Anyone know about a Nissan RD28 diesel swap with 2nd gen 3.slow runners?

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LeftCoast

LeftCoast

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I smell Mons Venus!
Hi,

I have the opportunity to buy a complete diesel kit from a Nissan "Patrol" with @ 50,000. He says it's a completely mechanical diesel, so no messing with wiring up computers, it'll include a plate to line up with my auto transmission, and it's an easy swap. Everything needed from the radiator to the fuel tank (but I can use my old tank/lines). My lead mechanic says no problem installing it. I'm going to need to shorten my drive shaft, which is no problem.

I'm just wondering what you all think? Should get in the 30+ range MPG, but opening an endless money-pit is not what I want to do...does this sound doable? What exactly should be included in this kit? Will AC be an issue?
 
I've never had one pulled but they are fairly long, maybe not 2F-long but obviously a lot more than the toyota L series. I'm not sure it would fit a hilux engine bay but then again some guys manage to squeeze supras in so anything is doable.
They are nice and smooth but not the most economical in patrol bodies.
 
This guy's sending me engine, accessories, auto tranny, transfer case (I think) from the Patrol.

My runner's a 93 4x4 with a 3.0; will I need anything else major to do the swap? $1600 shipped sounds like a great deal, IF the freaking thing fits with no major problems. will 4X4 be a major issue? Will this require a lift? Will ground clearance be an issue with this motor?

Denis, do you mean the Partol's just too big for the small diesel engine?
 
I have limited experience but the patrols are generally considered and experienced as rather thirsty but then they are big and heavy too. The engine should move a runner nicely though, if it fits..
IIRC (quote me at your own risk) the rear output is centered and the front is pass. side offset so that would be a good start.
 
My mechanic says 3-4 days tops, provided all I'm being told by the seller is correct.

If I could get it in for @ 2500, I'd be a happy, happy man.
 
LeftCoast:

That does sound like a decent deal, provided the engine would fit and all. Like you noted on the thread about my truck, I didn't consider non-Toyota engines. I was more interested in a "bolt in" swap.

Otherwise, I might suggest looking into a 1KZ-TE. They fit (all you have to do is weld in new motor mounts), and there is aftermarket support for the wiring harness. I think DieselToyz is charging about $1500 for a 1KZ harness for the 89-96 4-Runners.

Having done all of my wiring, I think that's a fair price. You'd be putting in new mounts with the Nissan engine too, but the 1KZ engine would get you solidly into the high 20 mpg range I think.

Dan
 
I'm just wondering, with the added length of this thing, will lining up the shifters be an issue? What if the transfer case is 8-12 inches back? I have a mechanic to handle the install, but I don't want to make things too difficult.

That looks like a great engine set-up Dan, but not in the budget for this 4Runner. You're prolly talking 5-6 geezels easily...not this time. :(

If I get motor, accessories, auto tranny, transfer case, fuel pump, (using original fuel tank and radiator) from the Nissan, is there anything else I'm missing? Is there no way to marry this to my Toyota tranny/transfer etc.? Would Toyo's torque converter be an issue?

Sorry, but I want to pull the trigger on this soon.
 
If you're having it done you'd be better off something closer to bolt-on like DanS did IMO. Reworking the frontend, oil pan, electrics tranny tunnel driveshafts and whatnot will take a lot of time and add up quick $$$ if you're having it done.
Or at least find something that has been done before and documented.
My $0.02
 
$300-$400 for the mechanic to do the switch, and he seems comfortable with it.

I wish a used 3.0 with low miles for $200 would come along and make my decision a lot easier...
 
Get some measurments from the engine and tranny and have a look at your truck and see how it fits on paper. $300-400 seems very short, even more so for swapping a 6 in. Please report and document if/when you do it ;)
 
Seems like way to much modification and uncertianty to me.
Granted the price is decent for the engine and such. But after its all said and done, you may end up spending the same amout as it would cost to import or locate and buy otherwise a JDM diesel toyota.

