Land Cruiser Diesel Conversion

[SoulWinner]

A while back there was some discussion about Toyota Land Cruisers and one the board members from "Down Under" had one with a GM diesel conversion. I have some question regarding this conversion and would sure appreciate your input. Thanks.

Wes

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Land Cruiser Diesel Conversion

 

[JB]

Re: Land Cruiser Diesel Conversion

You would probably have better luck in the Non-boating Tech Forum, SW.

I could be wrong, but I think Toyota sells/sold the Land Cruiser with a Diesel engine down under, like they do in Africa.

 

[Skinnywater]

Re: Land Cruiser Diesel Conversion

The GM diesel is the last choice for such a conversion.
What year and model is your cruiser?
I'd think twice about setting any cast iron V8 diesel in your frame/suspension.
The Toyota diesel may be hard to come by here in the states.
The Mercedes OM617.950 turbodiesel is an inline 5cylinder 3 liter. They can be had completely remanufactured with all the periphials, turbo, p/s pump, fuel system, etc, etc, essentially turn key, in the 5k range plus core.
A 616 (240D) clutch and flywheel, an Advance Adapter kit, some linkage and an OEM airfilter bucket from a bone yard would make a slick conversion.

 

[bjcsc]

Re: Land Cruiser Diesel Conversion

Although slightly off-topic, there are a couple of nice HJ's on eBay right now. I wonder how close to a direct swap one of their engines would be...

HJ45

HJ47

 

[RPJS]

Re: Land Cruiser Diesel Conversion

Just buy yourself a diesel Range Rover, you'll have a good 4x4 then.

8)8)

 

[SoulWinner]

Re: Land Cruiser Diesel Conversion

Ha ha, very funny RPJS.d

JB, I posted here because this was where the discussion was held about two years ago. Just hope the original participants can get back in touch and then move to non-boating tech.

What I am doing is compiling data for IH8MUD, an online Land Cruiser club/group/forum. I think it may have been Kiwi Phil who has an FJ-100 Land Cruiser with a GM diesel. I want to get the names of companies in Australia or New Zealand that make kits for engine swaps. Not for me, but for the group. See, most of the guys in IH8MUD are out west where there are huge rocks and canyons and sand, but no mud like us southern boys play in. Some of them put stronger engines in thier rigs in order to haul these heavy trucks up near verticle grades. Even with proper gearing these trucks are typical of Toyota 4X4's in that they are under powered. Combine the lack of power and 12mpg, some guys are willing to trade off reliablitiy and longevity of service with more horse power and much better gas mileage.

Me? I'm happy with my Cruiser as it is. Well, I could do with less rust (I bought mine in Cleaveland), but I love the truck.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Land Cruiser Diesel Conversion

[colour=blue]

A while back there was some discussion about Toyota Land Cruisers and one the board members from "Down Under" had one with a GM diesel conversion. I have some question regarding this conversion and would sure appreciate your input. Thanks.

Wes

The member you are thinking of is 'achris', he put a twin turbo V8 diesel into a 100 series cruiser. He is an engineer and did the job himself.

You will find it difficult to find him now, he went 'postal' (figuratively speaking) over one of the gun threads and has not been seen since.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Land Cruiser Diesel Conversion

[colour=blue]He used this company for the conversion kit, they will make anything to suit anything but the conversion kit for 100 series/GM V8 diesel is common and off the self.

http://www.marks4wd.com/

 

[SoulWinner]

Re: Land Cruiser Diesel Conversion

Hey, thanks Duna! He has a sweet Cruiser. I hate it that he left. Oh well, maybe he will be back some day. Anyhoo, thanks for the link. This will help out sme of the guys on the Cruiser group.

Cheers,
Wes

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Land Cruiser Diesel Conversion

[colour=blue]Can I have a link to the cruiser forum, I'd like to take a looksee.

 

[woodrat]

Re: Land Cruiser Diesel Conversion

here's one of them. there's lots, just google it.

http://toyotadiesel.com/forums/

 

[JB]

Re: Land Cruiser Diesel Conversion

I agree with Skinnywater.

