Ranger Diesel Swap? Discuss

[USR612]

Hi,
Newbie here, so my apologies if I'm in the wrong spot.
Currently, my uncle is getting rid of an '87 ranger 4x4, that I could get for practically nothing. The only problem (go figure) is cracked heads on the existing V6. I have access to one of the Perkins 2.2's from an earlier ranger, and am just wondering what kind of a swap this might be. Wiring doesn't bother me nearly as much as bellhousing & clutch work. Any ideas what would be required?
Thanks!

 

[177CIOfPureLove]

All you will need is the tranny, and possibly driveshafts to make up for the difference in lengths with the diesel tranny. Would be nice if you could get the harness too. It wouldnt be hard to wire I suppose, with the original wiring, only because diesels are so simple. I hope your not expecting this thing to be fast. Lol. Motor mounts too. Oh, and the radiator. These things can be had from Autozone, minus driveshafts and tranny.

 

[adsm08]

Yeah, go for it. But the diesel trans is a must. The one in the truck will be geared for a gasser who's power band is above the red line for that diesel. If you found a way to mate it to the 2.2 you'll blow that engine in a day.

 

[USR612]

Diesel Swap cont.

Thanks Guys!
Unfortunately the major problem here is that this diesel donor truck is not a 4x4. I don't know much about how the transfer cases work/mate to the tranny on these things, but I'm assumming I'd need the engine + tranny from a diesel 4x4.
Thanks again!

 

[Captain Ledd]

It technically wasn't said, but I am getting the idea that the Perkins doesn't have an attached tranny?

You could adapt it to whatever tranny you want, including a gasser. The catch being that you're likely going to re-gear it to somewhere in the 3.08 range, and likely not much higher than 3.55, But depending on driving habits and how fast (top speed wise) you think you'll be going, AND tire size, you might get away with a little lower ratio.

Then you'd have a common transmission and factory mating transfer-case. Kind of a little pricier way to go but considering the expense of finding (a good) diesel tranny and then getting the blasted thing could be just as expensive.

if it does have a tranny and you just want 4WD a divorced unit would be the way to go. I THINK it was Toyota that had a few smaller divorced cases, one of the asian manufacturers did at least. That is a little more reasonable in size than say an NP205 (which is a little big).

 

[Viva*the*Ranger]

Have you looked in to getting parts for that Perkins and the difficulties of finding them 15-20 years down the road? Just something to consider. I personally wouldn't switch to the Perkins. I'd do a 4.0 or 5.0 swap. You'll always be able to get those parts damn near anywhere.

 

[Hopman]

Has anybody thought about doing a new deisel sawp, say a VW TDI or Benz v-6?

 

[88gt]

a tdi motor or even a benz motor would be a nightmare without a complete donor vehicle. the electronics on those cars are rediculious, would be nice for the gas mileage tho

 

[adsm08]

I have a buddy that wants to put a TDI in hit TJ. I told him to go find a Cummins.

 

[USR612]

Diesel Swap cont.

Thanks again guys!
The diesel is coming out of a complete donor truck, so getting the tranny isn't an issue. I thought about a divorced transfer case, but that's getting a little complex and pricey for a freebie. If anyone's intersted in an 1984 Ranger diesel, check the kijiji adds around London Ontario. Price is $800. No rad., a small hole in one oil line but everything else is complete. Should be posted sometime around 2-3 weeks from now.

 

[bobbywalter]

the bells shold swap, and 31 in tires should take care of the rest. the perk will rev fine with 345 or 373 gears and 31 in tires with the gasser tranny