What engine is in a 1989 Dodge Ram 50?
The 1989 Dodge Ram 50 used Mitsubishi-sourced inline-four engines, with two primary options: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder (Mitsubishi 4G63) and a 2.6-liter four-cylinder (Mitsubishi 4G54), depending on market and configuration.
These compact pickups were built on a shared Mitsubishi platform and were sold in various regions around the world. In the United States and Canada, the Ram 50 offered the two engine choices, typically paired with either a manual or automatic transmission. Power outputs varied by emissions tuning and configuration, but the 2.0-liter 4G63 generally produced roughly 95–105 horsepower, while the 2.6-liter 4G54 delivered about 100–110 horsepower.
Engine options in 1989 Ram 50
The following are the two primary engine choices you would encounter on a 1989 Ram 50, depending on market.
- 2.0 L inline-four (Mitsubishi 4G63) — carbureted or fuel-injected in some markets; roughly 95–105 hp depending on emissions equipment.
- 2.6 L inline-four (Mitsubishi 4G54) — carbureted or injected in some markets; roughly 100–110 hp depending on equipment.
Power figures varied by market, emissions standards, and whether the engine used carburetion or fuel injection.
Origins and engine lineage
The Dodge Ram 50 in this era was the North American market version of Mitsubishi’s small pickup family (often linked with the Mitsubishi Mighty Max/L200). Both engines come from Mitsubishi’s 4G6 family, a lineage that powered many compact trucks and cars across the 1980s and 1990s.
Engine family background
The 4G63 (2.0 L) and 4G54 (2.6 L) engines share engineering roots within Mitsubishi’s lightweight four-cylinder lineup, enabling similar dimensions and mounting while offering different displacement and tuning options to meet varying market regulations and performance needs.
Summary
In 1989, the Dodge Ram 50 offered two Mitsubishi-sourced inline-four engines: a 2.0-liter 4G63 and a 2.6-liter 4G54. Availability depended on market and configuration, with horsepower typically in the vicinity of 95–110 hp across the options. These engines reflected the Ram 50’s Mitsubishi lineage and the broader ecosystem of compact pickups from that era.
