Duke
SILVER Star
I'm getting close to pulling the trigger on pulling apart my 78 FJ40 and doing a complete refresh, frame, body etc. I'm anticipating it taking a total of 8 months from start to finish. ( I work in the Body Shop industry)
I've always been a big fan of the Toyota Diesels and am leaning strongly in the direction of a 1HD-T paired to a new H55 transmission (already purchased) Love the sound, the power and the bump in fuel economy etc. that comes with this particular diesel. Downside is the cost and perhaps even parts availability. I'm not opposed to spending the money to get the rig that I really have been dreaming of for so many years (almost 55 years old now) Time for a reward right?!! I have no intentions of selling it and my sons and grandsons will inevitably be the recipients of the truck in the end. It's become somewhat of a family heirloom.
However, I am feeling reservations about spending $15k+ on an installation/conversion that includes a used motor with 100k-200k+ on it. It's the used/unknown history of the motor that bothers me when dropping $8k+ on a 1HD-T or even 12HT. I had always planned on one of these engines and settled on the 1HD-T after consultation with another member of the board who I respect both as an individual and builder. The closer I get to doing this the more this recurring thought of value vs. cost rears up in my mind.
One the other hand pulling my 2f and rebuilding it with a balance seems like a useful and practical option. It's definitely more cost effective and I don't have any of the reservations relating to money when I consider this.
Given all the pros and cos of doing this, what do the board members suggest as a course of action? Maybe I'm just having a hard time burying the thought of ROI on something like this, even though I know that it can't be a consideration.
What are your thoughts?
PS. not even remotely interested in V8 conversion. No offense to those who have done this.
I've always been a big fan of the Toyota Diesels and am leaning strongly in the direction of a 1HD-T paired to a new H55 transmission (already purchased) Love the sound, the power and the bump in fuel economy etc. that comes with this particular diesel. Downside is the cost and perhaps even parts availability. I'm not opposed to spending the money to get the rig that I really have been dreaming of for so many years (almost 55 years old now) Time for a reward right?!! I have no intentions of selling it and my sons and grandsons will inevitably be the recipients of the truck in the end. It's become somewhat of a family heirloom.
However, I am feeling reservations about spending $15k+ on an installation/conversion that includes a used motor with 100k-200k+ on it. It's the used/unknown history of the motor that bothers me when dropping $8k+ on a 1HD-T or even 12HT. I had always planned on one of these engines and settled on the 1HD-T after consultation with another member of the board who I respect both as an individual and builder. The closer I get to doing this the more this recurring thought of value vs. cost rears up in my mind.
One the other hand pulling my 2f and rebuilding it with a balance seems like a useful and practical option. It's definitely more cost effective and I don't have any of the reservations relating to money when I consider this.
Given all the pros and cos of doing this, what do the board members suggest as a course of action? Maybe I'm just having a hard time burying the thought of ROI on something like this, even though I know that it can't be a consideration.
What are your thoughts?
PS. not even remotely interested in V8 conversion. No offense to those who have done this.