I've always loved the idea of having a diesel ranger with a manual transmission and 4x4. I'm considering putting the money into it. So with the all the parts I would need to buy and I would most likely pay someone else to do it, what's a rough price estimate for it? I would prefer to spend under $15k for this project. Also how would I be able to get a 1.9L vw diesel to produce the same amount or more torque than the 4.0L v6? As the 4.0l does have more power and torque than the 1.9l so I would at least like the 1.9l to get 200 lb.-ft of torque.

 

Welcome to the forum

TDI Ranger build thread here: https://www.therangerstation.com/for...-build.130443/

There are TDI adapter plates to Ranger 4.0l transmissions, seen here: https://tdconversions.com/en-ca/prod...-kit-automatic
So you could bolt it to a 4.0l 4x4 manual trans(M5R1) with transfer case

$15k probably wouldn't do it if someone else was doing the work
A shop would want a "new" TDI engine and parts, because you would expect a warranty
If you were willing to sign off "as is" once you drive it away then maybe they would consider using YOUR used parts for the build