Chrysler eagerly got into the captive-import pickup game, via their Mitsubishi connection. And just as Dodge had to share the Colt line with Plymouth, to varying degrees, so did they also share Mitsubishi’s new compact truck. The result was the only post-war RWD Plymouth pickup, the Arrow. It was sold from 1979 through 1982, after which time only Dodge had it, as either a D50 or Ram 50. And after 1982, Mitsubishi sold it too here, as the Mighty Max. Not surprisingly, the Plymouth versions have become rather uncommon.
Power came from Mitsubishi’s SOHC 2.0 and 2.6 fours, a family of engines that is generally considered quite rugged, although the 2.6 had some issues with its timing chain tensioner, if I remember right.
I rather like all the varying shades this Arrow’s fading paint has turned. I also liked the styling of these, as if anyone really ever cared much for how these boxy trucks looked. But this was as nice as any of them. And wouldn’t it be fun to have a Plymouth pickup?
Going back to the Chevy LUV/Isuzu Florian connection discussed earlier in the week, did these share any of their front sheetmetal with the Plymouth Arrow coupe or another JDM version of that platform?
I’ve wondered about that. It looks very similar to the Galant Sigma, which was sold as a Colt wagon here. https://www.curbsideclassic.com/curbside-classics-asian/cc-colt-chronicles-part-4-1978-1981-dodge-colt-station-wagon-mitsubishi-galant-looking-for-a-dart-wagon-let-me-show-you-this/
But there’s some differences too, mainly the way the front window bottom curves downward right behind the side rear-view mirror. I’m inclined to think not, despite the strong similarities.
And the ’77-’79 GM C-bodies had a very similar front window curve. I even found one in the same color. Strange but true…
on the other hand, GM somehow had something chop and paste between Blazer and LUV.
True story- my dad bought a poorly running Plymouth Arrow for $200 from a co-worker. Popped off the top of the air filter and the assembly was revealed to be jammed full of dog food. Squirrels! This reminded me of that.
This ad for the Arrow pickup is amusing (not just for the yellow and black color scheme), because it focused on actual cargo-hauling capabilities, billing the little Arrow as being able to “handle over a half ton of cargo.” I never thought of these trucks as heavy-duty cargo haulers.
The Japanese mini trucks were probably considered a joke in mid America, but the fact was that they could handle a decent load. Toyota even sold 3/4 and one ton versions. Ride was super harsh, but they could do it. Remember that by then a “3/4 ton” F-250 could actually carry more like a ton and a half.
The “tonnage” term dates back to pre-WWII Military specifications and should have gone away from common usage decades ago.
I am from mid America.
They were considered good as a teenager’s first vehicle or as a retired man’s errand runner or in 4×4 form they were considered play toys. The only minitrucks I can think of that were taken seriously were the Toyota duallies used as motorhomes. I think they had tiny diesel motors in them. When the camper part of it wore out, people slapped a flatbed on them and used them for cheap disposable work trucks.
I havn’t seen one in years. Maybe decades.
Yes, it was just below 1200 lbs, the same rating as my F-100.
I bought a dead 86 Mitsubishi Mighty Max in the early 90s for $300. I resurrected it and drove it for about 50,000 miles. It was a tough little truck, very underpowered, or so I thought. A couple of months before I unloaded it I noticed that a thermal vaccuum switch under the manifold was broken, this controlled the secondaries to the carb. Once that was fixed it was at least adequate.
An uncle of mine had a ’79 like this. It ran and rode very well. It was a 4 speed and he easily swapped in a 5 speed tranny from a newer model.
These early Mitsus had a single, compromise wheelbase and bed length that was longer than the standard compact shortbed and shorter than a longbed (6 1/2′ I think); they went to the two conventional layouts plus extended cab in the second generation.
I remember these had a 4×4 version with the 2.6 that were pretty good. Battery in the side of the bed was kinda awkward to boost people off.
i had a D50….battery was under the hood.
