I have a 93 Explorer 4WD. Given the rising prices of gasoline, I have begun to think about running Biodiesel, since it can be run in a diesel engine with few modifications. This is what I have read at least. My question then is: Does anyone now what, if any, size and makes of diesel engines might even fit in there? I am just trying to collect info now.

 

I have seen talk on some other ford and explorer boards about putting in a diesel. No one has actually done it yet.. and Ford does have a Diesel version of the ranger, but not in the US.. So even if you could get it in.. finding parts would be very interesting.

~Mark

 

Gee do you really love your Explorer so much that you'd go through all that trouble and customizing, PCM and engine controls, cutting/welding, custom adapters, what tranny/transfercase, custom drive shafts.....almost endless list....and at what cost? To finally get to a vehicle that saves you 15 cents/gallon? I guess that's the price delta but I've never heard of bio-diesel. Regardless, Isn't it easier to leave it alone and go buy a diesel car?

 

My explorer is great, that and circumstances have dictated that I am stuck with it while gasoline prices climb. I had just heard how cheap biodiesel can be made before I made the post. But, yeah, the cost of changing all that would be insane.

 

Actually, on a much more practical approach, are there any cost effective parts or ways to modify to get better gas mileage, and torque? I live in Montana, and the up hill drives at high speeds often result with a loss of an average of 10mph by the top with the gas pedal all the way down.

 

In 1997 I worked for a Tier One supplier, my customer was Ford U.K. and I was providing accessory mounting brackets for new I4 and I5 diesels. The I5 was scheduled to go into a European version of the Explorer but got canned due to a low demand forecast. Ricardo Engineering in the U.K. had design control of this engine. I had forgotten about this for a while now, but now that I have an Explorer with the engine over 240 000 miles and the price of gas so high, this might be a good project. Anyone looked into this anymore?

 

What kind of mileage could be expected out of a deisel? And what size engine was Ricardo Engr looking at. Since gasoline and deisel fuel cost about the same, you'd need 4 or 5 X the milage to see any kind of realistic ROI.

 

Having grown up in Europe, I would suspect that a well matched diesel in an explorer could probably be expected/engineered/ and designed to produce 35+mpg, depending on good systems engineering.

Mind-you, there are MANY variables.

I think that could be expected if the engine isn't total overkill as in a 6.0 Powerstroke in a 250SD (50,000 GVW engine detuned to work in a 250)

Automotive diesels in europe ROUTINELY give better than 35mpg... the performance is acceptable to above average, usually.

 

I don't remember the mileage projections for this engine design. At the time of design the diesel prices in Europe were lower and it was projected that a few countries would be supplying Biodiesel at the pumps ($0.80US/L vs. $2US/L for gasoline). The engine was a 3.0L straight five Direct-Injection similar to the English Transit Vans (Commercial Panel Trucks) with the 1.4 L to 2.4 L Duratorq DI Turbo Diesels that are so popular in the U.K. today. The Ranger in Europe was fitted with a newer Duratorq 2.5L I4 since this engine has sold so well. I can't remember the specs on the 3.0 L but the maximum torque out of the 2.5L is 266 Nm (196 lbft) whereas the 2006 4.6L V8 is 407 Nm (300 lbft) or even the 4.0L V6 at 345 Nm (254 lbft). The Explorer on this continent would have to be fitted with a larger diesel engine for it to perform the way we'd want it to. With that said I don't know if the Powerstrokes would fit(!?)

Check out www. ford. co. uk for more info.

Steve
1998 Explorer 4x4 Sport
1948 International Harvester KB-3

 

I wasn't implying to put a PSD in a ranger/explorer, even if it could be made to fit and could be supported by the frame/chassis.

a 3l diesel (5 cyliner apropos mercedes 3.0 Diesel) should give a ranger 35mpg+, if done correctly. You are right, however --- I don't think the american consumer would find the performance acceptable.

Now, if gas/diesel were $6+ per gallon, then ....

 

Intersting discussion. Even at 35 MPG - that sounds so good right now - that is just 2X the current gasoline mileage. It would take 15 years to get a payback for such a conversion. But if there was a stock vehicle already available, at the same price as a gas one, then we have a real option.

 

Bingo...

When I bought my 250SD, I had many discussions that went like this:

Them: You should get the DIesel

Me: Why?

Them: Much better mileage

Me: True, but $5000 more, $60 oil changes, commercial price on parts, ets., It IS a commercial engine.

Them: Yeah, but look at the mpg

Now...I drive 13,000-13,500 miles per year, or so.

For all practical purposes in the US, Diesel is ABOUT the same cost of Gas, maybe even a little more---per gallon (at least where I live)

My 250SD gasser averaged 13mpg. The powerstroke, i am told, gets 20-22 mpg in the city/suburban environment.

Based on 13000 mi per year, do the math...

That would be 1000 gals of gas a year (at 13 mpg)
That would be 650 gals of diesel per year.

That's a savings of 350 gals per year. Assuming, roughly the same cost for a gal of gas OR Diesel (say $2.75 per gallon), that's $962.50 savings per year.

It takes 5.2 years to BREAK EVEN after paying a $5000 premium for the diesel engine.

This isn't taking into account the higher cost of maintenance which MAY impact this equation.

DOn't get me wrong, I think the PSD is cool... just didn't need it.

cheers...

 

One more option: make your own Biodiesel.

check out http://www.biodieselsolutions.com/pr...uelmeister.asp

this fuelmeister or a similar setup can convert old cooking oil, with lye and methanol to biodiesel.

I also found a 3.0L Ford Diesel from Brazil on ebay last night....

 

Or even cheaper you could use wood gas and run your Exploder from scraps of wood you find laying on the side of the road.

http://www.gengas.nu/byggbes/executive_summary.shtml

I'm not sure how this would convert to a fuel injected engine but I suppose if the upper intake manifold and injectors were removed it could be rigged up. It's fairly simple on a carburated engine.

From what I've read you will lose some power but your fuel cost will be greatly reduced. You might have to cut a big hole in the top but what the heck--maybe make it look like there is an RV type AC unit on it.

 

I just came across this site that claims 46 cents per gallon to make biodiesel that "is not biodiesel" with some magic bottle of "secret formula" stuff you add to vegetable oil. It sounds like crap and they contradict themselves but you still might want to take a look.

http://www.dieselsecrets.com/

I was just kidding about putting the Gengas unit in the back of an Explorer but it would be suitable for a pickup truck bed. The danger of CO poisoning is too great for it to be used enclosed (plus it probably gets pretty hot). Here's a truck that runs from wood gas if you are interested:

http://www.motherearthnews.com/libra...dburning_Truck

Now I wish I still had my '82 Toyota pickup. I'm gonna build one of these things to run a generator first and see how well it works.

BTW the system ate some of my words including "engine" and "fuel injectors" in my above post. It would be nicer if it would lose less important words.