Beej
New Member
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2015
- Messages
- 14
- Reaction score
- 1
- Points
- 0
- Location
- San Antonio, TX
- Vehicle Year
- 1998
- Make / Model
- Mazda
- Engine Size
- 2.5L
- Transmission
- Manual
- My credo
- "When you need it, and don't have it, you sing a whole 'nother tune." -Burt Gummer
I'm new to the Ranger scene, but I'm never short on fun ideas.
Simply put, Project Long Haul is this:
Gen 2 or 3 Ranger Supercab 4x4 with a turbo-diesel engine (probably a 4D55), manual everything from the tranny to the hubs, a 17-gallon midship tank, a 13-gallon rear tank, and a 20-gallon cell in the bed.
Primary purpose will be cross-country hauls my family is well known for doing with a side order of making drives about fifty miles down Malaquite Beach on Padre Island, TX. (No, I am not taking it out into the dunes, just want to get to where the next nearest campers are about a mile away.)
Part of why I am going for this particular setup is that I have heard of others doing similar builds (without the extra fuel tanks) and claiming that they never got anything less than 30mpg... IN THE CITY!
So, by my conservative estimates, a setup like this would have, at the bare minimum, a range of about 1,500 miles (fifty gallons of diesel at 30mpg... yeah. )
For the most part, I think it's doable.
For one thing, I've never heard of people having too much trouble converting an existing fuel system to diesel so long as it was already an EFI system.
The tentative plan is to find a 4x4 Supercab Ranger. If I can find one that already has dual-tanks, then that'd be great, but I can work around it if not.
If I can't find a dual-tank model, then I'll have to rig it myself. While nobody seems to make aftermarket tanks for Gen 2 or 3 Rangers (And WTF is up with that!? ) I have noticed that the rear 13-gallon tanks do seem to be relatively easy to find in used-part places.
Fortunately, the six-way valves do seem to be readily available after-market, which is great because these seem to be the most critical parts of the dual-tank system.
The only real trouble I'd have would be installing the second tank in place of where the spare tire goes. This would certainly require a small amount of fabrication and welding, as the spare tire mount and the bracket it is attached to will have to come out, and a pair of cross members put in to support the tank.
Really, I think the part I'll have the most problems with is going to be installing the 4D55. While I've heard that it is a direct bolt-in, that doesn't go for the wiring and other fiddly bits like coolant hoses and vacuum system.
So far, I'm only in the information gathering stage, and there is a lot I would like to find out about. Here is a short list:
If anyone has any input, I would greatly appreciate it. I've already decided that I want to do this, but it's going to take time, money, and a garage. None of which I have right now, but that will certainly change in the future.
Simply put, Project Long Haul is this:
Gen 2 or 3 Ranger Supercab 4x4 with a turbo-diesel engine (probably a 4D55), manual everything from the tranny to the hubs, a 17-gallon midship tank, a 13-gallon rear tank, and a 20-gallon cell in the bed.
Primary purpose will be cross-country hauls my family is well known for doing with a side order of making drives about fifty miles down Malaquite Beach on Padre Island, TX. (No, I am not taking it out into the dunes, just want to get to where the next nearest campers are about a mile away.)
Part of why I am going for this particular setup is that I have heard of others doing similar builds (without the extra fuel tanks) and claiming that they never got anything less than 30mpg... IN THE CITY!
So, by my conservative estimates, a setup like this would have, at the bare minimum, a range of about 1,500 miles (fifty gallons of diesel at 30mpg... yeah. )
For the most part, I think it's doable.
For one thing, I've never heard of people having too much trouble converting an existing fuel system to diesel so long as it was already an EFI system.
The tentative plan is to find a 4x4 Supercab Ranger. If I can find one that already has dual-tanks, then that'd be great, but I can work around it if not.
If I can't find a dual-tank model, then I'll have to rig it myself. While nobody seems to make aftermarket tanks for Gen 2 or 3 Rangers (And WTF is up with that!? ) I have noticed that the rear 13-gallon tanks do seem to be relatively easy to find in used-part places.
Fortunately, the six-way valves do seem to be readily available after-market, which is great because these seem to be the most critical parts of the dual-tank system.
The only real trouble I'd have would be installing the second tank in place of where the spare tire goes. This would certainly require a small amount of fabrication and welding, as the spare tire mount and the bracket it is attached to will have to come out, and a pair of cross members put in to support the tank.
Really, I think the part I'll have the most problems with is going to be installing the 4D55. While I've heard that it is a direct bolt-in, that doesn't go for the wiring and other fiddly bits like coolant hoses and vacuum system.
So far, I'm only in the information gathering stage, and there is a lot I would like to find out about. Here is a short list:
- Is there a specific radiator to go with this engine or not?
- Should I use the R2 version of the MO5D?
- What modifications will I need to make to the exhaust system?
- Will the original sending-units work fine or do I need ones specifically for diesel systems?
- Are there any technical manuals that can help me with wiring up the engine?
If anyone has any input, I would greatly appreciate it. I've already decided that I want to do this, but it's going to take time, money, and a garage. None of which I have right now, but that will certainly change in the future.