Yanmar diesel into '06 660 Rhino

I wanted to run an idea by y'all. We bought a brand new Polaris Ranger
Diesel two days ago. We have been wanting a diesel UTV for some time
and I looked at several options concerning a swap for our old 660 Rhino.
We spent the last couple of days wheeling in the hills here in good
'ol WV and I have to say, the little yanmar diesel is no slouch.

However, their is just no replacement for the size and usability of the
Rhino. I think the Ranger is ugly, uncomfortable, wide, and way to
heavy.

So, I know it sounds crazy, but, I'd like to have the Ranger power plant in my Rhino.

What are your thoughts? Anyone ever considered or completed a swap like this?

What motor are you looking to put in it ? Do you have anyhting in mind ?

and I'm sure James can set you upwith parts for your 660 that may make you think twice about swaping out the 660 for the diesel

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I would look at finding a totaled diesel Ranger before robbing the parts off the new one.
Look on ebay or a web site called Ride Safely they auction salvage cars , trucks , and even ATV/UTV's It might be a better route. That way you can keep ride the ranger until the Rhino is ready to go. Then sell or keep the ranger

http://www.ridesafely.com/

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Im pretty diesel partial i think it would be cool if it would preform, if you do it post lots of pics. I can hear it now get the hot rod touch to it, maybe a lil turbo...

turbo diesel would be awsome

its not the weight of the ranger you dont like...its the weight of that diesel engine and gear box. You would be moving the thing you like the lease into the rhino just to not like it there. I agree they are neat little motors. but not what you want to have with a sport/work UTV and you will turn it into just a work UTV.

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I've never looked a a deisel in a ranger but will it even fit between the seats of a Rhino?The weight seems like it would be another problem as said.The one you have is probably all mechanical isn't it?That should probably be an easy swap if it fits and it's mechanical. I use to install Yanmar deisels in boats.Your obviously not going to get one of them in there.lol I put a lot of them in our boats.Not to get off your topic but we quit when we had one run away.It was burning crankcase oil to stay running till they shuved a life jacket in the turbo.It trashed that engine.Nothing left of it.

I think the all of the extra weight will cause you a lot of extra work (think wheel bearings & brakes)....you would need to upgrade the rear brakes for sure , and prob havta change the spring rate on your shocks too.

I know you can spin those diesels way up...thats not the question. But what you will end up with is about 300 hours of work to make the EXACT same thing as the Ranger with different skin. Either keep the ranger or get a Mule diesel. to get 60 hp to hold the axle's the brakes,and the rear and front diff you will be far more money into it.

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Helped my cuz do same thing w/a chevy truck (and yeah , gm actually made/sold the truck , and the engine!!)...lotta work , and the "bugs" are never ending !! By no means tryin to "burst" your bubble...post a bunch of pics , and keep us updated !!

I think I got this picture thing figured out. I'll try a few more...

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As you can see, the alternator is a problem, the stock exhaust manifold
will not work, the shifter lever will have to be bent, will have to fab a
new support where old shifter was located.

What you can't see, the floor pan is way more swiss cheesed now than the
factory one. I have moved the engine as far down and back as I can.

Any ideas on the alternator?? It really doesn't seem to be to much of a
bother when you set in the seat. Its just that the factory engine
cover will have to be cut and reconfigured.

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wow...i got a couple jobs for you...lol...geterdun!!!!

Damn!!...diesel rhino...you were serious...nice!

Are the knuckles, or whatever you call the cast piece that hooks the
A-arms to the wheels, on the rear of the 660 set up to receive brakes.
Can I buy a set of brake parts for say an '08 and bolt them to my
knuckles?

you will have to buy new or used...i have new in stock

This is the complete factory rear drive shaft out of the Polaris. If
you can't tell by the image, the two yokes are not clocked correctly.
I'm not sure how many degrees they are out, but, they are not in a
straight line. Also, the rear pinion as it was bolted in the Polaris
was tipped up 9 degrees while the output shaft from the trans is or was
parallel with the frame rails.

IMO, I don't think Polaris was to concerned with the drive line angles.
The best I can figure is they tipped the rear up to keep the e-brake
rotor from protruding below the bottom of the frame rails????

Alright now guys & gals, how many of ya can say your sport'n a Dana
rear in your Rhino?????????????????????????????????????????????
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