, Lake-Isabella

Phone: (989) 779-0733

Valvoline Instant Oil Change ★★★★★

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Address: 1424 E M 89, Otsego

Phone: (269) 694-9407

Urka Auto Center ★★★★★

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Address: 3736 W US 10, Free-Soil

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Tuffy Auto Service Centers ★★★★★

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Auto blog

2015 Dodge Charger shows off its new look in New York [w/videos]

Thu, 17 Apr 2014

With a new look inspired largely by the Dart compact, the 2015 Dodge Charger made its New York Auto Show debut today. Along with the interior and exterior changes, an eight-speed automatic becomes standard across the range.
What hasn't changed is the choice of engines under the Charger's long hood. A 3.7-liter V6 serves as the base mill, and can be had in both rear- and all-wheel-drive varieties, while the 5.7-liter V8 is an optional item and can be had in rear-drive only. Outputs are also carried over from last year, with 292 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque for the six-pot, while the Hemi V8 delivers 370 hp and 395 lb-ft of torque.
The new exterior treatment is a fairly large departure from the styling tone set by the Charger since its reintroduction to the US market in 2006. The blacked-out, crosshair grille and new headlamps are the biggest changes for 2015, though there are other, less immediately noticeable updates, such as the more rounded "Racetrack" taillamps that, like the front fascia, draw some inspiration from the Dart.

Chrysler recalling 780k minivans over fire risk

Fri, 09 May 2014

Chrysler is recalling 780,000 of its Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan minivans from the 2010 to 2014 model years due to the possibility of circuits overheating, which can lead to a fire. Of the 780,000 total vans being recalled, Chrysler estimates that 644,850 are in the US, 106,980 are in Canada, 8,009 are in Mexico, and 20,638 are in other markets. All of the affected vehicles were built between August 25, 2010 and October 31, 2013.
Chrysler's engineers discovered that beverage spills or exposure to moisture (from rain, snow, car washes, and the like) were linked to circuits shorting in the window switch assembly. Short circuits can overheat, and thus, cause a fire.
Chrysler will contact owners and let them know when they may schedule service, at which point, the window switches will be replaced. In the interim, the automaker says that owners may visit their dealers after May 14 to have the switches disconnected.

2013 Dodge Charger SRT8 Super Bee

Tue, 12 Mar 2013

I can pinpoint the exact moment when I fell in love with this car. It was starting down a nearly straight entrance ramp at 15 miles per hour when I buried the throttle. In a moment, I was thrown back into my seat as the big SRT8's engine came to life with commensurate sound, fury and force, bringing me up to 75 mph in what felt like two blinks of an eye. This thing feels so much quicker than its 470 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque would lead you to believe. And mashing the right pedal never, ever gets old.
But beyond sheer speed, I found a whole lot to like about the Charger SRT8 during my week with the Pitch Black test car here in Detroit. And while the whole Super Bee kit isn't really my style, it's really easy to overlook those badges for a package that offers so much for so little.
Driving Notes

Rare 1978 Dodge Factory Diesel D100 Pickup [mitsubishi 243 Cu In Diesel] on 2040-cars

Dodge Other Pickups for Sale