Bought a Diesel Ranger

[mechjames]

I got sick and tired of the Gas Mileage and rising gas prices in my V8 Grand Cherokee, so I went and picked up this:

86 Ranger 2.3 Diesel 4x4 5 speed. Had some coolant leaks. Owner wasn't too mechanically inclined, thought it was the head gasket, but no water in oil, or oil in water.

Blew out water pump/neck gasket, After fixing that, block heater blew out the side of the block. Traced it down to a non venting rad cap, over-pressuring the system. Changed that. All is good now.

Came with spare motor, transmission, and other weird parts that make it tick (from a parts truck he used to have), Jo box, as well as a gokart. (you can see it in the back in 2nd pic)

I've heard stories of anywhere about 25-30 MPG around down and as high as 40-45 on the hwy. Will find out soon enough.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Now thats a find. What engine IS that?

 

[01rangerxl]

Nice! The diesels are hard to find, especially with 4WD. Looks relatively rust free.

Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
What engine IS that?


Mitsubishi built the 2.3. The earlier 2.2 was a Mazda built Perkins design.

 

[daves87rs]

Cool!

 

[addyguy]

I've NEVER heard of a 2.3L diesel engine for Ford.....the gas 4-cylinder is a 2.3L unit, and the Tempo/Escort had a 2.0L diesel...

Got any info on this engine?

 

[exranger06]

The old diesel Rangers are rarely found with 4wd. Add the fact that you have the really rare dual tank option, and you have yourself quite a unicorn! Nice find!

 

[MrRPM]

That is plain old awesome!!!

 

[dwcopple]

drool

 

[Brons2]

2.3 NA diesel...acceleration will be...not rapid

seriously though, cool find!

 

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted By: addyguy
I've NEVER heard of a 2.3L diesel engine for Ford.....the gas 4-cylinder is a 2.3L unit, and the Tempo/Escort had a 2.0L diesel...

Got any info on this engine?


Here are some specs from The Ranger Station...
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Diesels.htm

I think Wikipedia also has some info on it.

It's not actually a Ford engine. The original design of the early 2.2 is an old British Perkins diesel, but built by Mazda under license. The 2.3 diesel was Mitsubishi sourced, as were some of the Ranger's transmissions at the time.

Quote:
Add the fact that you have the really rare dual tank option, and you have yourself quite a unicorn! Nice find!


Good catch, that truck definitely has some more unusual options!

Quote:
2.3 NA diesel...acceleration will be...not rapid

The 2.3 is actually turbocharged, not that it helps very much. That bumped output from 59 HP in the 2.2 to 86 in the 2.3. The 2.3s are definitely not quick, but they are easier to live with than a 2.2.

 

[mechjames]

Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Now thats a find. What engine IS that?


Originally Posted By: addyguy
I've NEVER heard of a 2.3L diesel engine for Ford.....the gas 4-cylinder is a 2.3L unit, and the Tempo/Escort had a 2.0L diesel...

Got any info on this engine?


Originally Posted By: Brons2
2.3 NA diesel...acceleration will be...not rapid

seriously though, cool find!


2.3 Mitsubishi Turbo Diesel, Model 4D55. Being a 5 speed with 86HP, it's not bad at all. I wonder how slow it would have been with an auto.


The rear duel tank is missing. Turns out the bed was pulled from a gas truck when it got repainted. It's not an original duel tank diesel ranger, I don't have any fuel selector switch inside.

 

[fdcg27]

Neat find!
I am envious.
A rare beast that should hold up well, and you've got plenty of spares.

 

[91344George]

How about a few more pics when you get it sorted out? !

 

[artificialist]

Is the engine hard to start in cold weather? I have heard that is one reason diesels were unpopular during the 1980s.

Plus many more people lived where the weather drops below freezing, so the number of people who got annoyed at their diesel would be higher.

 

[mechjames]

Originally Posted By: fdcg27
Neat find!
I am envious.
A rare beast that should hold up well, and you've got plenty of spares.


Lots of spares. I hate that it's a regular cab though (I'm a tall guy)

Good thing is, the bronco II is same platform as the ranger. I could even put the engine/trans/tranfer case in a facelifted bronco II (89-90 explorer style) if I wanted to have some luxury and room.

I could actually probably put this motor in any ford that had the 2.3 gas, because the mounts should bolt to the chassis. Bellhousing is removable so you can bolt any ford light duty transmission in. 2.3 turbo diesel 5 speed fox mustang?

Originally Posted By: artificialist
Is the engine hard to start in cold weather? I have heard that is one reason diesels were unpopular during the 1980s.

Plus many more people lived where the weather drops below freezing, so the number of people who got annoyed at their diesel would be higher.


No it has glow plugs

 

[mechjames]

Originally Posted By: 91344George
How about a few more pics when you get it sorted out? !

Will do. It's going on the road this after this weekend. Got a tank of gas to burn away in my grand cherokee first.

 

[addyguy]

That must be one of the rarest small trucks EVER built. I have a 'pretty good' knowledge of cars and models, and I had NO idea there was EVER a diesel Ranger!

...BITOG question: What oil will you be running in it? Prolly specs diesel 10W-30 originally?

 

[mechjames]

Not sure. Definitely think it was a 30wt though. This is what amsoil says:

Engine Oil
Grade 1......CH-4

SAE 30 Synthetic Diesel Oil (ACD1G)

Series 3000 SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Heavy Duty Diesel Oil (HDDQT)
Above 14 F......20W-40
Above 5 F......15W-40
Above -6 F......10W-30
Above 36 F......30
Below 50 F......5W-30




I'll probably use Rotella 15w40

 

[HM12460]

Way back in the day my (now ex) sister in law drove a parts delivery diesel Ranger for a Ford dealer in Richmond, Va. Had a small flat bed on it. Pretty cool little truck. I sure wish Ford would introduce a new Ranger with a small turbo-charged diesel.

 

[Shaman]

Boost controller, turn up the pump, water/meth injection 100 hp and probably better mpg