• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

planing engine swap. want feedback


jrpdash9

New Member
Joined
Mar 31, 2011
Messages
388
Reaction score
1
Points
0
Location
eau claire pa
Vehicle Year
2000
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Size
3.0
Transmission
Automatic
im planing a engine swap in my 2000 ranger. i have a 84 Mercedes benz 5 cylinder turbo diesel and auto tranny. i measured it out it should fit under the hood with some minor adjustments. but im not sure how to put the transfer case on the transmission yet. since the engine is all mechanical i can take out all the computers and ect. i was wondering if some of you people who have done a engine swap in a ranger have and advice or tricks
 


bilzy7

Well-Known Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
Sep 13, 2010
Messages
2,180
Reaction score
32
Points
48
Location
Lynn, MA
Vehicle Year
1998
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.0 SOHC
Transmission
Automatic
Not sure but I'd love to watch this build go. Are you planning manual 4x4 shifter?
 

jrpdash9

New Member
Joined
Mar 31, 2011
Messages
388
Reaction score
1
Points
0
Location
eau claire pa
Vehicle Year
2000
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Size
3.0
Transmission
Automatic
im not sure yet. im pulling the diesel out this summer and doing a complete over haul. i wanna try to keep it electric but i got to see what the transmission will let me do
 

bobbywalter

TRS Technical Staff
TRS Event Staff
V8 Engine Swap
TRS Technical Advisor
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
Ugly Truck of Month
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 9, 2007
Messages
23,470
Reaction score
4,667
Points
113
Location
woodhaven mi
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
FORD mostly
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
BIGGER
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
sawzall?
Tire Size
33-44
My credo
it is easier to fix and understand than "her"
how does this apply to exterior?


i am thinking of a smaller diesel like this to put in one of my kids vehicles.


on the surface it looks cake for a sla truck.
 

bilzy7

Well-Known Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
Sep 13, 2010
Messages
2,180
Reaction score
32
Points
48
Location
Lynn, MA
Vehicle Year
1998
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.0 SOHC
Transmission
Automatic
Lol didn't even think of place it was posted haha. Interior either... "engines other" come to mind.
 

jrpdash9

New Member
Joined
Mar 31, 2011
Messages
388
Reaction score
1
Points
0
Location
eau claire pa
Vehicle Year
2000
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Size
3.0
Transmission
Automatic
lol sorry i wasent looking were i putting it. so bobbywalter, i see you put a diesel in a ranger. sounds like one hack of a ride! and ya it is a smaller diesel but im looking for milage and i know in the car the diesel is in now it gets 40mpg and its 1500 pounds heavier then my ranger. you have any advice on how to do it?
 

disciplerocks

July 2011 OTOTM Winner
V8 Engine Swap
OTOTM Winner
Solid Axle Swap
TRS Banner 2012-2015
Joined
May 27, 2010
Messages
4,522
Reaction score
53
Points
48
Location
Evansville, IN
Vehicle Year
1989
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Automatic
I had an 82 Benz with the 5 cylinder turbo diesel. It wasn't very fast, but the thing had enough torque to pull a damn yacht.
 

jrpdash9

New Member
Joined
Mar 31, 2011
Messages
388
Reaction score
1
Points
0
Location
eau claire pa
Vehicle Year
2000
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Size
3.0
Transmission
Automatic
thanks! and your right in general they are slow but they are a sweet engine
 

bobbywalter

TRS Technical Staff
TRS Event Staff
V8 Engine Swap
TRS Technical Advisor
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
Ugly Truck of Month
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 9, 2007
Messages
23,470
Reaction score
4,667
Points
113
Location
woodhaven mi
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
FORD mostly
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
BIGGER
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
sawzall?
Tire Size
33-44
My credo
it is easier to fix and understand than "her"
lol sorry i wasent looking were i putting it. so bobbywalter, i see you put a diesel in a ranger. sounds like one hack of a ride! and ya it is a smaller diesel but im looking for milage and i know in the car the diesel is in now it gets 40mpg and its 1500 pounds heavier then my ranger. you have any advice on how to do it?


