About The 3B swap...

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

Sweatyforehead

Sweatyforehead

10 Year
Joined
Mar 30, 2013
Threads
42
Messages
654
Location
Victoria, BC
It was great meeting up with you guys on wednesday, and I am now fully convinced that a 3B will be much better than my original plan of a cummins swap!
However, Im having trouble finding a 3B on Used Victoria and Craigslist, would there be any other places to find one?

I also checked out Radd Cruisers and Ebi Cruisers and was suprised to see that Ebi sells band new engines! Most likely for a pretty penny, but was amazed that they are able to do that.

There was talk that all that would be needed to convert a 24v 3B into a 12v 3B is simply the starter and alternator, would Radd or Ebi have those parts?

As for the 5 speed transmission, is there a certian name of it that I can search?

Thanks for the great experience and I look forward to romping in the bush soon!


:beer:
 
Before you spend all this time and money on a 3B conversion,engine hoists,complete set of tools ,air compressor,air tools,welder,etc.etc.
Whats wrong with the 2F that is in there,does it run? How carefully have you checked the frame,what other things on the 60 don't work or broken. At this point in time you are only out $800.00 which is nothing in Landcruiser dollars. You might be better off buying a complete BJ60 or HJ60 and using your rig as a parts truck.The easiest and cheapest thing to do is get you rig running as is and see if you like it before spending thousands of dollars and hundreds of unpaid hours.
My 2 cents worth
Wombat out
 
Sorry I wasn't at the meeting. Just for info I did work at Radd for a bit and did partake in some conversions, also my own 40 where I put a 2h in and converted it to 12v.

The 3B is your best option because it comes in both 12 and 24v variety, so if you get a 24v one you should be able to trade someone for the 12v bits.
For your project I suggest you have a sound frame first, if not find one, I think diesel cruiser has one and expect to pay about 1000 for it. Then find your engine, tranny which is called H55, cant remeber if the gaser tcase fits, someone help me with this. Finding a donor vehicle is the best way to do this, but it is doable and dont get impatient, do it right the first time. When you get the engine make sure you get the engine and tranny mounts off the frame aswell it will make life easier. You may also need the rad too, different hose hook ups.
 
Definitely the best bet is to get a whole truck if you can.

They turn up for a couple grand fairly often with good running gear. Plus you can fire up the engine, possibly even take it for a burn to see how it is.

Trouble with doing it by buying parts is that you end up with those weekly 200 dollar parts bills for stuff that would have been on a parts truck...in the end it's surprising what the little stuff will end up costing you.

h55f is the 5 speed, it's...ok I guess. Has a nice low first, and a 5th gear, but the spacing between the rest of the gears blows..and they tend to get grumpy after 300 k or so. :meh:


The ones from H diesels and B diesels are different...tcases are all the same tho I think. Other than vacc operated vs manual, and the 34mm 38mm idler difference ( these changes were more of a year thing, switched to the bigger one in ...85 I think...? ))

If you aren't overly concerned with a 5th gear etc, the 3b and 4spd trucks tend to be much cheaper..more like 1k or less even.

other than that, don't let the dinosaurs clinging desperately to their spark plugs dissuade you....:grinpimp:


At the very least, there's usually a few bj60's for sale on used vic, take one for a test drive, and see what you think of it. It won't drive like something with a cummins, you may not even like it...( some folks just can't handle all that raw power from a stock 3b. )

cheers,
r

I generally come to .5 meetings per year, had two exams on thursday morning so this weeks meeting time was spent with nose in book, probably the same deal with the next few as well. :meh:

Presently cruiserless, but I think my next one will put me into double digits. Still have some remnants mellowing in the grass if you're looking for bits.
 
Last edited:
Wow guys, an amazing response to say the least!

the 3B one on Used Victoria is actaully a 12v, so Ill be saving up for that right away!

Im considering getting some insurance for a couple days just to take it out and see what it can currently do (anyone want to come with?)

As for the reasons behind not sticking with the 2F, its mostly gas milage. I work minimum wage (currently) and cant really go for anything less efficent than my 4cyl ranger that I have right now...

Preferably 5speed would be best (would be kinda nice to get up past 100km/h)

Sweaty, out.
 
Once you wheel that carbied gasser and get a chance to compare it to a diesel you'll never look at a carb the same again. The diesels just rattle along perfectly no matter what.... even on their sides for the better part of 3min. (Dont ask how I, or Jay know LOL)

Add in a whistling turbo and there is really no comparison.

