What starters are being used in TDI conversions?

batesbunch

New member
Joined
May 13, 2019
Location
MS
TDI
2002 Jetta TDI
I have been gathering items to install an ALH into a Ford Ranger (2.3L with M5OD transmission) and am interested to know which starter has been used by other folks that have completed an ALH conversion. The Powermaster 9004 is offered in one conversion specialist's kit.

Thanks in advance.
 

shakescreek

Veteran Member
Joined
Oct 14, 2005
Location
B.C. Canada
TDI
18'6" welded aluminum jetboat with pd160, gtb2056vl, and tuning by rub87, 2003 chev blazer with bhw swap, 2000 jetta alh with gtd1752 vrk, .240 injectors, 11mm pump, fmic, 6 spd manual
Not a ranger swap but I used this one

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/NEW-Mini-St...ash=item4671061f79:g:MX8AAOSwh8xcopTt&vxp=mtr
on the bhw I swapped into my 2003 blazer. It appears to be the same thing as the powermaster 9004 you mentioned. On the tdi in my jetboat I am running one from a 96 ford f350 5.8l with a manual transmission, just because I had one laying around. Should be able to make just about any starter work as long as it spins the right direction and has a pinion gear with the right pitch on the teeth to match the ring gear on the flywheel you use. Just pick one that will fit the space you have and with enough oomph to spin the tdi. If you are buying an adapter plate rather then making your own as I did, that may limit your starter choices.
 

HoneyBadger

Veteran Member
Joined
Dec 25, 2012
Location
San Jose, CA
TDI
'02 Jetta 5 spd, 03 jetta auto, future ALH Ranger
I got my starter from TDconversions. Not sure what size it is, it's the one they sell in their kits. But the stock ALH starter is rated at 1.8 KW. So anything that powerful should work. The stock ranger starter is rated at 1.4KW and won't work. From what I saw, most gas starters are around 1.4 so you'll probably need something off of a diesel.
 

oilhammer

Certified Volkswagen Nut & Vendor
Joined
Dec 11, 2001
Location
outside St Louis, MO
TDI
There are just too many to list....
Most VAG 6 cyl starters are the same KW output as the 4 cyl diesels, if that helps. I always thought people used one of the FWD longitudinal starters like from a BHW, that goes on the engine side instead of the transmission side, in that sort of swap.
 

batesbunch

New member
Joined
May 13, 2019
Location
MS
TDI
2002 Jetta TDI
Thanks for the replies fellows. I appreciate the input and it has already helped. As it looks, I may be fabricating my own adapter plate. The kits take out the guesswork, but the cost is high and I haven’t seen anyone selling a direct kit for the 2.3L Ford bellhousing pattern.
 
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