Anyone done the diesel conversion?? (1 Viewer)

[JVS]

Hey guys,

I've got an '84 FJ 60 that I love, but I'm really tired of 10 MPG and 65 MPH. So I've been thinking hard about doing the diesel conversion. I spoke with Jeremiah Proffitt today for a little while getting some info. The long and short of it seems to be about 25 MPG and 80 MPH, AND I can run WVO.

Two questions:

Anyone out there done the conversion and NOT happy with it? If so, why not?

Anyone out there using WVO instead of diesel? (If I do the conversion, I'm going to run WVO because out here in So Cal, diesel costs almost as much as regular gas!)

Thanks in advance,
jvs

 

[Exiled]

Do a search, bro, use the search word "Fritota".

Most people that embark on uncommon conversions will seldomly come out on a forum and say the didn't like it, even when it doesn't turn out quite as they expected.

Mine's *at* Proffitt's right now, ask me again how it went at the end of the summer! I won't be running WVO or even SVO, not enough time to be making my own fuel. My plan is to run B20, which I can get around here for a price comparable to petro diesel.

The 4BT is rumored to be a pretty solid, LOUD engine. Think about that. It's also a very torquey engine, so the drivetrain will have to be upgraded. Also, I don't expect to get 25MPG out of mine, I'll be happy with 20 (it's SOA and heavy).

Finally, gearing is *crucial* when doing a convewrsion like this, factor that into your budget.

Good luck!

 

[Mike S]

JVS

Go to the International section of this board. A lot of experienced Deiselheads over there. any have done conversion or have modified their Toyota Diesels. So the answer is yes. You'll find lots of company there. Best to monitor both sections, but please do not cross post. I f you want, I'll move your thread over there, and leave a redirect on this section.

M

M

 

[JVS]

Thanks Mike

Hey Mike,

If you think I'll get more responses from the international section, please do move it and redirect here.

Thanks,
jvs

 

[FL cruiser]

I've managed to drive a mile or two on WVO before I stall out. In the process of working the bugs out.
I'm finding it takes some tinkering to get a WVO system dialed in.

Don't be surprised if your actual MPG isn't as high as you expect.
A few people with similar setups as mine claim 21 to 25 MPG.
I actually get 16 to 19 MPG. But I guess that's a big improvement and I shouldn't complain.

No complaints about the diesel conversion. Would do it again.

 

[HZJ60 Guy]

Here is the 1HZ that is in my 60 right now.

She'll be out of the paint booth tomarrow.

As soon as I get more pics and info I'll post them.

TB

 

[Mike S]

HZJ60

Nice move. Nice motor. I am a bit envious, just a bit.

M

 

[Dietoy]

If you look around the net there are many sites devoted to diesel conversions. IMO the three top candiates are a Toyota 3b or 13B(the turbo) out of Canda. Since the 3B comes in candian cruiser it should make the switch an easy one. The cummins 4b is awesome but plan on making your own motor mounts and such. The Isuzu 4Bt which is availabe in the NPR commerical trucks reportedly works well. I pick these three based on power/performace/mpg and ease of conversion. And since these have been done some of the bugs are worked out (such as tranny adapted plates)
It is possible to mount a VW 1.9 turbo diesel into an FJ (in theory) I hesitate on this one because it seems underpowered. Then again the VW racing bunch are chipping up the 1.9 to specs as high as a V8 so who knows.
There are the Nissan SD's that came in Scouts a while ago. I keep seeing these on ebay and while a stout motor the performace just isnt there compared to my top 3.

There is a Jeep 2.8 on ebay for major cash and I see another TDI for sale from Brazil on ebay every once in a while for big dollars as well. The toyota Hilux has a 3.0 which carries much punch but again big dollars.

As for now I would go with the 3B with an aftermarket turbo for an FJ. You should be able to get motor mounts and such off a BJ cruiser. The 3B has a good rep and no electoric crap to slow you down when the going gets rough. (Some of you guys can handle the electronic, I run from any car newer than 1979)

 

[DieselROCKS]

And uh....where exactly is the uhh...paintbooth

 

[dieseldog]

I am buying a half-cut out of japan off of a JDM HiLux equipped with the 3.0 1KZ-TE four-cylinder turbodiesel. The cut will come with everything from the dash forward, the entire drivetrain, rear shaft, electronics, wiring, ECU, etc. This is an engine with which I am very familiar as I have put 22,000 miles on my '93 KZJ-70. It is a very rugged, strong engine with many of the very same features as the 1PZ and the 1HZ (SOHC, same valve shims, timing belt, fuel filtration, etc.). This drivetrain is going to be transplanted into my HJ-45. Of course, in doing this transplant, I have the advantage in the fact that my truck is already a diesel; however, you should not be afraid of making a diesel conversion if that's what you really want.

