Ranger BT4 swap - Diesel Engines - Ranger Engine Tech

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JAMMAN

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I read this article, wow. Wish I had more ambition since we throw viable P pumps away at work and I'm sure we have sent at least 6 4BT's to the scrap yard since I've been working where I do.

4BT Swap

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Posted: Sun Jan 5th, 2020 11:57 am

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Idahome

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wicked cool build!! Thanks for sharing
the 4bt is still the engine of choice for a diesel ranger, the little Cummins 2.8 repower has just not been out long enough and its too expensive

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Posted: Tue Jan 7th, 2020 11:20 am

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Idahome

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I had hope for the Cummins R2.8 but it looks like the BT4 is still the best choice to avoid the emissions and electronic do dads that make turning up the power on the 2.8 difficult at best
See here:
https://www.4btengines.com/cummins-r2-8l-turbo-diesel-review/

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Posted: Tue Jan 7th, 2020 03:51 pm

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Arthur
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Whoa nice build! Nice attention to detail!
I like the mix of custom and oem parts. Like retaining the stock airbox but making a custom intake manifold with individual runnners.
Looks OEM. Well almost let's call it OEM+ ^^
I wonder how long the stock axles are going to survive 487 ft-lbs though :'(

Any diesel swaps @ the 410customs shop yet? Or planned?

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Posted: Tue Jan 7th, 2020 04:14 pm

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black06xlt
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Jim with your access to 4bt parts and your ability to make a turbo and build a p pump I cant for the life of me come up with a reason you haven't done this yet with one of your trucks. Only thing I would change on that build is axles. With the IFS front its s ticking time bomb

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Posted: Wed Jan 8th, 2020 08:56 am

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Idahome

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Yes I would LOVE to convert the wifes FJ to a 4BT
I am prepared to do a 4bt or heck the 2.8 repower for a customer if they ask....I'm not afraid.
I speak diesel, I have been messing with them for a few years now...started with my 1984 John Deer compact tractor about 8 years ago....then I dabbled in the Chevy light duty 6.2 and 6.5 diesels for a bit as I planned to build up a 84 Suburban...that project was scrapped in favor of a few 7.3 trucks (we own 3) I had a 6.0 truck, and I have a Takeuchi excavator with a 3 cyl turbo diesel yanmar, and a Case dozer with a 4 cyl case engine and a few other small diesels around here. All of these machines came to me needing work and refurbish, I have become rather familiar in the last 5-7 years.
I have been all through our 7.3 diesels, I have rebuilt several turbos, intercooled my OBS, done E fuel conversions, heck I have even worked on a few 12 valve cummins engines...
I am a HUGE fan of diesel fuel and turbo diesels
I would LOVE to have a diesel in a Ranger or Sport trac, but the wifes FJ is the most likely candidate, her FJ cruiser has 210K miles now and still going strong but as a overlander and bad ass built Toyota cruiser it would be sweet to have the cummins under the hood.. If I had the $$$$ I would go for a hopped up BT4 in a heart beat!!
I have been looking at the Ford powerstroke engines also, the inline 3.2L I5 cyl in the transit van would be an interesting swap too, the FJ might have room under the hood for one of those (FJ cruiser engine bay is HUGE!!!!!)

Last edited on Wed Jan 8th, 2020 08:58 am by 410customs

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Posted: Thu Jan 9th, 2020 11:48 am

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Scrambler82
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I was thinking the new Cummins R2.8 but couldn't get enough info together to approach the DMV with my idea.
Still in the back of my head so who knows.

One question for anyone... The 4BT was a noisy engine, have they been able to quiet it down any ?
I didi hear of a kit, offered by Cummins, but never looked at it !

Ltr

410, I wish I lived closer to you, we might have worked something out back a ways.
I passed over four different brand new vehicles over the last few months, advertised price was no where near the bottom line the dealerships threw at me.
So I am back to the Ranger, looking for a local shop to do some frame work, a new lift, a new engine... not sure if I will use a 5.0L I have had hanging around or go for the gold and do a Cummins Diesel.

Last edited on Thu Jan 9th, 2020 11:51 am by Scrambler82

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Working on more Mods, just need more time, longer days would work !

Posted: Thu Jan 9th, 2020 11:49 am

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Idahome

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cummins R2.8 should be emissions legal swap even in CA, it has tons of emissions stuff on it for this reason.......

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Posted: Thu Jan 9th, 2020 11:59 am

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Scrambler82
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My thoughts exactly BUT they are only allowing it for vehicle like Jeeps or your Toy... I think it would have made a great swap.

If Cummins offers the R2.8 at a discount again, I might look at the whole thing again.

Cummins offered it for high ids oof $6K, not to back for a little power house.

Posted: Tue Sep 22nd, 2020 03:12 pm

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Ranger_Danger_
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The first ever truck I seen with a 4bt was a 1988 Bronco...

I vowed I would one day Cummins swap a 1988 Ford Bronco. 4bt are readily available... But a 12v also seems possible...

One day.. Once the Ranger is "complete"

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Posted: Tue Sep 22nd, 2020 10:33 pm

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Eddie Money
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Ranger_Danger_ wrote:
The first ever truck I seen with a 4bt was a 1988 Bronco...

I vowed I would one day Cummins swap a 1988 Ford Bronco. 4bt are readily available... But a 12v also seems possible...

One day.. Once the Ranger is "complete"
Ford had an electric ranger in 1998-2002 and called it.... ford ranger EV ( electric vehicle ) you guessed it!!! About 1,500- 1,700 were produced but most were fleet leased and eventually crushed. It's a guess but possibly as many as 500 are still out there...

Fans of the truck even have a website if anyone here is interested (fordrangerev.com). The group calls themselves REVOLT which is an acronym for Ranger Electric Vehicle Owners Link Together.

Heres a video of one.

There has even been a conversion kit available since 2010 for anyone who wants one.

Last edited on Tue Sep 22nd, 2020 11:00 pm by Eddie Money

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Posted: Tue Sep 22nd, 2020 11:09 pm

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Eddie Money
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A quick YouTube search revealed there are a number of 4bt swapped rangers so its definitely doable. The earliest video was 2008. Ive read a few threads on this myself...I know they have gobs of torque and can run for ever...

Last edited on Wed Sep 23rd, 2020 01:26 am by Eddie Money

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Posted: Thu Sep 24th, 2020 09:24 am

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Idahome

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and they can run upside down and under water....also they can run on vegetable oil and smell like french fries running down the road........ I love me a turbo diesel!!

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I build custom RBV, specializing in drivetrain conversions, wiring, suspension and complete custom trucks