ranger gas to diesel engine swap.

[freakranger]

like i said, i dont know much about diesels at all, i'm a diesel noob. i'm in the design process now, ive got drawlings of how i want the truck to look, im just cruisin now for way's to make it a diesel.and yes, i have the knowledge to box the frame, and modify what i need, but the main thing i dont know about is the electronics part of the swap, or like what was posted, what diesel would be better fit, and more.... reasonable to put in it

 

[superds]

If you went with a 4bt (or any mechanical injection diesel), it would be the easiest for electronics. The 4bt is mechanical direct injection and doesn't require a computer to run. You just need power for the starter and a wire from the alternator to the battery.

 

[LIMA BEAN]

If you went with a 4bt (or any mechanical injection diesel), it would be the easiest for electronics. The 4bt is mechanical direct injection and doesn't require a computer to run. You just need power for the starter and a wire from the alternator to the battery.

And key on power to the injection pump fuel solinoid.

 

[predator]

2wd or 4x4?

here is what i would do, get a dana 44 front axle out of a 79 bronco, narrow it, put 3/4 ton outers on it and install 4.10 gears, narrow dana 60 rear to match, put it up on at least a 4'' suspension lift, ford zf 5spd tranmission and nv271 or np205 transfer case behind a cummins 4bt 4cyl turbodiesel. put it on a set of 35's on hummer beadlocks and blammo! you are done and have the coolest vehicle around...btw..the above is EXACTLY my plan for my explorer, as soon as i find a 4bt...


dont waste your time trying to put a powerstroke in a ranger, the only logical way to do it is to put your ranger body on a 3/4 or one ton diesel truck chassis, thats easy, what is difficult about it is making it not look "funny"....chris farly singing "fat man in a little coat" comes to mind...

or you could search around and find a factory ford diesel ranger..but they are starting to get pricey as collectors are snatching them up..

 

[4D55 Performance Inc]

If you are dead set on installing a Powerstroke into a Ranger I think I have the solution. Why not go with the Baby Powerstroke, the International HS 2.8L VNT. It is under 500lbs, and it produces around 300 ft lbs of torque. Oh did I mention it will bolt up to the Aisin AX-15 transmission. The hard part is finding one of these bad boys.

 

[predator]

if that motor was commonly available i would say that would be ideal, the 3.9 cummins weighs in at 700lbs...no lightweight there, but it is the lightest motor that you will have the easiest time finding..

another option is using a 3.9 isuzu, 4 cyl turbodiesel, they have the th400 behind them, are often easy to find, and putting an inline in will be way easier than anything else..

here are your "realistic" options for diesel powerplants..

2.2 perkins 4cyl
2.3 mitsubishi
3.9 isuzu
3.9 cummins
5.7 gm diesel...maybe, not ideal power-wise...but obtainable

using any of the following diesel powerplants is only to prove that you have more time,money and less sense than the rest of us..
6.2 gm
6.5 gm
5.9 cummins
6.9 international
7.3 powerstroke
6.0 powerstroke
6.4 powerstroke

not to be rude or discouraging, but as was said before, If you COULD put a powerstroke in a ranger, you probaly wouldnt need to ask us if it was doable.. anyhoo, good luck, post lots of pictures, timeto start

If you are dead set on installing a Powerstroke into a Ranger I think I have the solution. Why not go with the Baby Powerstroke, the International HS 2.8L VNT. It is under 500lbs, and it produces around 300 ft lbs of torque. Oh did I mention it will bolt up to the Aisin AX-15 transmission. The hard part is finding one of these bad boys.

 

[heptofite]

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)...

the 4bt is only about 700 pounds wet, how much is a 5.0?

 

[Lunchbox88]

Im not sure how much power you are looking for, but the VW tdi engines might be a reasonable choice for the given space. Although its normally transversely mounted which could cause issues when fabing it up. Then engines can be found without to much hassle, they have a fairly big following, and after market options available. I have no idea what it would take to make it go into a ranger though, just thought I would suggest it.

 

[Beanmachine7000]

If you are dead set on installing a Powerstroke into a Ranger I think I have the solution. Why not go with the Baby Powerstroke, the International HS 2.8L VNT. It is under 500lbs, and it produces around 300 ft lbs of torque. Oh did I mention it will bolt up to the Aisin AX-15 transmission. The hard part is finding one of these bad boys.

Exactly the engine I was talking about... Pretty sure it will bolt up to most any trans (doesn't it have an SAE pattern?)... I don't see it being TOO hard (ok, more difficult than a 4BT) to get ahold of... Also the Cummins B3.3T is also a good choice smaller than the 4BT, lighter... Plenty of power for a Ranger sized vehicle as well...

 

[superds]

And key on power to the injection pump fuel solinoid.

Thanks, I forgot about that! But still, it is only very basic wiring to get a mechanical injection diesel to work.

 

[superds]

Exactly the engine I was talking about... Pretty sure it will bolt up to most any trans (doesn't it have an SAE pattern?)... I don't see it being TOO hard (ok, more difficult than a 4BT) to get ahold of... Also the Cummins B3.3T is also a good choice smaller than the 4BT, lighter... Plenty of power for a Ranger sized vehicle as well...