IMHO, Land Cruisers beg for diesels and work very well with one under the hood. One of the reasons the 2F is so beloved is that it's "torquey" and basically folks are praising it for being like a tractor motor. The translation of that is: It pulls/drives/feels like a DIESEL! Well, just go put in a diesel and be done with it. Plus, you'll absolutely love the mileage. We can argue till we're blue in the face, but even my worst diesel gets greater than 18 miles per gallon (U.S. gallons) no matter how hard I work it. Try that with a 2F.

 

[HZJ60 Guy]

Hey you DOG you (Your name) when are you going to post pictures of all those FUNNY vehicles of yours?

Hmm. Land Pimp has posted pics of his HERUM.

 

[dieseldog]

Soon.

 

[wesintl]

As for now I would go with the 3B with an aftermarket turbo for an FJ. You should be able to get motor mounts and such off a BJ cruiser. The 3B has a good rep and no electoric crap to slow you down when the going gets rough. (Some of you guys can handle the electronic, I run from any car newer than 1979)

I would not go with a 3b and aftermarket turbo. If you were going to do that just buy a bj60. Personally I'd opt for a larger 6cyl diesel in a 60, maybe a 13b-t . The cummins 4bt's i've seen have been really nice. If you doing the diesel swap just for the cost of gas then forget about it. You should be able to get about 14-17 out of the 2f. You still need to factor your time in making geasol and without counting your time I think it comes in at about $.70.

Good luck.

 

[browndog]

If you can find a 13BT go for it. Plenty of power for a 60, 20-28 mpg, plenty of room under the hood for future modifications, simple motor. The six cylinder Toyota diesels are nice too. If you follow some of the swap threads you'll read some positive notes about the Cummins 4BT as well.

If you do a Toyota swap you can do the swap yourself and save about $3-4K. I did a 13BT swap which wasn't that difficult, given the advice I got from members on this board and some perserverance.

As for WVO, I assume you mean WVO based biodiesel. My wife and I are just about to brew our first batch of WVO biodiesel having completed a homemade processor. We spent less than $250 for the entire processing unit and should be producing fuel for well under $1 per gallon. Combine that with increased fuel efficiency and the payoff for our engine swap is 3 years. Not a bad investment. While this doesn't include time spent, it's time and money I'm forgoing trying to repair a 2F with 245K on it and time spent at the gas station where the man bends me over the pump. Plus, let's be honest guys--gas is only going to get more expensive over time. The honeymoon is over.

 

[Stone]

I would not go with a 3b and aftermarket turbo. If you were going to do that just buy a bj60. Personally I'd opt for a larger 6cyl diesel in a 60, maybe a 13b-t .

I think you meant a 12H-T, which is the 2H 6cyl diesel, direct injected with a factory turbo. A very sweet engine with gobs of torque and is very smooth running. But the 13B-T is also a great motor, and I've heard of a couple of people who have done that swap into wagons and have been very happy with it...namely Browndog and Stickboy.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Is it safe to assume that in every one of these conversions, the motor mounts need to be changed?

What are the HP and TQ numbers for the 12H-t and the 13B-t?

 

[Mike S]

For Landcruiser engine specs, click here: Engine Specs

M

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Thank you for those specs. The question still remains though, can the motor mounts be reused from a 2F to lets say a 1HD-T?

 

[paulj]

JVS;
I just got back from Vancouver and a visit to G & S Cruiser parts. See my reply to a post dated today in the Chit Chat section titled "Diesel". I test drove an HJ 61 with a 13-BT / H55F combo, and it had real nice power. I was surpised that a 4 cylinder would be that nice. The HZ or HD-T must be awesome. I definitely think you'd want a 5 speed if you had an engine of lower horsepower than the HD-T.

 

[Mike S]

The 1HD-T is a killer engine, despite the reported bearing problems. It makes gobs of torque, has the balance of a six banger, and does not work with an H55F, apparently. G&S will sell you a nice used one for around $8,000.

I have heard that soemone did a swap intoa 60, but don't know much about the details. I would bet that it is a killer rig. I wonder if the mileage holds up above, say, 22 MPG?

M