VGT turbos

W

WeswesO

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Oct 14, 2025
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Hey guys, my name is Wes, my grandfather just sold me his 1990s Ford Ranger for 1$, (dead transmission)
And I'm not building a diesel. I want recommendations for

VGT turbos and a single-speed transfer case (relatively cheap)

I'm using either (for now) (cheap version)
VR35DDTT (3.5 L)
or
VR30DDTT (1,800ish)
variations have a displacement of 3.0, 3.5, and 3.8 L.

along with wheel hubs/carriers/front diffx2 from the GTR (cheap second-hand parts)
Possible modify the rear and front subframes to use GTR control arms too
wheel hubs 300 ish (each) for fr/fl/rr/rl
diffs BMW E36/46 diff f& r (300-400) x2



Plan on using this

vr38 (cheapest is 9,999)

Vr38 Up to 4-4.2 (stroker kit) from 2016 onward gtrs later on (cost)
going with a GTR transaxle (6500 ish) and
wheel hubs 300 ish (each) for fr/fl/rr/rl
/front diff 2k ish depending.

I want to do a twin squentail VGT turbo setup so 2 turbos pre 3 cyl bank


What trucks should I gander at in junkyards?

Ik this is a Duramax form, but Cummins and Power Stroke trucks too, again after the turbos
 
Last edited:
TheBac

TheBac

Why do I keep doing this?
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Apr 19, 2008
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Not to be rude, but maybe you should be asking this on a Ford Ranger/Explorer site?

Ranger-Forums - The Ultimate Ford Ranger Resource

A Premiere Site For Ford Ranger Enthusiasts
www.ranger-forums.com
www.therangerstation.com

The Ranger Station

The Ranger Station was created in 1999 for Ford Ranger owners and has featured vehicle articles, tech articles, forums, trip reports, and product reviews.
www.therangerstation.com www.therangerstation.com
There looks to be a few of them on a google search.

I just dont see how any of us can even begin to answer your questions. I dont want to see you wasting your time.
 
W

WeswesO

New member
Oct 14, 2025
9
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Muskegon, MI
TheBac said:
Not to be rude, but maybe you should be asking this on a Ford Ranger/Explorer site?

Ranger-Forums - The Ultimate Ford Ranger Resource

A Premiere Site For Ford Ranger Enthusiasts
www.ranger-forums.com
www.therangerstation.com

The Ranger Station

The Ranger Station was created in 1999 for Ford Ranger owners and has featured vehicle articles, tech articles, forums, trip reports, and product reviews.
www.therangerstation.com www.therangerstation.com
There looks to be a few of them on a google search.

I just dont see how any of us can even begin to answer your questions. I dont want to see you wasting your time.
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Not to be rude but it won't be much of a Ford Ranger, and I'm looking to rob parts from maybe a Duramax. I'm not an expert or enthusiast at all.

for instance, do Rangers or explorers come with VGT turbos, or a transfer case that can handle a decent amount of torque?

And do any other cars/trucks come with VGTs?

you understand my logic?

So, being you have a 2016 Colorado CC/LB 2.8 Dmax, you have a turbo rec for me a VGT?
 
Last edited:
TheBac

TheBac

Why do I keep doing this?
Staff member
Apr 19, 2008
16,916
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113
Mid Michigan
Cant say I understand your logic. Considering Duramax turbos have integral pedestals, it would be very difficult to adapt one to another engine.
Would be more beneficial to you to look at Garrett or Borg technical specs to see what might work for whatever swap it is youre working on. You're probably going to be making your own pedestal/mount anyway.

Are you looking at an EcoBoost engine swap? That would be an interesting project, and would use all stock parts. But again, a Ford forum would be a smarter choice for information, and those guys have probably already figured out what turbos will swap to gain more power, and could answer your questions on the drivetrain, tranfer case, etc.

As for my recommendations, you've already read them. There's far better places to get information than to ask this forum that has literally no connection at all to whatever it is you're doing. Not trying to dissuade you, just stating a simple fact. For example, I wouldnt ask a BMW forum questions about a Chrysler. Just trying to get you to see this might not be a wise use of your time.
 
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gmduramax

gmduramax

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Jun 12, 2008
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Nor cal
Duramax turbos are not going to work for your project. Just get some VS racing ball bearing turbos and don’t bother with VGT
 
Bdsankey

Bdsankey

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If you're dead set on using a VGT, you'd have better luck looking at something off a Cummins or Powerstroke as they're easier to mount. The 6.0L Powerstroke could be a good candidate.

As for your question of what works on your application, literally nobody here will be able to help you unfortunately. The 6.0L powerstroke will be easiest to mount and quicker to spool. They use a v-band inlet so the hardest part would be making the mount for it that integrates the oil drain.
 
