1986 Ranger Diesel 4x4 Hooray!

[Ranger 4d55]

Hi super newbie here
I just bought a 1986 Ranger Diesel 4x4. super stoked but needs some love.
apparently not running for 8ish years
wasn't running when i bought it, kinda took a chance at 2k but sorta trusted the seller, seemed like an ok guy
so far so good
needed some wiring to ignition and cleaned out gas tank changed fuel filter / new battery and fired right up!!
the roof was super rusty so I rallied and did the metal repair and painted down to the other body color line / got some new wheels and tires and there she is
now trying to figure out more mechanicals
seems really low on power
checked wastegate and no action at actuator
i took the arm off the waste gate flapper and put vacuum to the wastegate diaphram and no movement (flapper is free)
previous owner mounted gauges to the dash / at first I was like WTF / BUT now i know why
1. Pressure / Boost
2. Water Temp
3. Pyrometer
SO my question is:
I need to replace the wastegate actuator and was thinking of getting an adjustable one to be able to start with 13 psi and try to increase that without blowing anything up

I dont plan on an intercooler
just want a LITTLE more performance

Any thoughts on this matter and any other information about this apparently rare random weirdo ranger is greatly appreciated
ALOHA

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Quite the unicorn there.

Im not sure what boost PSI they made stock but id be real careful about pushing it up much over.

Its not a 7.3

Also those were the slowest of the slow rangers stock, i think even with a turbo they were barely 80hp. So you cant expect much.

Still a cool find though

 

[2011Supercab]

Some info on them here

1983-1987 Ford Ranger 2.2 & 2.3 Diesels - The Ranger Station

(Ford Ranger Mazda-Perkins Diesel) (Turbo Diesel Shown) The Ranger was introduced in mid-1982 for the 1983 model year and had an available 4-cylinder 59 hp 2.2 L Mazda/Perkins diesel. In 1985, a Mitsubishi-built 2.3 L turbodiesel with 86 hp replaced the Mazda diesel engine. … Continued

www.therangerstation.com

 

[Ranger 4d55]

Hey thanks for the replies!
Today I was able to mess with the air hoses and actuator some more and realized im a super idiot
I was applying vacuum to the diaphram so no movement der
so 10 psi of air pressure moves it fine
I was able to get vac / boost gauge working also
looks like it is getting boost about 10PSI maybe 12 max per the gauge
I think like 13psi is stock ?
I guess it is just realllllly slow
its funny to have the turbo diesel sounds going on but not much is happening
love this truck

 

[Curious Hound]

needed some wiring to ignition and cleaned out gas tank

Those are some very interesting statements when talking about a diesel.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Hey thanks for the replies!
Today I was able to mess with the air hoses and actuator some more and realized im a super idiot
I was applying vacuum to the diaphram so no movement der
so 10 psi of air pressure moves it fine
I was able to get vac / boost gauge working also
looks like it is getting boost about 10PSI maybe 12 max per the gauge
I think like 13psi is stock ?
I guess it is just realllllly slow
its funny to have the turbo diesel sounds going on but not much is happening
love this truck

Yeah the diesel trucks were really...really slow.

Probably why they didnt sell many.

Go to youtube and watch some of the 0-60 videos. Theres one on there of the old N/A 2.2 diesel in a ranger. That thing was brutal. It accelerated about like my peterbilt does....loaded and uphill

 

[JohnG]

So were there any pluses? Torque for towing? Mileage?

 

[rusty ol ranger]

So were there any pluses? Torque for towing? Mileage?

Mileage.

Back then diesel was the economy option...not the power option. Im not sure if the 2.3 diesel did any better then the gas 2.3 though.

I know ford used to bill the 6.9L when it first came out as "the fuel efficient alternative to the 5.8L (351W)". The 460 was what you got for power.

Basically stayed that way up untill the mid 90's.

I wasnt tryin to shit on your truck...i think the diesel rangers are cool as hell...but i think id be to impatient to drive one. Lol.

Similar to how i feel about the gas 2.3's.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I try not to be in a big hurry... slow is usually OK for me. Just leave 10 minutes earlier... enjoy that cool little truck for what it is.

I'd venture to say you might have the only one in Oahu.

Welcome to TRS...

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I try not to be in a big hurry... slow is usually OK for me. Just leave 10 minutes earlier... enjoy that cool little truck for what it is.

I'd venture to say you might have the only one in Oahu.

Welcome to TRS...

I dont drive fast. I just like to accelerate lol.

 

[bobbywalter]

the 4d55 is stout and will take more.

look up 4d56.

 

[MaicoDoug]

That engine is an Isuzu?

 

[rusty ol ranger]

That engine is an Isuzu?

Mitsubishi.

The early 2.2 N/A was a perkins

 

[Brain75]

I'm curious, what color is that? I assume from the condition of my clear coat here in sunny Colorado that it is not original with your Hawaii plates.... unless maybe the hood is stock paint or it was garaged it's whole life.

 

[Timmyc4]

Hey thanks for the replies!
Today I was able to mess with the air hoses and actuator some more and realized im a super idiot
I was applying vacuum to the diaphram so no movement der
so 10 psi of air pressure moves it fine
I was able to get vac / boost gauge working also
looks like it is getting boost about 10PSI maybe 12 max per the gauge
I think like 13psi is stock ?
I guess it is just realllllly slow
its funny to have the turbo diesel sounds going on but not much is happening
love this truck

Don't call youself an Idiot. I just installed a 4d56 (Intercooled) out of a 93 Mitsubishi Pajero that was lightly hit in the front, from Washington state off Ebay in my 86, It WAS a 4d55 but the block was cracked when I got it and waited till a 4D56 showed up on Ebay. You CAN Get a lot of power out of these engines just look up 4D55 or 4D56 on Youtube and there are plenty of examples, some really kick. That engine while wasn't sold here much, only 3 years in the ranger and a few years in the 83-93 Dodge Power Ram 50, they are common in the far east. Mine goes pretty nicely. Don't listen to those who say the 4D55 is slow from those who don't have one. Yes, the Perkis was a snail, but not if you tune a 4d55 right.