Perkins 4 cylinder diesel in a full size Ford pickup
 

There is a place right around the corner from where I live that is selling kits for this conversion. I was out riding my bicycle this evening (1-1/2 hours:)) and rode by the place where they had one sitting outside. Clean looking installation and plenty of room. The only thing I questioned was a stainless steel mesh screen over the intake instead of a real air filter. It looks like the hood could be modified to install one though. It was a manual transmission too. Here is the site:

Ford Perkins diesel pick up

Oh, no! Not another 50 mpg for full sized pickups claim!:)

Tom W

Ya know that back in the 70's Ford made a small truck with a small Diesel in it. A tractor company conversion one. I forget the tractor motor manufacturer... but I saw one of these a few years back sitting near here. The fellow that owns that thing said the Tractor company was out of business but you could hunt around and find parts. He needed a new ring gear for it. And that was, reportedly, the special part between the Tractor supplied motor and fords stuff, so he was not wanting to pay the moola for the rare item at that time. Wonder if he still has that thing. It might have been a Ranger truck body IIRC.

Added on edit:

Ah.. it was a Perkins! And it also was the Mazda made Courier that it was in.

Ford Courier variants

Diesel variants

The Ford Courier was never available with a diesel engine in the US. However, the 1980 Mazda B2200 was available with a Perkins 4.135 (4 cylinder, 135 cu in) manufactured 2.2 liter diesel engine, producing 66 hp (49 kW) at 2,100 rpm. This same diesel engine was available in the 1983 and 1984 Ford Ranger, however it was replaced by the Mitsubishi 4D55T 2.3 liter Turbo Diesel for the 1985 to 1988 Ford Rangers.

I do know however that the statement never available in the US is slightly in error. They did make it in, grey market or something from Canada I think. This one that I saw was indeed the Ford badged one.

I question the utility of a Perkins conversion for the full-size Ford, since you can go right to the dealer and buy a Ford F250 (and up) with a diesel engine, or pick one up on the used market. I wouldn't mind having a diesel Ranger though. They still sell new ones in most places besides North America.

I agree. I would like a Mazda or Ranger one though. However, IIRC, Ford has plans for a Diesel motor in the F150 next year or so. If they follow through.

I believe the Perkins is a respected diesel.

They are owned by Cat now....for at least 10 years.

Tom W

There is no way an F-150 can get 50mpg with any kind of engine unless they limit the top speed to 35mph.

Anyone know what kind of mileage those older (80's) Mazda and Toyota diesel pickups were getting?

perkins is a good engine, just a little too complicated..

I agree that the MPG claims are high. At work, we have a '72 F250 that is going to have a Cummins 4BT installed in it to replace the 390. It should be an interesting project. We are realistically planning for 25 mpg. Anything more than that will be a bonus.

I believe European Ford vans had Perkins diesels back in the 70's and 80's.

They've been around since the discovery of dirt.

They even put them in Airstream motor homes for a few years.

Tom W

I can speak for Isuzu Pup @ 38 -42. The Turbo Diesel Trooper (Jackaroo) that I still have gets a solid 32mpg.

My 81 Isuzu Pup with the c223 2.2 diesel only gets 32 mpg :(. It is a 4x4 though.

Brian K
1985 300D - just passed 200K
1984 VW Vanagon Westfalia - the ultimate campmobile
1981 Isuzu Pup Diesel 4x4 - runs on waste vegetable oil