Advice from all Diesel Guru’s

[alxtorres]

I current have a 92’ FJ80 w/150K miles on my 3FE motor, it averages between 10-13 mpg and crawls like a slug up hills. Long story short… I'm interested in doing a diesel conversion swap. I hear they have plenty of power and average 22mpg. What are my best options for a guy with limited funds? Where should I begin, I live in SOCAL.
Thanks in advance…

 

[Jan-78FJ40]

I am not a guru and have mostly experience with Toyota engines. A 1HZ or 1HD-T would be a fairly easy install into your truck. However, it won't come cheap-the drive train alone will run you around 8k, and then probably has high miles on it. Sourcing all the small parts that you'll need in addition will quickly add up too.
22mpg is pushing it. 20 is realistic.

A 4BT conversion will be cheaper, and there have been a number of Isuzu (edited) conversion done here on the board, which are a lot cheaper.

A lot will depend on your budget and how much you can do yourself.
cheers,
jan

 

[Wheelingnoob]

Isuzu 4BD1T/2T has been done quite a few times on here into 60 series and myself and 3 others are putting them into 80's.

Its quieter than the 4BT, makes more power stock and is cheaper to get. An adapter to your factory auto transmission is easy to make and the Power steering lines bolt right up.

If budget is of no concern then 1HD-T out of a JDM 81 series.

Here is the start of my build thread:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/diesel-tec...uzu-4bd1t-lexus-lx450-land-cruiser-build.html

You have the ideal year to do a swap like mine half the parts I have needed to buy so far for my swap are out of a FJ80 91-92.

 

[alxtorres]

Thank you fellas for the head start... much appreciated!

 

[BEE-JAY42]

Sorry to burst your bubble but the options for guys on limited funds don't usually include a diesel conversion.

 

[ZombieResponseUnit]

I think you should be able to find a 4BD2T or what ever from a salvage NPR easily in SoCal. I'd look on Craig'sList. Those trucks are becoming 'outdated' and they are setting everywhere. We got our running NPR for ~3,500 from SoCal. The swap still wont be cheap, adapters, etc, BUT 10mpg makes a rig pretty useless. With diesel you not only gain MPG, but fuel options:Bio-diesel, Vegetable oil, wast oil, Etc.

A good tread going now is https://forum.ih8mud.com/tn-stlca/636048-rootbeer-brown-diesel-build.html

 

[doug720]

I bought my original swap NPR for $1000, and recently bought a 4BD2 engine with all the accessories to rebuild as a spare for $350.00, both here in SoCal. My whole swap cost me less $2500.00 after I sold of the 2f and all the other stuff I did not need. I did all the work, except for AC and exhaust, myself in about 3 weeks of weekends and nights.

I already had an H55 and 33" tires, so the stock gearing was pretty good for my needs. The fuel mileage has been 20.3 over the 20K miles we have driven her over the last 2.5 years. I can go up Grapevine at 70 MPH, merge with traffic without being a road hazard and even pass when I need to!

Look around for a truck, there out there. It's a good combo that works great!

Doug