Thoughts on the 2.3 diesel Rangers?

[JShapiro]

I'm looking for a small 4x4 pickup with good gas mileage, and am interested in the 2.3 diesel Rangers that were made in the '80s. I've got a few questions I'm hoping y'all can help me out with.

I'm not a mechanic and don't have the time to learn how to fix whatever problems may arise, I just need a working vehicle. I've heard that it's hard to find parts for the small '80s diesel 4x4s since they were only made for a few years, and that not all mechanics know how to work on them. Also, I can only afford to keep one vehicle, so need one that won't be in the shop a lot. Your thoughts/opinions?

I've seen mileage reports vary greatly, from about 50mpg down to 30mpg. What have your experiences been?

How do the Rangers stack up against other '80s small diesel 4x4s like the Dodge D50? I know there were several small engines used in different years/makes, how do those rate against each other?

Thanks a lot for your help.

 

[wizkid00104]

If you can find one in good shape, my hat is off to you. They are few and far between.

 

[RobbieD]

Welcome to TRS.

Your thoughts are rational, BUT . . . .
Parts are hard to come by for the diesel Ranger, and there are a lot of little sub-system differences in the diesel compared to the gas models (mainly electrical & fuel). I don't think that just any mechanic can work on one of these, and do a good, cost-effective job of it. Bottom line, the relative rareness of the Ranger diesel makes it more of a collector/curio model, better suited to an enthusiast who has a good knowledge of them and can do their own work.

Honestly, in terms of real-world practicality, a 4-cylinder gas Ranger in good running condition is an excellent dependable, fuel-efficient truck, for daily transportation.

No matter what you decide on, good luck.

 

[JShapiro]

Bottom line, the relative rareness of the Ranger diesel makes it more of a collector/curio model, better suited to an enthusiast who has a good knowledge of them and can do their own work.

Thanks for your reply, Robbie. That's what I was afraid of. I am totally seduced by the super-high mileage, but I really don't have time to learn how to fix it myself. If I were going to spend time working on a vehicle, I'd get a big ol' diesel and do an SVO conversion. So I guess now it's back to deciding on a gas 4cyl 4x4.

 

[AllanD]

you are essentially trying to pt the phrases "reliability" and "twenty four year old" vehicle
in the same discussion and frankly they are mutually exclusive.

Of particular irony is your admission that you aren't a mechanic and don't
have time to learn...

Frankly? with those facts as part of the ground rules...
buy a new ranger with a 4cyl engine

The diesels weren't the best, either with the early ('83-84) 2.2L Mazda built engine
or the later ('85-87) 2.3 liter Mitsubishi Turbo-Diesel

Frankly the two best diesels of that period the mid 80's
and that vehicle type Mini Pickups would be the Nissan pickups of '83
with the SD25 engine or the Isuzu Pup

People love to talk about the 2.3Mitsubishi but the Nissan had the
advantage of being an ALL cast OHV (pushrod) iron engine with a
gear driven injector pump, the problem with all the others (except the Isuzu)
were aluminum headed OHC's with BELT driven camshafts.

Considering the precision with which diesels MUST be set-up a belt driven camshaft
that must be repaced every 40k miles... frankly its as stupid as a screen door
on a submarine.

Small diesels, like Hybred vehicles, are examples of false economy.


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[DragRag]

If you can find one in cream puff condition, I would not hesitate on buying it. They are hard to come by, and personally I love diesel trucks. I drive an F350 daily now that I burn a mixture of 50% used motor oil, and the rest regular old diesel. This cuts my fuel bill in half. When diesel was $5 a gallon, I was running 80% used motor oil. In my experience anything over 75% if not preheated will smoke. I don't preheat, so I stay below the 75% mark in reagrds to the used motor oil. Just filter and go, I get all the oil I need locally to! Well worth the extra repair expense in regards to rare parts on the ranger IMO. If I could find one, I would buy it to beat around in.

 

[Blueranger99]

what kinda torque did those little diesels have. i always hear people talkin bout swappin the motors outa old bread trucks into rangers.

 

[Louisville86]

It seems like Ford wasn't all that interested in selling them back in the day. I was reading my 1986 Ranger brochure and it indicates that the diesel was only available on a standard cab in base trim (2x4 or 4x4). If you wanted an XL, STX, XLT, or SuperCab, you were out of luck.

So any diesel you might find is going to be kind of plain jane. But you will be the only kid on your block to own one!

But they must have some cachet: They are asking $3,500 for this one in Seattle:

http://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/cto/1290767904.html

 

[JShapiro]

But they must have some cachet: They are asking $3,500 for this one in Seattle:

http://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/cto/1290767904.html

I've noticed diesels tend to sell for high prices in the Pacific Northwest, especially near Eugene and Seattle -- I think those places have a high concentration of people interested in fuel efficiency and in veggie oil conversions. The same is true in Western North Carolina where I live, at least near Asheville.

 

[JohnnyO]

what kinda torque did those little diesels have. i always hear people talkin bout swappin the motors outa old bread trucks into rangers.

Not a lot. The engines only had about 85 or 90 hp and the torque wasn't a lot more.