83/84 Perkins Diesel Rangers

[Mr. Apathy Cream]

Alright you guys talk about a rare truck. Well I'm going to offer this up as one I see discussed rarely. Additionally I have people at car shows want to angrily argue that Ford never made Rangers with these engines, but I've got receipts.

I present my 1983 Ranger with a 2.2L (4.135 Perkins/Mazda S2) diesel. My particular example is an XLT that has dual tanks and a long bed. It is also paired to a 4spd an 3.73 rear axle so its as slow as the tractor it sounds like putting around here on the MS coast.

As so many people wanted to argue that it was swapped I ran a Marti on it and found that about 8,300 were made. The only truck that is more rare is likely the 85-88 Mitsubishi turbo diesels paired with a 4wd drive train. Change my mind.

Also while I wouldn't want to sell it I am always open to do so... I love this truck, but in today's world she's almost impractical to daily with a 0-60 of 21 seconds.

 

[Jim Oaks]

Am I seeing a mix of tan, gray and black in the interior?

It's funny how it can be right in front of them and people still don't believe it.

 

[Mr. Apathy Cream]

Am I seeing a mix of tan, gray and black in the interior?

It's funny how it can be right in front of them and people still don't believe it.

Yes that's due to the previous owner deciding the original fully tan interior wasn't good enough for them so they broke out the blue vinyl paint to change it to their liking. I've already replaced the headliner, carpet, and door panels, but haven't gotten around to blasting off and repainting the dash panels yet.

This is the most recent look attached.

 

[Jim Oaks]

It's rare. I dig it. Personally, I think the red looks better with that tan interior. Especially it that's what it came with.

 

[Mr. Apathy Cream]

It's rare. I dig it. Personally, I think the red looks better with that tan interior. Especially it that's what it came with.

Yup, that's what it shipped with. My intent with this truck is to restore it as closely as possible to the day it rolled off the factory floor. I just acquired the original wheels and am refinishing those now. This one was kept in the south and mostly covered for most of its life so its shockingly light on rust.

 

[Curious Hound]

Cool truck. Around here, we won't argue about the Perkins because we know they made them. That would be nice with a black interior. But restored to day 1 specs is going to be nice.

 

[Robert Mangrum]

Sweet find. I've only seen 1 Ranger with a Perkins in real life. That was 25 years ago. Then ot wasn't in as nice of shape as that one haha. Can't wait to see it finished up.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I never knew they had two batteries, the mods required to fit the second one are very interesting.

 

[Roert42]

How’s the reliability/ parts availability?

I almost bought one a few years ago to run as a daily. Blue supercab with a topper, manual transmission, maybe 4x4( can’t remember) Like 4k.

Chickened out because I was afraid I was going to need some obscure part I wasn’t going to be able to find anywhere.