1985 Diesel ford ranger

[veeker]

hi. i was wondering what the diesel rangers were like? is it worth my while buying one? or would i be wasting my money?

[75K30]

While they were incredibly underpowered, they were neat little trucks. That little engine was decent. I doubt you would ever break any speed records, and mileage was really not all that great, it was still a decent truck.
Because these were not produced in large numbers, finding engine parts can prove to be difficult, so be aware of some of these problems.

Many folks bought these because they were emissions exempt, and folks could install hot rod gas engines into them (desert racers mostly) and still maintain license plates.
Terribly illegal, but often used for this.

[Lonesome7.3]

I wish like **** I could locate one at a good price. They can be made into great little trucks.

[Case 7230]

As a matter of interest, what diesel engine did they use?

[75K30]

Originally Posted by Case 7230

As a matter of interest, what diesel engine did they use?

Ha! You will get a chuckle out of this. The first diesel used in the little truck (here in the states) was a 2.2L Perkins diesel. This little 4 popper diesel was rockin 59 horsepower! Remeber I said, no speed records? Heak getting a speeding ticket in a school zone would take some effort, lol.
Later the engine was upgraded to Mitsubishi 2.3L turbo diesel that was sporting a whopping 85 horsepower. Again, not a speed demon, but a cool truck none the less.

[Lonesome7.3]

I knew a guy that had one not too long ago. It was a nice truck. Non-turbo and he claimed a 35MPG on the highway. But he said he had to leave earlier to get to work on time. It was very slow. I want to tinker around with one. i think I can squeeze some ponies out of it.

[75K30]

35? Thats great, though I do not know if driving so slow is worth the extra mileage, but it is impressive I guess.
I have never known one to get over say 20 to 22MPG. Thats about what gas engines are capable of, and some with decent driving styles are better.
I believe that the little gas engine then was over 80 HP with decent economy. This gas engine evolved to develop over 160 hp in the V6. Woo Hoo! 160 hp.

[Lonesome7.3]

He did end up getting rid of it. I think when he had it apart he should have thrown some pwer adders at it.

[Case 7230]

Originally Posted by 75K30

Ha! You will get a chuckle out of this. The first diesel used in the little truck (here in the states) was a 2.2L Perkins diesel. This little 4 popper diesel was rockin 59 horsepower!:rofl: Remeber I said, no speed records? Heak getting a speeding ticket in a school zone would take some effort, lol.
Later the engine was upgraded to Mitsubishi 2.3L turbo diesel that was sporting a whopping:hah: 85 horsepower. Again, not a speed demon, but a cool truck none the less.

Thanks for the info.

[bradrhale]

this might be a little off topic and i apologize for that but do yall remember the little volkswagon jack rabbits that had the little diesel engine in it?? those got decent mileage as well.