If a guy is into high revving, wide open mud bogging and driving back and forth till someone gets stuck keeps you attention then I suppose the gassers reign supreme. For those of us that like to think a bit more than the average amoeba..... diesels are the dogs bollocks.:popcorn:
 
I will take the 2f if your goin to get rid of it... i dont mind the gasser and u can convert it to propane... I think that is the route that i will end up with... and u can turbo a 2f...
 
bikersmurf said:
http://www.usedvictoria.com/classified-ad/1981-3B-Diesel-Engine-750-obo_19340694

Seen this one.
Click to expand...

That looks pretty nice, Ill definitely get in touch with him!

hellbent40 said:
I will take the 2f if your goin to get rid of it... i dont mind the gasser and u can convert it to propane... I think that is the route that i will end up with... and u can turbo a 2f...
Click to expand...

I hope to have the engine out by July or sooner, Ill shoot you a PM when its happening :D
 
Sweatyforehead said:
That looks pretty nice, Ill definitely get in touch with him!



I hope to have the engine out by July or sooner, Ill shoot you a PM when its happening :D
Click to expand...

hmmm...out of an 81 bj42 eh?

I sold an engine fitting that description with my 42 in the summer. It was getting a little tired. needed glow plugs even when it was hot.

May not be the same engine, but if you have time to be picky, see if you can find an 85 or newer 3b. They made a few internal changes that made them better.

No difference in power or anything, but 5 bearing cam instead of 3 , stuff like that. Not like the old ones aren't good, just the newer ones are better.


for 750 you could probably snag an entire truck with tranny (maybe only a 4 speed, but still...) starter, alt and mounts alone could get up close to 500 bucks if you have to buy them separately.
 
Hey dude, bumped into Ian yesterday at NWFab, I did not know that was his old 42 you fixed up... Small little world..:beer: Ian Wheeled that old girl when she was all rusty and it always did very well keeping up with the Zuki on 34s.:flipoff2:
 
Sweatyforehead said:
Preferably 5speed would be best (would be kinda nice to get up past 100km/h)

Sweaty, out.
Click to expand...

The naturally aspirated 3B with a 5spd is pretty anemic (well also with a 4 speed!). You'll do 100km/h but that's about it on the flats; any hills and forget it, you tuck in behind the semi-trucks and enjoy the scenery.

If you can handle that kind of pace, then the 3B is for you.

3B's don't accelerate, they gather speed.

A 3B with a turbo is a totally different engine (future mod perhaps); I put one on my truck last year and I can go up hills in 4th gear, never could do that before.

Good advice on this thread; don't be hasty and get yourself in over your head; enjoy the 2F while you look for a good 3B swap or complete truck.

Welcome to the sickness! :cheers:
 
AJAEbj42 said:
The naturally aspirated 3B with a 5spd is pretty anemic (well also with a 4 speed!). You'll do 100km/h but that's about it on the flats; any hills and forget it, you tuck in behind the semi-trucks and enjoy the scenery.

If you can handle that kind of pace, then the 3B is for you.

3B's don't accelerate, they gather speed.

A 3B with a turbo is a totally different engine (future mod perhaps); I put one on my truck last year and I can go up hills in 4th gear, never could do that before.

Good advice on this thread; don't be hasty and get yourself in over your head; enjoy the 2F while you look for a good 3B swap or complete truck.

Welcome to the sickness! :cheers:
Click to expand...

The turbo will be the ultimate plan. Will my current 4speed tranny with my 2F work with the 3B?

Which is the cheapest turbo method that can be done to the 3B?
 
No, unless you swap in a longer diesel input shaft.
 
I would just buy a parts truck. I did the 2F -> 3B swap + turbo if you have questions.

I'd suggest making sure you figure out how much money you need then add a bunch for all of the misc stuff you'll need.

I converted mine to a manual shutoff pull so that I didn't have to work with edic. I also swapped the 3B from 24V -> 12V (Glow plugs, alternator, starter)

If you do get a parts vehicle make sure you save the engine mounts so you can attempt to re-use them. (From the frame side). Alternatively there was a guy in alberta making new engine mounts or you could make your own.

The trans cross member was probably the trickiest thing for me since I have a spring over so I had to make a custom trans mount to go around the drive shaft.

My swap was somewhat documented here:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/ca-bc-vancouver-island-cruisers/478241-diesel-swap.html

Feel free to ask if you have any questions on anything I did...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom