hey everybody i was kicking around the idea of putting a Diesel engine in a 94 Ranger 4X4 5 speed V6 3.0, was wondering if anybody has ever done it before and what engine or what engine would you choose diesel wise, i know they made the 6.9L which is smaller and would probably be able to get a 5 speed for that but what do you think and are they any shops around ohio that would do that?

 

Hrm. Sounds like a tough one. I dont think you'd be able to make an 8 cylinder diesel fit.

I think Ford made an early '80's ranger with a 4 cylinder diesel. A good rebuild and a turbo should wake it up, if you can find one. I'd look at that first.

 

So it was a 4 cyclinder diesel huh When did they stop making diesel engines for Rangers? do they still? anybody know of a V6 Diesel made by ford in the 90's? like in a bronco???

 

No V6 Ford oilburners.

Your larger oilburners won't fit and are too heavy.

There are some 4 cylinder diesels out there and someone might list them, or go google for Cummins and any other name you can think of.

The entire engine and auto tranny out of a mid 80's Mercedes Benz 300TD might be a candidate.

These cars are pretty much used up, but if you get lucky you might find a cosmetic toad with a decent motor. A rebuild would be pricey. But, these engines run good and last a looooonnnnnggggg time.

Some of the smaller "industrial" types are going to be real paint shakers. 3's and 4s are really bad, so be sure you buy locktite by the gallon.

Good luck.

 

The diesels in the early Rangers I think were Mazdas or some other Japanese maker. We had a 5 speed one for a delivery truck years ago and they wouldn't pull a greasy string out of a cats rear end! Before pulling out in traffic you had to be sure there was no traffic between county lines. Forget a/c being on! Find a turbo set-up and that will change for the better!
A diesel without turbo= TURD.
With turbo= they rule!

 

Just currious as to what you are trying to gain? Considering you hinted at a shop doing this, I would drop a V8 in and spend the money saved for attempting the diesel on gas. Besides, you wouldn't be able to wipe the smile off your face

--Mike

 

The '78-'85 300D mercedes had 5 cyl diesels, and the '87 had a 6. I have both an 85 and an 87, and they are great. There are some finnish rednecks that got their '87 to over 400 hp. They also put a few 5 speeds in these. There is a 87 for 4k in our local paper, and if you are serious about this, and live in the east bay, I would check it out.

 

Just about every diesel out there weighs more than the truck.... So unless you are a master at getting the weight split down to a respectable set of numbers, you'll have traction problems and go through front end parts like candy at a catholic girls school.

 

You mean V8 and 6 cylinder diesels, right Matt? I cant believe that 4 cylinder diesel is that heavy.

 

Well, I know Isuzu makes an I4 that 317 cid (5.2L) and that isn't a joke in terms of weight.

All those 80s model I4 mini-truck diesels are impossible to find good parts for now since Mitsu doesn't acknowledge those days anymore.

Other than coolness factor, if that, diesel isn't cheap and like I said, finding parts makes that swap not worth it.

But really, a 6.9L..."small"? That thing outweighs the 460, I'm sure of that!

 

Even the Cummins 4BTA weighs more than the mighty 460. I do know someone that put a Cummins 4 in a Jeep though, so its not out of line. He also put a D44 up front and a 9" in the back and added a tri shock setup in the front and coil springs so at the very least its a half ton truck suspension under a 700lb motor.