Found an '83 diesel ranger at the J/Y

[Sevensecondsuv]

Like the title says, I found an 83 with the non-turbo diesel while browsing the J/Y today.

According to the tech library, that engine makes 59 HP and 88 ft-lbs torque. That sounds like its going to make for one slow ranger given my experience with the 100HP/130TQ 2.3 lima rangers.

Anyone have one these? How slow is it? What kinda mileage? I'm kinda half tempted to see what they'd sell it for.

 

[lil red]

go for it, even if it is slow, its rare, and cool

 

[Sevensecondsuv]

Looking at the tech library, the 2.2 ranger was rated at 33/41 city/highway gas mileage. It makes me want to try.

It doesn't have a radiator right now but looks complete otherwise. I don't even know if it runs. Probably it already has a junk title as well.

 

[Sunk]

They can be worth a fair amount too if functional. If it's not too far gone, I might look into it..

 

[97RangerXLT]

My grandpa had one up until a few years ago. bought it new in 83. Like you said, not the fastest thing on 4 wheels, but it had a fair amount of torque, and could trailer and pull things fairly well. It was no worse than a regular 4 banger ranger for driving. That truck also started in some cold ass weather. The glow plugs made it start right up, even in Northern Wisconsin (where grandpa lives) in the middle of winter.

AJ

 

[Sevensecondsuv]

Well, I went and talked to the guy again today. Basically he refuses to sell it whole because it has a junk title. He said he'd sell the drivetrain for $500. Considering I'd have to find another truck to put it in, that's too much for me.

Oh well. It would have been cool.

 

[rockin86ranger]

Anyone know where to find a radiator for a 2.2 diesel found one that was in a slight crash for 500 but needs a radiator. Don't think the deal will last ,so quick answers are nice


thanks

 

[AngryLepercon]

Well, I went and talked to the guy again today. Basically he refuses to sell it whole because it has a junk title. He said he'd sell the drivetrain for $500. Considering I'd have to find another truck to put it in, that's too much for me.

Oh well. It would have been cool.

So I may be dumb in saying this but could you get a salvage title for it?

 

[Sevensecondsuv]

No, in IL, once it has a junk title it can never be registered or put on the road again. No exceptions.

And as for the other guy, I should think any radiator would work. One of the 2" thick 4.0 ones should be more than enough to cool an engine that puts out 60 HP, even if it is diesel. If it doesn't bolt in, just zip tie / wire / weld, etc it into place.

 

[AngryLepercon]

No, in IL, once it has a junk title it can never be registered or put on the road again. No exceptions.

That sucks. With a little work it would have been a nice DD.

 

[Sevensecondsuv]

Yeah I could have bought the entire drive train and swapped it over to a truck with a clean title, but clean 83-84 rangers are hard to come by and that's a lot of work.

I'm getting married and buying a house all in the next 9 months so right now just isn't the time take on this project. Otherwise I'd already have the drivetrain in my garage!

 

[myMonstertruck]

Just bought a clean running 83 diesel for $300.

 

[LearjetMinako]

I've never really seen a diesel Ranger in real life. I know they exist and I would like to have a project truck that gets 30's MPG. But never could find one. Then I inherited the 96 4x4 Blazer, so now I don't have the room for that old diesel Ranger.

The only old compact truck diesel that I've seen was a Dodge D50. Maybe it is time to walk an old junkyard.

 

[kimcrwbr1]

Back in early 80s I drove a diesel VW pickup when I worked as dock hand, running parts and keeping the welders and mechanics supplied with tools and supplies. One time I loaded a pallot full of tie down cleat in the back and with it sitting on the axle it had no problem going forward, stopping got a little hairy tho. Thats where I got the nickname crowbar it was that and wingnut. I put alot of 399 CAT heads, crankshafts and sleeve kits down in the engine rooms for the mechanics. Anyway that was a torquie little motor.

 

[wildbill23c]

Scrap yards usually don't sell whole vehicles due to liability reasons, and if its in the junk yard its probably there for a pretty good reason unless it was a cash for clunkers vehicle then it's probably still completely drive-able LOL.

30+mpg for a ranger would be great however $500 for an unknown condition drive train I wouldn't waste my money on it, well maybe if I was rich I would but I'm not. Anyhow you would spend that much or more for another ranger to throw that drive-train into so I wouldn't bother, and since they won't sell the whole truck and you couldn't register it anyhow its pretty pointless.