Ford's 2.5L turbo diesel Ranger

[yankdownunder]

In other parts of the world, Ford has a diesel engine that they put into their small pickups [ute, short for utility I recon]. Ford has just recently started calling their small pickups "Ranger", "Courier" was retained til just a few years ago.
The most popular engine [by far] is the I4, 2.5L turbo charged diesel. I think that they also offer a 3.0L version as they've been in a HP competition with the other mfgrs [Toyota, Nissan...].
Most all of the mfgrs offer diesel engines, usually in the 2.5-3.0L capacity, most turboed.
Diesel engines are very common elsewhere, not so much in the States.
I got my first taste of diesel with a na 7.3 in a Ford Club Wagon, awesome full size van that got 20mpg. Once Ford figured out what was wrong with the E4OD and got it fixed, a rebuilt trans with the fix was the only weak link in that rig.
Now that I'm not in the States, I've got a Toyota Hiace van, 4WD, "5L" engine family, 3.0liter na diesel, 4 cylinder.
Too bad diesels never realy caught on and became mainstream outside segments of the light truck market.
One thing that I've not seen that I think would take off, is a diesel option for the explorer.
If Ford put their 2.5l turbo diesel in an Explorer, that would be a great combination.
Like a smaller Power Stroke Excursion.

 

[68Mercury250Ranger]

cant believe no replies.
2.5 litre 4 cyl turbo diesel sounds awesome in an explorer. none in north America at all.

I think I will use a 5cyl 3.0 MB 617 in my sport trac, was going to do a 5.0 v8 swap but the mrs has showed some interest in driving it so a diesel will save me some cash with her on and off pedal habits.