I agree the b3.3t is a very good engine. You can tune it for reasonable amount of power, even though it is only 85 hp out of the box. There's a guy on another forum getting about 140 hp or so out of his by tunning the injector pump and putting an intercooler on it and not much else. He has it in a Wrangler and he says it does pretty good so I would think it would also do ok in a Ranger. Build thread: http://www.dieseltruckresource.com/dev/b3-3t-jeep-yj-t112807.html The only problem with the engine, besides not being EPA legal, is that it is getting kinda rare and prices are getting higher on them, expect to pay over $5000 for the engine alone (new).

 

[4D55 Performance Inc]

Here is another great option, the Mitsubishi 4D56. It is basically a 2.3 that has been bored out to a 2.5 liter. This motor is almost identical to the 4d55 and almost all the parts are interchangeable. This will bolt up to FM145 or FM146 with the proper bell housing. It is also mechanical injection, so it's easy to install. This one is about $5K for a crate motor with all the accessories. I can't even build up a 4D55 for less than $8K to the same specs as this engine, I think this is a great deal. This motor will make about 100 hp and 180 ft lbs of torque. That's plenty of torque to squeal the tires and you can expect to see 35-40 mpg out of this engine.

 

[4D55 Performance Inc]

Here is another great option, the Mitsubishi 4D56. It is basically a 2.3 that has been bored out to a 2.5 liter. This motor is almost identical to the 4d55 and almost all the parts are interchangeable. This will bolt up to FM145 or FM146 with the proper bell housing. It is also mechanical injection, so it's easy to install. This one is about $5K for a crate motor with all the accessories. I can't even build up a 4D55 for less than $8K to the same specs as this engine, I think this is a great deal. This motor will make about 100 hp and 180 ft lbs of torque. That's plenty of torque to squeal the tires and you can expect to see 35-40 mpg out of this engine.

Oh I forgot to mention this is a brand new engine, not a rebuild. for the $5K it comes with the clutch and a new flywheel. It's a killer deal.

 

[86 slo-vo]

thats not a bad deal, wish i had the money...ive been looking for a 4d55 for a while

 

[bobbywalter]

if that motor was commonly available i would say that would be ideal, the 3.9 cummins weighs in at 700lbs...no lightweight there, but it is the lightest motor that you will have the easiest time finding..

another option is using a 3.9 isuzu, 4 cyl turbodiesel, they have the th400 behind them, are often easy to find, and putting an inline in will be way easier than anything else..

here are your "realistic" options for diesel powerplants..

2.2 perkins 4cyl
2.3 mitsubishi
3.9 isuzu
3.9 cummins
5.7 gm diesel...maybe, not ideal power-wise...but obtainable

using any of the following diesel powerplants is only to prove that you have more time,money and less sense than the rest of us..
6.2 gm
6.5 gm
5.9 cummins
6.9 international
7.3 powerstroke
6.0 powerstroke
6.4 powerstroke

not to be rude or discouraging, but as was said before, If you COULD put a powerstroke in a ranger, you probaly wouldnt need to ask us if it was doable.. anyhoo, good luck, post lots of pictures, timeto start

any swap has to be considered carefully. the why is very important.


a 4bt is a hard pill for me to swallow compared to a 6.5 or 6.2. the direct comparative n/v/h is horrendous. the 6.2/6.5 depending on your trucks setup will be the cheapest and easiest by far to install. it certainly is much easier to live with then a 160 hp 4bt...especially a non counter 4bt. though the 4bt will provide the longest service and best economy by far.


situation would have to be a sas 4x4 to make any of the larger engines, larger being 4bt or similar and up to the v8's a worthwhile swap in our rbv's.

in the sas application for the rbv the 6.5/6.2 swap is ridiculously easy. definitely cheap and easy with minimal effort to shop things out.

if you want to keep ttb then its not a good option over the small international/vw/benz/mitsu engines. you can buy the international engines as well, but they are not cheap.

the vw engines or the sd type engines shown here would be great for a small 2wd truck or a small 4x4 truck....that want to keep the oem 4x4 setups.

in my situation i have a larger 4x4 rbv and prefer v8 sound. i also dont want to do anything to it outside of general maintenance. just find a cost effective simple powertrain and go. i needed better economy for daily driver 30 k miles per year or more use.

i have 400 dollars and less then 40 hours in my swap to get it running down the road. its a 6.5 diesel n/a robbed from one of my old work vans.

now....i have a truck that with 37 in tires out performs itself in every way since it left the factory. better economy, quicker 0-60--60-0. am i senseless, too rich, or have too much time on my hands???



its possible with careful shopping, to put a 6.2-6.5 powertrain in a sas rbv for 8-1500 bux for experienced shade trees. with some luck a 4bt could happen that way as well....the 6.2-6.5 are getting more expensive the last few years though... i dont think i would spend more then 1200 to install a used one in anything though.