Ok, here goes.

After almost a year of researching and arguing with myself about what specific conversion project would make the most sense for me, I have begun!

My goal is to build a small pickup with a strong, but efficient, diesel engine. I do not go off-roading, or rock-crawling, but I do spend a lot of hours on the highway traveling from northern Michigan, to southern Michigan at usually 70 mph. I only occasionally need to haul bulky items, but not usually very heavy ones so a small truck would do just fine.

Recently I found a 1990 Ford Ranger, 2WD, 5 speed, extended cab, with a body in very nice condition for its age. The 2.9L is dead therefore, I picked it up cheap and hauled it home.

I then found a very nice 1983 Mercedes Benz 300 D turbo for a very good deal. The engine runs smoothly, has only 217,xxx miles on it, but sounds and drives nice.

After a good deal more research I found out that the Ranger has the Mitsubishi 5 speed tranny and decided it needs to be upgraded to an AX15 from a Jeep.

So here are the pieces all laid out: Ranger needing a new power plant, MB with a nice turbo diesel power plant to give, and a good condition AX15 5 speed transmission from a 1996 Cherokee. Mating this together is the most economical adapter kit I can find from Nathan Koch in Pennsylvania.

I am in the process of stripping down the engine to replace the main shaft seals that leak horribly, put it back together with the appropriate replacement parts, and a fresh coat of paint. Then I will mate it up to the new tranny with the adapter kit, then get ready to pull the old engine and trans from the Ranger before dropping in the new assembly.

I have some pics of the work to date, but have to upload them from my phone to the site first.

Thank you to all the people who have gone before me to show how it can be done. I'm motivated and inspired by the many like minded people here. I will keep you all posted on the progress.

Rick

 

Welcome to the site

 

Howdy! Welcome to Diesel Bombers! Enjoy the Site!

 

Last night I spent a lot of time cleaning the grime off the head and block getting ready for paint.

As anxious as I am to get it on the road, I am going to be patient and not cut any corners so it will last for many hundreds of thousands of miles.