Not on the diesel models . . .
Nice little trucks. Really handy sized with a six ft. bed. The cabin is small but usually I’m alone or with only one passenger. Pity you can’t buy a new mini truck, the resale on old ones keeps the price anywhere from a grand to twenty five hundred around here.
Retired from the Navy in Guam and drove one of these all over the island for my first civilian job. I was impressed with the snappy performance and almost 30 mpg that it got. Bought a Datsun for myself but in the particular era the D50 probably got the best fuel economy comparing Datsun, Ford Courier (Mazda), and Dodge/Ply/Mitsu. I had no experience with Toyota/Isuzu till later. It was worth keeping and I knew someone who upgraded their D50/Mighty Max with better suspension and diesel into a one ton.
I don’t think Japan Inc. made any bad trucks from about 75-90, however, YMMV.
except all the toyota rust buckets
I love japanese mini trucks of this era. So right-sized. The Mitsu/Plymouth is probably the best looker in my opinion. Very clean and purposeful lines. That factory pinstriping is fantastic. I wish manufacturers today would have the guts to offer appearance packages similar to what was available in the late 70’s & early 80’s. Say what you want about all of the benefits that modern cars have to offer, but a sense of fun is rarely one of them. This is coming from a twenty-seven year old.
Agreed!
Appearance packages would drive up the cost and slow down the production line, which goes against the efficiency nowadays. As late as ’90s, Buick LeSabre came with wide varieties of options, buttons on steering wheels and combination of climate control made such a varieties: steering wheel with temp button for those came with automatic climate control, or steering wheel with extra radio button for those came with manual AC. They figured the old way was more complicated than the modern competitors and they consolidated the options.
If the companies keep making appearance packages, it would be pretty inefficient just like the old option list ( Detroit makers wouldn’t mind about digging up the old badges and packages and entertaining the dealers, but it will leave significant inefficiency compared to Camry and Lexus ES such mainstream cars when they come with simpler trim levels. But still, Lincoln and Chrysler still offer wide variety of special color options, and they take special orders occasionally )
I have ZERO memory of this plymouth pickup. None whatsoever. Very interesting.
Most of the ones here are Mitsubishi L200s though I have seen a Plymouth Arrow locally these are still quite popular especially the diesels and the chassis underpins many a rat/street rod.
I bought one of these new, guessing it was around 1980. Mine was red with gold stripes and gold painted wheels.
It really was a nice little truck. I recall the 2 liter engine/4 speed stick was a strong combo at the time, and it could haul everything I needed as a first time homeowner.
A few things I remember about the ownership experience:
I remember taking it into the dealer for standard service. This Chrysler Plymouth store also sold Yugos. While waiting for the service writer I struck up a conversation with a Yugo owner who said he car had been in the shop every two weeks for the six months he owned it. Good times.
Living in the Chicago suburbs at the time, I drove my little truck to a computer trade show in downtown Chicago. Driving home, I was doing the speed limit on the Kennedy, passing a bunch of semis. I was pulled over by one of Chicago’s finest for driving a truck in the left lane, when the sign plainly said trucks had to use the two right lanes. Took it to court and the case was dismissed without as much of an argument.
After about two years, my Arrow started showing signs of rust from top to bottom, thanks to midwest winters and road salt. That was the main reason I got rid of it about four years into ownership.
Good-looking, if largely forgotten, little trucks. Was the difference between the Plymouth and Dodge versions the fact that the Dodge had quad lamps? Or was that a model year difference? On these I like the twin-lamp nose as seen here better than Dodge’s quad version.
Nope-Just re-engineered name badges. I remember the 2.6 liter ‘Sport’ D-50/Arrow as an absolute blast to drive.
I used to drive the Dodge D50 version dropping off auto parts when I was 17 or so and it was pretty awesome. Drove it as hard as I could. Great job too. If it paid more I’d still be doing it! I’d buy one again in a second but haven’t seen one in 20 years.