Those big GM V8s are heavy. So are the Ford Powerstrokes. Too heavy in my mind for a FJ.

The MB 5 and 6 cylinder inline turboDiesels are torque monsters for 3 and 3.5 liters. The upcoming DFI turbos are even more exciting.

Come to think of it, I would even seriously consider the new Cummins 4 valve DFI turboDiesel. 500+ pound feet are mighty attractive for a rock climber. The Cummins are state of the art in Diesel technology.

 

[puddle jumper]

Re: Land Cruiser Diesel Conversion

Just wondering why would you want to swap out the toyota deisel?There a bullet proof engine if looked after.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Land Cruiser Diesel Conversion

[colour=blue]achris swapped out a 6 cyl gas guzzler.

 

[Skinnywater]

Re: Land Cruiser Diesel Conversion

Kinda strange to install a big heavy motor in a rock crawler.
It's kinda like putting in that motor just to pull itself over a rock.
I've hauled enough spare spindles and axles into the Rubicon for the V8 crowd. First gear/low range western trail rock crawling doesn't require 8 coffee can sized pistones.

The GM diesel really doesn't have a very good reputation at all.

 

[SoulWinner]

Re: Land Cruiser Diesel Conversion

Here is a link to the Cruiser forum:

http://forum.ih8mud.com/

There oare forums for all of the FJ's; 40, 60 etc.

Gotta run for now, I'll address the Toyota Diesel question this evening.

Peace,
Wes

 

[SoulWinner]

Re: Land Cruiser Diesel Conversion

Ok, I'm back.

Toyota Land Cruisers with Diesel engines were offered in Japan, but not the US or AU or NZ. I have hear but not confirmed that parts of Africa and the Middle East also got the Diesels. There are companies that get split trucks from Japan (Land Cruisers cut from behind the front doors, the front is shipped to the US with the engine, trans and electronic system intact). These are $9000., and after you pull the engine, trans, brain and wiring you dump your engine trans ect into the slpit clip and return it. This a LOT of BS to go through, plus a pile of money to get the Toyota engine. Even though the Toyota Diesel is legendary, it is too cost and engineering prohibitive for most.

Then there are the smaler Toyota Diesels that are in fork lifts and such. These are too small for the heft of the Cruiser, but they would rock in a Tacoma.

Now, I had thought about the MB diesel as mentioned by JB. These are great engines. They are quiet, REALLY clean and have a parts availability. The only thing is, no one has done this conversion yet. The engine that would be perfect for the Cruiser I think is the 5 cylinder. The wiring would be the hard part. Mating the MB engine to the Cruiser bell housing is a simple matter of an adapter plate that most machine shops could make. Heck, I could make one. But the wiring, now that is a real bear. Both the MB's and the Cruisers have wiring harnesses from....well, you know where. I would love to get my hands on a wrecked Benz with the Diesel engine and intact running gear and have a go at it. I think that the MB engines reliability and longevity would completely trump the desire to install a small block chevy for more power, and the fuel economy of the MB diesel would be icing on the cake.

I think I will do some more research on the Benz angle. A kti for that swap would be awesome.

 

[puddle jumper]

Re: Land Cruiser Diesel Conversion

I use to work at Toyota and there are diesels out there.Up hear in Canada we use to get them in p/u's
up to the fj's.Geat engine last a life time.
pj

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Land Cruiser Diesel Conversion

[colour=blue]Soulwinner, we most definately do get the genuine cruiser diesel, both now and in the past. Between 1973 & 1984 (including the 45 series) we had the 3.9L 'H'. 60 & 70 series had the 4.0L 2H. The 62, 75, 78, 80 & 100 series ran the 4.2L 1HZ with or without turbo (different cranks for the turbo model). 1KZ-TE & 1HDT are available as options.

IMO, the 1HZ is bullet proof - smooth, reliable and economical.