Advice on first diesel purchase

[minime1209]

There are currently 3 rhd diesels that I have available to me. I am very comfortable with mechanics and have had some formal training. Although, I have no experience with diesel engines. Hopefully some of the diesel gurus here can provide some insight or point me in the right direction. My biggest concerns are overall engine/drivetrain reliability, general common issues, and ride comfort. All vehicles are landed and are regularly driven. Here are the options:

1. 1991 Pajero 2.5L 4d56 4x4
-5spd
-134,000kms
-Timing belt recently replaced
-Cruise control
-oil pan heater and frost plug heater
-New rear calipers and pads
-2.5" exhaust
-Rear spring airbags
-Power everything

2. 1990 Hilux SSR 4x4
-2.4L turbo diesel
-142,000kms
-5spd
-Head swapped out for 3L head
-New u-joints
-New clutch
-2 blocks heaters
-3" exhaust
-All work done at 2 reputable dealers

3. 1988 Nissan Pickup TD27 4x4
-Im not sure if it's turbo'd or not
-Local truck
-63,000 kms
-5spd
-Not a lot of info in the listing but I have sent a request for more to the owner
Maybe a photo will help....

 

[BEE-JAY42]

I have owned nissan td27, while I can't knock it for reliability I can warn you that they are painfully slow.

 

[DanS HJ-45]

I can tell you that the SSR Surf is just fine, with the major exception of the head. I read that it has a 3L head on it, but the head's still crack on 2LT-Es from what I gather. I've just accepted that I'll be replacing my head fairly regularly--just because it's a 2LT-E.

If you can deal with a head that might crack repeatedly, then the Surf is a pretty good vehicle all around. I'd probably keep shopping for a 1KZ-TE powered Surf though, if it was me (or better yet, any diesel cruiser, LJ-7X excepted).

Dan

 

[Radd Cruisers]

A few words of advice: absolutely DO NOT buy anything with the 2LTE engine or any of its variants. Use the search feature in this forum and in the 70 series forum.

The Pajero is okay, but I'm not a huge fan.

The court is out on imported (JDM) 1KZTE engines.

The Nissan also has its issues, but is more reliable than the Toyota 2LTx engines.

~John

PS please post your location in your profile.

 

[marting]

This has been passionatly discussed before... but here is my opinion again..

The cracking-head issue on Toyota's various 2L engines isn't known over here... there are atleast a hundred thousand Hi-ace's, Lj70/73's and hi-lux's running these engines over here, and rust kills them, not engine failure.. Most of them run atleast 300Kkm before rusting apart.
Tehy are all "E"'s after 2000 or something right ? I might be confused by that E..
Warping heads and broken head-gaskets are much more common with the Mitsubishi engines (4d56)
Canada must be a tough place for cars... or the engines are not the same..

 

[lshobie]

This has been passionatly discussed before... but here is my opinion again..

The cracking-head issue on Toyota's various 2L engines isn't known over here... there are atleast a hundred thousand Hi-ace's, Lj70/73's and hi-lux's running these engines over here, and rust kills them, not engine failure.. Most of them run atleast 300Kkm before rusting apart.
Tehy are all "E"'s after 2000 or something right ? I might be confused by that E..
Warping heads and broken head-gaskets are much more common with the Mitsubishi engines (4d56)
Canada must be a tough place for cars... or the engines are not the same..

Whatever the reason is the reality is that they are bad here - so don't buy one, if you buy it expect on down time and an engine job - and another engine job in the future. I suggest going back to the drawing board and picking 3 other diesel trucks - then come back and ask an opinion about them.

Good luck!

 

[canucksafari]

LOL You posted the same questions over on IVOAC. Why don't you give us a ball-park figure of what you are able to pay to buy a JDM diesel? Also, let us know what your are your plans and needs in terms of passenger/hauling capacity and 4Wheeling. Then we might be able to give you an idea of what might be the best choice for the money. Its always better to start from what your needs are and how much money you have to spend.

 

[minime1209]

LOL You posted the same questions over on IVOAC. Why don't you give us a ball-park figure of what you are able to pay to buy a JDM diesel? Also, let us know what your are your plans and needs in terms of passenger/hauling capacity and 4Wheeling. Then we might be able to give you an idea of what might be the best choice for the money. Its always better to start from what your needs are and how much money you have to spend.

Haha, ya. I was hoping to get a perspective from the politically minded daily drivers and the guys that run these units hard.

Ideally, I'd like to find something that will provide me with reliability and gas mileage for daily driving. Keep in mind I live in Lethbridge. We don't have any Deerfoots or 17th ave's here. So, driving daily at highway speeds is not required. Although, I expect a vehicle that can holds it own on the highway. Majority of the "rugged" driving will consist of hauling the boys and our gear to the ski hill, fishing, etc. I will not be towing or venturing into no mans land with the vehicle. I'd like to spend in the neighborhood of 5-6000 dollars. I'm not going to be the stereotypical prospective buyer looking to spend next to nothing on a pristine jdm with no mileage on it. I realize that, for the money, I need to expect the vehicle to have traveled some miles. That's not an issue for me as long as it's been properly cared for. I would also like to find something that has already landed and had some time to travel Canadian roads.

I was vaguely aware of this issues with the 2L. So, I thank you guys for shedding some more light on that. I have had my eye on a nice 4JG2 bighorn but it is a little out of my price range. I haven't seen a whole lot of non prado cruisers listed around these parts. Any that have popped up are demanding a pretty penny!

 

[Stone]

This has been passionatly discussed before... but here is my opinion again..

