2LT

[Ghostrider I]

I'm considering bidding on a 70 series on Bring a Trailer. One of my fellow club members says no to it as it has the 2 LT engine- claims that it has head issues.

I do have confidence in his viewpoint, but I'd like to hear other people's opinions. I'm not new to diesel as I have an HDJ80 with the 1HD-T.

 

[OGBeno]

It’s a wonderful engine. Buy it.

Your wallet will never be the same.

 

[Ghostrider I]

It’s a wonderful engine. Buy it.

Your wallet will never be the same.

As in thinner??

 

[John in Utah]

The L series can be good little engines if they've been well looked after. There is not much love for them on this forum and few of us around who will defend them.

Even as one of those few, I wouldn't pay BaT prices for an LJ

 

[Ghostrider I]

The L series can be good little engines if they've been well looked after. There is not much love for them on this forum and few of us around who will defend them.

Even as one of those few, I wouldn't pay BaT prices for an LJ

If the auction fails. I got a cash offer in mind

 

[aabajian]

That LJ uses the 2L-T not the 2L-TE. I have an '87 Blizzard that uses the same engine. It has the interesting distinction of being the only diesel engine sold in the USA (it was an option on the 1985 Toyota Pickup).

The 2L-T heads do blow, but not as often as the 2L-TE heads. Actually, Toyota revamped the 2L-T head between 1987 and 1990. The head that cracks is part 11101-54061, and is likely the one this truck has. It can be replaced with 11101-54062 to solve the cracking issue. I've seen U.S. pickups with the 2L-T engine and >400,000 miles.

With that said, there are two big problems with 2L-T, even with the revised head:
1. Parts availability, and confusion of parts with 2L-TE engines.
2. Mechanic skill level (the number of people qualified to tune a manual injection pump is rapidly dwindling). The engine is simple, but certain systems (hello, SuperGlow) can fry in an instant. Other technical details are poorly documented. Now that the Hilux Surf website is down, it is a real pain to track down issues.

Oh, and someone on the BaT mentioned that you could swap in a 1KZ-TE. I'm rather certain this should only be attempted with a 2L-TE. It would be very challenging to convert a vehicle designed for mechanical injection to electrical injection. You may have to do a whole dash swap as well.

 

[roscoFJ73]

There is a number of issues that need to be considered. Any 2LT is going to be near on 30 years old. JDM models often have the odometer wound back or swapped for a low klm odo. So it may have another 100000klms or more on the engine
They are not powerful and previous owners may have driven them hard trying to get extra accelleration out of it. They are not designed for high speed freeways.
The L engines are good and its adding the turbo which strains them.
Many non turbo L engines, particularly the 3L and 5L, clock up 400000klms and more
I believe that with good 2LT engine, a loving owner could keep them running.

Its all about the price in the end. A cheapy with a good body may justify an engine swap.

 

[roscoFJ73]

Oh, and someone on the BaT mentioned that you could swap in a 1KZ-TE. I'm rather certain this should only be attempted with a 2L-TE. It would be very challenging to convert a vehicle designed for mechanical injection to electrical injection. You may have to do a whole dash swap as well.

I would only do a 1KZ T or a 3L swap. It might be possible to use the older 1KZ T pump on a 1KZ TE, but you are wasting money and not getting the full power. And good 1KZ T dont grow on trees.