W

WeswesO

New member
Oct 14, 2025
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Muskegon, MI
Bdsankey said:
If you're dead set on using a VGT, you'd have better luck looking at something off a Cummins or Powerstroke as they're easier to mount. The 6.0L Powerstroke could be a good candidate.

As for your question of what works on your application, literally nobody here will be able to help you unfortunately. The 6.0L powerstroke will be easiest to mount and quicker to spool. They use a v-band inlet so the hardest part would be making the mount for it that integrates the oil drain.
Click to expand...
Reason for VGT is well its used in diesels for speeding up exaust gas flow to spin the turbos quicker (helps lag/ throttle responce) and same for squentail trubo setup (non compound), if the VGT's that I can find are so bad then im good to drop the VGT idea.

Do they not have ball bearings? Would a squentail BB turbo just be better or is the full combo of VGTs in non coumpond squentail set up over all better for throttle responce
 

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W

WeswesO

New member
Oct 14, 2025
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0
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Muskegon, MI
TheBac said:
Cant say I understand your logic. Considering Duramax turbos have integral pedestals, it would be very difficult to adapt one to another engine.
Would be more beneficial to you to look at Garrett or Borg technical specs to see what might work for whatever swap it is youre working on. You're probably going to be making your own pedestal/mount anyway.

Are you looking at an EcoBoost engine swap? That would be an interesting project, and would use all stock parts. But again, a Ford forum would be a smarter choice for information, and those guys have probably already figured out what turbos will swap to gain more power, and could answer your questions on the drivetrain, tranfer case, etc.

As for my recommendations, you've already read them. There's far better places to get information than to ask this forum that has literally no connection at all to whatever it is you're doing. Not trying to dissuade you, just stating a simple fact. For example, I wouldnt ask a BMW forum questions about a Chrysler. Just trying to get you to see this might not be a wise use of your time.


Click to expand...
Hey umm I fully explained my idea and manny times I meantion VGT's to my knowlange they only come on diesels . I know nothing about diesels

you said "Considering Duramax turbos have integral pedestals" guess what I did not know that at all......................

Pedistales? can I get a pic?


Im more than likely using a vr30 or 35 for 1800 ish usd (same engin arcitecture exept the vr38 (9,999 usd) (gtr motor) is stronger and stock revs higher and better aftermarket. all are, v6s im replacing a v6 and almost doubling hp from stock even for the non desireible vr30 or vr35)



I came to thel listed diesel forms for hopfully VGT recmendation / what truck to hunt down in the junkyards near me. if VGTs are just some how trash for non diesels, what truck has dam good turbos to steal and use for myself again from a junk yard, cheap for me im not looking to save almost 15k single shot for the tranmission I want and motor, im good with close eough to start


here is a video showing VGT's work how at least I expect.

If im worng please show me how I am.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYA68ejZyno






end all and be all GTR drive train swap possibly suspention
 
W

WeswesO

New member
Oct 14, 2025
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Muskegon, MI
Bdsankey said:
If you're dead set on using a VGT, you'd have better luck looking at something off a Cummins or Powerstroke as they're easier to mount. The 6.0L Powerstroke could be a good candidate.

As for your question of what works on your application, literally nobody here will be able to help you unfortunately. The 6.0L powerstroke will be easiest to mount and quicker to spool. They use a v-band inlet so the hardest part would be making the mount for it that integrates the oil drain.
Click to expand...
Yeah didnt really know all the diesels people have in trucks at least the truck lovers were most of the time 2x displacment of what im doing.

still year make or model of trucks for me to hunt for in the junkyard is nice,
 
Bdsankey

Bdsankey

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WeswesO said:
Yeah didnt really know all the diesels people have in trucks at least the truck lovers were most of the time 2x displacment of what im doing.

still year make or model of trucks for me to hunt for in the junkyard is nice,
Click to expand...
We, in the diesel world, don't really swap VGT turbos from brand-to-brand or try and retrofit a VGT onto a non-VGT truck.

A 03-07 6.0L Powerstroke is what I mentioned.
 
W

WeswesO

New member
Oct 14, 2025
9
0
1
Muskegon, MI
Bdsankey said:
We, in the diesel world, don't really swap VGT turbos from brand-to-brand or try and retrofit a VGT onto a non-VGT truck.

A 03-07 6.0L Powerstroke is what I mentioned.
Click to expand...
I did forget to thank you for actually telling me what to look for. Every other form either told me "why vgt," "it won't work" "it's not a diesel, why vgt" , and you know, didn't tell me what to look for, so thank you very much,

Are you interested in pics later on? 4-6 mo+

"Don't really swap VGT turbos from brand-to-brand or try and retrofit a VGT onto a non-VGT truck."

Makes sense, need some custom stuff done to make VGT work on a vehicle that didn't have it before (video link), but as I see it VGT is a net gain for throttle response/boost threshold.
 
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