I was woundering if someone could help me. I have an 01 Ranger edge 2x4 and I want to put a diesel in it! Does anyone have any advice or have done this before?
Somewhere around here there's several.
At least 2 have Mercedes Benz OM617 engines (or relatives of that engine), I think they both used the whole MB setup, trans and all.
One guy in Canada successfully grafted a 1.9L VW TDI to his Ranger, using the M5OD and existing drivetrain.
This project is so involved and technical there really isn't an answer to your questions. Well, there is, but it requires a response rivaling that of a college textbook. Basically we'd tell you E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G, which is kind of annoying because several weeks of Google searching would save us massive amounts of time and typing (it's not like we get paid to respond ya know)
I will give you a head start though, this forum is on VW TDI's:
http://forums.tdiclub.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&f=63&page=1&pp=50&sort=lastpost&order=desc&daysprune=-1
This is specifically the TDI conversions section. Read my friend, read like you've never read before.
These 2 are particularly good:
TDI Town & Country
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=210943
Saturn TDI Conversion
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=193909
There are MANY others jam packed full of info as well.
I had all the intentions of the world of swapping a diesel into my Ranger, but no matter how much I scrimp and save I always get some kind of medical bill, horrible part failure that I have to fix, etc, etc. It is not for the faint of heart.
...and you will spend $$$ no matter the engine you choose.
Good luck!
*EDIT*
Found the Ranger!
http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=183868