Ford ranger diesel

[Moose1134]

I've been thinking about doing a diesel swap in my ranger. Just wondering if anybody has done it or knows someone who has? I think it would be pretty BA

[Southpole]

you must enjoy paying more for fuel

[et1702]

Check out this site:

http://www.4btswaps.com/forum/forum.php

Lots of good ideas.  Plus, even if you are paying a little more for fuel, you'd be getting 30 to 40 mpg!

ET

[elk247]

Its not BA if it comes out of a jetta 

[Moose1134]

Ya that and diesels last forever

[Moose1134]

I don't think a Jetta motor will work because its front wheel drive

[Woodchuck]

That doesn't mean it has to go in sideways on a transplant. 

[jackelope]

One of our sublet business owners I deal with put a small Cummins diesel into a mid-90's Toyota Landcruiser. Totally BA. Very clean installation too. Looked like it belonged there. He had the engine gone through before install too. The engine was the bow thruster engine on a big boat that was in Lake Union I guess. Can't remember exactly what it was but maybe a 2.8-3.0L Cummins. Had 80hp and 200ft lb of torque. Greg had over $20k into that conversion between the engine, wiring, upfit, adapters for the transmission, drivetrain upgrades, etc. It was done right and no corners were cut.

The thing to remember is, yes the engine will last forever but will the rest of the vehicle?

[wildweeds]

Actually in 1983 they had a Ford ranger with the diesel engine as an option,my dad had one,not the speediest of units but it did get 42 MPG,He drove it,I drove it,my brother drove it for years,it got stolen,reclaimed wrecked,frame straightend and then my dad sold it to a guy he worked with at the shipyard for an in town commuter,when he sold it it had almost 400K on it,it still runs today and is now over 500k on the original motor.The motor was made in france if I remember right.

I've been thinking about doing a diesel swap in my ranger. Just wondering if anybody has done it or knows someone who has? I think it would be pretty BA

[barracuda163]

Interested myself, a guy on Craig list always has takeout tractor engines for sale. Kubota or yanMar for under a grand. Just too busy to take on a big project. Ive done a few trailer mounted gen sets. just. Need fuel, 12v  and exhaust...very basic as far as a swap goes.

[jackelope]

That doesn't mean it has to go in sideways on a transplant. 

At that point, none of that matters. As long as you can attach the engine to the transmission, it will work. Hell, you could install it upside down.

[Woodchuck]

That doesn't mean it has to go in sideways on a transplant. 

At that point, none of that matters. As long as you can attach the engine to the transmission, it will work. Hell, you could install it upside down.

[baker5150]

Diesel forklift engine is the way to go.
Find one with a cat or cummins engine, most will have transmission adapters available.
You can pick up a forklift at auction for cheap with a bad main mast cylinder.
Hell you could scrap the counter weight on it and probably pay for the whole project.

[Special T]

Actually the way to go is a Toyota diesel. They can be had for about 2-3k. There is a company in chilliwack BC that does conversions for toyota land crusers and brings in overseas motors and rigs. I have done a BUNCH of research on this and here are some of th websites that pertain to what i have found.
http://www.enginetrend.com/
http://www.importperformanceusa.com/end   Bend OR company that does the swaps
http://minitruckdealer.com/

I'lll see if i can scare up some more. There is a conversion place in TX and One in Cali as i remeber...

[Heredoggydoggy]

That doesn't mean it has to go in sideways on a transplant. 

Very true.  Even the car companies do it.  When Mazda built the Miata, they took the engine from the 626, (Front Wheel Drive), turned it 90 degrees and put it in the Miata.  (Rear Wheel Drive).

[jackelope]

It's the transmission/transaxle that makes it FWD though, not the engine. The engines are mostly just transversely mounted. There are some Chrysler fwd cars where the engines ate mounted straight forward rather than sideways. 

[coachcw]

you will need a serious gear change inless you want to max out at 50mph. a sprinter set up would be cool  this doesn't sound like a good project if the budget is tight . nowa ls would be bad arsse !

[bearpaw]

I've known of a lot of guys who had tranny problems with the 5 speed tranny's in the 90's models. Are the newer 2000ish and newer 5 speed trannies any tougher than the 90's models?