Prado engine conversion. Thoughts.

tacomadave · 07-10-09, 02:34 PM

Ok, i'm in BC Canada and Toyota Prado 90-92 are everywhere and dirt cheap because of the 2lt-e engines and their head issues. Would it be all that difficult to swap in a 22re or a 2rz/3rz gasoline engine? Or some other readily available engine.

According to Wikipedia the 22re was available in the Prado but none of the JDM export places have gas Prados that I have found.

Josie'sLandCruiser · 07-10-09, 03:23 PM

Hi All:

I have a buddy with a gray-market import (left-hand drive) LJ73 which he swapped a 22R-E into after the 2LT-E engine died. It is certainly possible, and not that difficult.

He is unhappy with the lack of power of the 22R-E (and notable poor fuel economy) so his project for this coming winter is to swap-in one of the Toyota 3.4L V-6 engines from a Tacoma or 4Runner.

Good luck!

Alan

tacomadave · 07-10-09, 03:31 PM

Awesome, thats exactly what I wanted to hear, By chance would he have a build thread on a forum of the conversion?

Things i'm really wondering about are motor mounts etc,

Thanks.

Dave

lshobie · 07-10-09, 05:09 PM

I'd like an LJ78 with a blown engine - any around - and how much are they?

crushers · 07-10-09, 05:38 PM

bugger off Louis, i want one first to build my dream ride...

roscoFJ73 · 07-10-09, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lshobie

I'd like an LJ78 with a blown engine - any around - and how much are they?

Quote:

Originally Posted by crushers

bugger off Louis, i want one first to build my dream ride...

I thought they were falling out of the sky up there, and you two are squabbling over them

crushers · 07-10-09, 06:01 PM

the stupid thing is, i didn't want to ship mine down during the move so i sold them both dirt cheap... now i want one back, darn.
sometimes i look in the mirror and shake my head...

lshobie · 07-10-09, 07:51 PM

LOL, ya, been there - sucks eh! Oh well, I'll take a grey one - you can have that nasty brown

pradocruzer · 07-10-09, 10:05 PM

Finally.

Something nice said about the 78.
I wouldn't give mine up for the world no mater what engine was up front.

crushers · 07-11-09, 04:53 AM

LOL!!
Louis, i knew you had a good sense of humor.
it would end up flat green the same as the HZJ40 i am building (i am starting to really like that color).

lshobie · 07-11-09, 06:32 AM

Ya, it's a no brainer now, I'll have that 1HZ tranny/transfer sitting here, and I am getting another BJ70 LHD donor for the firewall and axles - a HZJ-TI 78 with 3.70's will be the prefect family vehicle.

crushers · 07-11-09, 09:07 AM

ummm, LJ78 has 4.90 gearing with no 3.7 option...

Josie'sLandCruiser · 07-11-09, 11:12 AM

Hi All:

Nope, no build thread. Honestly, he is not much of an internet guy, but if you want to get in touch with him "PM" me your contact info and I'll pass it on to him.

Regards,

Alan

-------------------------------------------------------

Quote:

Originally Posted by tacomadave

Awesome, thats exactly what I wanted to hear, By chance would he have a build thread on a forum of the conversion?

Things i'm really wondering about are motor mounts etc,

Thanks.

Dave

Josie'sLandCruiser · 07-11-09, 11:14 AM

Hi All:

Yeah, like X2!!

Anyone know what the first year of production was for the LJ/RJ/Prado rigs?

Regards,

Alan

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Quote:

Originally Posted by lshobie

I'd like an LJ78 with a blown engine - any around - and how much are they?

crushers · 07-11-09, 12:00 PM

2 door or 4 door? 2 door in 85, 4 door in 90.

lshobie · 07-11-09, 12:11 PM

Wayne, I have a set of BJ70 axles to put under it - 3.70's.

crushers · 07-11-09, 12:59 PM

why? the axles under the 78 are bullet proof... throw a set of 34s on it and call it a day.

lshobie · 07-11-09, 01:10 PM

I dont want big tires on it - it would just be a grocery getter and something to drive between cities.

denis · 07-11-09, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crushers

ummm, LJ78 has 4.90 gearing with no 3.7 option...

take the front r&p from a m/t hdj80 ; drop the gears from a m/t turbo ma70 in any non 39/8 rear third member housing.... ta daa! 3.73 gearing

denis · 07-11-09, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tacomadave

Or some other readily available engine.

1UZ-FE

beislebub · 07-11-09, 07:25 PM

I put a hz into my lj78, but that required using a HD front clip. I think a Pz would fit in the Prados clip lengthwise, height might be a matter of body lift or a hood bump. If I can remember correctly I had about 2 1/2" from the front of my crank pulley to my crossmember (backside), before I moved it forward. If your not scared of the possibilty of a electric fan, and a few other things ,you'd be set. I think there is/was a pz for sale in the classifieds.

Joel .

crushers · 07-12-09, 04:59 AM

although the PZ is shorter the location is the same at the front, longer bellhousing to offset the tranny location.

beislebub · 07-12-09, 09:06 AM

Oh I see, well I guess that would leave lots of room for a massive egr!

Joel.

beislebub · 07-12-09, 05:49 PM

Just a thought. Would it be possible to use a shorter bell housing (Hz), which would allow the engine to sit against the firewall, weld the engine mounts further back, and use the original tranny mounts?

I know this isn't a "readily available engine", but there out there.

Joel.

Josie'sLandCruiser · 07-12-09, 07:31 PM

Hi All:

Thanks Wayne. So it is looking like a 1985 LJ/RJ would be a legal import into the USA starting next year!

Which markets besides Japan got the light-duty 70 Series?

Regards,

Alan

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Quote:

Originally Posted by crushers

2 door or 4 door? 2 door in 85, 4 door in 90.

boogie74 · 07-12-09, 07:52 PM

We have them in Australia. They're called a Bundera over here.
Light duty - Hilux running gear. Not really a Landcruiser.

crushers · 07-12-09, 08:01 PM

do a search, they were sold everywhere but NA under different names... look up land cruiser 2 series...

tacomadave · 07-12-09, 10:43 PM

I've done some searching, Germany seems to have a fair number of mid 90's Land Cruisers, never looked at 25 year old ones tho. Check this link for used car searches there, main benefit is they are LHD.

how to find a car in Germany

There is a LHD Prado for sale in Vancouver but it is $16k for a two door model and that aint really cheap seeing as i've seen RHD 4 door models for $6k and less...

So for all these engines listed, are Toyota engine / trannies fairly universal fit? I looked up that 1uz-fe and it would be an amazing engine in a Prado lol.