1.6TD into an 80's Ford Ranger

[LeeG]

I agree with MacGyver.

The other issue with a ranger, the older 4x4s had that swing axle style front end where the axles, diff and outer joints are all integrated into one large unit, it would be almost imposible to convert to any other style of differential.
Newer ones got A arm style front ends, but even with those (or any other similar 4x4 front suspension), there isnt much room in the outer CV joint area to come in from a different angle.  The VW CVs wont handle much angle according to what I have read from people who wanted to jack one up.

On the other hand, if you want to build a rock crawler/bush buggy/tractor, toss out the ford engine and tranny and drop in a golf/jetta engine & auto tranny turned 90 degrees (engine and axles in front-back orientation), with custom axles hooking up to ford differentials.  Super low gearing!

[dubCanuck1]

So, what about an old Mercedes Diesel engine? They were longitudinally mounted (weren't they) and weighed about the same as a Ranger (maybe more).

I guess it doesn't have to be a transverse engine or a 1.6TD. Didn't Audi also have some longitudinal 5 cylinder diesels?

Any others? Volvo? Toyota?

[LeeG]

Yup, volvo, MB both have common in North America longitudinal diesels in cars.  Toyota, Nissan, Mazda all did some trucks in the 80s.  I think Rangers even came with a mazda diesel in them, but it wasnt very common.

You could probably pick up a engine/tranny from one of those for less that you would spend on an adapter plate for VW onto a longitudinal tranny.  Or for slightly more, the entire truck, saving all that swap hassle.

[burn_your_money]

Finding a diesel truck is near impossible, plus the parts availability and upgrades are no where near what a VW engine will offer.

I do have access to a diesel MB, the problem is that is has 1/2mill kms on it, it was raced during it's last stages of life and it doesn't provide much more HP then the 1.6NA.

I can't justify spending 3k on a car just to take the engine out of for a truck. It's just not practical enough for me.

That being said though, would it be easier to build an adaptor plate for a MB or volvo tranny rather then a truck?

[zyewdall]

The mercedes diesels probably weight at least twice as much as the stock ford ranger engine -- if you've ever looked at one of these, it's about the size as a small block V-8.  Much heavier built that the mitsubishi and mazda diesels that were offered in the ranger in the early 80's.  Getting a toyota truck and putting the VW diesel in it might be alot easier.   But then again, I'm putting a VW diesel in a subaru, so obviously not one to pick the easy route....