I have a 1986 Mazda B2600 with a 1980 Dodge D50 2.6L gas engine in it. The head and/or head gasket just blew out. I have access to an entire Mitsubishi 4x4 pickup with the 2.3L 4D55 diesel. The 4D55 has 103,000 miles on it, but...it was flooded up to the spedometer. The engine oil looks good, along with all the other fluids. I am planning on putting the 4D55 in my Mazda pickup. I am just looking for any pointers on the swap, general information on the 4D55 or any other related material. Thanks...

I would think it would be a big job. Mechanically it should be OK but the electrical and plumbing will be a real pain. If your up to the challenge and not in a hurry go for it. As I said a BIG job. If I can help in anyway let me know.

By the way do you want to sell you front locking hubs off of the Mitsubishi 4x4 pickup?

the only thing I could see being fun is the exhaust. IIRC the Mitsu diesel exhaust is opposite to the Mazda B2600. You'd need to bring the engine management system over as well as evap can and other goodies.

Thanks a lot for the information. I'm wondering now if I shouldn't just try to get the Mitsubishi pickup running. The water lever was up around the spedometer, and the interior is shot, but it may be just as much work either way. I need to get a closer look at it.

Michael89 - I'll let you know about the hubs if I decide to part it out, thanks.

OK Chev350 and thanks for the response. You have some tough choice's ahead of you.

The 1986 B2600 came with a Mitsubishi 4G54 2.6L Gasoline engine.

Mazda swapped to their own engine in 1989. (The year of my truck.)

The engine swap SHOULD be a bolt in affair, as it'd be just like swapping a Diesel Pajero engine into a Gasoline Montero.

Just something to keep in mind - the little diesel is not exactly a tire peeler off lights... check the diff ratios on the mitsu versus the mazda. I have a feeling the mits will have numerically higher (lower) gears than the mazda. Swapping the engine into a higher geared rig may make it undriveable. I'm glad mine came with 4.88s, and mine is the "powerful 2.5 intercooled version" <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Just something to think about. If the ratios are close, then it probably won't be an issue. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Mazda stock ratio is 4.44:1 on my vehicle. (It's a 4x4. Not sure if the 2wd is different.)

89-93 B2600 Gear Ratios
1st.) 3.730:1
2nd.) 2.158:1
3rd.) 1.396:1
4th.) 1.000:1
5th.) 0.816:1

The 1986-1988 Models with the Mitsubishi engine had 102 HP @ 4000 RPM and 132 Ft/Lbs Tq @ 2000 RPM.

The 1989-1993 Models with the Mazda engine had 121 HP @ 4600 RPM and 149 Ft/Lbs Tq @ 3200 RPM.

Stock tires are 235-75R15's... I'll see what RPM's I'm turning in various gears at various speeds when I drive to work today.





BTW, on the exhaust being opposite, On the B2600i (EFI Mazda engine) It's on the driver's side (left) of the engine.

On your B2600 with the Carbed Mitsubishi engine, it should be on the passenger's side (right) of the engine.

Note the photos here of a 4G63 conquest engine in the B2600 4x4. The exhaust is on the same side as the driveshaft. (Driveshaft drops on the passenger's side.)

Exhaust is no big deal.

Typical speeds:

Highway/Interstate:
80 MPH - 5th gear 3300 RPM - That's as fast as I care to do while taking more than a quick glance at the gauges.
70 MPH - 5th gear 3000 RPM
70 MPH - 4th gear 3500 RPM
60 MPH - 5th gear 2500 RPM
60 MPH - 4th gear 3000 RPM

Local major roads:
50 MPH - 5th gear 2000 RPM
40 MPH - 4th gear 2000 RPM

Residential roads:
20 MPH - 2nd gear 2250 RPM
25 MPH - 2nd gear 2750 RPM


Keep in mind, this is a sampling of just me driving around... My instrumentation is not accurate, it's just stock gauges and I'm not actually taking detailed readings, just looking as I drive.

All gears in the truck are stock.

I'd did the same swap from a 2.6l to a 2.3l td in my '87 ram 50. Was a pain in the ass and took about 2 months(had to go to high school during the week). Funny thing is, i found this truck with the 2.3 in my small community (100 people) behind a shed. I guess i consider myself lucky.

Mine mated right up to the tranny and also to the mounts.

Electrical was a pain because of the fuel heater system and the glow plug system.

If you do plan on parting out the truck let me know. I need another one plus the electrical items BADLY.