Demolition Man!! yeah I remember him using profanity tickets as toilet paper too. Funny stuff! If I had to pick, I would be in the underground if the world ever got that "perfectly controlled".

The EVs I am talking about are a lot more down to earth than that. Conversions are the most common. Any light vehicle with a stick shift is fair game for conversions. There are more home conversions our there than there are OEM EVs in fact.

I heard about that BMW diesel engine before. The explanation was that the ranger had something like 4 different diesels over the years.

First was a 2.0 n/a
Second was the perkins 2.2 n/a (normally used as a HD marine engine)
third was the mitsubishi 2.3 turbo (very common in the far east and down under)
and fourth was the BMW turbo (supposedly close to 130 Hp!!)

Again, verifying this is pretty much impossible, but the 2.2 and 2.3s are still out there in small numbers. The BMW and 2.0L I have not seen ever. But 130 Hp of diesel engine would move pretty well in something like a 1987 ranger if our 90Hp 2.3 is any indication. If only I could get some ARP head studs for the 2.3L

Some minor tweaking with the fuel screw and wastegate will make it a completely different animal. That tiny turbo punches above its weight. I put it back because I was worried about potential head gasket problems (aluminum head) but it can still hold its own in traffic.

 

How would I go about converting my 3 cylinder Geo Metro pickup? Always could use better fuel mileage.

That BMW (6 cylinder) turbo diesel in those cars worked fairly well and got a lot better fuel mileage than the gas models. I can't see the 2.4 fitting in any ranger engine compartment seeing I have had 2 BMW 524TD's while stationed in Germany. That is a pretty long engine. Was the ranger a 4 cylinder BMW diesel engine? Never heard of BMW making any 4 cylinder diesels in the 80's or the 90's for that matter, even in europe.

Are you saying that you have a Mitsubishi 2.3 diesel and need head bolts? If so, I have your source for head bolts. It is what I do on all engines that come stock and expensive replacements are stretch bolts. Including aluminum heads! Find a good bolt supply store and I do not mean Lowes or Home Depot and go see them with one (or two or three if there are numerous lengths) and tell them you want Grade 8 bolts and tell tham what your intended use is. Never fail they will hook you up for less than half of what it would cost at the dealer or even ARP (which are plainly grade 8 black bolts). I know what you and any readers of this string are thinking. What and how do I torque these bolts since the specs for the engine call for torqueing considering stretching of the bolts. Torque the bolts in the regular patter to 30 - 60 - 90 ft lbs and you will be in business. I learned this method when in spening the 9 years of my military career in Europe and stretch bolts were either not readily available or just insanely expensive. Try it you will love it and NEVER ever buy another set of bolts which you just have to throw away if you ever have another reason to disassemble the motor again. The Grade 8 bolts are reuseable!

Now how can I convert my little pick um up truck (called the "Metruck")?

Andy

 

Well I actually have a ton of Dodge/Chrysler trucks I just figured you guys wouldn't want to see them listed.
'91 Cherokee HO 4.0L 4wd
'91 Cummins (in signature)
'85 CrewCab 1-ton
'86 Ramcharger 4wd
'75 Ramcharger 1-Ton 440 "wheeler"
'81 3/4 ton 4wd
'75 Long Bed 4wd
'75 SWB 3/4-ton 4wd
'75 Flat Bed 4wd

Plus:
'69 CJ-5
'70 Intl. CrewCab
'72 Intl. Travelall
They're "KINDA" MOPARS

You may not be aware but Cerebus Capital bought Chrysler something like two years ago. Then they bought Remington and Bushmaster Firearms. They already own a crap load of other companies.

You certainly aren't lacking in opinions that's for sure and for certain. I wouldn't call a Ford tempo a good car no matter what the powerplant was.

For all your "bad" experiences with Chryslers I've had good ones.
Every Ford car I owned that was built in the '80s was a GRADE A PIECE OF CRAP.
I had a '75 Maverick that was butt-ugly but it ran good and was tough enough to total a Firebird when they t-boned me and I then drive it home. That's the last trip it ever made though. The whole time I was growing up our Family Car was a FREE '63 Fairlaine and it ran forever it might still be running for all I know.

I'm secure in my Dodges and Jeeps, they've been great rigs and someone elses experience or opinion can't change history. I'm a MOPAR man at heart but that doesn't make everything else garbage.

 

Your refering to the NEW PowerWagon right?
There's a pretty good chance it'll be getting a Cummins finally. Unfortunately I'tll be the "smoged-up" current one.

 

Sorry, I did not know that Dodge was coming out with or was making a Power Wagon. I was refering to the ones made back in the 60's or early 70's. Now, I did see a truck today while driving that had "Power Wagon" on the tailgate. I just figured that it was just someone who wanted to make folks believe he had a special truck or something.

Yes, I have opinions and they are from my experiences in life. That and I am rather straight forward with my beliefs and opinions. Kind of too much at times I suppose. Sorry if I offended anyone. Not intended.

The reason which I so strongly dislike any Dodge / Chrysler vehicle is while I was growing up as a kid all my father bought was Dodges and Chryslers. Talk about cars that were rickidy and always needing something fixed. I guess he loved them but I surely hated breaking down quite often, especially on dates.

BTW, Boy do you have a lot of vehicles! Here I thought that I had a lot of toys. What do you do with them all? Hot shot trucking company?

