'85 ranger engine switch?

hi -

im thinking about buying an '85 ford ranger (2.8 4cyl gas) with blown crankshaft bearings. rather than repair the engine, which i am in no way capable of, i'm thinking of buying a used/rebuild diesel to put in. ford made a diesel model that year, but are there other engines i should look for? does it make a difference that it's 4x4? and are there other major parts/retrofitting that will need to be done?

i'm not doing this myself, so i want to get an idea of what my mechanic is going to need and whether it will be affordable.

thanks
ethan

These sorts of engine swaps can be fairly expensive if you hire the work done. Generally, a diesel conversion works best for someone capable of doing most of the work. For example, I've heard about a shop here in Montana that charges $10,000+ for a Cummins conversion in a Chevy pickup. If you're a good shopper and capable backyard mechanic, a few thou can be shaved off that for an equal end product.

Jim