best diesel choice for FJ60 conversion in Costa Rica

Costa60 · 08-02-09, 11:22 AM

I am starting the process of tracking down motors for a conversion of my '86 FJ 60. I imported it from the US to Costa Rica a few years back and the 2f can no longer pass emissions here due to a wierd law on imports (has to pass emissions based on the year its imported now and not the actual model year, ie my '86 2f is trying to hit the numbers in their computer for a 2005 fuel injected V8, CRAZY!!!!, but a whole 'nother story).

That said good (trustworthy) mechanics are hard to find here, but they do fortunately know toyota diesels very well and they are relatively abundant. I am going to be sourcing the motor in CR. Importing brings a wole new set of hassles and I have enough money tied up in a car I can't drive as it is.

I do not nee to do any serious offroading ect, this will be my daily driver. This is primarily being done so that I can get the vehicle legal again and then I can address other issues. I want a reliable diesel and the simpler the better. I don't need a ton of power and I imagine anything will be an improvement in gas mileage. I'd like to change the tranny and tcase as well.

I'm thinking of looking for a 3B or 13bt ... any input from experiences would be greatly apprecitaed. THANKS!

roscoFJ73 · 08-02-09, 08:22 PM

I would get the 1HZ. Without a turbo it has simiar power to a 2F. Will cruise at 70 all day and use about 30% less fuel.
A 2H would be the easiest swap

IrollwithTojo · 08-02-09, 08:26 PM

12HT also...

-Carl

owenjam · 08-02-09, 08:37 PM

I love my 3B so much I bought another one.....

FL cruiser · 08-02-09, 08:42 PM

There's lots of B's in Costa, but a 13BT will be hard to find.
A 12HT is a hard find there.
Just not may turbo'd vehicles imported there except some TD 80's

A 2H will be an easy find in CR and have more power than an un-tubo'd "B" engine.

There's some 1HZ cruisers running around too.

There are some importers of Japanese engines there that maybe you could get a 1HZ from.
There's a few used parts places right next to each other about 3KM west of the airport on the pista. I forget which one, but one of them told me they could get a 1HZ imported.

alpinecowboy · 08-02-09, 09:30 PM

I've been super stoked with my 3B for sure... it does have the mercedes turbo on it, but it runs like a top on the highway - cruises at 75 w/ my four speed - mileage rocks - 25 in the city and 29 on the highway - and that's running 33 x 12.50's...

I know that the H's have more power, especially the 12HT, but I just haven't needed it yet.

For me, the 3b has plenty of power for cruising and is still wicked lean on fuel consumption...

If you're not looking to go crazy off road and wanted simple dependability grab a 3B, especially if the are abundant in CR.

Costa60 · 08-06-09, 09:49 AM

Thanks for the reply. Did you put your 3B in yourself? I would love to know more.

Costa60 · 08-06-09, 09:53 AM

Thanks for the info. I found a wrecked Prado with a 3.0 1KZT in it. He only wants 5K for the whole truck. Do you know anything about these? I used to live in St. Pete for a brief stint. I bought an old trimaran there and had in in the St. Pete muni marina for a bit. Have you spent some time in CR? Thanks again.

cody c · 08-06-09, 06:53 PM

I would hold hold off for a 3b with h55f, you can easily turbo them and they are quite reliable and economical.

FL cruiser · 08-07-09, 07:52 AM

Quote:

I used to live in St. Pete for a brief stint. I bought an old trimaran there and had in in the St. Pete muni marina for a bit. Have you spent some time in CR?

I lived there for a year when I was a teenager (great time!!) My Dad moved there 40 years ago. My son works at the Firestone-Bridgestone factory there and my daughter attends the university of Costa Rica. I do make it there at least a couple times a year. Where are you there?

A friend of mine from St Pete owns a junkyard there. It is Toyosan a few Kilometers west of the airport on the autopista. All Toyota and Nissan parts, but the bad thing is that all his parts are from US spec vehicles from the west coast of Florida. No diesels or Japanese engine imports.
Stop by Toyosan and talk to Rudy. He is very nice, speaks English, and is full of information and knows people and where to find stuff. The downside his Cruiser knowledge is limited, and they aren't the cheapest place to buy parts.
There was a neighboring junkyard/parts place that imported Japanese engines.

I'm sure you already found out people there can promise allot, but when it comes down to delivering it falls short. Unfortunately it sure does apply to auto parts and mechanics there.

Don't know anything about the Prado engines. Do some research. From reading various BB's, I don't think the Aussies have a high opinion of them. I forget the reason why.

Pura Vida!

Tapage · 08-07-09, 05:12 PM

IMOP your best choice it's a 1HZ . . it's the coaster bus engine so you can be lucky and have more options of source ..

In2cruisers · 08-08-09, 01:28 AM

Just southwest of the airport (just before the "AIRPORT HOTEL" same side of the road) there are a couple parts places...there is one that must have 200 motors out and on the ground in this warehouse...last time I was there he had 6 toyota diesel motors

He is just a couple doors down from Rudy (above)