ranger gas to diesel engine swap.

[freakranger]

i am wondering about how hard it will be to swap out the 4 banger in my 4x4 ranger, and modify it to be a powerstroke diesel. i realize the suspension, chassis, and space will need modified, but far as the electrical parts, thats what im interested in finding out about. i have knowledge of metal working and welding, and can fab the mounts for everything, and can modify the body to accompany the change, but i have no experience with diesels, but am very quick learner. yet i still want to get advanced knowledge before i do more then mock up the parts and put them in place for clearence issues, and drivability. the spare tire rack is going away to make accomodations for the bigger fuel cell i'll be putting into it. the bed is being customized as well, as this truck will not be hauling anything,in the bed, just towing stuff on a trailer when needed.any help is much appreciated. i'm starting this project to sortof show my skill in what i can do. thank you kindly .

 

[Beanmachine7000]

You do know that a Powerstroke weighs almost half of what your entire Ranger does right? As long as you understand that this conversation can continue... You would need to completely box the entire frame or just swap a Ranger body onto another frame (what I would do)... Honestly, you probably wouldn't need to ask how to do this is if you really could... Not trying to be a jerk... Just a realist... Do it, and then post pictures... Prove me wrong...

 

[country0001]

Yeah, I can see this going bad, quick. Kinda like the 1500 hp out of a 5.0.


Just sayin.


This has been discussed before. A PSD is way to heavy and too much structural work would have to be done to make this worthwhile. Un less you have deep pockets and an enormous amount of spare time.

Correct me if I'm wrong but a 4bt cummins would be a more logical choice.

 

['99 EB Explorer]

Correct me if I'm wrong but a 4bt cummins would be a more logical choice.

Yep...and there's that vid on youtube that's floating around here in many-a-post showing a 4bt in a ranger. Damn sexy!

 

[Beanmachine7000]

I think the 4BT is still too heavy for a "near-stock" applications... 1-tons and whatnot I could see... I don't even think it would be possible to keep the TTB with a 4BT (too tall)...

 

[country0001]

If I was fabbin to put a diesel in, I'd be going solid axle 1 tons. That's just me.

 

[superds]

I think the 4BT is still too heavy for a "near-stock" applications... 1-tons and whatnot I could see... I don't even think it would be possible to keep the TTB with a 4BT (too tall)...

You can keep the TTB with a 4bt, you just need a suspension lift so it clears. There's a guy on another forum who has a '93 with a 4bt. He might be here as well, but here's a link: http://www.4btswaps.com/forum/showthread.php?9800-93-ranger-p-pump-4BT-swap

There are two people I remember on TRS that have Powerstrokes in Rangers. Dalpilot has a 6.0 Powestroke in an '05 Ranger 2wd. And I think there's another guy who basically put an F250 chassis under a Ranger body but I can't remember who.

 

[clifford97]

get a motor out of one of these its powerstroke but with the back 2 cyl cut off(v6) twin turbo 4.8L i believe and shit even comes with a snorkel lol a guy at work was tellin me about it. it would be lighter and easier to fit in a ranger but still have enough torque to show those chevy guys whos boss just saying it might be worth looking into if ur serious about doin a diesel swap.

 

[adsm08]

If you want a diesel, the 4bt is the best choice.

If you want a PowerStroke, the 4.6L V6 is the only remotely viable option. Be careful with going diesel. For most people they are not easy to work on, and the 4.6 comes with most of the issues of the 6.0, including injector issues, FICM issues, head gasket issues, and turbo issues. If you don't know how to work on it yourself, be prepared to pay out the nose when it breaks.

 

[Beanmachine7000]

If you want a diesel, the 4bt is the best choice.

If you want a PowerStroke, the 4.6L V6 is the only remotely viable option. Be careful with going diesel. For most people they are not easy to work on, and the 4.6 comes with most of the issues of the 6.0, including injector issues, FICM issues, head gasket issues, and turbo issues. If you don't know how to work on it yourself, be prepared to pay out the nose when it breaks.

I would go with a 2.8L Powerstroke out of an overseas Ranger....

 

[adsm08]

I would go with a 2.8L Powerstroke out of an overseas Ranger....

Good luck with that. Not that anyone around here cares, but the 2.8 PSD isn't up to snuff with US emissions regs.

 

[superds]

Good luck with that. Not that anyone around here cares, but the 2.8 PSD isn't up to snuff with US emissions regs.

I also don't think many care around here about that kinda stuff, being legal with emissions and all.

On a similar note, the 4bt also isn't legal to swap into a Ranger since the 4bt came in a vehicle with a higher weight class and was never offered in a vehicle of the same weight class as a Ranger. Thank you, EPA. But, that doesn't mean people don't do it, and they get away with it, too since it's a very difficult rule to enforce.

 

[Beanmachine7000]

Good luck with that. Not that anyone around here cares, but the 2.8 PSD isn't up to snuff with US emissions regs.

What emissions? We don't have to pass emission around here... I'm pretty sure the 2.8 Powerstroke probably emits less harmful emission than a 4.0L... Especially 15+ year old 4.0L...

 

[adsm08]

What emissions? We don't have to pass emission around here... I'm pretty sure the 2.8 Powerstroke probably emits less harmful emission than a 4.0L... Especially 15+ year old 4.0L...

Diesels aren't subject to PA emissions tests either. They are still supposed to measure up to a Federal standard.

 

[LIMA BEAN]

Here is a 4bt done pretty well.

http://www.dieselpowermag.com/features/ford/0808dp_1998_ford_ranger_cummins/index.html