---
title: "Truck-Loving Hero Builds Ford Ranger Dually With 7.3-L Twin-Turbo Diesel Engine"
description: "The \"why\" isn't nearly as important as the \"how\" in this case."
date: "2019-09-02"
modified: "2019-09-02"
authors:
  - name: "Caleb Jacobs"
    job_title: "Senior Editor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/caleb-jacobs"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/29618/truck-loving-hero-builds-ford-ranger-dually-with-7-3-l-twin-turbo-diesel-engine"
categories:
  - "Builds"
  - "Culture"
  - "Ford News"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
  - "Trucks"
tags:
  - "Ford"
  - "pickup"
  - "Ranger"
---

# Truck-Loving Hero Builds Ford Ranger Dually With 7.3-L Twin-Turbo Diesel Engine

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2019/08/image-min-1.png>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

While we've seen our share of desert-thrashing [Ford Ranger](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/28285/five-key-differences-between-the-2019-ford-ranger-and-the-2020-jeep-gladiator>) pre-runners in the past, this homebuilt dually creation is something else entirely. Instead of capitalizing on the truck's small size and relatively light weight to build an off-road all-star, the owner of this '95 model swapped in a monstrous 7.3-liter Powerstroke diesel engine along with an extra turbo to develop a love-it-or-hate-it truck for the ages. Whether or not it can actually tow much is unclear, but this pickup has to turn more heads than any other Ranger ever concocted.

According to a quick write-up on [*Engine Swap Depot*](<https://engineswapdepot.com/?p=13825>)*,* the Ford belongs to William Medeiros, who documented parts of the build process on the *Ranger Station* forum. In order to make room for the venerable diesel V8, the truck's old power plant had to be taken out and the engine bay expanded (a 4.0-liter V6 was the largest unit available for this generation of Ranger, or any for that matter). The firewall and transmission tunnel were modified to accommodate the compression-ignition lump, and a new, taller hood was needed to fit the twin-turbo setup and intercooler piping.

You can see the engine running in a short clip here:

https://youtube.com/embed/nzCzp6JKrg0

Given its position in such a cramped space, the Powerstroke needs a bit of help keeping cool, which is supplied by 32- by 18-inch aluminum four-core radiator and two electric fans.

![message-editor%2F1567095094736-rangerduallygallery1.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1567095094736-rangerduallygallery1.jpg>)
**William Medeiros via Engine Swap Depot**

Power is sent to an E4OD automatic transmission, which came standard in many of [the old body style Ford heavy-duty pickups](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/27227/7-best-pickup-trucks-you-can-actually-buy-for-15k-or-less>). An upgraded rear-end was more than necessary to keep up with the engine's additional torque, so Medeiros fitted a Dana 70 axle out of an '81 Ford F-350. The extra weight up front is handled by a Dana 35 Twin Traction Beam with upgraded Dana 44 knuckles and a set of 3/4-ton, eight-lug spindles.

![message-editor%2F1567095127309-rangerduallygallery2.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1567095127309-rangerduallygallery2.jpg>)
**William Medeiros via Engine Swap Depot**

Dual rear wheels are there more or less to complete the look, but we'll [give them a pass](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/29423/this-dually-toyota-tacoma-conversion-is-a-sad-waste-of-a-pickup-truck>) since proper fenders have been built to cover the extra tire width. The massive shackle hanging from the rear hitch is a nice touch, too.

We can't say that this is a build we'd take on ourselves, but for the sake of entertainment and keeping the internet's unbeatable reputation for absurdity alive, we're glad it exists.

## Author
Caleb Jacobs is The Drive’s senior editor. When he’s not searching for stories or poring over copy, he’s usually driving his dump truck or wishing it was running so he could drive it. He was born and raised in the Missouri Ozarks, and he lives there today with his family.

### Author social links  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/caleb-jacobs-319323119>)  
[Instagram](<https://instagram.com/calebjwords>)  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/calebjacobs0611>)