Andy

 

I wish, no they're just for fun and working on. Some are current projects, a couple-three are for sale. Two are just parts rigs. ETC.
Only 4-6 of them are actually licenced, insured and on the road at one time.
I have 4 GMs also:
'90 4wd Suburban-wifes ride
'79 3/4 ton 4wd. - swapping motor and selling
'75 3/4 ton 4wd- probably swapping for an '85 F-250 to rob parts off of
'70 GMC 3/4 ton 4wd EXTENDED CAB-really rare truck my Great-Uncle bought brand new for his and my Grandpa's logging/road construction company. It's a family rig, someday I'm gonna make a cherry truck out of. My Dad owns an automotive machine shop and he and I are building a 454 for it right now. I'm not much of a Chevy guy but I LOVE the '67-'72s.

BTW, your on a FORD site and so am I, you can probably down-talk MOPARS all you want without much protest. I can take it, I logged on with this user name and I take my punches. I won't back down from defending what I see to be the truth no matter what the brand. There's plenty I don't know about trucks and there's plenty I do, but I won't speak-to or defend something I don't know to be true.
Not that you need my praise but one thing I've noticed about you already that I like is if your wrong you'll admit it, I respect someone who can say they're wrong. I try not to be wrong but if I am I won't defend myself just to be stubborn about it.

 

YES I was.....I think a Cummins would be the great choice. Who knows if it will happen with the current fuel insanity.....

thad

 

By the way, your Father sounds like a man of above average intelligence, possible of Einstein proportions.

 

Yeah that is why he died penniless and the IRS on his heels. I respect your beliefs and opinion regardless of what believe myself. You believe whet you do because of past experiences as I have. That's cool.

You know I say all that stuff about Dodge and all but there is one era that Dodge ruled. That was the late 60's and the firts few years on the 70's. There are a heck of a lot of models made by them that I would be happy to park next to my other toys in my shop. That was when Dodge and Plymouth were making stud monkey cars and trucks.

Thanks for your input and so much interaction.

 

Geo metro pickup??? You have one of these?

Ricecop!

I've never seen or heard of that before, but the answer is yes. The geo metro is a very popular car for conversion because its so light from the factory. Google "forkenswift" for one of the all time cheapest street legal electric conversions ever done. Performance is mainly limited by your budget (range being the bigger problem).

I really can't be sure that the BMW engine was ever used in a ranger. I only heard that from one source and was never able to confirm it. The only two diesels I ever saw deployed in the ranger was the 2.2 and the 2.3 turbo. The bolts on the 2.3 are holding for now, but I was hoping to find something that is stronger so we can play some more with the power setting. Not sure if ARP makes an all thread for 13 MM fine thread, but if they do than that would be the prefered option. Whats the strength rating on the grade 8 bolts?

The fuel screw on the 2.3 is littereally a Hp screw. Turn it up and it makes more power - No questions asked (or smoke with the wassegate disabled!!). The wastegate can be adjusted and the intake has a blow off valve that can be...."adjusted". But it will pin you to the seat with the fuel turned up. I didn't realize that there were other possibilities for getting stronger bolts. I have to look into this. New head gasket runs around $90, so if it ever fails again, I'll make sure I have a plan in place for some better bolts.

 

I do not have a premade kit conversion to make my Metro pickup. I built the whole thing myself and it came out pretty rightous. 22 gage steel paneling and a Ford Ranger rear sliding window narrowed 10". That and a couple days work and you have a pickup. I even have a tailgate by cutting out the whole taillight section above the rear bumper and hinging it so that it swings out. Installed a 2 section 3/4" plywood floor, one for spare access and large under floor storage space under the front. I have pics if I can figure out how to post them. Right now I am in the process of installing a 1.0 L turbo charged engine and 5 speed transmission from a Canadian donor car to give it a bit more power and towing capability. Right now it will only pull about a 800 pound trailer. Main thing with the turbo mod is to see if I can increase gas mileage.

David85, Thanks for the conversion link. I will check it out!

Andy

 

Is there anyone which can provide me information as to how I can post pictures on this thread?

Thanks in advance, Andy

 

Create a gallery and upload them to there. You can post them from the gallery by copying the forum posting code and pasting it in your reply.

I know I'm pushing my luck talking EVs, but I though you might get a kick out of this video (some adult lauguage). The first test drive of the forkenswift. Its a mess at this early stage but it still drew a crowd and some funny comments.

YouTube - #3) Project ForkenSwift EV: first electric test drive

 

Thanks David! I checked out the EV stuff you were refering to. That was cool! I might actually consider making one but I would rather do it another way. While searching I found

YouTube - ELECTRIC VEHICLE SURGE TECHNOLOGY NO BATTERIES NO GAS
and
Science & Mechanics permanent magnet article photo

Now that is AWSOME!! No Batteries except the regular one to start the motor than the car does it all one it's own. No charging either!!!

Also, thanks for the pics info. I looked for the information in FAQ but the results I found were different. I'll try your way!

Thanks again, Andy

 

Just be carefull with what you believe when it comes to alternative energy. The guy driving the EV that was supposedly powered by magnets has since recanted his claims and it seems to be a scam he was running. I've yet to see a believable claim of a motor that runs just on magnets. The idea of running a motor off an alternator then driving the alternator with the same motor is an idea that I have personally had to dispell a few times on the electric car forums.

Its amaizing how many ideas there are like this. Indeed it can contribute to the perception that electric cars or other alternative energy is basically just vaporware. It sure would be nice if it were possible, but there are dozens of good reasons why it is in fact not possible to get energy for nothing.