2wd Perkins diesel to 4wd conversion

[DownRanger]

Hello all.

I'm the proud owner of a 1984 Perkins powered 2 wheel drive Ranger with the 7' bed and 4 speed manual tranny. Truck is in decent shape. The engine runs like a top.... a typical Perkins top. Slow and noisy but really cool!

I also have a 1986 lifted 4X4 Ranger with the 2.9 V6 with a 5 speed manual tranny. Motor is seized.

My question is can or has anybody attempted to convert a diesel truck with a 2 wheel drivetrain to a 4 wheel drivetrain from a gasoline powered truck. I have never seen a Perkins powered 4x4. Not to say Ford didn't make one but I've only seen the latter year turbo diesel versions with 4 wheel drive. I'm thinking that changing the axles on the 2 wheel drive truck with the ones from the 4 wheel drive truck shouldn't be much of an issue. But the truth is I really don't know. I would think it should be a pretty simple swap. I am assuming both trucks have the same chassis but I don't know for sure. Can anyone help?

Additionally I don't know if Ford had any transmissions/transfer cases that would work with a Perkins diesel. I read somewhere that the bell housing on a 2.9 tranny has the same bolt pattern as the transmission bell housing that mates to the Perkins but I can't find that info anymore. I also heard there may be an adapter. Same with the 4x4 crossmember, will it accommodate or interfere with the Perkins oil pan?

Bottom line is I'm not Ranger expert and am looking for any information that would or can help me before trying to attempt this conversion.

Any help, advice or expertise at all would be appreciated.

 

[bobbywalter]

iirc you may need some oil pan mods with the actual perkins.


count the trans pan bolts and check the bell to trans case mount spread, bells may change out...the tk4 and certain 5 speed kogyo did interchange. has the goofy ext slave on certain units though.

 

[DownRanger]

Ok well then that sounds like what I read. The pan needs to be shallower and a the oil pump needs a shorter pickup tube or some type of modification to fit the pan.

Any thoughts as far as the axle swap goes? I thinking it should be a straight swap out. That 4 wheel drive axles and spring mounts should bolt on the 2 wheel drive frame without too much difficulty. Am I wrong to assume that?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Any thoughts as far as the axle swap goes? I thinking it should be a straight swap out. That 4 wheel drive axles and spring mounts should bolt on the 2 wheel drive frame without too much difficulty. Am I wrong to assume that?

The engine crossmember and axle brackets are different between 2wd and 4wd.

It would be easier to put the Perkins in the '86 (framewise) than the other way around.

Option C would be a solid axle swap, you could replace the engine crossmember with something that works better for you and use something like a Dana 30 front axle from a Jeep.