JstWantoRide
Member
My father and I have decided on a project for us to build together.
We really like the efficiency of diesel engines and love the newer smooth and quiet diesels.
We own a 2012 F350 6.7L crew cab long bed DRW, a 2011 VW Jetta 2.0L TDI and a 2002 Ford Ranger Edge 4.0L 4x4 automatic.
We want a small truck or SUV that is diesel, the 3.0L diesel Jeep was considered among some others but decided against.
The goal of this build will be high mpg with the same or more power than the Ranger currently has with the 4.0L gas engine.
We searched through different makes and models;
Chevy S-10 and Blazer
Dodge Dakota and Durango
Ford Ranger and Explorer
trying to find a good body with little rust.
We recently purchased a 2002 Ford Ranger FX4 with about 280k miles for $2000. The body is about a 7, some small dents and scratches and a little rust. The interior is about an 8.5, better than our Ranger with 160k miles. The frame, brakes, front and rear end are about a 7, it will need bushings and shocks but we will not work on that until after the conversion is done.
We searched through many diesel engines;
VT275
Cummins 4bt
Cummins QSB3.3
Kubota V2203
Mercedes Turbo Diesel engines
VW TDI 1.9L and 2.0L
We decided on the VW 2.0L TDI (engine id CJAA) for a few reasons;
Very smooth and quiet
Factory torque rating is very close to factory 4.0l Ford Ranger torque rating
Lighter than any other engine considered and lighter than 4.0l engine
Many upgrades available to increase hp and tq
Will pass emissions to 2011 (and maybe better) if we ever wanted to get a newer vehicle
These engines are readily available used for a reasonable price
There are many mechanics that know how to work on these engines
It is an On-Highway use engine
We researched using an automatic transmission but found it will be much easier to use a manual transmission, since neither of us has an issue driving a standard we decided to do this first as to not make this project to intimidating off the bat. We want to get it done in a reasonable amount of time and we can always make changes like this down the road.
Transmissions considered;
M50D-R1 (currently in the donor vehicle)
AX-15
NV-3550 Close Ratio
NV-3550 Wide Ratio
NSG-370
We decided on the NV-3550 Wide ratio for the following reasons;
Max torque is conservatively 300ft-lbs
Weighs 110lbs, about the same as the M50D-R1
They are readily available used, rebuilt, for a reasonable price
The gear ratios will work well with the TDI engine RPM power range.
Before starting the conversion we will take record some info/data from the stock Ford Ranger for before and after comparison. If you have any suggestions please let us know, so far;
Weight
Sound (in and out of cab)
The following will be tested loaded and unloaded, towing and not towing;
MPG
Acceleration at various speeds
Engine performance on hills
We really like the efficiency of diesel engines and love the newer smooth and quiet diesels.
We own a 2012 F350 6.7L crew cab long bed DRW, a 2011 VW Jetta 2.0L TDI and a 2002 Ford Ranger Edge 4.0L 4x4 automatic.
We want a small truck or SUV that is diesel, the 3.0L diesel Jeep was considered among some others but decided against.
The goal of this build will be high mpg with the same or more power than the Ranger currently has with the 4.0L gas engine.
We searched through different makes and models;
Chevy S-10 and Blazer
Dodge Dakota and Durango
Ford Ranger and Explorer
trying to find a good body with little rust.
We recently purchased a 2002 Ford Ranger FX4 with about 280k miles for $2000. The body is about a 7, some small dents and scratches and a little rust. The interior is about an 8.5, better than our Ranger with 160k miles. The frame, brakes, front and rear end are about a 7, it will need bushings and shocks but we will not work on that until after the conversion is done.
We searched through many diesel engines;
VT275
Cummins 4bt
Cummins QSB3.3
Kubota V2203
Mercedes Turbo Diesel engines
VW TDI 1.9L and 2.0L
We decided on the VW 2.0L TDI (engine id CJAA) for a few reasons;
Very smooth and quiet
Factory torque rating is very close to factory 4.0l Ford Ranger torque rating
Lighter than any other engine considered and lighter than 4.0l engine
Many upgrades available to increase hp and tq
Will pass emissions to 2011 (and maybe better) if we ever wanted to get a newer vehicle
These engines are readily available used for a reasonable price
There are many mechanics that know how to work on these engines
It is an On-Highway use engine
We researched using an automatic transmission but found it will be much easier to use a manual transmission, since neither of us has an issue driving a standard we decided to do this first as to not make this project to intimidating off the bat. We want to get it done in a reasonable amount of time and we can always make changes like this down the road.
Transmissions considered;
M50D-R1 (currently in the donor vehicle)
AX-15
NV-3550 Close Ratio
NV-3550 Wide Ratio
NSG-370
We decided on the NV-3550 Wide ratio for the following reasons;
Max torque is conservatively 300ft-lbs
Weighs 110lbs, about the same as the M50D-R1
They are readily available used, rebuilt, for a reasonable price
The gear ratios will work well with the TDI engine RPM power range.
Before starting the conversion we will take record some info/data from the stock Ford Ranger for before and after comparison. If you have any suggestions please let us know, so far;
Weight
Sound (in and out of cab)
The following will be tested loaded and unloaded, towing and not towing;
MPG
Acceleration at various speeds
Engine performance on hills