The cracking-head issue on Toyota's various 2L engines isn't known over here... there are atleast a hundred thousand Hi-ace's, Lj70/73's and hi-lux's running these engines over here, and rust kills them, not engine failure.. Most of them run atleast 300Kkm before rusting apart.
Tehy are all "E"'s after 2000 or something right ? I might be confused by that E..
Warping heads and broken head-gaskets are much more common with the Mitsubishi engines (4d56)
Canada must be a tough place for cars... or the engines are not the same..

I think that if we were able to buy them here brand new and know their history since new, then we might end up with similar experiences. Where and how these vehicles finally end up in Canada are a huge part of our different experiences here IMO.






That old crew cab Nissan looks great! Would have loved to swap that body on my old Nissan pickup if I still had it. The Z24 gas engine with the TBI in my old truck was super reliable, and adequate for power for a little 4 banger.

 

[canucksafari]

Minnime, $5000-6000, is pretty low for a JDM diesel and not to expect their to be mechanical or rust issues. There have been some exceptional deals on some Canadian HJ60s the last year or so in that price range.

If you have an itch to do your own work and some basic tools, the Nissan would be dead simple to work on. All three have a gas engine North American counterpart which opens up getting most parts as being a breeze. The plus on the TD27 is that it was also an engine used by Nissan in forklifts and other industrial applications. So, you have a wide selection of sources for parts. Also, being an engine primarily designed for industrial use, it 'll be much more dependable than the engines in the other two. It'll be comparable to a 3B - strong but slow. It should take well to turboing (say around 9 lbs boost). This is something you would want if you are always running near or over 3,000'.

 

[prado t]

Are people still importing JUNK? Or are these left-overs. If you are not willing to pay now for a good machine, you will be paying the moment it is in the driveway and wont start

 

[minime1209]

So, I made the trip up yesterday to check out the pajero. I must say it drove extremely smooth. Here are some additional details I uncovered:

-The previous owner imported and owned the truck for 9 months
-Owner is selling because he needs a four door for growing family
-The vehicle was transported from the docks to CVI Motors in Richmond where a full lube service was performed.
-New windshield (CVI)
-Driveshaft was removed and balanced (CVI)
-Steering alignment was performed
-Airbags were added to rear with easy access adjustment nipples (CVI)
-Replaced timing belt (CVI)
-Added harness connectors in the rear and front for a Warn winch
-Removed and replaced the stock exhaust with new 2.5" pipes (CVI)
-Oil pan and block heaters added (CVI)
-Aftermarket cruise control system installed (CVI)
-Driver side cv joint replaced with new (CVI)
-Ford escape roof rack installed (CVI)
-All filters replaced (CVI)
-New rear calipers, discs, and pads (current owner)
-Boost and voltmeter gauges installed (CVI)
-Pyrometer was installed during the vehicles time in Japan
-Both Canadian owners used Power Service ULSD Fuel Supplement in every tank.
-I thoroughly inspected fuel lines, fuel rail, injector pump and found them to be dry as a bone.
-He is very cautious with his egt's while driving
-He replaced all four tires and the spare when he purchased from previous owner. Approx. 60% remaining on four and the spare is still 100%
- The extent of his 4x4ing with this truck was crossing a 6-12" deep stream while out mountain biking
-He has driven the truck from Calgary to Whitefish twice. Multiple trips to Canmore, one trip to Idaho and multiple trips to the Lake Louise area.
-Brand new IPF headlights
-7" PIAA's installed (CVI)
-EVERYTHING works
-Current owner has never! driven in 4wd while on dry surfaces (Taking his word on this one)
-Glow plugs cycled before any starts 5 degrees celsius
-Always plugged in anything below -10 degrees celsius
-Always allowed a warm up period before driving in winter
- Does not smoke what so ever!
- Idles smooth an consistently
-Clutch feels strong

I will add more if anything else comes to mind

 

[crushers]

i have driven the Pajero, Delica and Strada (all share the same drivetrain) and love them all.
i have never owned a Nissan but hear they are decent rides.
Surf = puke

diesels need a pyro installed IMMEDIATELY so you can learn how to drive it properly.
i had a 1990 Pajero for a few years as the wifes DD with zero issues.

lethbridge has 2 decent bumps and wicked head winds so don't fool yourself, both eat heads.

welcome to the world of diesels now go pull out your wallet.

 

[canucksafari]

CVI is one of the better respected shops by the Delica and Pajero owners. Apparently the owner, like many of the supporting businesses here on MUD gives a lot back to the local Mitsubishi community. All the info you posted makes this one sound like a great buy. Is it a SWB. Nothing wrong with that if it meets your needs. But remember if it is a SWB, it will not be great for car-topping a 12' boat or pulling a trailer of any size or weight. Just imagine what is safe to do with a Jeep and then decide. Any yes I have seen Jeeps pulling big 20' fiberglass boats. While the Jeep was indeed pulling, it was the boat on the trailer doing the steering.

For car-topping, you can improve the stability by getting rims with a better offset - if it doesn't already have them.

 

[minime1209]

CVI is one of the better respected shops by the Delica and Pajero owners. Apparently the owner, like many of the supporting businesses here on MUD gives a lot back to the local Mitsubishi community. All the info you posted makes this one sound like a great buy. Is it a SWB. Nothing wrong with that if it meets your needs. But remember if it is a SWB, it will not be great for car-topping a 12' boat or pulling a trailer of any size or weight. Just imagine what is safe to do with a Jeep and then decide. Any yes I have seen Jeeps pulling big 20' fiberglass boats. While the Jeep was indeed pulling, it was the boat on the trailer doing the steering.

For car-topping, you can improve the stability by getting rims with a better offset - if it doesn't already have them.

Yes, it is an SWB. The truck is running stock rims with 33x10.5x15 BFG AT's

 

[crushers]

that pic had to be old... there is no way you still have snow in AB?

i have sold a couple of those with no negative feedback.