Especillay will be expensive since you probly wont be doing any of the swap. Plus, I imagine the shop will have it for more than the said time. Cause things have to be fabbed, things will have to be modified, and cant be done till you get there one step at a time.

But if you do it, I'm sure you will be one of a kind, and so then you could shed light on this topic for the next guy. :D
 
I spoke with the guy again (at length) and he tells me he'll include the plate needed to marry the engine up to a Toyota auto transmission. My mechanic was concerned about the Toyos torque converter getting hosed by the diesel engine, which is why I pushed for the Nissan tranny and transfer case (which he'll still include, but insists I don't need). Diesel engine-->Plate-->Toyo tranny (no drive shaft modification needed). Two welded motor mounts up front, and the length of the engine will probably prevent me from using the engine's fan for the radiator, so I'll need to put a couple of electric fans upfront (should be mounted in front of, and blowing through the radiator, right?). No computers to wire, just a completely mechanical diesel engine to fire up.

The shop/mechanic are a different story. A guy I know has a 40 by 60 private garage at his house, and he has numerous projects going, but not enough to keep his mechanic friend busy enough to work with any regularity. Enter me, with two or three project trucks in the works, several motors needing rebuilding, now with a wild hair up my butt about needing a diesel conversion done to my Runner...long story short, if I keep this mechanic busy, I get very cheap shop privileges, and as it turns out, very cheap labor in the shop as well.

I'm usually a meticulous planner, and cautious about snap decisions, but something inside is screaming for me to go for it. $1500 or so to get a used 3.0 with crappy economy, or maybe @ $2500 for a one-of-a-kind Diesel Dogg!!! I'll research more and sleep on it tonight, but I believe I pull the trigger tomorrow AM.
 
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AUGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

After further review, better step back a bit and plan a little better. I also think a used 3.slow engine may have become available to me for a good price. Pop it in, sell it, and use the proceeds to get a suitable TOYOTA diesel (seems like a 22re 4x4 5-speed extra cab may be the proper donor) conversion project together.

Also, an acquaintance of mine owns a s-c-r-a-p metal business with connections all over the world. He has a Toyota contact overseas, so we may be able to do some business in the future. He'd make his money, but he wouldn't kill me.

Toyotadiesel.com and this site were very helpful in the decision-making process, and I'm grateful. I will be doing a diesel Toyota very soon, and it'll make a good thread.
 
did you ever get to do any measuring to see how it might fit? sounds like an interesting swap if it would fit alright. do you know how much that engine would weigh also?
 
Gotta40 said:
did you ever get to do any measuring to see how it might fit? sounds like an interesting swap if it would fit alright. do you know how much that engine would weigh also?
Click to expand...

No, no measuring was done.

I believe after all my research that this engine would make for a good 2WD, but not really enough power in the low end for 4x4. It might be too long to "easily" fit in a 4X4, but the engine with an adapter plate should fit in 2WD, if you ditch the engine fan and use a couple of electric fans up front. From most reports on the RD28, it's power band is far better-suited for a 4X2.

Also, my BS detector was going off big time during my last conversation with him, and a few horror stories on the net about this specific guy kept nagged at me (or maybe it was that ONE story that was repeated everywhere! Attention: You have a small level of revenge, as this story was one of the factors that really got me to sever ties with the man). A.J.s glass is way, way, half-full (optimistic to the nth level), man.


From the invoice (Is that a FrontWD auto trans, or suppose to be 4WD? This is the question that did it for me.):

Used Nissan RD28 Diesel Motor Complete with FWD Automatic Transmission
T-Case included and Adaptor plate.

No guarantee as to application/ modifications.

Freight 650lbs.
 
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if you're talking about a certain person on a auction site with several motors listed, I emailed about havign the same pic on several different motors, but havent' recieved a response yet. the td27 looks interesting though, and might be a better fit. I haven't heard any stories, but i havent been looking I guess.
 
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