new to me 86 Ranger Diesel

[longbedGTs]

I recently got myself an 86 Ranger Diesel and am wanting to find out what this motor is capable of and what sort of things I should inspect/replace. This is Ranger #14, but never had one with the 2.3 Turbo Mitsubishi engine so I'm in the dark. I know these are interference engines, so I'll be looking closely at the timing belt. Any other problem areas? What kind of MPGs are these capable of and how is the power? How much boost do they run stock? I see they are rated for 86HP/134TQ. The truck is optionless other than being equipped with A/C and has a 4 piece rear sliding window. Were power steering and power brakes an option? It has both.

 

[bobbywalter]

neat.


the engine is known as a 4d55. google it up...


overseas its common. there are plenty of parts you just have to be creative....
idaho diesel forum or something like that has a decent following of them...the later 4d56 has some interchangable parts


theres some kids in pa that have tweaked up versions...not sure how far they made it. dont recall them posting here. i did not make it back to that area yet, has a truck i want to buy...its a 2.9 though...real good shape. but his 2wd 4d55 scoots like a mofo.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Theres a 0-60 video of one on youtube. Its not to awful slow. I would expect it to pull a bit better then a gas 2.3, not as good as a 2.8.

MPG pry high 20s.

EDIT...

Video link...

https://youtu.be/QKhaEYFJ9qc

 

[longbedGTs]

Oh, wow...the 0-60 isn't too bad. Thanks for that link rusty...never seen that one before. Saw the one with the 2.2 Perkins 0-60...and was reminded of the '84 I had 11 years ago. Painfully slow. I haven't got the truck yet btw...it is being shipped from Minnesota, but wanted to get an idea of what I'm in for once the truck arrives. I also want to run it on veggie oil at some point. Should be a neat project. The guy said it gets around 25mpg, so I was kind of surprised to hear that. My 88 GT with 4.10 gears gets 25mpg, so I'd think a smaller motor making less HP would get better mileage.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Oh, wow...the 0-60 isn't too bad. Thanks for that link rusty...never seen that one before. Saw the one with the 2.2 Perkins 0-60...and was reminded of the '84 I had 11 years ago. Painfully slow. I haven't got the truck yet btw...it is being shipped from Minnesota, but wanted to get an idea of what I'm in for once the truck arrives. I also want to run it on veggie oil at some point. Should be a neat project. The guy said it gets around 25mpg, so I was kind of surprised to hear that. My 88 GT with 4.10 gears gets 25mpg, so I'd think a smaller motor making less HP would get better mileage.

You gotta think how much harder that little 85hp diesel is working to push the ranger compared to the mighty 140hp 2.9 lol.

But no, i was shocked how quick the little mitsu diesels would scoot.

That perkins though...it sounds cool, like a mini-me 6.9, but good god ive seen faster lawn mowers.

 

[longbedGTs]

Should be putting this thing into DD use within the week. Here's a pic of the sticker on the drivers side window. Yeah, they stuck it on the window! I'd like to get the windows tinted, but don't really want to tear the sticker off though. Strange place to put this.

https://i.imgur.com/VMANOAG.jpg

 

[bobbywalter]

cool. good place to put it for noobs if they are smart enough to read it.


the kid in pa, his was ridiculously fast. probably 6-7 sec 0-60.


rip tires off no problem. quicker then any stock trucks by a long shot of that era.

probably not the best on mpg though as it smoked pretty good. i dont remember the particulars but did quite a bit to it.