2LT question

[Technikev]

Since the 2LT diesel seems to have proven itself a bit less than reliable in the North American driving environment (even Wayne has changed his mind), I have a question that is not specific to the 70 series, but rather to the engine that graces many of these trucks. This is not exactly the right section me thinks, but those who would likely know the answers hang out here...

Is this engine the same as the 2.4 turbodiesel available in the mid- to late 80's minitruck? Although it was not widely accepted here at the time, is it reliable? I personally don't hear of many failures. Do you think this is a product of there being not many out there, or perhaps that it is pushing a much lighter vehicle and not worked as hard?

A friend of mine is considering one of these, so I thought I might ask the question and try to help him down the right path. Any other thoughts (other than buy a cruiser) that might be of use are certainly welcomed, as well. Thanks a bunch.

-kevin

 

[denis]

There have been two generations of the 2L/2LT engines, with a changeover in 1989 or something like that with about the same overall design. The minitruck are lighter and have much less aerodynamic drag than cruisers that's for sure.
The "2LT is crap" motto is just that, crap. It has some limitations like every engine has, and the head is not the strongest out there. With a light foot and a good cooling system you can go along way.

 

[crushers]

nah, they ARE crap. the older ones had problems with valve seats dropping as well as the guides, the later ones have the heat problems (although some of the older ones crack as well)

the only good Toyota diesel engine that is smaller than 3.4L is ... .... ..... ...... .......
damn, none of them are.

 

[brownbear]

How about the 2c and those van engines....do they suffer the same fate of head failure?

 

[crushers]

yep...
ask the lady at the top of the Choqu with the blown 2CT head...(this is going back a few months now).
you can also ask Dan about these ones...

 

[James@JDM]

the only good Toyota diesel engine that is smaller than 3.4L is ... .... ..... ...... .......
damn, none of them are.

You don't like the 1KZTE Wayne? I agree on the 2LTE, they are well known for head issues,

The 1KZTE is a big step up on the old 2LTE, but unfortunately it's going to be a few years before we can get them into Canada..

The other good motor is the 3L 2.8 litre in the Hilux Pickup, they are bulletproof!!

James

 

[Mudkiwi]

We have hundreds of 2lt engines in NZ in the imports, they come in cruisers, vans, Surfs and Hiluxs. They are ok for around town but if you give them a hard time they wont last.

They crack heads, drop valve seats and run big end bearings if you want something powerfull and reliable dont get a 2l, 2lt or 2lte.

 

[huckthehaus]

meh, i was looking at swapping a 2lt in my 4runner for about a year, but i was getting wary of all the issues. i am definitely not easy on my junk. then i looked at the 3L, big $$$, some people still have head problems. in the end i swapped a 3B in. it was a week long ordeal, but well worth it. more power, and the bulletproof reputation that comes with the 3B.

 

[prado t]

the 2lte engine can be good as long as it doesnt have shortcommings ie:has been overheated due to lugging2when overheated and your coolent has spilled on the ground via overflow you must purge the air out ie vapourlock ad toyota red coolent i was talking to a toyota engineer today in abbotsford<japanese>he said steem cracks these heads
aaron kuit

 

[roscoFJ73]

Has anyone looked closely at installing one of those Brazillian 2.8 V6 diesels yet?
With lots of blown engines around it must be forcing the value of the 78 down and this would seem like an ideal swap if it can be made to work.
Plenty of V6 petrol conversions in oz ,so why not a diesel?

 

[crushers]

You don't like the 1KZTE Wayne? I agree on the 2LTE, they are well known for head issues,

The 1KZTE is a big step up on the old 2LTE, but unfortunately it's going to be a few years before we can get them into Canada..

The other good motor is the 3L 2.8 litre in the Hilux Pickup, they are bulletproof!!

James

James, you have much more experience with the K series and the 3L but there are reports of the KZ engines loosing their heads as well and the 2.8 is a gutless pig on fuel... they too have head issues...
it seems Canada is great for finding the weaknesses in engines...

 

[brownbear]

Canada has long and fast highways, big winds, and if your in the west....endless mountains.

100-110 is the minimum to drive on the highways. Sure the sign says max 100 or 110 ... but try doing that and you have a huge tractor trailer on your arse, with the highway being only two lanes.... not fun.

My BJ60 is on the limits for power, any less and I would flip. Already now I spend a bunch of time on the shoulder while large trucks pass. When I finally get her going I am tune the fuel and boost to "my" max, and see how I like it.

If it works great, if not... I will throw in a larger diesel.

 

[dupa]

meh, i was looking at swapping a 2lt in my 4runner for about a year, but i was getting wary of all the issues. i am definitely not easy on my junk. then i looked at the 3L, big $$$, some people still have head problems. in the end i swapped a 3B in. it was a week long ordeal, but well worth it. more power, and the bulletproof reputation that comes with the 3B.

did you think about $ when you did the swap?? you will probably save about 7$ per 100 km comparing to stock gas 4 runner and if you pay around 6 k for all conversion was it worth it??so driving about 100000 km will get your money back so in my opiniom if you managed to do this swap in less than 4500 than you can have have some beer money left after 100 k km

 

[crushers]

meh, i was looking at swapping a 2lt in my 4runner for about a year, but i was getting wary of all the issues. i am definitely not easy on my junk. then i looked at the 3L, big $$$, some people still have head problems. in the end i swapped a 3B in. it was a week long ordeal, but well worth it. more power, and the bulletproof reputation that comes with the 3B.

do you have pics of the install or a link to a write up?

 

[brownbear]

do you have pics of the install or a link to a write up?

until he posts pictures I'm not believing him..............;p


the time is up Huck....lets see that rig man.

 

[noswals]

Damn Wayne, it gets real old listening to your negative drivel about the Prado and/or the 2L-TE. Haven't you got better things to do than dis things? All of us know the issues relating to this vehicle/engine, your endless negativity is becoming so very tiring to listen to. Perhaps your opinions are best kept at a dull roar...lol.
Cheers,

Craig.

 

[crushers]

real easy fix --- stick me on your ignore list...

 

[KZJ77]

@crushers

Now i have to take up the cudgels for the 2Lseries engines.

I owned 2 Hilux, both of them with added turbos. One with the safari kit and intercooler, the other one with ct20 and the oil cooler out of a Landcruisers 2L-T2.
Used them as daily driver and to travel (800kilometer highway without pause) and never cracked a head. Sold them with over 270tkm´s on the clock still running fine.
My girlfriend also has a Lux as daily driver and she loves the beast.
Maybe the LJ78 is to heavy for this little engines, but therefore it´s named LandCruiser - not LandRacer.

The 1KZ-T(E) has the same bad reputatuion. But that´s what´s comming out if you castrate an 1HZ and put a turbo on it.

Mine had the head replaced at 60tkm, now it has 206tkm on the clock and runs great.

Greetings

Michael

 

[crushers]

morning,
interesting use of words but what does "castrate" mean in this sentence?

 

[brownbear]

%^$%$&^$%$%^$%^$%^$$%^$$##**&^%

What did crushers say here............?