This Ford Ranger service truck, powered by an old John Deere engine, is set to endure longer than any of us.

      Brad Jones

      

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      If any automotive classic has truly earned its reputation, it's the Ford Ranger. You can laugh it off, but few other trucks have been as overworked and yet so resilient as the compact, powerful Blue Oval. There's a reason numerous trade professionals and farmers still opt for older Rangers in 2025. The one showcased here is a remarkable specimen, and while the exterior, complete with a paint-matched service bed and its contents, is impressive, my primary interest lies in the John Deere engine beneath the hood.

      Brad Jones uses this truck as a service vehicle on his farm in upstate New York, though it didn’t always serve that purpose. He originally built it in 2016 as a fuel-efficient commuter for his 100-mile daily drives. This 1990 Ranger began its life as a two-wheel drive short bed featuring a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine. Jones acquired it from Craigslist for $400, despite its malfunctioning fuel pump, which he opted not to repair because he “always had a soft spot for any Deere engine.”

      Jones selected a four-cylinder model for the project and landed on a 4039T from an industrial air compressor. This equates to 3.9 liters or 239 cubic inches, and with the help of a turbo, it produces 120 horsepower in its factory form. At the time of purchase, the engine had clocked 8,800 hours, but he remarked, “I didn’t care. They run forever.”

      The initial significant challenge was connecting the 4039T to a transmission suitable for the road. It featured an SAE 3 bell housing and flywheel, but after some searching, Jones found an adapter from Phoenix Casting and Machining that allowed him to connect to an M5R2 five-speed from an early '90s F-150. He initially opted for a 2.73 gear ratio in the stock 7.5-inch rear-end to enhance fuel efficiency, achieving 30-32 miles per gallon with that arrangement. Not too bad.

      Although the engine remains mostly stock, Jones has made some modifications to enhance its performance. He maxed out the injection pump to supply sufficient fuel to match the air from the upgraded T3/T4 hybrid turbo. Fitting it under the hood required some creativity, but a custom manifold that positions the turbo on the side resolved the issue efficiently. While exact power figures remain unclear, Jones estimates it now produces around 150 hp.

      Once he transitioned to farming in 2019 and significantly reduced his daily commute, Jones modified his Ranger accordingly. He discovered an all-aluminum Reading service bed on Facebook Marketplace—a rare find—marking the starting point for the new design. Since the utility box was from a long bed, some frame extension was necessary. He fabricated this himself, reversed the rear leaf springs to correctly position the axle, and most parts aligned well. It's easy to underestimate the complexity involved in this project through its various stages, but the scope only expanded from there.

      “I couldn’t have a two-wheel drive service truck, so that’s when I installed a front Dana 30 straight axle from a 1996 Jeep Wrangler with custom long-travel control arms and coil springs,” stated Jones. “The rear is now an 8.8 with 4.10 gears.”

      Next came a new 4x4 transmission, and a two-speed transfer case was sourced from a 1999 F-150. Numerous small fabrications have been required along the way, but now, Jones possesses a versatile service rig that still performs well on fuel. Even with a six-inch lift and 33-inch mud tires, he reports it still averages around 20 mpg.

      “Overall, the truck performs well. It does everything I ask of it,” Jones concluded.

      And in my opinion, it looks fantastic while doing so.

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