hack of a ride is fitting:D

the 617 benz can be a decent way to go, but with oem suspension the ones i have looked at will require extensive oil pan work, which on the surface is not really a big deal.

i like the vw engines as they have a wide support structure for swaps and build ups.


but the jdm stuff seems to be the best route for what i would intend to do.

say a 2.8 hilux or similar setup complete from one of the importers...probably do that for 3 grand engine trans and t case with low miles dropped off at the house on a crate.

then the chassis. not sure which way to go with madi. i prefer a 2wd explorer for around 500 bux that dont run with custom engine k member and dana 30 swap to facilitate the powertrain fitment. figure mild roll cage work and it can be done for 5 grand. good lil 4-5 seat rig that can put 30 mpg hiway and avg 22 or so with 373 gears and 31's or so and have a decent increase of stupid kid shit protection... she can learn how to use wmo/tranny and wvo for fuel...she actually already knows how this all works but she could do it herself...and have a great cost effective utilitarian rig.


but 3-4 passengers can get to be troublesome in the teen girl situation

so a reg cab with the same setup may keep the shitheads in check when i cant watch em. it would also get better economy and allow a smaller engine that could end up cheaper as well.

with a sas scenario a diesel swap is ridiculously easy. best way to go imo as well.

if you get a passenger drop donor you can just run early waggy jeep gm dodge axles...your really open to making it happen cheap that way.


if you want to keep your existing suspension, the work can be extensive. you will really have to be selective. using a sd55 would be a great way to do.
time consuming would definitely be putting it in context.

with an sas setup and some tube, the swap is cake.

thats why the 6.2-5 can be easy. all the shit is cheap, and readily available and you can configure powertrains with oem parts to do whatever you want for reasonable costs.

whereas the benz motor one needs a degree in benzology just to decipher the friggen transmission potentials.
 
Last edited:

bobbywalter

TRS Technical Staff
TRS Event Staff
V8 Engine Swap
TRS Technical Advisor
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
Ugly Truck of Month
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 9, 2007
Messages
23,470
Reaction score
4,667
Points
113
Location
woodhaven mi
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
FORD mostly
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
BIGGER
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
sawzall?
Tire Size
33-44
My credo
it is easier to fix and understand than "her"
oh....then theres this, looked at an 01 escape for 2300 bux.:icon_rofl:


went back and it was gone though:sad:
 

jrpdash9

New Member
Joined
Mar 31, 2011
Messages
388
Reaction score
1
Points
0
Location
eau claire pa
Vehicle Year
2000
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Size
3.0
Transmission
Automatic
i c what ur saying now, so basically your saying with a benz motor the front suspension would require a lot of modification to compensate for the added weight of the diesel
 
Last edited:

bobbywalter

TRS Technical Staff
TRS Event Staff
V8 Engine Swap
TRS Technical Advisor
TRS Banner 2012-2015
TRS 20th Anniversary
Ugly Truck of Month
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Aug 9, 2007
Messages
23,470
Reaction score
4,667
Points
113
Location
woodhaven mi
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
FORD mostly
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
BIGGER
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
sawzall?
Tire Size
33-44
My credo
it is easier to fix and understand than "her"
with your sla rig not a chance of a weight issue- save for wear of already wear prone parts being a bit accelerated.


the 617 isnt going to hurt a ranger of any type, the 2wd rangers will provide an easier swap as opposed to 4x4.

the pan mods are potentially a pia if you want to stay stock chassis in total, no body or suspension lift.

i have not swapped the motor into a stock 4x4 chassis, and base the judgement on measurements and various other swaps i have done in the past.


weight is not an issue:icon_thumby:

2wd should be a cake to swap:icon_thumby:

4x4 has potential issues due the space the 4x4 systems occupies. very very doable in any case.

the problem with the benz specifically is the lack easy simple swapping of a t case and trans that makes easy use of your existing axles.

but thats not a showstopper at all.
 
Last edited:

jrpdash9

New Member
Joined
Mar 31, 2011
Messages
388
Reaction score
1
Points
0
Location
eau claire pa
Vehicle Year
2000
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Size
3.0
Transmission
Automatic
man you are awesome :3gears: thanks for all the advice
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Kirby N.
March Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top