Project "ForD55" - 4D55 Turbo Diesel - 94 Ranger 4x4

[Oh2Ranger]

Eh.. I don't have a welder. Eh.. I do but it's a Arc Welder.. Eh.. It never turns out right. I've been planing on a MIG for a while, just haven't pulled the trigger. Looking for the right unit. Watching CL for one with a cart, bottle.. etc.

I like the newer front end styles, so I think that it is going to be the way to go. I could bring it somewhere to be modified I suppose.. but eh.. I think I have my mind pretty well made up. I don't think it would be tough to do in the grand scheme of things.

It shouldn't take me long to find out.

 

[adsm08]

Huh, my arc welds usually turn out ok, but my MIG welds suck. I don't weld so much as punch big holes in the material.

I do like the newer front ends better as well. I really like the one that Dweano is selling right now. I'd buy it in a heart beat if it wasn't in Canadia.

 

[Oh2Ranger]

I don't weld much, and know that I need a lot more practice before hacking up something without knowing I'll burn through it.

Yeah Man! Dweano's Thread was the reason I wanted to do the front end swap. His ended up great, and he went both ways with it. I didn't know he had it for sale. I like the TTB setup myself, I know that there is a mixed crowd out there about it. But having that, with the new nose, I think is pretty neat. I think I can make it happen.

 

[adsm08]

Yeah, his blue one is up for sale, at a ridiculous price because he doesn't want to sell it. He hurt himself and can't keep up with working on it.

I'm kinda attached to my Ranger after 24 years though.

 

[Oh2Ranger]

Yeah, that's unfortunate. Bad ass truck. Feel sorry for the guy.

I've had 4 Rangers

89 2.9 2WD Extended Cab
93 4.0 4WD Single Cab
02 2.3 2WD Extended Cab
and now,
94 2.3 *Diesel* 4WD Extended Cab

Been attached to all of them. Really liked my 89 2.9. We rebuilt it for my first vehicle when I was 16 after it had already went 280,000 miles. It grendaded a rod. My 02 I have now has the 2.3 duratec .. I can get 28-30 MPG on Highway in a Extended Cab with a 3" lift! Smallish tires though (235/75/15)

 

[Oh2Ranger]

Alright, so I'll admit it. When I first got the idea to start this project, I had / still have a very elementary understanding on a lot of the fundamental aspects of the swap. I had to do a ton of reading, trying to educate myself on what to do and what not to do. I hope that those who read my thoughts and see my process can achieve a understanding that I had to get piece by piece thread to thread. I also want to welcome those that may have a greater understanding to share their thoughts on what they like or don't.. and improvements. To get as far as I have I relied on those who have done similar projects to explain what they did and how they did it, If I can be a tool for anybody else attempting something similar, I would like to be.

So.. that said, here is my starting circuit:

And here is my 'engine harness' that I'm going to be putting together. I spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to make sure that the stock instruments can read the values of the engine. I would Ideally like to make it look as factory as possible. I'm big on factory looking mods.

 

[joecool85]

What type and year vehicle did your donor engine come out of?

 

[Oh2Ranger]

The 4D55 came in a variety of different things:

1985-1987 Ranger (not the 1983-1985 .. that was a N/A Perkins Diesel)
1983-1985 D50 Ram
*Bunch of Overseas Vehicles*

It could also be found in some heavy Mitsubishi forklifts / equip.

The engine I have is an 86 I believe, and they still produce this engine (although much upgraded) in Europe. It is labeled as a 2.5 4D56. All the upgraded components can be fitted on the 4D55.

 

[Oh2Ranger]

Busy doing work! So I re-geared the truck, was previously 3.27's now 3.73's. Beauty is the axle / front pumpkin were out of a low milage truck (130k) so I can say truthfully say I've touched the entire drivetrain here. I also replaced all the bearings and seals, brand new front brakes, and rear brakes. Synthetic Gear oil, and C-Clip eliminator mod. Also shimmed up the springs to level out the truck, with brand new shocks on the front and rear. Got the flywheel machined, and started to put it together. Brand new clutch and throwout bearing with custom line. She is ready to go in now!

 

[David85]

You certainly are being thorough! That little rig should be good for a few years once its all done. All I did was swap the engine and bell housing (had to modify the front cover of the tranny to accept the older style slave cylinder).

Interesting that you had trouble clearing the rad cap though. I didn't have that problem and I wouldn't have figured the 1st gen would have more room under the hood.

 

[ericlerouge]

Really nice!!! That truck will kick ass. Keep up the good work.

 

[Oh2Ranger]

Thanks!

I think that maybe the water 'spout' might be sitting higher because of my motor mount placement possibly? It didn't have the holes already in the frame for the bracket on the passenger side. Regardless, I think I have that issue defeated. I'm glad you you can see my progress and see what I'm doing. You've been a big help outside of the forums.

 

[joecool85]

Great progress, you're going to have a new truck when you're done!

 

[Oh2Ranger]

Thanks Guys.

Here is some work on the interior.

Power for Electric Seats , OHC , Pyrometer , Boost Gauge
Glow Plug Momentary Switch With LED Light & Water in Fuel sensor LED
Electric Fan bypass Switch
Fog light Switch

Also made a custom shifter to try to make it a little more different. I Also put in a New Pioneer Head unit with Bluetooth for hands free.

 

[Oh2Ranger]

http://youtu.be/jKdV51NhBA0

Sorry haven't been very good about progress, it's been crazy here. It's working out really good, I tried to take a short video driving, but it was kinda difficult by myself. That, and my phone started to run out of memory. I've been tinkering with fuel and timing, and there is a lot you can tweak on these things. EGT's look good, I haven't seen anything over 1050 ish, and that was crawling up the base of snoqualmie pass. Boosts good, sounds good, a ton of fun to drive. OH! and about 33-35 mpg city and 39-40 hwy. I've never filled up below 30 mpg!