I am running a 3.0, 5 cylinder Mercedes turbo diesel in my 53. While it is no hot rod, it is still fun to drive. Always enjoy the looks and questions at shows.

 

i have a '83' ranger and i can tell you that you won't be happy with the 2.2 ranger engine, it only has 56 hp. 0-60 is about 28 sec's. on a good day.

i've been checking into a 3.3 or a 3.9 4bt cummins. the difference between the two. is the 3.9 is 200 lbs and 3" higher and 3" longer than the 3.3.
also the 3.3 is a comon rail system.
cc

 

I saw a diesel in a '56 years ago at the 1st Supernationals I made. The owner said it came out of a delivery truck and got about 45 MPG. I don't know what he had as a frame.

The last few years I've seen crewcab modifications (there were 2 at last years Smoky Mt. F100 run - right?) but I think they are always on the Superduty frame. I don't know what kind of modifications the body would need to get that done! Putting an extra 3'+ in the cab to make it crew would be enough to talk me out of it!!