When Zach Jeffers set out to build a truck, he wanted something really different. He had seen Ford Rangers with diesel swaps or with a dually setups but never one that would combine them with a 1-ton drivetrain.
Zach started with a 1994 Ford Ranger frame that he cleaned up and prepared for the list of mods it would need to support.
Under that chassis Zach upgraded the drivetrain in the front with a Dana 60 from a 1978 Ford F-350 and in the back with a GM 14 bolt rear end from a 1988 1-ton cab and chassis truck.
A 3.9 L Cummins 4BT turbo diesel inline-four out of a bread truck was selected to power the Ranger. Zach mated a Ford ZF5 five-speed manual transmission from a Ford 1-ton truck to the engine.
Zach installed the engine using stock rubber 3.0 L V6 mounts and bolted them to custom built engine plates. The transmission was installed using a 1984 Bronco II crossmember. This particular crossmember was used because it has a unique shape that was only produced by Ford for one year. That unqiue shape allowed it to clear the 4″ exhaust and front drive shaft since the NP205 transfer case sat so far back.
Although the engine runs a factory H1 turbocharger, Zach also installed a HY35 turbocharger for a compound setup. He estimates it makes low to mid-200 horsepower range.
Zach did not leave all the modifications to the powertrain. A 2001 Ranger body with a fleetside bed was placed on the chassis. He then modified the body by installing a 2011 Ranger front clip and stepside bed panels with the steps removed.
In case the truck ever finds someone or itself in trouble, a 9,500 lb winch up front and a 8,000 lb winch in the rear will be there to help. Covering those winches will be custom front and rear bumpers built by Zach.
There are a few things still left to such as install larger injectors, change the fuel pin and governor spring in the fuel pump, replacing the factory head bolts with studs and finishing the custom bumpers. After that the truck will be completely dissembled for body and paint work. I can’t wait to see it finished. With a lot of work and determination Zach has built one of the wildest Rangers I have ever seen.
Pretty cool little truck. Interesting concept, dually Ranger. From some angles it looks like F-150 size wise.
Hey nice looking little truck I built the same one but with a powerstroke a few year ago. It a pears as though we have similar taste even the custom front bumber! Nice job put up some more pics when you get it done.
Sounds like a great project. Do you have any photos or website for the project?
it was published on the ranger station just do a google search for twin turbo powerstroke dually ranger, it was also in diesel world a few years ago for a little tiny spot in the back, and also on RPS for some time. tons of pics out there. it is done now and can be seen pretty much everywhere in RI.
Thank you. You did a great job.
How can i contact you
only place I ever really post pics is on my facebook page.
Zach how much would you charge me to build my 91 ranger.. Please let me know
Zach, is the truck completed? I would love some of your advice. I have a 2004 Ranger Edge 4×4 4.0 and I would love to put a 3.9l 4BT.
hey, what powerstroke did you throw in your ranger?
Where did you find your axles at? Where could I go and get some for myself to build the first dually Bronco II?
What did this build end up costing you?
Where did u get those tires and rims
what size tire are you running
How did you put the 8-lug duallys on? Did you use wheel adapters?
I want to do the same thing to my 2003 ranger 4×4 but not with a cummins engine but make it a dually.
What mileage did you get when you put the Cummins diesel in
I love that job i am doing something similar i would like some Advice
did you have to install a body lift to fit the 4bt and the ZF5? I’m looking into this swap, but torn between ZF5 and ZF6.