Hey Guys,

I've built a little camper trailer, I rebuilt a motorcycle, now, I want to build a turbo diesel Ranger. It's my next and biggest project yet. I've done research, and the 4D55 sounded like the best option. I'm sure there will be a couple guys roam in here and compare it to the 4BT.. but their is no comparison. It's half the weight, almost half the displacement. I'm not out to build a race car, I'm out to build a solid, reliable, efficient and comfortable 4x4 capable truck. I'm actually a little further than I'm sure I'll post tonight and the next several days, I lost a bunch of pictures, and the ones I have now are scattered so I'm trying to sort through them, and present them in a sequential order.

So the story goes.. I set out to get an engine for the project. I found one, thought that it had everything (it didn't) and had a heck of a time finding parts for the swap. Brian, a friend that lives up in Canada saved my butt and donated some of the parts I needed to complete my swap (various pulleys..etc). He uses these engines on his boat, and customizes much of his accessories and various parts to suit his needs. With his help, I was able to sort out a rough idea of what I was getting myself into. I also had a friend that lived near by, Ethan, who has also been someone for me to run to in the event I run into something that I need some explanation on. I'm no diesel mechanic, I haven't owned a diesel at all, but with the help of these guys, I was ready to move forward.

So here is the Victim! 1994 Ranger with a blown 4.0 OHV - 500$
The day I towed it home:

It is fair shape, the truck had 230,000 miles on it I believe? So it is far from perfect. Didn't bother me, I wasn't going to use any of the drivetrain anyway. No major body damage, and I'm likely to give it a paint job if everything goes as planned. The interior was really bad. I lost pictures of it, but the headliner, torn and saggy, the carpet was actually cut out of the passenger and driver floorboards, seats were bad.. but 500 bucks?! alright, I can work with that!


It didn't take me to long to gut the 4.0 / M50D outa there. I was able to sell them for 250$. Made a little back there.



So, now the heart of the swap. The engine! I tore the head off and was very happy with what I saw, very clean pistons and nice cylinder walls. I don't know how many miles are on the bottom end / engine.. But it looks good from what I can see. Slapped a new Felpro Headgasket on there.




While doing this, I had my injector pump and injectors rebuilt at Seattle Injector. They did a great job.






Anyway, thats all I've got to post tonight, maybe I can post more tomorrow and try to catch you guys up to speed where I'm at. Let me know what you think / questions / input!

__________________
2002 2.3 Duratec 5spd X CAB

1994 2.3 Diesel 5spd X CAB 4x4 (Project)

keep updating!

__________________

Interesting, subscribed

__________________
Lifted and junk

Double Lifted Rangers

X2

Sent from my galaxy s3 using FRF App

__________________
White 2011 XL Reg Cab | Tint | 2.3L | Daily

2001 Ford F250 4x4 lariat 7.3L | Tint | 5" turbo back exhaust | Riff Raff 6637 intake | Hydra | Glowshift gauges | 6.5 lift | 20x14 | 36x15.50's

X3!

X4!!!!!!

__________________
Minimal Altitude

oh yeah diesel ranger gotta see this

__________________
2013 f150 fx4 ecoboost. Couple mods
SOLD 2002 silver frost 3.slow xlt.

Damn! you guys are on it! I was about to put the laptop away. I guess I can upload a couple more photo's.

The next thing I had to do was get in and fitted. Had to make sure it was possible. So here is the deal, the 4d55's bellhousing will mate to the FM-145 , FM-146, and the TK5. I Don't want to have to mess around with drivelines / anything any more custom than I have to so I chose the FM-146. The FM-146 is the same length as the M50D (what the truck had originally) so If I used that transmission, I wouldn't have to shorten/lengthen anything and or make transmission cross members. I did have to change the front bearing retainer on the transmission (again no pictures) to accept the FM-145's slave cylinder style. With the transmission and engine mated, I could now drop the engine down into the engine bay, and see where the engine needed to sit. I ended up having to get creative. With the engine sitting where I wanted hoisted by my cherry picker, I used a chunk of dense styrofoam and cut it into the shape of the 4.0 motor mounts I was going to use. I was then able to determine what I needed to use for brackets.. etc. On the driver side, I was lucky, and it lined up with the crossmember. The passenger side was a different story, I had to come up with a bracket and use several grade 8 bolts.











Wiring is going to be a blast!

__________________
2002 2.3 Duratec 5spd X CAB

1994 2.3 Diesel 5spd X CAB 4x4 (Project)

Looks awesome!! Great work so far..got a completion date in mind?

Holy shit yeah!

__________________

Why does everyone think prerunners just jump stuff?

Please click HERE to watch this video!

It's likely going to happen in waves, when I have time. A final completion date? No idea. I'm sure there are going to be way to many hurdles between now and then to know for sure. What I can tell you, is when I have time .. I'll be kicking ass.

----------

Thanks Guys! I'm stoked!

__________________
2002 2.3 Duratec 5spd X CAB

1994 2.3 Diesel 5spd X CAB 4x4 (Project)

Work faster!

Sent from my galaxy s3 using FRF App

__________________
White 2011 XL Reg Cab | Tint | 2.3L | Daily

2001 Ford F250 4x4 lariat 7.3L | Tint | 5" turbo back exhaust | Riff Raff 6637 intake | Hydra | Glowshift gauges | 6.5 lift | 20x14 | 36x15.50's

Really cool! i want your pump

I want to do a diesel swap so bad, I envy you hah. So I must ask, what machines normally use this diesel engine?

__________________
2001 Ford Ranger Edge, 4.0L V6, 4x4, automatic, Extended cab, 165,000 miles, 8.8 rear axle, Auburn L/S, 4.10 gears, body lift, 32x11.5r15 falken wild peak A/T, head light mod, black honeycomb grille. 06+ corners, fx4 seats, led back up light

MODS TO COME: pillar gauges, recover seats, stereo and that it for now ................

The 4D55 came in a variety of different things:

1985-1987 Ranger (not the 1983-1985 .. that was a N/A Perkins Diesel)
1983-1985 D50 Ram
*Bunch of Overseas Vehicles*

It could also be found in some heavy Mitsubishi forklifts / equip.

The engine I have is an 86 I believe, and they still produce this engine (although much upgraded) in Europe. It is labeled as a 2.5 4D56. All the upgraded components can be fitted on the 4D55.

__________________
2002 2.3 Duratec 5spd X CAB

1994 2.3 Diesel 5spd X CAB 4x4 (Project)